14 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

3 min

International RelationsNEWS

Commerce Secretary meets WTO Chief, discusses upcoming conference

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal meets WTO chief to discuss ministerial conference.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva to discuss issues related to the upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon.

Key Facts

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The meeting took place in Geneva

They discussed issues pertaining to the upcoming ministerial conference

The ministerial conference will be held in Cameroon

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: International Relations - Important International Institutions

Connects to syllabus topics on trade agreements, global governance, and India's foreign policy

Potential question types: statement-based, matching, analytical

In Simple Words

The Commerce Secretary of India, Rajesh Agrawal, met with the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. They talked about the next big WTO meeting that will happen in Cameroon.

India Angle

This is important for India because what's discussed at the WTO affects Indian businesses that trade with other countries. It can impact the prices of goods we import and export.

For Instance

Imagine a local shopkeeper who imports goods from China. If the WTO changes trade rules, it could affect how much that shopkeeper pays for those goods, and ultimately, the price you pay as a customer.

These meetings shape global trade rules, which affect the prices you pay for everyday goods, the jobs available in India, and the overall economy.

Global trade talks impact your pocket and your plate.

Visual Insights

Locations Related to Commerce Secretary's Meeting

This map highlights Geneva, where the Commerce Secretary met with the WTO chief, and Cameroon, the location of the upcoming ministerial conference.

Loading interactive map...

📍Geneva📍Cameroon

More Information

Background

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. The WTO was established on January 1, 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1948. While GATT primarily dealt with trade in goods, the WTO and its agreements also cover trade in services and intellectual property. The WTO's creation marked a significant step towards a more comprehensive and enforceable multilateral trading system. The WTO's functions include: administering WTO trade agreements, acting as a forum for trade negotiations, handling trade disputes, monitoring national trade policies, providing technical assistance and training for developing countries, and cooperating with other international organizations. The WTO operates on the principle of non-discrimination, which includes the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle and the national treatment principle.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the WTO has faced challenges, including rising trade tensions between major economies and difficulties in reaching consensus on new trade rules. The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO, a crucial function, has also been under strain due to disagreements over appointments of appellate body members. Several countries are now focusing on bilateral and regional trade agreements as alternatives to multilateral negotiations within the WTO. These agreements often cover a wider range of issues, including digital trade and environmental standards, but they can also lead to fragmentation of the global trading system. The upcoming ministerial conference is crucial for addressing these challenges and reaffirming the importance of the multilateral trading system. Discussions are expected to focus on issues such as agricultural subsidies, fisheries subsidies, and intellectual property rights related to vaccines and other essential medical products. The role of e-commerce in global trade is also likely to be a key topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the World Trade Organization (WTO) and why is it important?

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. It aims to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business by providing a framework for trade negotiations and dispute resolution.

2. What are the key facts to remember about the recent meeting between the Commerce Secretary and the WTO chief for the UPSC Prelims exam?

For the UPSC Prelims, remember that Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva. They discussed issues related to the upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon. Focus on the key personalities and the location of the meeting.

Exam Tip

Remember the names of key personalities: Rajesh Agrawal and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Also, note the location of the meeting: Geneva.

3. What are the recent developments and challenges faced by the WTO?

The WTO has been facing challenges, including rising trade tensions between major economies and difficulties in reaching consensus on new trade rules. The dispute settlement mechanism is under strain. Many countries are now focusing on bilateral and regional trade agreements.

4. What is a WTO Ministerial Conference and why is it important?

A WTO Ministerial Conference is a high-level meeting of trade ministers from member countries. It is the topmost decision-making body of the WTO. These conferences are important for setting the direction of multilateral trade negotiations and addressing key trade issues.

5. How might the upcoming WTO ministerial conference impact common citizens?

The WTO ministerial conference can impact common citizens through its influence on trade policies. Decisions made at the conference can affect the prices of goods and services, the availability of jobs, and overall economic growth. For example, agreements on agricultural subsidies can affect food prices.

6. What are the key discussion points expected at the upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon, as indicated by the meeting between the Commerce Secretary and the WTO chief?

Based on available information, the meeting between the Commerce Secretary and the WTO chief focused on issues pertaining to the upcoming ministerial conference. While specific discussion points are not detailed, it is likely that the discussions covered current challenges facing the WTO, ongoing trade negotiations, and potential areas of agreement or disagreement among member countries.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the World Trade Organization (WTO): 1. The WTO primarily deals with trade in goods, while GATT covers trade in services and intellectual property. 2. The WTO operates on the principle of non-discrimination, including the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle. 3. The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO is currently fully functional without any challenges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The WTO covers trade in services and intellectual property, while GATT primarily dealt with trade in goods. Statement 2 is CORRECT: The WTO operates on the principle of non-discrimination, including the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO has been under strain due to disagreements over appointments of appellate body members.

2. Which of the following is NOT a function of the World Trade Organization (WTO)? A) Administering WTO trade agreements B) Acting as a forum for trade negotiations C) Providing financial assistance to developing countries D) Monitoring national trade policies

A.Administering WTO trade agreements
B.Acting as a forum for trade negotiations
C.Providing financial assistance to developing countries
D.Monitoring national trade policies

Show Answer

Answer: C

The WTO's functions include administering trade agreements, acting as a forum for trade negotiations, handling trade disputes, monitoring national trade policies, providing technical assistance and training for developing countries, and cooperating with other international organizations. Providing direct financial assistance is not a primary function of the WTO.

3. Assertion (A): The upcoming WTO ministerial conference is crucial for addressing challenges to the multilateral trading system. Reason (R): Discussions are expected to focus on issues such as agricultural subsidies, fisheries subsidies, and intellectual property rights related to vaccines. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct? A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. B) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A. C) A is true but R is false. D) A is false but R is true.

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C.A is true but R is false.
D.A is false but R is true.

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the ministerial conference is crucial. The issues mentioned in the reason (agricultural subsidies, fisheries subsidies, and intellectual property rights) are key challenges that the WTO needs to address to maintain the multilateral trading system.