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India Opposes China-Backed Plurilateral IFD Agreement at WTO MC14, Defends Multilateralism

EconomyIntl. RelationsSUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
10 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:WTO 166 membersGATT 1947 23 nationsWTO established 1995Doha Round 2001
Bodies:WTO
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India opposed the China-backed plurilateral Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement at the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

2.India's stance is based on the argument that plurilateral deals within the WTO could undermine its core multilateral and consensus-based framework.

3.This development signals the ongoing stress on the rules-based trading system and raises questions about the marginalization of developing countries in a fragmented global trade order.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's recent opposition to a plurilateral trade agreement at the WTO highlights a crucial debate in global trade governance. This news is essential for understanding the shift from post-war multilateralism to fragmented, interest-based plurilateral deals and its implications for developing economies like India in international forums.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

WTO Member Nations166
GATT Signed (Year & Nations)1947 by 23 nations
WTO Established1995
Doha Round Launched2001

1-Minute Revision

  • ›WTO Member Nations: 166
  • ›GATT Signed (Year & Nations): 1947 by 23 nations
  • ›Target this Data: WTO has 166 member nations; GATT was signed in 1947 by 23 nations.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: World Trade Organization (WTO) and its Ministerial Conference (MC14).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The five specific principles of the GATT/WTO system: Nondiscrimination, Transparency, Reciprocity, Flexibility, Consensus.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the successor to which earlier international agreement?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding plurilateralism:

1. Plurilateral agreements within the WTO framework are binding on all member nations.

2. India opposed the plurilateral Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement at the WTO's MC14.

3. The failure of the Doha Round is considered a turning point that paved the way for more plurilateral arrangements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the article, how many member nations does the World Trade Organization (WTO) currently have?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is a primary concern for developing countries like India regarding the rise of plurilateral agreements and Regional Free Trade Agreements (RFTAs)?

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