India-USA Relations — Set 4
International Relations · भारत-USA संबंध · Questions 31–40 of 160
Which US law allows the President to waive CAATSA sanctions for certain countries on national security grounds?
Correct Answer: C. Presidential Waiver Authority under Section 231(d)
Section 231(d) of CAATSA provides the US President with waiver authority if it is in the national security interest of the USA to do so. The USA has been expected to invoke this waiver for India regarding its S-400 purchase given the strategic importance of the India-USA partnership. However, the formal waiver has not been publicly announced, leaving some ambiguity in the bilateral defence relationship.
The USA-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was launched in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2023
INDUS-X (India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) was launched in June 2023 during PM Modi's state visit to the USA. It connects Indian and American defence startups, research institutions, and industry to co-develop advanced defence technologies. INDUS-X operates under the iCET framework and represents a new model of defence innovation partnership.
India's IT exports to the USA constitute approximately what percentage of total Indian IT exports?
Correct Answer: C. 60%
The USA accounts for approximately 60% of India's total IT and IT-enabled services exports, making it by far the largest market for Indian IT companies. Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, and Tech Mahindra generate a significant portion of their revenues from US clients. This makes the H-1B visa regime and US immigration policy critically important to India's IT sector.
The first summit between India and USA at Quad leaders' level was held in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 2021
The first Quad Leaders' Summit was held virtually in March 2021, hosted by US President Joe Biden. The in-person Quad Leaders' Summit was held in Washington DC in September 2021. The leaders pledged to produce and distribute one billion COVID-19 vaccine doses across the Indo-Pacific by end of 2022.
India-USA signed the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) agreement to share data about:
Correct Answer: B. Objects and debris in space to prevent collisions
India and the USA signed a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Implementation Arrangement in 2014 to share data about objects and debris in space to prevent collisions with operational satellites. ISRO and US Space Command collaborate under this agreement to track space objects. The agreement has been strengthened with India's growing space capabilities and launch services.
Under the iCET framework, which Indian company partnered with Micron Technology for semiconductor manufacturing?
Correct Answer: A. Tata Electronics
Micron Technology announced a partnership with the Indian government and Tata Electronics to establish a semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) facility in India under the iCET framework. The facility in Gujarat represents a significant step toward India's semiconductor self-reliance goals. The US-India semiconductor cooperation aims to reduce dependence on Chinese semiconductor supply chains.
The US-India Civil Nuclear deal was finalised after the Indo-US negotiations started in which year?
Correct Answer: B. 2005
The US-India civil nuclear deal negotiations were formally launched in July 2005 during PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington. President George W. Bush and PM Manmohan Singh jointly announced the initiative to allow civil nuclear cooperation. The deal went through complex negotiations for three years before the 123 Agreement was signed in October 2008.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, where India and USA often coordinate positions on Indo-Pacific security, is held in:
Correct Answer: A. Singapore
The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual inter-governmental security forum held in Singapore, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). India and the USA use this forum to articulate their Indo-Pacific security visions and coordinate positions on regional security issues. The dialogue is an important track 1.5 diplomatic event for regional defence ministers and officials.
In which year did PM Modi give a historic address to the joint session of US Congress for the second time?
Correct Answer: C. 2023
PM Narendra Modi addressed a joint session of the US Congress for the second time in June 2023 during his state visit, becoming the first Indian PM to address a joint session twice. His first address was in 2016. The 2023 address highlighted the growing strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties between India and the USA.
The India-USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) was established to:
Correct Answer: B. Provide a mechanism for bilateral trade discussions
The India-USA Trade Policy Forum (TPF) was established in 2005 as the primary bilateral mechanism for trade and investment discussions. It provides a structured platform to discuss market access issues, investment barriers, intellectual property rights, and other trade concerns. The TPF is co-chaired by the commerce ministers of both countries.