MOHENJODARO DANCING GIRL
1. Context
The Dancing Girl figurine discovered in Mohenjodaro in 1926 recently found itself at the centre of controversy.
On the occasion of International Museum Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the International Museum Expo in Delhi's Pragati Maidan.
2. Key points
- During the ceremony, PM Modi also unveiled the Expo's mascot a "contemporised version of the famous Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro.
- The over 5-feet tall adaptation drew flak from many quarters for distorting the original figure's form.
- The 4, 500 years old bronze figurine, just 10.5 cm in height, is dark and completely nude except for multiple bangles and a necklace.
- However, the adaptation mascot has fairer skin and is dressed in a pink blouse and an off-while waistcoat
- The Ministry said the mascot "was a stylised and contemporise life-size figure inspired from the Daning Girl also to be interpreted as a modern-day Dwarpal or Door Guardian to usher audiences into the experience of Expo".
Image source: Wikipeida3. Discovering the Dancing Girl
- The Indus Civilisation (3300-1300 BC with its mature stage dated to 2600-1900 BC), also known as the Harappa-Mohenjodaro Civilisation, had been long forgotten till its discovery was announced in 1924.
- While sites and artefacts from the civilisation were in discussion since the early nineteenth century, it was not until the 1920s that they were correctly dated and recognised as part of a full-fledged ancient civilisation, much like the ones in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
- After the initial recognition as an ancient civilisation, a spate of excavations was conducted in the two major sites that were known till then Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
- The Dancing Girl was discovered in one such excavation in 1926, by British archaeologist Ernest McKay in a ruined house in the "ninth lane" of the HR area of Mohenjodaro's citadel.
- The bronze figurine sits in the National Museum of India as enthralling visitors in the museum's famous Indus Civilisation gallery.
4. Some Descriptions
- Over the years, the Dancing Girl has been an object of fascination for archaeologists and historians.
- Of particular interest has been the pose the woman strikes and what that means.
- The figurine has "the pleasing stance of a young and spirited woman", historian Romila Thapar wrote in The Penguin History of Early India: From Origins to AD 1300 (2002).
- Mortimer Wheeler, director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 1944 and 1948, described the figurine as his favourite.
- John Marshall, Director-General of the ASI from 1902 to 1928 who oversaw the initial excavations in Harappa and Mohenjodaro, described the figurine as a "young girl, her hand on her hip in a half-impudent posture, and legs slightly forward as she beats time to the music with her legs and feet".
5. Inferences that can and cannot be made
- As Marshall's description suggests, it is the pose that the figurine strikes that have led historians to believe that the woman depicted was a dancer. However, there is no other evidence to support this claim.
- Recent work on the issue has suggested that the "dancer" label came from readings of Indian history from later dates when court and temple dancers were commonplace.
- American archaeologist Jonathan Kenoyer wrote in Art of the First Cities:
- The Third Millennium B C. from the Mediterranean to the Indus (2003) that the dancer label was "based on a colonial British perception of Indian dancers, but it more likely represents a woman carrying an offering".
- In 2016, a paper by Thakur Prasad Verma in Itihaas, the Hindi Journal of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Claimed that the figurine was, in fact, a depiction of the Hindu Goddess Parvati.
- The Paper attempted to tie the Indus Civilisation to Vedic Hinduism.
- This claim has been dismissed by most historians who say there is no evidence to say who the Dancing Girl depicts or whether there was any worship of Hindu Gods in the Harappa Mohenjodaro Civilisation.
- The inferred from the bronze statuette, though, is the degree of sophistication of Harappan artistry and metallurgy.
- The Dancing Girl is evidence of the civilisation's knowledge of metal blending and lost-wax casting a complicated process by which a duplicate sculpture is cast from an original sculpture to create highly detailed metallic artefacts.
- The very existence of a figurine such as the Dancing Girl, indicates the presence of high art in Harappan society.
