India bans the import of goods made using forced labour, even as U.S. investigation is pending
Distilled Policy Brief
- India has prohibited the import of goods manufactured using forced labor, effective immediately, in order to combat human trafficking and protect workers' rights.
- Over 800 types of goods, including cotton, rubber, and coal, worth approximately $40 billion, are at risk of being blocked from entering the Indian market due to suspected forced labor.
- The new regulations will be enforced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which will require importers to provide proof that goods were made without the use of forced labor, with compliance expected to be in place by the end of 2023.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.