UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Joint Statement during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the outcome of the Indian Prime Minister's State Visit to Uzbekistan in August 2026 as compared with the earlier framework of India-Uzbekistan ties: 1. The bilateral relationship was designated a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", a designation not used in the earlier framework. 2. The existing bilateral joint commission was raised from the level of Secretaries to ministerial level, and a Coordination Council at the level of Foreign Ministers was instituted. 3. The elevation was announced at a virtual summit, replicating the format of the first India-Uzbekistan leaders' summit held in December 2020. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The bilateral relationship was designated a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", a designation not used in the earlier framework.
  2. The existing bilateral joint commission was raised from the level of Secretaries to ministerial level, and a Coordination Council at the level of Foreign Ministers was instituted.
  3. The elevation was announced at a virtual summit, replicating the format of the first India-Uzbekistan leaders' summit held in December 2020.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. The India-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2026, was originally declared in which year?

  • A. 2005
  • B. 2011
  • C. 2015
  • D. 2018

Q3. With reference to the trade and economic outcomes announced during the India-Uzbekistan talks of August 2026, consider the following: 1. A bilateral trade target of USD 5 billion to be reached by 2030. 2. A Joint Working Group to address non-tariff issues in bilateral trade. 3. Completion of a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries. 4. Conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement removing tariffs on the entire goods trade between the two countries. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. A bilateral trade target of USD 5 billion to be reached by 2030.
  2. A Joint Working Group to address non-tariff issues in bilateral trade.
  3. Completion of a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries.
  4. Conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement removing tariffs on the entire goods trade between the two countries.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q4. In the context of the August 2026 India-Uzbekistan understandings, the newly instituted "Coordination Council" is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A standing body of the two National Security Advisers to oversee counter-terrorism and security cooperation
  • B. A standing body of the two Commerce Secretaries to resolve non-tariff barriers affecting bilateral trade
  • C. A standing mechanism of the two Foreign Ministers to give overall direction to all aspects of bilateral cooperation
  • D. A standing forum of the two central bank governors to operationalise local-currency settlement of bilateral trade

Q5. Which one of the following statements about the conduct of India's bilateral engagement with Uzbekistan is correct?

  • A. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which leads the bilateral joint commission, is the nodal ministry for all political and strategic dialogue with Uzbekistan
  • B. The Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence coordinates the entire spectrum of governmental engagement with Uzbekistan
  • C. The Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance is exclusively responsible for India's diplomatic missions in Central Asia
  • D. The Ministry of External Affairs, working through the Indian Embassy in Tashkent, is the nodal agency for the bilateral relationship

Q6. "Oliy Darajali Do'stlik", which figured in India-Uzbekistan engagement in August 2026, refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Uzbekistan's highest state order for foreign leaders, conferred on the Indian Prime Minister during his State Visit
  • B. The India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise held in alternate years by the armies of the two countries since 2019
  • C. The Uzbek-Indian free pharmaceutical zone set up with Indian investment in the Andijan region of Uzbekistan
  • D. The India-Uzbekistan cultural exchange programme covering cooperation in art, archaeology and archives

Q7. With reference to Uzbekistan, which one of the following statements is correct?

  • A. It is the largest country of Central Asia by area, ahead of Kazakhstan
  • B. It is the only Central Asian country that shares a land border with Afghanistan
  • C. It is one of only two countries in the world every one of whose neighbours is itself landlocked
  • D. It is the only Central Asian state that is a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Q8. The long-term main contract signed in May 2024 with the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran for developing the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar - a key node of India's overland access to Central Asia - was signed by which Indian entity?

  • A. The Shipping Corporation of India Limited
  • B. India Ports Global Limited
  • C. Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited
  • D. The Container Corporation of India Limited

Q9. The framework agreed between India and Uzbekistan in August 2026 for the long-term supply of uranium is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A commitment to supply enriched uranium fuel assemblies for India's fast breeder reactor programme
  • B. An arrangement under which Uzbek uranium is reprocessed in India and returned as mixed-oxide fuel
  • C. A transfer of uranium mining concessions in Uzbekistan to Indian public sector mining companies
  • D. An arrangement for the long-term supply of natural uranium to India's civil nuclear power programme