TRADE IMPACTS OF RUSSIA- UKRAINE CONFLICT TOPIC: IR Context- The Russia-Ukraine conflict could weigh heavily on India’s tea exports to the CIS if the situation does not settle down quickly. Concept- Impact on India Tea Exports: Tea exports to CIS account for nearly 23-24 per cent of the country’s total exports. Of this, […]

    UKRAINE AGRI STATISTICS TOPIC: IR Context- The escalating strife between Ukraine and Russia is expected to impact barley prices and this could affect domestic beer companies, which are already reeling under high costs of packaging material. Barley accounts for 30 per cent of raw material costs for United Breweries. Concept- Ukraine is among […]

    WTO & TRIPS TOPIC: IR Context- India and South Africa, piloted a proposal to waive key provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, and related technologies. Concept- TRIPS Waiver: The core idea behind the proposal is that intellectual property (IP) rights such as patents […]

    MINSK AGREEMENT TOPIC: IR Context- US authorities have warned Russia not to invade Ukraine and urged both countries to return to a set of agreements designed to end a separatist war by Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. Concept- Minsk Ceasefire Agreement: Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal aka MINSK-I […]

    INDIA-USA FTA TOPIC: IR Context- FTA to come into effect by early May, Indian goods to get duty-free access to UAE in 5 years. Concept- India UAE Free Trade Agreement (FTA): The FTA will cover the following areas: Trade in goods and services Rules of Origin Customs procedures Government procurement Intellectual Property Rights […]

    INDIA-UAE TRADE PACT TOPIC: IR Context- THE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), likely to be signed on Friday. Concept- India-UAE trade relations: The United Arab Emirates is India’s third largest trading partner after China and USA, and second largest export destination after USA as per Economic Survey […]

    MINSK II CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT TOPIC: IR Context- At a meeting at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called by Russia to discuss the Ukraine crisis, on the seventh anniversary of the Minsk II ceasefire agreement, India called for a diplomatic solution to the tensions. Concept- Minsk II Ceasefire Agreement: Ukraine and the Russian-backed […]

    ORGANIZATION FOR ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC) TOPIC: IR Context- India lashed out at the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for being “communal minded” after the grouping called on the UN Human Rights Council to take “necessary measures” on the issue of Muslim girl students being told not to wear the hijab in Karnataka […]