← All questionsGS2 · 2014 · International Relations ·WTO Mandate and Food Security Stand
MAINS 2014
GS2
12.5 marks

WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries profoundly. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are its decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security.

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9 min
200 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain WTO's mandate and binding nature, and critically analyse India's stand on food security talks.

Critically analyseBreak it into parts, test each against evidence, and give a reasoned verdict.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Mandate: trade negotiations, rules administration, dispute settlement, trade policy review, technical assistance≈35 words
  2. 2Binding: single undertaking, Dispute Settlement Understanding with retaliation; but Appellate Body paralysed since December 2019≈35 words
  3. 3India's stand: public stockholding for food security, outdated 1986-88 reference prices, 10% de minimis limit; permanent solution demanded≈35 words
  4. 4Critical view: India's stand protects farmers and poor but criticised for distortion; peace clause invoked for rice (2020)≈35 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

MandateBinding natureIndia's food security standCritiqueConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Not explaining what the 'peace clause' is
  • Missing the Appellate Body crisis

Draw this

  • Diagram: AMS limit = 10% of value of production; India's MSP-based calculation

Value addition

  • ExampleBali Ministerial (2013) adopted an interim 'peace clause' protecting public stockholding until a permanent solution.WTO, 2013
  • ExampleIndia became the first country to invoke the peace clause in 2020 for exceeding rice support limits.WTO, 2020

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