Given below are two statements, one is labelled asAssertion (A) :and the other us Reason (R).Assertion (A):Indian Ocean has become the Military bases of many big powers.Reason (R):There is strong geo-political benefits in Indian Ocean and adjacent countries.Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. A

   Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

   (a) Both true and (R) explains (A). The assertion on great-power bases in the Indian Ocean is true, and the reason on geo-political stakes is also true, but the stored key does not treat (R) as the causal explanation of (A).

2. B

   Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

   (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). Bases of the United States, France, China and others in the Indian Ocean are a fact. Adjacent states do draw geo-political benefit from location on sea lanes. Those two truths are parallel: (R) speaks of benefits to neighbouring countries, while (A) is about extra-regional military basing. That is why both stand but (R) does not explain (A).

3. C

   (A) is true, but (R) is false

   (c) (A) true, (R) false. (R) is not false: the Indian Ocean and its rim states are a classic geo-political prize (chokepoints, energy routes).

4. D

   (A) is false. but (R) is true

   (d) (A) false, (R) true. (A) is not false: Diego Garcia, Djibouti, Réunion and newer Chinese facilities show extra-regional basing.

Summary. Official key is (b). Both statements are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). Great-power bases in the Indian Ocean are real; rim-state geo-political advantage is also real. (R) credits neighbouring countries’ benefit, whereas (A) is about military bases of big powers—two related but distinct claims. Honour the stored letter (b).