In India, which constitutional authority formally exercises the Union's power…

Concept

Under India’s constitutional scheme, international relations and treaty-making fall within the Union executive sphere. Article 53 vests the Union’s executive power in the President, while Article 74 requires the President to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

This separates the formal constitutional authority from the officials and ministries that conduct negotiations in practice, and from Parliament’s role in implementing treaty obligations through domestic law.

Application

Among the listed authorities, the President represents the Union’s formal executive authority for treaty-making. The Prime Minister, Cabinet and Ministry of External Affairs direct and conduct the practical negotiations, but they do so through the Union executive acting constitutionally in the President’s name.

Contrast

• Parliament may legislate under Article 253 to implement treaties, but that is a legislative implementation role.

• The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers and directs foreign policy in practice, while the formal Union executive authority is vested in the President.

• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the House and has no separate treaty-making authority.

Cross-check

Articles 53 and 74 identify the constitutional location and manner of exercising Union executive power; Article 253 separately identifies Parliament’s implementation power. This division confirms the President as the intended constitutional answer among the choices.

Therefore, the answer is President.