Question 46 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

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

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. European Union

Strategy: Identify the unique phrase 'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement' (BTIA) and associate it with India-EU negotiations. Eliminate other options (GCC, OECD, SCO) due to their lack of a specific agreement with this title.

Key Info: **Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)**

The BTIA is the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union (EU). Negotiations, which began in 2007, aim to cover trade in goods, services, investments, and issues such as intellectual property, competition, and sustainable development. The EU is one of India's largest trading partners. While talks have faced challenges over market access, tariffs, data security, and regulations, they regained momentum in the 2020s.

**Comparison with Other Organizations**

*   **Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):** A group of six Middle Eastern countries with a separate, less advanced negotiation track with India.
*   **Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD):** A group of high-income countries that does not negotiate trade treaties as a bloc.
*   **Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO):** A Eurasian political and security grouping not directly involved in bilateral trade and investment agreements with India.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Gulf Cooperation Council

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Shanghai Cooperation Organization