India-USA Relations — Set 14
International Relations · भारत-USA संबंध · Questions 131–140 of 160
The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of India with its 'Buy and Make in India' categories aims to:
Correct Answer: B. Encourage joint production with foreign partners including USA in India
India's Defence Procurement Procedure includes 'Buy and Make in India' categories that require foreign defence companies to produce a significant portion of the contracted equipment in India through joint ventures with Indian firms. This has encouraged US companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon to establish manufacturing partnerships in India. The policy is central to India's vision of becoming a global defence manufacturing hub.
India-USA clean energy cooperation includes a target to develop how much renewable energy capacity?
Correct Answer: C. 500 GW by 2030
India has set an ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, which it has shared with its international partners including the USA. India-USA clean energy cooperation under USISEP and iCET focuses on helping India achieve this target through technology, finance, and policy support. The USA has committed to support India's clean energy transition through the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.
Which Indian bank was penalised by the USA for alleged violations of Iran sanctions, testing India-USA relations?
Correct Answer: B. Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda was penalised by US authorities for alleged transactions that violated US sanctions on Iran, highlighting the extraterritorial reach of US financial sanctions. India's banks have had to navigate carefully between India's trade interests with Iran and US secondary sanctions. The issue of US financial sanctions on countries India trades with, including Iran and Russia, has been a recurring source of friction in India-USA relations.
PM Manmohan Singh's state visit to the USA in 2009 was significant because:
Correct Answer: B. It was the first state dinner hosted by President Obama
PM Manmohan Singh's state visit to Washington in November 2009 was the occasion for the first state dinner hosted by President Obama, reflecting the high importance placed on India in the new administration's foreign policy. The visit produced a joint statement deepening the strategic partnership. Singh's visit also helped consolidate the gains from the nuclear deal signed in 2008 under the Bush administration.
The USA supported India's 'Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)' established in:
Correct Answer: B. 2019
The correct answer is '2019'. India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) was established at INS Gurugram, Gurugram in December 2018. The USA was among the first countries to establish liaison officers at the IFC-IOR, reflecting its importance for shared maritime domain awareness. The centre collects, fuses, and disseminates maritime information to enhance transparency and safety in the Indian Ocean.
India-USA relations saw significant improvement after which event that created a shared threat perception?
Correct Answer: C. Both 9/11 and 26/11 deepened cooperation
Both 9/11 (2001) and 26/11 (2008) were pivotal events that deepened India-USA counter-terrorism cooperation. After 9/11, both countries recognised shared threats from cross-border terrorism, leading to increased intelligence sharing and cooperation. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, reinforced the shared terrorist threat perception and led to the India-US Homeland Security Dialogue being established.
India joined the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) as an Associate Partner in:
Correct Answer: C. 2021
India joined the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) as an Associate Partner in 2021, becoming the first South Asian country and non-Western country to do so. CMF is a US-led multinational naval partnership that conducts counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement operations in the broader Middle East maritime region. India's participation strengthened its integration with the US-led maritime security architecture.
Which US-India agreement facilitates the transfer of cutting-edge semiconductor technology to India?
Correct Answer: C. iCET Semiconductor Partnership
The iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) Semiconductor Partnership established in 2023 facilitates the transfer of advanced semiconductor technology and manufacturing know-how to India. It includes partnerships between US semiconductor companies and Indian firms, as well as academic exchanges between US universities like Purdue and Indian IITs. The initiative aims to integrate India into trusted global semiconductor supply chains.
The concept of 'Strategic Convergence' in India-USA relations refers to:
Correct Answer: B. Growing alignment of strategic interests particularly regarding China's rise
Strategic convergence in India-USA relations refers to the growing alignment of strategic interests, particularly regarding concerns about China's rising power and assertiveness. While India and the USA do not agree on all issues, their shared concerns about Chinese territorial expansion, influence in the Indo-Pacific, and competition in technology have drawn them closer. This convergence is the foundation for the deepening of the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
India's primary concern with becoming a formal US ally (as opposed to partner) is:
Correct Answer: D. Both B and C
The correct answer is 'Both B and C'. India's reluctance to become a formal US treaty ally stems from concerns about loss of strategic autonomy (India's historic commitment to non-alignment and independent foreign policy) and the military obligations that would require India to participate in US-led wars globally. India prefers the current 'major defence partner' model that allows deep security cooperation without formal alliance commitments. Strategic autonomy is a core principle of India's foreign policy that transcends party lines.