- While art has probably been around since the very beginning of human existence, the degree of its sophistication indicates a society's advancement.
- The Dancing Girl by all appearances is not an object built for some utilitarian purpose artists took a great time to create an artefact of purely symbolic, aesthetic value.
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For Prelims: International Museum Day, Dancing Girl, Harappa-Mohenjodaro Civilisation, Mesopotamia, Egypt, National Museum of India, Archaeological Survey of India,
For Mains:
1. What is Mohenjodaro's Dancing Girl? Discuss its figurine tells us about Prehistoric civilisation. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. The famous 'dancing-girl' statue of the Harappan Civilization was made using _____ material. (SSC JE CE 2020) (Delhi Police Constable 2020)
A. Gold B. Bronze C. Stone D. Terracotta
Answer: B
2. In the Mesopotamian records, which one of the following terms was used for the Indus Valley (Harappans)? (NDA 2017)
A. Dilmun B. Meluha C. Magan D. Failaka
Answer: B
3. Which is considered as the oldest civilization of the world? (ACC 121 CGAT 2019) A.Mesopotamian B. Egyptian C. Harappan D. Chinese
Answer: A
4. Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as 'Arab Spring' originally started from (UPSC 2014)
A. Egypt B. Lebanon C. Syria D. Tunisia
Answer: D
5. Where is 'National Museum of India' located? (Soldier GD 2020)
A. Chennai B. Bangalore C. Patna D. Delhi
Answer: D
6. India’s largest museum is located at (MP Police Constable 2017)
A. Kolkata B. Chennai C. Bengaluru D. Delhi
Answer: A
7. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? (UPSC 2015)
A. Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneshwar
B. Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
C. Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
D. Varaha Image at Udayagiri
Answer: B
8. Who among the following established the Archeological Department? (CGPSC 2018)
A. Lord Curzon B. Lord Minto C. Lord Hardinge D. Lord Chelmsford
Answer: A
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Source: The Indian Express
MISSING CENSUS AND CONSEQUENCES
1.Context
An annual report by the UN Population Fund revealed that India was all set to become the world’s most populous country by the middle of this year
It estimated that India’s population would be 1,428 million (or 142.8 crore) by that time, slightly ahead of China’s population of 1,425 million.
The 2021 Census had to be postponed because of the Covid pandemic, the first time in the 150-year history of India’s census operations that the exercise was not completed on time
2.Census
- The census provides information on size, distribution and socio-economic, demographic and other characteristic of the country's population.
- The Census was first started under British Viceroy Lord Mayo in 1872.
- It helped in framing new policies, government programs to uplift areas of improvement in the community.
- The first synchronous census in India was held in 1881.
- Every ten years: Since then, censuses have been undertaken uninterruptedly once every ten years.
- The responsibility of conducting the decennial Census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
India’s first Census was held in 1872, conducted non-synchronously in different parts of the country. After that, India has held its decadal censuses regularly from 1881 to 2011
3. Ten year Circle
- A Census is Constitutionally mandated in India. There are repeated references to the Census exercise in the Constitution in the context of reorganisation of constituencies for Parliament and state Assemblies
- onstitution does not say when the Census has to be carried out, or what the frequency of this exercise should be
- The Census of India Act of 1948, which provides the legal framework for carrying out the Census, also does not mention its timing or periodicity
- There is, therefore, no Constitutional or legal requirement that a Census has to be done every 10 years
- However, this exercise has been carried out in the first year of every decade, without fail, since 1881
- Most other countries also follow the 10-year cycle for their Census. There are countries like Australia that do it every five years
- It is not the legal requirement but the utility of the Census that has made it a permanent regular exercise
4.Census Schedule
- The Census is essentially a two-step process involving a house-listing and numbering exercise followed by the actual population enumeration
- The house-listing and numbering takes place in the middle of the year prior to the Census year.
