India-USA Relations — Set 15
International Relations · भारत-USA संबंध · Questions 141–150 of 160
The USA operates the National Science Foundation (NSF) programme in India called:
Correct Answer: C. Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF)
The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) was established in 2000 under a bilateral Science and Technology Agreement to promote and catalyse Indo-US bilateral collaboration in science, technology, engineering, and innovation. It is jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology (India) and the Department of State (USA). IUSSTF supports joint research, workshops, fellowships, and virtual networks.
India-USA relations in 2020 saw the signing of which agricultural trade resolution?
Correct Answer: B. Resolution of WTO chicken dispute
India and the USA reached a resolution in 2020 on a long-running WTO dispute over India's poultry import restrictions on US chicken products. India had imposed restrictions on US poultry and poultry products citing sanitary concerns which the USA challenged at the WTO. The resolution of this dispute was part of broader efforts to manage bilateral trade frictions ahead of a potential mini trade deal between the two countries.
What is the significance of the 'Quad Plus' format?
Correct Answer: B. It refers to Quad members coordinating with other partners on specific issues
'Quad Plus' refers to instances where the four Quad members coordinate with additional partners like South Korea, Vietnam, or New Zealand on specific issues. This format was notably used during COVID-19 pandemic coordination in early 2020 when a 'Quad Plus' virtual meeting was held with several additional countries. It is not a formal grouping but a flexible arrangement for issue-specific coordination.
The USA and India signed a deal for C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. How many aircraft did India purchase?
Correct Answer: C. 6
India purchased 6 C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from Lockheed Martin for special operations and tactical airlift roles, initially delivered from 2010-11. These aircraft are operated by the Indian Air Force for special forces insertion and extraction. India subsequently ordered additional C-130J aircraft, expanding its special operations airlift capability.
The CAATSA sanctions waiver for India's S-400 has not been formally granted. What is India's position on this?
Correct Answer: D. India is actively lobbying for a formal waiver while maintaining the S-400 purchase
India's position has been to maintain its S-400 purchase from Russia as it is a strategic defence requirement while simultaneously lobbying for a formal CAATSA waiver from the USA. India has argued that the S-400 purchase is sovereign defence decision based on legitimate security requirements predating CAATSA. The strategic importance of the India-USA relationship and India's growing role in US Indo-Pacific strategy have been India's primary arguments for a formal waiver.
The India-US 'Homecoming' programme facilitates return of Indian cultural artefacts stolen from India. Which prominent piece was returned in 2021?
Correct Answer: D. Stolen artefacts from multiple Indian temples
The USA has progressively returned numerous stolen Indian cultural artefacts through cooperation between the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and India's Archaeology Survey. During PM Modi's 2021 visit, a batch of 157 Indian antiquities was returned. During his 2023 state visit, another 105 artefacts were repatriated. These repatriations have become a significant people-to-people dimension of the bilateral relationship.
Which US company has the largest employee base in India?
Correct Answer: C. IBM
IBM has one of the largest employee bases in India among US companies, with over 100,000 employees, making India its largest workforce globally. India-based employees of US technology companies collectively number in the hundreds of thousands. This makes India's technology talent pool a central element of the economic dimension of the India-USA relationship.
India-USA relations are complicated in multilateral forums because India often votes differently from USA on:
Correct Answer: C. Both A and B and various other issues
India and the USA often vote differently in multilateral forums including the UN General Assembly, WTO, and various international conferences on issues like Palestinian statehood (India supports), nuclear disarmament (India supports TPNW which USA opposes), and various economic governance issues. These differences are managed through the bilateral relationship without fundamentally damaging the overall partnership. Strategic autonomy means India does not automatically align with US positions even as a close partner.
The first India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in:
Correct Answer: B. 2018
The inaugural India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2018, attended by Defence Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from the US side, and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj from the Indian side. At this dialogue, COMCASA was signed. The 2+2 format was instituted at PM Modi's request to replace the earlier Strategic Dialogue format.
India's exports of generic pharmaceuticals to the USA make India:
Correct Answer: B. USA's largest generic drug supplier by volume
India is the USA's largest supplier of generic drugs by volume, supplying approximately 40% of generic medicines consumed in the USA. Indian pharmaceutical companies including Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's, Cipla, and Aurobindo have significant market presence in the USA. This makes India's pharmaceutical industry critically important to US healthcare, particularly for affordable generic medicines.