UPSC Prelims 2017 GS Paper I · Q82 of 100 Economy easy

'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

  1. (a) European Union ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) Gulf Cooperation Council
  3. (c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
  4. (d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Why the answer is (a)

• The Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement is the free-trade agreement negotiated between India and the European Union since 2007; talks stalled in 2013 over tariffs on cars, wines and spirits, data security and services, and were relaunched in 2022 — option (a).

• India has separate FTA talks with the GCC (b); the OECD (c) and SCO (d) do not negotiate trade agreements.

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Gulf Cooperation Council
India–GCC talks are a separate FTA, not BTIA.
(c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
The OECD does not negotiate trade agreements.
(d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The SCO is a security grouping, not a trade partner.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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