UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I
Question 82: Economy and Social Development
‘Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement is the free trade agreement India was negotiating with the European Union, a deal on trade in goods and services and investment. Talks began in 2007 and had stalled over issues such as tariffs on cars and wines and spirits, services access and data security. It does not relate to the Gulf Cooperation Council, the OECD or the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Remember: BTIA = India and the EU.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the BTIA is the India-EU trade and investment pact.
- (b) Wrong: India's talks with the GCC were on a separate free trade agreement.
- (c) Wrong: the OECD is not a trade-negotiating partner for a BTIA.
- (d) Wrong: no BTIA was under negotiation with the SCO.
Worth knowing: The BTIA talks stalled in 2013 and were relaunched in 2022 as separate negotiations on trade, investment protection and geographical indications; the answer is as it stood in 2017.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.