- The population enumeration, happens in two to three weeks of February
- To account for the births and deaths that might have happened during the enumeration period in February, the enumerators go back to the households in the first week of March to carry out revisions.
- There are several intermediate steps as well, and preparations for the Census usually begin three to four years in advance. The compilation and publication of the entire data also takes months to a few years
5. Way ahead
The Census produces primary, authentic data that becomes the backbone of every statistical enterprise, informing all planning, administrative and economic decision-making processes
It is the basis on which every social, economic and other indicator is built
Lack of reliable data 12-year-old data on a constantly changing metric is not reliable has the potential to upset every indicator on India, and affect the efficacy and efficiency of all kinds of developmental initiatives
Besides, a break in periodicity results in data that is not comparable in some respects to the earlier sets
Source: indianexpress
SENGOL
1. Context
Speaking to the media, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (May 24, 2023) said the upcoming inauguration of the new parliament building will also see Prime Minister Narendra Modi install a historic sceptre from Tamil Nadu next to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s seat
2. About Sengol
The historic Sceptre, 'Sengol', which comes from a Tamil word-Semmai, which means righteousness.
It weighs 800 grams and is gold-plated, it is five feet in height and has a 'Nandi' (Lord Shiva's Bull) on top of it which is symbol of Justice
3. Historic Significance of 'Sengol'
- According to the official document, just before Independence, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, asked Nehru about “the ceremony that should be followed to symbolise the transfer of power from British to Indian hands”
- The soon-to-be prime minister went to consult C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, who told him about a ceremony performed during the Chola dynasty, in which the transfer of power from one king to the other was sanctified and blessed by high priests
- The symbol (for the transfer of power) used was the handover of the ‘Sengol’ from one King to his successor
- It added that the newly crowned ruler would be given the Sengol with an order to rule his subjects fairly and justly.
- Once Nehru agreed to perform the suggested ceremony, Rajagopalachari, also known as Rajaji, was tasked with the responsibility of arranging a sceptre
- Subsequently, he reached out to Thiruvaduthurai Atheenam, a well-known mutt in Tamil Nadu’s Tanjore district, for help and its leader commissioned the manufacturing of the Sengol to Chennai-based “Vummidi Bangaru Chetty” jewellers, as per the official document
- Constructed by two men Vummidi Ethirajulu and Vummidi Sudhakar, both are still alive and remember making it the sceptre measures five feet in length and has a ‘Nandi’ bull on top, symbolising justice
4.Ceremony
As per the official document, three people, including “the Deputy high priest of the Adheenam, the Nadaswaram player Rajarathinam Pillai and the Oduvar (singer)”, brought in the newly-made Sengol from Tamil Nadu
During the ceremony, which took place on August 14, 1947, a priest gave the sceptre to Lord Mountbatten and then took it back
It was then “taken in procession to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru’s house, where it was handed over to him. A special song was rendered, as specified by the high priest.,”
The event was attended by Dr Rajendra Prasad, who would go on to become India’s first president, and many others.
Source: indianexpress
HISTORY OF INDIA'S TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
1. Context
Starbucks India recently stirred up controversy with an advertisement, which featured transgender model Sia as Arpita, who meets her parents at an outlet of the multinational coffee chain.
The ad shows the trans woman introducing herself as Arpita and not Arpit, her birth name.
Her parents, who were visibly hesitant initially, end up accepting her for who she is towards the end of the ad.
2. Depiction of trans people in Hindu Mythology
- The historical evolution of the transgender community in India, shares that the concept of tritiyaprakriti (third nature) or napumsaka has been integral to Hindu mythology, Vedic and Puranic literature, epics and folktales.
- The term napumsaka here indicates the absence of the ability to procreate, thus, distinguishing them from both masculine and feminine markers.
- The female avatar of Vishnu Mohini who appears in the Mahabharata, counts as the first reference to trans people in Hindu mythology.
