President Droupadi Murmu Hosts Liechtenstein’s Royalty to Advance Bilateral Economic Ties and EFTA Partnership
Distilled Policy Brief
- President Droupadi Murmu hosted Hereditary Prince Alois and Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein at Rashtrapati Bhavan, emphasizing strengthened bilateral economic ties amidst current geopolitical uncertainties.
- The 2024 Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) aims to facilitate USD 100 billion in investments and create 1 million direct jobs in India over the next 15 years.
- Liechtenstein companies are showing keen interest in expanding cooperation across advanced manufacturing, fintech, agricultural research, sustainable infrastructure, healthcare, and materials science.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) was signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Liechtenstein is a member.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the strategic and economic significance of India's engagement with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations like Liechtenstein in diversifying trade, attracting high-end investments, and leveraging advanced manufacturing and technological partnerships.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
According to the Standing Committee on Information Technology's report on paid news, which of the following measures was specifically recommended?
- [A] The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should formulate a comprehensive legal definition of paid news and empower the Election Commission to enforce it during elections.
- [B] Media‑owner representatives should be included as members of a new single statutory regulator for print and electronic media.
- [C] Punitive powers of existing bodies like the Press Council of India should be reduced to promote self‑regulation.
- [D] The Election Commission should be stripped of any authority to intervene in paid‑news cases during elections.
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
The Committee urged the MoIB to create a legal definition of paid news and to empower the Election Commission to enforce it during elections. The other options contradict the Committee's recommendations, which call for regulators without media‑owner members, stronger punitive powers, and enhanced, not reduced, ECI authority.
🏛️ 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.