EU, India to meet on resuming FTA negotiations (Economy and International Relations)
Lost opportunity (EDIT, International Relations)
China making deep inroads into Iran (International Relations)
ICMR caution on itolizumab, tocilizumab (Science And technology)
Centre limits duration of online school sessions (Social Issues)
The stand-off and China's India policy dilemma (EDIT, International Relations)
QOD
[{"explanation": "<p>Cytokines are small proteins released by many different cells in the body, including those of the immune system where they coordinate the body’s response against infection and trigger inflammation. The name ‘cytokine’ is derived from the Greek words for cell (cyto) and movement (kinos).</p>\n<p>Cytokine storms are a common complication not only of covid-19 and flu but of other respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS. They are also associated with non-infectious diseases such as multiple sclerosis and pancreatitis.</p>", "question": "<p>Consider the following statements:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Cytokines are small proteins released by many different cells in the body.</li>\n<li>Cytokine storms are only associated with covid-19.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which of the above statements is/are correct:</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f0f01e47737d472cb2e9b10", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>1 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f01e47737d472cb2e9b11", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>2 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f01e47737d472cb2e9b12", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>Both 1 and 2</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f01e47737d472cb2e9b13", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>None of the Above</p>"}], "question_id": "5f0f01e47737d472cb2e9b0f"}, {"explanation": "<p>Trade integration refers to the mechanism in which there is free movement of goods, services, investment and people across the countries. Such trade integration may take place through multiple phases whereby the economies of the countries get integrated.</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA): It is agreement whereby the countries may decide to reduce the customs duty on commonly agreed goods. Usually, the list of goods on which the customs duty is to be reduced is part of Positive List. In general PTAs do not cover substantially all trade. </li>\n</ol>\n<p>Example: India- Afghanistan PTA (2003)</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Free Trade Agreement (FTA): It is a bilateral agreement whereby the countries may decide to reduce or eliminate the customs duty on commonly agreed goods. Usually, the list of goods on which the customs duty would not be reduced is part of Negative list and on all other goods the customs duty is eliminated. Normally, the FTAs cover trade in goods or trade in services. FTAs can also cover other areas such as intellectual property rights (IPRs), investment, government procurement and competition policy, etc.</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Example: India-ASEAN FTA in Goods</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)/Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): These terms describe agreements which consist of an integrated package on goods, services and investment along with other areas including IPR, competition etc. The India Japan CEPA is one such example and it covers a broad range of other areas like trade facilitation and customs cooperation, investment, competition, IPR etc.</li>\n<li>Custom Union: In a Customs union, member countries may decide to trade at zero duty among themselves, however they maintain common customs duty against rest of the world. An example is Southern African Customs Union (SACU) amongst South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland.</li>\n<li>Common Market: Integration provided by a Common market is one step deeper than that by a Customs Union. A common market is a Customs Union with provisions to facilitate free movements of labour and capital.</li>\n<li>Economic Union: Economic Union is a Common Market extended through further harmonization of fiscal/monetary policies and shared executive, judicial and legislative institutions among the member countries. European Union (EU) is an example.</li>\n</ol>", "question": "<p>Consider the following stages of Trade Integration between the two countries:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Free Trade Agreement (FTA)</li>\n<li>Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)</li>\n<li>Common Market</li>\n<li>Customs Union</li>\n<li>Economic Union</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which among the following correctly depicts the ascending order of Trade Integration?</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f0f02057737d472ce1af619", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>2, 1, 4, 3, 5</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02057737d472ce1af61a", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>2, 1, 3, 4, 5</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02057737d472ce1af61b", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1, 2, 3, 4, 5</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02057737d472ce1af61c", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>2, 1, 3, 5, 4</p>"}], "question_id": "5f0f02057737d472ce1af618"}, {"explanation": "<p>Presently, India does not has Free Trade Agreement with USA and Australia.</p>", "question": "<p>With which among the following countries has India signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Australia</li>\n<li>Sri Lanka</li>\n<li>USA</li>\n<li>Japan</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Select the correct answer using the code given below:</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f0f02247737d472ce1af620", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 2 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02247737d472ce1af621", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 3 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02247737d472ce1af622", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>2 and 3 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f02247737d472ce1af623", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>2 and 4 only</p>"}], "question_id": "5f0f02247737d472ce1af61f"}, {"explanation": "<p>Iran is bounded to the north by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea, to the east by Pakistan and Afghanistan,</p>", "question": "<p>Consider the following countries</p>\n<ol>\n<li>Georgia</li>\n<li>Azerbaijan</li>\n<li>Turkmenistan</li>\n</ol>\n<p>Which of the above share/s border with Iran:</p>", "options": [{"option_id": "5f0f023e7737d472cb2e9b17", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f023e7737d472cb2e9b18", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 2 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f023e7737d472cb2e9b19", "is_correct_answer": false, "title": "<p>1 and 3 only</p>"}, {"option_id": "5f0f023e7737d472cb2e9b1a", "is_correct_answer": true, "title": "<p>2 and 3 only</p>"}], "question_id": "5f0f023e7737d472cb2e9b16"}]
Seven years after talks on a free trade agreement were suspended, India and the European Union (EU) are set to agree on a “High-level dialogue on Trade and Investment” to restart negotiations. The announcement is expected at a virtual “EU-India Summit” led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who will engage with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by High Representative Josep Borrell.
India-EU FTA
Major issues to be discussed
Maritime security dialogue
Free Trade Agreement
LOST OPPORTUNITY – EDITORIAL + INDIA DROPPED FOR NOT INVOLVING ACTIVELY IN RAIL PROJECT, SAYS IRAN
India and Iran had signed an agreement to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan. Now Iran has started the development of the rail line on its own. Iran has cited delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project.
Iran has dropped India from the Chabahar rail project
Why India Delayed the construction?
Why is it a cause of concern?
Iran-China to finalise 25 years Strategic Partnership
CHINA MAKING DEEP INROADS INTO IRAN
Iran and china are in an advanced stage of finalising the agreement that would allow China to expand its presence in banking, telecommunications, ports, railways and several other sectors in the Islamic Republic in return for heavily discounted oil for 25 years.
Iran-China to finalise 25 years Strategic Partnership
$400-billion Long-term Agreement
Areas of Convergences
Economy
Geo-Strategy
Consequence of the deal for India
ICMR CAUTION ON ITOLIZUMAB, TOCILIZUMAB
There is yet no evidence from trials that itolizumab and tocilizumab, two drugs, one of which has been developed by Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics, reduce death in severely ill COVID-19 patients, Director-General of the ICMR Balram Bhargava said at a Health Ministry press briefing.
COVID Drugs – itolizumab & tocilizumab
About the drugs
Cytokine Response and Cytokine Storm
GUIDELINES FOR ONLINE EDUCATION – PRAGYATA
HRD Ministry has releases guidelines for online education - ‘Pragyata’ (Plan, Review, Arrange, Guide, Yak(talk), Assign, Track, and Appreciate.
THE STAND-OFF AND CHINA’S INDIA POLICY DILEMMA - LEAD ARTICLE
This Article highlights two sides of debates going on in China regarding China’s position in case India and China engages in military combat along their borders.
How the hardliners view current border dispute in Galwan?
Another Face of Debate in China – Pragmatists
Advantage & Disadvantage for Both India and China in case of conflict
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