What does the confidence building measure recognize?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Countries accept confidence building as a means of avoiding violence.

Option (1) Countries do not share information and ideas with their rivals — Incorrect. Confidence building is the very process in which countries share ideas and information with their rivals.

Option (2) They do not tell each other about the kind of forces they possess — Incorrect. They do tell each other about the kind of forces they possess, and may share where those forces are deployed.

Option (3) Countries accept confidence building as a means of avoiding violence. — Correct. Traditional security accepts confidence building as a means of avoiding violence; it is designed to ensure that rivals do not go to war through misunderstanding or misperception.

Option (4) As a confidence building measure, planning a surprise attack is legitimate. — Incorrect. Sharing information is a way of demonstrating that they are not planning a surprise attack.

NCERT (2025-26): “Traditional Security and Cooperation … Traditional security also accepts confidence building as a means of avoiding violence. Confidence building is a process in which countries share ideas and information with their rivals. They tell each other about their military intentions and, up to a point, their military plans. This is a way of demonstrating that they are not planning a surprise attack. They also tell each other about the kind of forces they possess, and they may share information on where those forces are deployed. In short, confidence building is a process designed to ensure that rivals do not go to war through misunderstanding or misperception.…”