- Mohini also appears in Vishnu Purana as well as the Lingapurana, where Shankara Narayanan's origins (Hariharan) are attributed to the merging of Shiva and Mohini (Vishnu).
2.1. Ramayana
The Trans persons (referred to as hijras in the Ramayana) were the ones who waited in the woods for 14 years after Lord Rama asked "men and women" to wipe their tears and go away", after being exiled because they did not fall within the gender-binary.
2.2. Mahabharata
- The epic Mahabharata carries two main references to trans persons one, Aravan (translated from Tamil as the son of a snake) and two, Shikhandi.
- Arvan was offered to be killed for Goddess Kali to ensure the victory of the Pandavas in the war, the condition was that he should spend the last night as a married man.
- As women refused to be married to Arvan, Lord Krishna is believed to have taken the form of Mohini and married him.
- Moreover, Princess Amba has sworn to take revenge on Bhishma after he abducted and rejected her in marriage.
- The Transsexualism in Hindu Mythology, Amba, reborn as Shikhandini, changed her sex to become Shikhandi.
- As Bhisma recognized Shikhandi as Shikhandini during the Kurukshetra war and refused to fight a "woman" he lowered his weapons as Shikhandi appeared in Arjuna's Chariot, assisting Arjuna Kill Bhishma with his arrows.
- Shikhandi's Character, thus, became crucial in the victory of the Pandavas.
3. Trans people during the Mughal era
- Michelraj, in his paper, mentions that hijras served as political advisors, administrators and guardians of the harems, during the Mughal era.
- They also served in the royal courts during the Mughal rule in India, according to the paper and wielded influence in important matters of the state.
- For instance, Itimad Khan was a eunuch officer in Akbar's court with the charge of administering the finances of the state.
- According to historian Shadab Bano's article "Eunuchs in Mughal Households and Court, Khan became a sovereign confidant, with not just great influence, but also tremendous wealth.
- The wealth and stature of trans people were noted, often with surprise, by European travellers to Mughal India".
- They can get whatever they desire fine horses to ride, servants to attend them outside, and female slaves inside the house, clothes as fine and smart as those of their master himself", Dutch merchant Francisco Pelsaert noted during his visit to the Mughal court in the seventeenth century.
4. The British and the stigmatisation of trans persons
- During British rule, hijras continued to receive protections and benefits from a few Indian states, including the provision of land, food, and money.
- But the British themselves brought with them European attitudes towards transness.
- The third gender enjoyed a certain degree of respect in the country, under traditional Hindu Culture.
- However, besides other factors, British rule in India has greatly influenced the way people perceive the transgender community today.
- The accompanied colonisation in the mid-19th century was a "strict sense of judgement to sexual mores" which criminalised "carnal intercourse against the order of nature".
- According to Michelraj, criminalisation of their existence meant denying them civil rights.
- Over time, the discrimination against transgender people by the state percolated into the society, influencing attitudes and eventually, turning the trans community into a shell of its former self.
- Today, the precarity and vulnerability of trans people in India is in part a product of a social and ideological change that occurred during British rule.
5. Contemporary struggles and victories
- In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court, in April 2014, legally recognized transgenders or eunuchs as "third gender" directing the Centre as well as the states to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes and extend reservations in admission to educational institutions and for public appointments.
- The historic move came to be referred to as the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) judgment.
- Within the judgment, the apex court directed governments to take steps to remove problems faced by them such as fear, shame, social pressure, depression and social stigma.
- The court affirmed the constitutional rights of transgender persons under Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
- Further, it was only in 2018 that the Supreme Court widened the ambit of individual autonomy and decisional privacy by decriminalising homosexuality.
- Reading down the provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalised same-sex relationships, the top court held that the law violated the fundamental rights of citizens.
- The court noted that the said Section was used as a weapon to harass the members of the LGBTQ community, resulting in discrimination.
- Although the Bill to ensure horizontal reservation for transgender persons and people with intersex variations was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2014, the amendments made to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in December 2019, led to provisions, including that of horizontal reservation, to be scrapped.
