UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Goyal to visit Brussels to conclude India-EU FTA talks
Q1. The conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026 was jointly announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at which edition of the India-EU Summit?
- A. 14th India-EU Summit
- B. 15th India-EU Summit
- C. 16th India-EU Summit
- D. 17th India-EU Summit
Q2. With reference to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026, consider the following:
1. The agreement is also known by its legacy working name, the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
2. Formal negotiations for the agreement were originally launched in 2004 alongside the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
3. The EU's lead ministerial counterpart in the concluding phase was Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
4. The conclusion was announced jointly by Prime Minister Modi and European Council President Charles Michel.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The agreement is also known by its legacy working name, the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
- Formal negotiations for the agreement were originally launched in 2004 alongside the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
- The EU's lead ministerial counterpart in the concluding phase was Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
- The conclusion was announced jointly by Prime Minister Modi and European Council President Charles Michel.
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 2 and 4 only
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. With reference to the concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement (2026) and the original Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) framework, consider the following statements:
1. While the 2007 negotiations were launched under the BTIA label, the deal announced in January 2026 is officially branded as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
2. Unlike the original BTIA mandate, the 2026 agreement excludes services and investment chapters entirely, confining itself only to trade in goods.
3. The 2013 suspension of the BTIA was attributed to disagreements on issues including tariffs, data security, and public procurement, which had to be resolved before the 2026 conclusion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- While the 2007 negotiations were launched under the BTIA label, the deal announced in January 2026 is officially branded as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
- Unlike the original BTIA mandate, the 2026 agreement excludes services and investment chapters entirely, confining itself only to trade in goods.
- The 2013 suspension of the BTIA was attributed to disagreements on issues including tariffs, data security, and public procurement, which had to be resolved before the 2026 conclusion.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry of the Government of India responsible for leading the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations?
- A. Ministry of External Affairs
- B. Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs)
- C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- D. Ministry of Industry and Internal Trade Promotion
Q5. With reference to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement of January 2026, consider the following statements:
1. Union Minister Piyush Goyal's preparatory Brussels visit took place on 8-9 January 2026.
2. The agreement liberalises approximately 96.6% of India's tariff lines and around 99.3% of the EU's tariff lines.
3. The conclusion of the agreement was announced at the 14th India-EU Summit held in Brussels.
4. The FTA negotiations were originally launched in 2004 under the name Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal's preparatory Brussels visit took place on 8-9 January 2026.
- The agreement liberalises approximately 96.6% of India's tariff lines and around 99.3% of the EU's tariff lines.
- The conclusion of the agreement was announced at the 14th India-EU Summit held in Brussels.
- The FTA negotiations were originally launched in 2004 under the name Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 3 only