India-Russia & Israel Relations — Set 11

Correct Answer: D. All of the above elements are present

The correct answer is 'All of the above elements are present'. India has drawn inspiration from multiple Israeli water management innovations: Israel's National Water Carrier system inspired discussions about India's river inter-linking project, Netafim (Israeli company) drip irrigation technology has been adopted across Indian states, and India is building desalination plants using Israeli technology (Chennai, in particular). Israel's comprehensive approach to water scarcity management has been a model for water-stressed Indian states.

Correct Answer: B. EPR (European Pressurised Reactor)

The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant in Maharashtra is planned to use EDF's (France's state energy company) EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) technology, the world's most powerful nuclear reactor design at 1,650 MW per unit. The Jaitapur project with six EPR reactors would be the world's largest nuclear power plant by installed capacity (9,900 MW). Price negotiations and safety concerns have delayed the project, but it remains a flagship India-France nuclear cooperation initiative.

Correct Answer: B. Smaller size for air-launched versions and lighter weight

BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), being jointly developed by India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, is primarily aimed at making the missile smaller and lighter — roughly half the weight of the current BrahMos — while maintaining supersonic speed and precision. The smaller size enables it to be fitted on lighter aircraft like the Tejas LCA and smaller naval vessels. Extended range is also being developed for the current BrahMos (already tested to 450 km range).

Correct Answer: B. Counter-terrorism hostage rescue operations

Israel's Operation Entebbe (Operation Thunderbolt) of July 1976, in which Israeli commandos flew 4,000 km to Uganda to rescue 102 Israeli hostages held by Palestinian and German terrorists, is studied as one of the most audacious and successful counter-terrorism hostage rescue operations in military history. It is studied in Indian military academies as a benchmark for special operations planning, execution, and intelligence integration. India's own experience with IC-814 and subsequent counter-terrorism capacity building has been informed by Israeli lessons.

Correct Answer: B. Hydrogen energy and offshore wind in addition to nuclear fusion (ITER)

The correct answer is Hydrogen energy and offshore wind in addition to nuclear fusion (ITER). India-France energy cooperation extends beyond nuclear (Jaitapur EPR) and ITER fusion energy to include hydrogen energy (both countries are part of the Hydrogen for Climate Action initiative), offshore wind (France's expertise in North Sea wind farms is relevant to India's offshore wind plans), and solar energy through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) which both co-founded. This comprehensive clean energy cooperation is a key dimension of the Horizon 2047 partnership. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: D. DRDO and IAI

The MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile), also known as Barak-8 or LR-SAM, is jointly developed by India's DRDO and Israel's IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries). It has variants for the Indian Army (MRSAM), Navy (LR-SAM), and Air Force (MR-SAM), making it one of the most comprehensive defence co-development programmes between India and Israel. MRSAM provides medium-range air defence (up to 70 km) and is manufactured partly in India by BEL.

Correct Answer: B. A multimodal trade corridor connecting India to Russia via Iran and Central Asia

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200 km multimodal trade route connecting India to Russia (and Europe) via Iran, the Caspian Sea, and Central Asia. Goods travel by ship to Iran's Bandar Abbas port, then by rail and road through Iran to the Caspian, and then into Russia. The corridor reduces trade time from India to Russia from 40 days (via Suez) to about 25 days and is particularly relevant after post-2022 sanctions complicated direct India-Russia trade routes.

Correct Answer: C. S-400 Triumf (Russian)

The correct answer is S-400 Triumf (Russian). Israel's David's Sling targets medium-to-long range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, similar in concept to India's S-400 Triumf (which provides area air defence against aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 400 km). India's indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme, with PAD (exo-atmospheric) and AAD (endo-atmospheric) interceptors, also provides similar capability but is still being developed to full operational status. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. 1960s

ISRO and France's CNES have cooperated since the 1960s when India's space programme was in its infancy. France provided ground station support for India's early satellite programmes and Arianespace has launched multiple Indian satellites. The Sriharikota launch facility was developed with some French technical assistance. This long-standing cooperation makes France-India space ties one of the oldest and deepest bilateral space partnerships India has.

Correct Answer: C. PM Modi visited Russia in July 2024, demonstrating continuation of high-level ties

PM Narendra Modi visited Russia in July 2024 for a bilateral summit with President Putin, demonstrating the continuation of high-level India-Russia summits despite the Ukraine war. The visit was significant as it occurred days after Russia struck a children's hospital in Ukraine, drawing Western criticism of Modi. Modi also visited Ukraine in August 2024, demonstrating India's balancing approach. The summits continue, reflecting India's strategic imperatives in maintaining this relationship.