Q. Consider the following statements about the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA:

1. Operation ATALANTA was launched in 2015 to combat piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.
2. The primary focus of Operation ATALANTA is to protect World Food Programme vessels and monitor narcotics trafficking in the Indian Ocean.
3. The operation's mandate has expanded to include anti-piracy, arms embargo enforcement, and monitoring illegal fishing.
4. Operation ATALANTA operates exclusively in the Mediterranean Sea.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: Only 2 and 3
Notes: Operation ATALANTA was actually initiated in 2008, not 2015, making the first statement incorrect. The operation does indeed focus on protecting World Food Programme vessels and monitoring illegal activities, making the second statement correct. Its mandate has expanded beyond piracy to include various maritime security tasks, confirming the third statement. However, Operation ATALANTA does not operate exclusively in the Mediterranean but in the Western Indian Ocean, rendering the fourth statement incorrect.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.