Foreign Minister of a country, Anthony Blinken had visited two days to India for strengthening co-operation on July 27 and 28 in 2021. He belongs to which of the following countries ?

The answer is B) United States of America. Anthony Blinken was the US Secretary of State, the American equivalent of a Foreign Minister. He visited New Delhi on 27-28 July 2021 for talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on bilateral ties and the Quad agenda.

Why the others are wrong: the UK's counterpart is the Foreign Secretary, France's is the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Australia's is the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Blinken held none of these offices.

Core concept: the title for a foreign minister differs across countries. In the US it is 'Secretary of State', who heads the State Department. For UPPSC, know the designations and current holders of foreign ministries of major powers. Mains link: India-US ties under GS-II (International Relations), covering the Quad, the Major Defence Partnership and the 2+2 dialogue.

Note: Blinken served as US Secretary of State until January 2025. The description here applies to his 2021 visit.

Trap: candidates pick the UK or France because the question uses the generic phrase 'Foreign Minister' and they assume a European answer. Link the person to the office he actually held.