- Grace Banu, the founder of the Trans Rights Now Collective, filled out an application demanding horizontal reservations from the Tamil Nadu Government, but the SC refused to entertain the same.
- It was in 2021 that Karnataka emerged as the first and only state to extend one per cent reservation for trans persons in any service or post in all categories of employment to be filled through the direct recruitment process in the state.
- The Amendment to Rule 9 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, also directed recruiting authorities to provide a separate column to allow applicants to identify as "others" apart from male or female.
- Horizontal reservation is an intersectional approach that is provided for within each vertical reservation category.
- Within the queer community, "People coming from certain socio-economic locations often have easier access to healthcare, education and career opportunities and forms of capital which might not be the case for Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi (DBA) trans people".
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For Prelims: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Hindu mythology, Vishnu Purana, Lingapurana, Mughal era, British rule, hijras, NALSA, homosexuality, Indian Penal Code, LGBTQ community, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, Horizontal reservation, vertical reservation, Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi
For Mains:
1. Who are Transgenders? Discuss the Brief History of India's Transgender community. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Who wrote the book Ramayana? (Soldier GD 2021)
A. Surdas B. Kalidas C. VedaVyasa D. Valmiki
Answer: D
2. Sanskrit Ramayana is written by (AFCAT 2021)
A.Valmiki B. Kabir C. Tulsidas D. Vyasa
Answer:A
3. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: (UPSC 2022)
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
A. 1, 2 and 3 B. 2 and 4 only C. 1, 3 and 4 D. 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B
4. According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu took the shape of ______ in order to rescue the earth, which had sunk into water. (SSC CGL 2021)
1. a boar 2. a lion 3. a tiger 4. an elephant
Answer: 1
5. Which is the oldest Purana? (UPSSSC Forest Guard 2015)
A. Matsya Purana B. Vishnu Purana C. Narada Purana D. Vamana Purana
Answer: A
6. With reference to the National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2013)
1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society on the basis of equal opportunity.
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programmes and schemes throughout the country.
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
Answer: C
7. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens? (UPSC 2020)
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs.1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs. 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs. 3,00,000 4. All Senior Citizens
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 2 only B. 3 and 4 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1 and 4 only
Answer: A
8. Navtej Singh Johar and others Vs Union of India, in this case Supreme Court give importance judgement related with: (MPSC 2019)
A. Shabarimala Temple Entry B. Linking up of Adhar to PAN Card
C. Homosexuality D. SC/ST reservation in promotion
Answer: C
9. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
(UPSC 2018)
A. Active all India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement
B. Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement C. Joining of peasant unrest to India's national Movement
D. Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops
Answer: C
10. The term "Bahujan" was first used by (Telangana PSC 2016)
A. Mayavathi
B. Kansiram
C. Buddha
D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: C
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Source: The Indian Express
INDIA-AUSTRALIA RELATIONSHIP
1.Context
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the diaspora at a public event in Sydney where he underlined “mutual trust and respect” as the defining characteristic of India’s “deepening” ties with Australia.
2.Historical Background
The India-Australia bilateral relationship has been underpinned by the shared values of pluralistic, Westminster-style democracies, Commonwealth traditions, expanding economic engagement, and increasing high-level interaction
Several common traits, including strong, vibrant, secular, and multicultural democracies, a free press, an independent judicial system, and English language, serve as the foundation for closer co-operation and multifaceted interaction between the two countries
The end of the Cold War and beginning of India’s economic reforms in 1991 provided the impetus for the development of closer ties between the two nations.
The ever-increasing numbers of Indian students travelling to Australia for higher education, and the growing tourism and sporting links, have played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations
With the passage of time, ties evolved in the direction of a strategic relationship, alongside the existing economic engagement
In recent years, the relationship has charted a new trajectory of transformational growth
With greater convergence of views on issues such as international terrorism, and a shared commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, the two democracies have taken their cooperation to plurilateral formats, including the Quad (with the United States and Japan).
