Question

Assertion: Indian Government is obligated to foster respect for international treaty obligations.
Reason: Article 51(c), a DPSP, imposes a duty upon the State to respect international law.

• A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
• C. Reason is correct but Assertion is incorrect.
• D. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.

Hint:

Directive Principles of State Policy guide the State but are not enforceable by courts; they cannot create binding legal obligations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the assertion.
The Indian Government, by virtue of being a sovereign State and a participant in the international community, is expected to respect and honour its international treaty obligations. This obligation flows from international law principles and India’s participation in treaties and conventions.
Step 2: Understanding the reason.
Article 51(c) of the Indian Constitution is a Directive Principle of State Policy which states that the State shall endeavour to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations. However, DPSPs are non-justiciable and do not impose a legally enforceable duty.
Step 3: Relationship between assertion and reason.
While the assertion is correct in stating that the Indian Government is obligated to respect international treaty obligations, the reason is incorrect because Article 51(c) does not impose a binding legal duty; it merely expresses an aspirational goal of the State.
Step 4: Examination of options.
(A) Incorrect, because Article 51(c) does not legally enforce treaty obligations.
(B) Incorrect, since the reason is not a valid explanation for the assertion.
(C) Incorrect, as the assertion is not wrong.
(D) Correct, because the assertion is true but the reason is not legally accurate.
Step 5: Conclusion.
The Indian Government’s obligation to respect international treaty commitments is correct, but attributing this obligation to Article 51(c) as a binding duty is incorrect. Hence, option (D) is the correct answer.