Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. In 1948, Burma

Which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. In 1948, Burma was admitted to the United Nations and immediately supported the USA in the Cold War
  • 2. In 1948, Burma joined the United Nations but refused to denounce China as the aggressor in the Korean War

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
Let’s analyze the statements:
1. “In 1948, Burma was admitted to the United Nations and immediately supported the USA in the Cold War.” Burma gained independence in January 1948 and was admitted to the UN in April 1948. However, independent Burma adopted a policy of strict neutrality and non-alignment, particularly in the early years of the Cold War. It did not immediately support the USA. This statement is incorrect.
2. “In 1948, Burma joined the United Nations but refused to denounce China as the aggressor in the Korean War.” Burma did join the UN in 1948. However, the Korean War began in June 1950, more than two years after 1948. Burma did indeed refuse to condemn China as an aggressor in the Korean War, consistent with its neutral stance and its shared border with China, but this refusal happened in the context of the war in 1950, not in 1948. Therefore, the statement is chronologically incorrect as phrased.

Since both statements contain factual inaccuracies as written, neither is correct.

Burma (Myanmar) joined the UN in 1948 but pursued a policy of non-alignment in the Cold War. The Korean War started in 1950.
Burma’s neutral stance in the Cold War was a key aspect of its foreign policy after independence. Its refusal to join US-led alliances or condemn China in the Korean War was consistent with this position, aimed at maintaining friendly relations with all major powers and focusing on internal development and stability.