India-Russia & Israel Relations — Set 6
International Relations · भारत-रूस और इजरायल संबंध · Questions 51–60 of 140
France supplied India with the Mirage 2000 aircraft. These were crucial during which conflict?
Correct Answer: C. 1999 Kargil War
Mirage 2000 aircraft, supplied by France, played a crucial role in the 1999 Kargil War. They were used to deliver laser-guided bombs against Pakistani positions at high altitudes in the Kargil sector, a task for which they were uniquely suited. The success of the Mirage 2000 in Kargil reinforced India's interest in advanced French fighter technology and ultimately contributed to the Rafale deal decades later.
The term 'strategic autonomy' frequently used in Indian foreign policy means:
Correct Answer: B. India maintains freedom to make decisions without being tied to any single power bloc
Strategic autonomy in Indian foreign policy means maintaining the freedom to make decisions on international issues in India's national interest, without being permanently tied to any single power bloc or alliance. This allows India to buy Russian defence equipment, import Russian oil, maintain ties with Iran, and simultaneously be part of the US-led Quad. India's partnerships with Russia, France, USA, and Israel simultaneously reflect this doctrine.
Israel's Iron Dome air defence system is designed to intercept which type of threats?
Correct Answer: B. Short-range rockets and artillery shells
Israel's Iron Dome is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds with a range of 4-70 km. It was developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in partnership with the US and became operational in 2011. During the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, Iron Dome intercepted thousands of rockets fired from Gaza. India has a different threat environment, requiring longer-range systems like the S-400.
The India-Israel 'India-Israel Innovation Initiative' (I4F) fund focuses on:
Correct Answer: B. Industrial R&D and technological innovation collaboration
The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) supports joint research and development projects by Indian and Israeli companies and research institutions. The fund focuses on areas including water technology, agriculture, homeland security, information and communication technology, and biotechnology. I4F is jointly managed by India's DST (Department of Science and Technology) and Israel's IIA (Israel Innovation Authority).
What was India's official name for the 'Strategic Partnership' established with France in 1998?
Correct Answer: C. Indo-French Strategic Partnership
The 1998 Strategic Partnership between India and France was officially called the 'Indo-French Strategic Partnership,' formalised during bilateral summits between the two countries. It was one of India's first designated strategic partnerships. Over the years it has been strengthened through regular bilateral summits, defence cooperation (Mirage 2000, Scorpène submarines, Rafale), nuclear cooperation, and multilateral coordination at the UN.
The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral forum was a grouping that met regularly before its decline. Who proposed this grouping?
Correct Answer: B. Russia's PM Primakov
The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral was proposed by Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in 1998 as a geopolitical counterweight to US dominance in the post-Cold War world. The three countries held meetings at Foreign Minister levels for several years. However, the RIC has become less active as India-China tensions grew, particularly after the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
The INS Arihant, India's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, is part of India's nuclear triad. INS Arihant was commissioned in:
Correct Answer: B. 2016
INS Arihant, India's first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), was commissioned on August 18, 2016, with PM Modi present at the ceremony. The submarine can carry K-15 Sagarika and K-4 ballistic missiles. Its commissioning completed India's nuclear triad (land, sea, and air based nuclear capability) and provided a credible sea-based second-strike capability.
France and India are both members of which plurilateral arrangement related to nuclear energy?
Correct Answer: D. India is not NPT signatory but France helped secure India-specific NSG waiver
France was one of the key countries that supported the India-specific waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in September 2008, which allowed civilian nuclear trade with India despite India not being an NPT signatory. France was among the first to sign civilian nuclear cooperation agreements with India after the waiver. India is not an NPT member but has Safeguards agreements with the IAEA for its civilian nuclear facilities.
Israeli intelligence reportedly helped India during the 2016 Uri surgical strikes by providing:
Correct Answer: B. Satellite imagery and communications intelligence
Israeli intelligence reportedly provided India with satellite imagery and communications intelligence that was useful in the planning of the 2016 Uri surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. While the exact nature of the support has not been officially confirmed by either country, the India-Israel intelligence relationship is considered deep and operationally relevant. Israel's Mossad and UNIT 8200 are known for their intelligence gathering capabilities.
Russia is also a major supplier of energy to Europe. India's increasing engagement with Russian energy post-2022 involved importing which type of energy?
Correct Answer: B. Crude oil primarily, at significant discounts
India's post-2022 energy engagement with Russia focused primarily on crude oil imports, which Russia offered at significant discounts (reportedly $10-35 per barrel below market price) to compensate for the loss of Western markets due to sanctions. Indian refiners rapidly increased Russian crude imports, refining it and even re-exporting petroleum products. Coal imports from Russia also increased but crude oil was the primary component.