UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and Israel launch first round of Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement
Q1. The inaugural round of negotiations for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement, held in New Delhi in February 2026, spanned how many days?
- A. Two days
- B. Three days
- C. Four days
- D. Six days
Q2. On the Indian side, the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations are conducted by which one of the following?
- A. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- C. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
- D. Ministry of External Affairs
Q3. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry for the conduct of India's overall diplomatic relations with Israel?
- A. Ministry of External Affairs
- B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- C. Ministry of Defence
- D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Q4. With reference to the evolution of India–Israel relations, consider the following statements:
1. Full diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.
2. The first India–Israel Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation was signed in 1993.
3. Bilateral relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Israel in 2017.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Full diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992.
- The first India–Israel Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation was signed in 1993.
- Bilateral relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Israel in 2017.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q5. Which one of the following constitutes the single largest component of India–Israel merchandise trade?
- A. Diamonds
- B. Petroleum products
- C. Defence equipment
- D. Pharmaceuticals
Q6. In the consortium that acquired Israel's Haifa Port, what percentage stake was held by Adani Ports?
- A. 51 per cent
- B. 60 per cent
- C. 70 per cent
- D. 74 per cent
Q7. With reference to the acquisition of Haifa Port, consider the following statements:
1. Haifa is the second-largest port in Israel.
2. The port was acquired by an Adani Ports–Gadot Group consortium.
3. Adani Ports offered about USD 1.18 billion for the port.
4. Haifa Port is located on Israel's Red Sea coast.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- Haifa is the second-largest port in Israel.
- The port was acquired by an Adani Ports–Gadot Group consortium.
- Adani Ports offered about USD 1.18 billion for the port.
- Haifa Port is located on Israel's Red Sea coast.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 3 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4 only
Q8. With reference to the institutional framework of the India–Israel FTA negotiations, consider the following:
1. Department of Commerce — India's nodal department for the negotiations
2. Ministry of Economy and Industry — Israel's counterpart ministry
3. Nir Barkat — Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry
4. Piyush Goyal — India's Minister of External Affairs
Which of the above are correctly identified?
- Department of Commerce — India's nodal department for the negotiations
- Ministry of Economy and Industry — Israel's counterpart ministry
- Nir Barkat — Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry
- Piyush Goyal — India's Minister of External Affairs
- A. 1, 2 and 3 only
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Q9. The Terms of Reference that provided the framework for the India–Israel FTA negotiations were signed during the Indian Commerce Minister's visit to Israel in which year?
- A. 2023
- B. 2024
- C. 2025
- D. 2026
Q10. The grouping 'I2U2', frequently referenced in the context of the India–Israel partnership, comprises which one of the following sets of countries?
- A. India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States
- B. India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom
- C. India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the United States
- D. India, Israel, Egypt and the United States
Q11. India's Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the EFTA bloc was concluded with how many European nations?
- A. Three
- B. Four
- C. Five
- D. Seven