3. Strategic ties
In September 2014, Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited India, and in November that year, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to make an official visit to Australia after Rajiv Gandhi in 1986
He also became the first Indian PM to address a joint sitting of the Parliament of Australia
At the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit in June 2020, Modi and Prime Minister Scott Morrison elevated the bilateral relationship from the Strategic Partnership concluded in 2009 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)
At the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit in March 2022, several key announcements were made, including on a Letter of Intent on Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement to foster the exchange of skills, and a Letter of Arrangement for Educational Qualifications Recognition to facilitate the mobility of students and professionals
There has been a series of high-level engagements and exchange of ministerial visits in 2022 and in 2023
4. Cooperation between two Countries
4.1. Cooperation
The Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA): the first free trade agreement signed by India with a developed country in a decade entered into force in December 2022, and has resulted in an immediate reduction of duty to zero on 96% of Indian exports to Australia in value (that is 98% of the tariff lines) and zero duty on 85% of Australia’s exports (in value) to India
Bilateral trade was US$ 27.5 billion in 2021; with ECTA, there is potential for it to reach around US$ 50 billion in five years
4.2.People to People ties
India is one of the top sources of skilled immigrants to Australia
As per the 2021 Census, around 9.76 lakh people in Australia reported their ancestry as Indian origin, making them the second largest group of overseas-born residents in Australia
To celebrate India@75, the Australian government illuminated more than 40 buildings across the country, and Prime Minister Albanese issued a personal video message
4.3. Education
The Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications (MREQ) was signed on March 2 this year
This will facilitate mobility of students between India and Australia
Deakin University and University of Wollongong are planning to open campuses in India
More than 1 lakh Indian students are pursuing higher education degrees in Australian universities, making Indian students the second largest cohort of foreign students in Australia
4.4. Defence Cooperation
The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in September 2021, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia visited in June 2022.
The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) was concluded during the Virtual Summit in June 2020, and the two militaries held several joint exercises in 2022
Australia will host military operations with India, Japan, and the US in the “Malabar” exercises off the coast of Perth in August, and has invited India to join the Talisman Sabre exercises later this year
4.5. Clean Energy
The countries signed a Letter of Intent on New and Renewable Energy in February 2022 which provides for cooperation towards bringing down the cost of renewable energy technologies, especially ultra low-cost solar and clean hydrogen
During the Virtual Summit in March 2022, India announced matching funds of AUD 10 million for Pacific Island Countries under Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) and of AUD 10 million for Pacific Island Countries under International Solar Alliance (ISA)
5.China Factor
Ties between Australia and China were strained after Canberra in 2018 banned Chinese telecom firm Huawei from the 5G network
Later, it called for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19, and slammed China’s human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong
China responded by imposing trade barriers on Australian exports, and by cutting off all ministerial contact
India has been facing an aggressive Chinese military along the border. New Delhi and Canberra have been assessing the Chinese challenge since 2013
6.What is Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement
- It is the first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that India has signed with a major developed country in over a decade.
- The Agreement encompasses cooperation across the entire gamut of bilateral economic and commercial relations between the two friendly countries, and covers areas like:
- Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin
- Trade in Services
- Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures
- Dispute Settlement, Movement of Natural Persons
- Telecom, Customs Procedures
- Pharmaceutical products, and Cooperation in other Areas
- The India-Australia Economic and Cooperation Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA ), which is expected to double trade between the two countries to $50 billion, came into effect.
- The Ind-Aus ECTA provides an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries
- It covers almost all the tariff lines dealt by India and Australia
- India will benefit from preferential market access provided by Australia on 100% of its tariff lines, including all the labor-intensive sectors of export interest to India, such as Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, leather, footwear, furniture among other
- On the other hand, India will be offering preferential access to Australia on over 70% of i
