UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — UNITED STATES-INDIA JOINT STATEMENT

Q1. Following the 7 February 2026 Joint Statement, the negotiations on the U.S.–India Bilateral Trade Agreement are led, on the Indian side, solely by which of the following?

  • A. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs

Q2. The framework for the Interim Agreement announced on 7 February 2026 was described as a stepping stone towards which broader pact between India and the United States?

  • A. Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)
  • B. Trade Policy Forum (TPF)
  • C. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)
  • D. U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)

Q3. In the context of India–U.S. trade relations, what does 'Mission 500' refer to?

  • A. A target to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030
  • B. A commitment by India to purchase 500 U.S. commercial aircraft
  • C. A list of 500 tariff lines to be reduced to zero immediately
  • D. A USD 500 billion U.S. foreign direct investment pledge to India

Q4. Under the understandings linked to the Bilateral Trade Agreement, India signalled its intent to purchase USD 500 billion worth of U.S. energy, aircraft and other products over a period of how many years?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 5 years
  • C. 7 years
  • D. 10 years

Q5. The India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum (TPF) carries out its work through how many focus/working groups?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q6. The India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum is co-chaired, on the Indian side, exclusively by the Union Minister heading which ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q7. With reference to the U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian goods under the February 2026 interim framework, consider the following statements: 1. The United States set its reciprocal tariff on originating goods of India at 18 per cent. 2. This 18 per cent rate represented a reduction from an earlier U.S. reciprocal tariff of 25 per cent on Indian goods. 3. Generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts are the principal categories on which the 18 per cent reciprocal tariff continues to be levied. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The United States set its reciprocal tariff on originating goods of India at 18 per cent.
  2. This 18 per cent rate represented a reduction from an earlier U.S. reciprocal tariff of 25 per cent on Indian goods.
  3. Generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts are the principal categories on which the 18 per cent reciprocal tariff continues to be levied.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The reduction of the United States' reciprocal tariff on Indian-origin goods to 18 per cent was effected under a bilateral framework announced in which month and year?

  • A. February 2026
  • B. February 2025
  • C. April 2026
  • D. October 2025

Q9. Which of the following best describes the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. counterpart in the India–U.S. trade talks?

  • A. The U.S. body that leads the country's international trade negotiations, headed by an official holding the rank of Ambassador
  • B. A subordinate bureau of the U.S. Federal Reserve dealing with tariffs
  • C. The trade dispute-settlement bench of the World Trade Organization
  • D. The commercial section of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi

Q10. With reference to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), consider the following statements: 1. The USTR leads the U.S. side of negotiations for the India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement. 2. The head of the USTR carries the rank of Ambassador. 3. The USTR co-chairs the India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum with India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry. 4. In the India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum, the USTR's Indian counterpart co-chair is the Minister of External Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The USTR leads the U.S. side of negotiations for the India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement.
  2. The head of the USTR carries the rank of Ambassador.
  3. The USTR co-chairs the India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum with India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
  4. In the India–U.S. Trade Policy Forum, the USTR's Indian counterpart co-chair is the Minister of External Affairs.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q11. During the 20–23 April 2026 Washington round of India–U.S. trade negotiations, consider the following as tracks/areas that were taken up: 1. Market Access 2. Digital Trade 3. Economic Security Alignment 4. Migration and Mobility of workers Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Market Access
  2. Digital Trade
  3. Economic Security Alignment
  4. Migration and Mobility of workers
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q12. Within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which department is the lead/nodal department for conducting bilateral trade negotiations such as the India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement?

  • A. Department of Commerce
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • C. Department of Consumer Affairs
  • D. Department of Economic Affairs