UPSC Mains 2018 GS2 Q19 — International Institutions
What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- What are
- Scope keywords
- reformWTOsurviveTrade Warinterest of India
- Implicit sub-parts
- Why is the WTO currently facing an existential crisis due to global 'Trade Wars'?
- What specific reforms are needed in the Dispute Settlement Mechanism (Appellate Body) and the 'Special and Differential Treatment' (S&DT) status?
- How can India's specific interests in food security (Peace Clause) and service sector mobility be protected amidst these reforms?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic history of the WTO or GATT instead of focusing on the 'survival' and 'Trade War' context.
- Neglecting to mention the specific deadlock of the WTO Appellate Body, which is the core of the current crisis.
- Ignoring India's unique stance on the 'Development' agenda versus the 'New Issues' like E-commerce and Investment Facilitation favored by developed nations.
- Failing to link the 'Trade War' (US-China-EU tensions) directly to the paralysis of WTO's rule-based order.
- Dimensions required
- Geopolitical (Trade Wars/Unilateralism)Institutional (Dispute Settlement/Appellate Body)Economic (S&DT/Subsidies/Food Security)Strategic (India's national interest/Leadership in Global South)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to contextualize the current crisis and trade war. Dedicate 100 words to core institutional reforms (Appellate Body, S&DT, Transparency). Reserve the final 100 words specifically for India’s interests like Public Stockholding for food security and the protection of its developing status to ensure a high-scoring balanced response.
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