India-Russia & Israel Relations — Set 8

Correct Answer: C. Abstained on all Ukraine-related UNSC proceedings

India was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2021-22 and abstained on the procedural vote in February 2022 on the UNSC resolution regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India abstained on multiple Ukraine-related votes, consistent with its policy of maintaining neutrality and engaging in dialogue rather than taking sides. India did not veto anything — that power is only available to P5 members.

Correct Answer: C. Multi-role Combat aircraft for India (Modernizirovanniy Kommercheskiy Indiya)

Su-30MKI — the 'MKI' stands for 'Modernizirovanniy Kommercheskiy Indiya' in Russian, meaning 'Modernised Commercial India,' indicating it is a specially customised variant for India. The MKI is equipped with thrust-vectoring engines, advanced avionics including French and Israeli systems, and a superior radar system compared to other Su-30 variants. India's fleet of 272 Su-30MKIs forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force.

Correct Answer: C. Narendra Modi

The correct answer is Narendra Modi. Under PM Narendra Modi, the India-Israel relationship transitioned from the previous 'arm's length' approach (where India maintained ties but kept them low-key to avoid alienating Arab states) to a 'warm embrace' featuring high-profile meetings, first-ever PM visits, and open celebration of the partnership. Modi's 2017 visit to Israel and Netanyahu's 2017 return visit, along with the elevation to a 'Strategic Partnership,' symbolised this transformation. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: C. Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU, 3-5%)

Civilian nuclear power plants, including Kudankulam's VVER-1000 reactors, use Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) with enrichment levels of 3-5% of U-235, far below the weapons-grade level of 90%+. Russia supplies enriched uranium fuel assemblies for Kudankulam. The civilian nuclear cooperation between India and Russia, as well as with France, USA, and others, operates under IAEA safeguards to ensure the fuel is used only for peaceful energy generation.

Correct Answer: C. At least 45-50% indigenous content

Project-75 India (P75I), the advanced submarine programme following the Scorpène Project-75, requires significant indigenous content from the Technology partner (selected as L&T-TKMS Germany consortium, though final arrangements are evolving). The programme aims at progressively increasing indigenous content in submarine construction. India's goal is to achieve at least 45-50% indigenous content in the P75I submarines, higher than the original Project-75 Scorpène programme.

Correct Answer: B. Loitering munition (kamikaze drone)

HAROP is a loitering munition (also called a suicide drone or kamikaze drone) manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It can loiter over a battlefield for several hours, searching for radar emissions from enemy air defence systems, and then dive-attack to destroy them. India procured HAROP for the Air Force as part of its anti-radiation and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defences) capability. It provides India with a significant standoff precision strike option.

Correct Answer: C. 143 countries

The correct answer is 143 countries. In October 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia's illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson) with 143 countries voting in favour, 5 against, and 35 abstaining (including India). India's abstention reflected its strategic interests in maintaining relations with Russia, which remains a critical defence supplier and energy partner despite the war. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: D. All of the above

The correct answer is 'All of the above'. India and France conduct a comprehensive set of joint military exercises across all three services: SHAKTI is the annual India-France Army exercise, VARUNA is the India-France Navy exercise (conducted since 2001), and GARUDA is the India-France Air Force exercise. This comprehensive military cooperation across all services reflects the depth of the India-France defence partnership, which is one of the most active bilateral defence relationships India maintains.

Correct Answer: B. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL)

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), the international investment arm of ONGC, has equity stakes in several Russian oil and gas fields including Sakhalin-1 (in collaboration with ExxonMobil and Rosneft). Indian state companies have been investing in Russian energy assets since the 1990s, and these investments have grown after 2022 as Western companies withdrew from Russian energy projects. OVL's Russia investments are a significant component of India's energy security strategy.

Correct Answer: D. 1999 IC-814 hijacking (Kandahar)

Israel reportedly provided intelligence and hostage negotiation advice to India during the 1999 IC-814 hijacking crisis (Kandahar) when terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines aircraft to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Israel has extensive experience with aircraft hijackings (notably Entebbe 1976 rescue) and shared its expertise with India. This cooperation occurred in the period of developing but not yet fully formal strategic ties between the two countries.