"India, Switzerland Agree to Deepen Defence and Nuclear Ties"
TEPA
Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the EFTA bloc, in force since last year
EFTA
European Free Trade Association, comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
India and Switzerland have had diplomatic relations since India became independent. The relationship has focused on banking, pharmaceuticals, and high-value engineering trade. Switzerland is one of four countries in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The other three are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Last year, India and the EFTA bloc started the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). This is India's first free trade agreement with any economic bloc in Europe. TEPA aims to bring $100 billion in investment and create 1 million direct jobs in India over 15 years. It also aims to give Indian exports better access to European markets.
The new nuclear energy cooperation must be understood in the context of India's special position in global nuclear diplomacy. India has never signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The NPT legally recognises only five Nuclear Weapon States: the US, Russia, UK, France and China. Because India is not part of this framework, it cannot use the NPT's nuclear trade channels.
Switzerland has a long policy of neutrality. This has kept its defence cooperation with other countries limited. The new agreement on military exchanges and defence production shows a broader strategic shift. On the nuclear side, India's civil nuclear cooperation with other countries uses a 2008 waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and separate bilateral agreements. Each agreement is negotiated between two countries. Switzerland is an NSG member. It is expected to follow this same bilateral pattern for its nuclear-energy work with India.
The visit produced several different agreements. The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) creates a legal framework. It makes it easier for people to move between the two countries. It allows multiple-entry visas valid for up to 5 years. Each visit can last up to six months. It also allows renewable 1-year student permits. The agreement also commits both countries to work against irregular migration and human trafficking. Human trafficking means the illegal movement and exploitation of people for labour or other purposes.
The Young Professionals Agreement allows a structured annual exchange of 300 persons per country. This number can rise to 500. There is a fixed 30-to-90-day window to verify a person's nationality and residency status. …
Consider the following countries: 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan. Which of the above are Nuclear Weapon States as recognised by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?
Consider the following statements regarding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):
1.It recognises only five countries as Nuclear Weapon States.
2.India, Pakistan and Israel are each recognised as Nuclear Weapon States under the NPT.
3.India's civil nuclear cooperation with other countries is enabled through bilateral agreements and NSG waivers rather than NPT membership.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which one of the following statements best describes India's status with respect to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)?
Which of the following countries are members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)?
1.Iceland
2.Liechtenstein
3.Norway
4.Switzerland
5.United Kingdom
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Match List-I (India-Switzerland/EFTA instrument) with List-II (its primary focus) and select the correct answer using the code given below:
List-I
1.Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
2.Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement
3.Young Professionals Agreement
4.Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver (2008)
List-II
A.Civil nuclear trade framework for a country outside the NPT
B.Multiple-entry visas and measures against irregular migration
C.Annual quota-based exchange of young professionals
D.Market access, investment and trade in goods and services
With reference to the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), consider the following statements:
1.It is India's first free trade agreement with any economic bloc in Europe.
2.It envisages an investment commitment of $100 billion in India over 15 years.
3.It covers only trade in goods and excludes services and investment provisions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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