Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings

GS Paper: GS Paper II | Subject: International Relations

Prelims

(Key facts, data, schemes, laws, organizations — MCQ-ready points)

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on her first official India visit; to meet PM Modi and EAM S. Jaishankar
Context: India & UK concluded a Free Trade Agreement (CETA — Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement); both sides pushing to bring it into force soon (UK Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle visited earlier in the week)
Formal review of delivery under the UK–India "Vision 2030" roadmap — covering trade, technology, defence & security, climate, education
Pillar named: Technology Security Initiative (TSI)

Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez on a 5-day visit; to hold talks with PM Modi
Focus areas: energy, trade & investment, pharmaceuticals, technology

(Analysis, dimensions, significance, critique, policy angles — for 10/15 mark answers)

UK–India CETA significance: A flagship FTA with a G7 economy — market access for Indian goods/services + a template as India negotiates with the EU and (interim) US; the Vision 2030 annual review institutionalises follow-through beyond signing
Beyond trade: The Technology Security Initiative signals partnerships are now built around critical & emerging tech, defence and supply-chain security, not just tariffs — India diversifying tech ties away from single-source dependence
Venezuela = energy & autonomy: Engaging an OPEC oil producer despite Western sanctions reflects India's strategic-autonomy, diversified-energy-sourcing approach (cf. discounted Russian oil)
UPSC angle: India–UK FTA/CETA, strategic partnerships, technology security, India's multi-alignment, energy diplomacy & strategic autonomy