UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India, Italy seal defence pact, elevate their bilateral ties to a ‘special strategic partnership’

Q1. India-Italy relations, elevated to a 'Special Strategic Partnership' in May 2026, had first been raised to a 'Strategic Partnership' during PM Giorgia Meloni's state visit to India in which year?

  • A. 2021
  • B. 2023
  • C. 2024
  • D. 2025

Q2. The India-Italy 'Special Strategic Partnership' announced in Rome in May 2026 is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A treaty-based mutual-defence military alliance obliging each side to defend the other if attacked
  • B. An elevation of the existing 'Strategic Partnership' (established 2023) into a broader framework spanning trade, technology, defence, clean energy, innovation and labour mobility
  • C. A first-ever bilateral framework created in 2026 where no prior strategic tier had existed
  • D. A defence-only cooperation arrangement upgraded from a partnership first signed in 2021

Q3. Which one of the following was the flagship defence-sector deliverable adopted during PM Modi's May 2026 visit to Rome?

  • A. The Defence Industrial Road Map for co-design, co-development and co-production of defence products
  • B. The SIDM-AIAD industry MoU
  • C. A bilateral mutual logistics support agreement
  • D. The Trans Regional Maritime Network information-sharing arrangement

Q4. With reference to the deliverables signed during the May 2026 India-Italy summit, consider the following statements: 1. The critical minerals MoU establishes a structured framework with an emphasis on recycling of electronic waste. 2. The Defence Industrial Road Map envisages co-development in areas including helicopters, naval platforms and electronic warfare. 3. The law-enforcement cooperation agreement was concluded between Italy's Guardia di Finanza and India's Central Bureau of Investigation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The critical minerals MoU establishes a structured framework with an emphasis on recycling of electronic waste.
  2. The Defence Industrial Road Map envisages co-development in areas including helicopters, naval platforms and electronic warfare.
  3. The law-enforcement cooperation agreement was concluded between Italy's Guardia di Finanza and India's Central Bureau of Investigation.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which Union ministry is the nodal ministry on the Indian side that operationalises the overall India-Italy bilateral partnership?

  • A. Ministry of Defence
  • B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Mines

Q6. The MoU between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Italy's AIAD, deepening defence-industrial linkages, was signed in which year and city?

  • A. March 2023, New Delhi
  • B. April 2025, Rome
  • C. May 2026, Rome
  • D. June 2024, Puglia

Q7. With reference to the SIDM-AIAD defence-industry MoU, consider the following: 1. SIDM stands for the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. 2. AIAD is the Federation of Italian Companies for Aerospace, Defence and Security. 3. The MoU was signed alongside the 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting. 4. AIAD is a subordinate wing of India's Ministry of Defence. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. SIDM stands for the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.
  2. AIAD is the Federation of Italian Companies for Aerospace, Defence and Security.
  3. The MoU was signed alongside the 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting.
  4. AIAD is a subordinate wing of India's Ministry of Defence.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q8. With reference to India's stated position in the May 2026 India-Italy joint press statement, consider the following statements: 1. India advocated 'dialogue and diplomacy' rather than taking sides in the Ukraine conflict. 2. India's position marked a complete reversal of its earlier stance, now endorsing unilateral sanctions against Russia. 3. The joint statement addressed both the Ukraine conflict and tensions in West Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India advocated 'dialogue and diplomacy' rather than taking sides in the Ukraine conflict.
  2. India's position marked a complete reversal of its earlier stance, now endorsing unilateral sanctions against Russia.
  3. The joint statement addressed both the Ukraine conflict and tensions in West Asia.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to Italy, its geography and international memberships, which one of the following statements is correct?

  • A. Italy was a charter member of NATO (1949) and a founding member of the European Economic Community (now the EU)
  • B. Italy is the only European Union member country that is also part of the G7
  • C. Italy is a member of the G7 but is not a member of the G20
  • D. Rome, the capital of Italy, is located on the island of Sicily