WTO, Seychelles - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: JS Deepak

Explanation:
Telecom Secretary JS Deepak has been appointed India's permanent representative to World Trade Organization (WTO).

Mr. Deepak will take over his new assignment from June 1, 2017 and till then he will be Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce and Industries with immediate effect.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued the order on March 1, 2017.

Previously, as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Deepak, a 1982-batch IAS of UP cadre, handled WTO and other international agencies.

With his transfer from the ministry, the government is expected to name a new secretary for the telecom as also for other ministries like tribal affairs and tourism.

Secretary, Culture, N.K. Sinha has been given the additional charge of Secretary, Tourism and Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment G. Latha Krishna Rao has been given additional charge of Secretary, Tribal Affairs.

ANSWER: Pakistan

Explanation:
As per the MFN principle of the WTO General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade for which India is a signatory or contracting party, WTO said all members should treat others as MFN trading partners.
MFN status was accorded to Pakistan in 1996 as per India’s commitment to WTO.

• Pakistan did not reciprocate citing non-tariff barriers and huge trade imbalance
• PM Modi called for a meeting to review MFN status to Pakistan
• Currently , the level of bilateral trade is “very low” - representing a mere 0.4 percent of India’s overall goods trade worth USD 643.3 billion in 2015-2016.
• India could consider making use of a ‘security exception’ clause - Article 21(b)(iii) - in the GATT to deny the MFN status to Pakistan or bring in certain trade restrictions.
• However, there have been Article 21 disputes in the past between Czechoslovak (Socialist Republic) and the U.S. (1949); the U.S. and Nicaragua (1983 and 1985) and between the European Communities and former Yugoslavia (1992).

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• As the Seychelles is considered one of the preferred offshore havens for routing of funds, the Union Cabinet recently approved the signing and ratification of the taxation pact with the island nation to unearth black money.
• On maritime security, the two countries had excellent security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, and India was a partner in providing aircraft, naval vessels and coastal radar systems for strengthening surveillance capacities.
• The location of Seychelles in Indian ocean makes it all the more important for Indian interests from the perspective of India’s burgeoning diplomacy with Island nations such as the ones in the Pacific.
• Agreements were signed on - Maritime security ties and cooperation on blue economy with the island nation; A Taxation Agreement with the Seychelles for allowing exchange of information to curb tax evasion and avoidance; Agreements of Space cooperation and Agriculture

ANSWER: 76th

Explanation:
It aims at easing customs procedure to increase commerce. Commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitaraman indicated the move was part of ongoing reforms in India

• India is the 76th WTO member to accept the TFA
• The TFA will enter into force once two thirds of the WTO 162 members were formally accepting the agreement
• Agreement aims at expediting the movement and clearance of goods including goods in transit.
• Implementation of the TFA has the potential to increase international merchandise exports by close to USD 1 trillion per year according to a WTO report.

ANSWER: Food security

Explanation:
Cabinet approves India’s stand on food security at WTO clearing the ex post facto stand taken by India for food security during the last WTO meeting at Nairobi. Cabinet has provided x post facto approval for approach adopted by India at Nairobi WTO meeting.

ANSWER: Trade Facilitation Agreement

Explanation:
India will pitch for a trade facilitation agreement in services at the WTO and other bilateral FTAs as the sector has massive potential and contributes to the economy of the country. India is forging ahead for a comprehensive trade pact in the services sector which is a key area of interest in the nation. This is with respect to the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations including RCEP/ Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and EU.

ANSWER: Nairobi

Explanation:
5 day long 10th WTO Ministerial Conference was concluded on 19th December 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya aimed at adoption of the Nairobi package for benefitting the poorest members of the organisation. The conference was attended by trade ministers of 162 member countries of the WTO. India was represented by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman. This marks the first time a meeting has been held in Africa by WTO in this capacity.

ANSWER: Seychelles

Explanation:
Union Cabinet has provided ex post facto approval for protocol for cooperation in the field of blue economy signed between the two nations in August 26, 2015. Protocol lays down the modalities and mechanism of cooperation between the two parties for ocean studies as well as scientific exploration and exploitation of sea based resources, for sustainable development and economic purposes. It will enhance strategic cooperation in the field of blue economy while increasing commercial benefits from human resources expertise and technology export. Cooperation with Seychelles in the blue economy will provide data on ocean based resources as well as technology and expertise sharing in the field of R&D apart from furthering domestic innovation in ocean research and technology.

ANSWER: 2.8

Explanation:
WTO on 30th September released a 2015 Annual Report providing overview of WTO activities in 2014 and 2015. According to the report, world trade will grow by 2.8 percent in 2015 against 2.5 percent growth in 2014. In 2016, world trade is expected to increase by 3.9%. The most recent entrant to this world grouping is 161st member Seychelles which joined in April 2015. Report also indicated India was involved in 43 trade disputes between 1995 and 2014 and undertook second highest dumping initiations. Since 2014, the only Indian in the 7 member Appellate Body of the WTO is U. S. Bhatia.

ANSWER: Seychelles

Explanation:
The cabinet has approved the signing and ratification agreement between India and Seychelles for exchange of information with respect to taxes. The Agreement will stimulate the flow of exchange of information between India and Seychelles for tax purposes, which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance. The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for the signing of the revised Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Seychelles to modernize and update the existing ASA signed in 1978.