DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 20 January, 2026

Explanation:
Enhanced India–UAE relations promote strategic autonomy by diversifying partners. Energy and trade diversification reduce external vulnerabilities. Supply chain resilience improves through trusted partnerships. Defence and security cooperation supports regional stability. Investment inflows strengthen India’s economy. People-to-people ties deepen mutual trust. These outcomes align with India’s long-term national interests. Hence, greater strategic autonomy and resilience is the correct answer.

Explanation:
India’s engagement with UAE aligns with the Link West Policy, which focuses on West Asia. UAE is a cornerstone of India’s Gulf outreach. Economic, energy, and security interests drive this engagement. Link West complements Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies. It helps India diversify partnerships. Strong UAE ties enhance strategic autonomy. Thus, the correct policy framework is Link West.

Explanation:
UAE is a key energy supplier and investment hub for India. It hosts a large Indian diaspora. UAE investments support Indian infrastructure and startups. Its geographic location near vital sea lanes adds strategic value. UAE plays a central role in India’s West Asia policy. Strong ties enhance India’s regional influence. Economic and strategic interests converge here. Hence, UAE’s importance lies in being an energy and investment hub.

Explanation:
India–UAE defence cooperation focuses on joint exercises and training. It enhances interoperability between armed forces. Defence production collaboration is also being explored. Such cooperation strengthens strategic trust. It supports regional stability in the Gulf and Indian Ocean Region. UAE is one of India’s closest defence partners in West Asia. Defence ties complement economic engagement. Therefore, joint exercises, training, and defence production best describe the cooperation.

Explanation:
The CEPA between India and UAE, signed in 2022, reduced tariffs on a wide range of goods. It facilitated smoother trade and investment flows. Non-oil trade increased significantly after its implementation. CEPA improved market access for Indian exporters. It also supported MSMEs and services trade. The agreement underpins the $200 billion trade target. CEPA reflects India’s new-generation trade strategy. Hence, CEPA is the correct answer.