India-USA Relations — Set 12
International Relations · भारत-USA संबंध · Questions 111–120 of 160
India's concerns about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 related to:
Correct Answer: B. Increased instability and Taliban takeover threatening India's investments and regional security
India had significant concerns about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the Taliban takeover, as India had invested over $3 billion in Afghan reconstruction projects including roads, dams, schools, and the parliament building. The Taliban takeover threatened India's strategic foothold in Afghanistan and risked Pakistan gaining greater influence. India was also concerned about Afghanistan becoming a haven for anti-India terrorist groups.
Which US Secretary of State visited India multiple times and was key to advancing the India-USA partnership under Obama?
Correct Answer: B. Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton visited India multiple times as Secretary of State (2009-2013) and was instrumental in deepening the India-USA partnership under the Obama administration. She launched the India-US Strategic Dialogue in 2010 and worked to advance the bilateral relationship across economic, security, and people-to-people dimensions. Her engagement with India helped consolidate the gains of the Bush era civil nuclear deal.
India-USA relations saw a setback when the US denied a visa to which prominent Indian politician?
Correct Answer: B. Narendra Modi
The USA denied a diplomatic visa to then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2005 under the International Religious Freedom Act, related to his role during the 2002 Gujarat riots. This was an unprecedented step and strained India-USA relations briefly. After Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, the USA welcomed him and the relationship was quickly normalised and elevated significantly.
The USA and India conduct joint cyber exercises under which framework?
Correct Answer: C. CERT-In and CISA bilateral MOU
The correct answer is CERT-In and CISA bilateral MOU. India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cybersecurity cooperation including joint cyber exercises, information sharing on threats, and building incident response capacity. The iCET framework further elevated cyber cooperation to include next-generation telecommunications security and critical infrastructure protection. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.
The key Indian institution for conducting Indo-US strategic research dialogues is:
Correct Answer: B. IDSA (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses)
The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), now renamed Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), conducts regular strategic research dialogues with US think tanks including Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, and Council on Foreign Relations. These Track 2 dialogues complement official government-to-government interactions. Such exchanges shape policy thinking and help build consensus on bilateral security issues.
India-USA relations under the Trump administration (2017-2021) saw which significant development?
Correct Answer: B. Completion of all three Foundational Defence Agreements
The Trump administration (2017-2021) saw the completion of all three Foundational Defence Agreements between India and the USA: COMCASA in 2018 and BECA in 2020 (with LEMOA already signed in 2016). The Trump era also saw India-USA relations designated as 'Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.' Simultaneously, the Trump administration's 'America First' stance created frictions on trade issues including GSP removal and H-1B restrictions.
The USA and India cooperate on preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through which programme?
Correct Answer: B. Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) programme
The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) programme is a US State Department programme that assists countries in developing and implementing export control systems to prevent WMD proliferation. India works with the USA through this programme as well as through India's membership in the MTCR, Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement. India's accession to these export control regimes has significantly deepened the bilateral non-proliferation partnership.
India's Consul General offices in the USA are located in how many cities?
Correct Answer: C. 6
India maintains a network of diplomatic missions in the USA including an Embassy in Washington DC and Consulates General in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, and Seattle — six consulates in total. The extensive consular network reflects the large Indian-American community across different US regions. Each consulate serves a defined geographic area for consular services to Indian nationals and visa services to Americans.
The USAID signed a $25 million development partnership framework with India in 2018 for cooperation in:
Correct Answer: B. Global development beyond India's borders
Following India's transition to lower-middle-income country status, USAID shifted its partnership with India from receiving development assistance to working together on global development challenges. The Development Partnership Framework signed in 2018 focuses on leveraging India's expertise and resources to address development challenges in third countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. This reflects India's growing role as a development partner itself.
The USA's International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has made significant investments in India focused on:
Correct Answer: B. Clean energy, healthcare, and infrastructure
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC, formerly OPIC) has invested billions of dollars in India across clean energy, healthcare, infrastructure, and SME finance. DFC investments aim to promote private sector development and serve US foreign policy and development goals. Under the Blue Dot Network and Build Back Better World initiative, DFC has been positioned as an alternative to Chinese infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific.