Subject Preference: GS Paper II (Bilateral Relations) | GS Paper III (Indian Economy & Investment)
- The News (Dec 2025): During the visit of Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, India and the Netherlands signed an MoU to establish the JTIC. This is a formal ministerial-level mechanism to review trade and address barriers.
- Apt Topic: "Institutionalizing Bilateral Economic Diplomacy"
- Strategic Gateway: The Netherlands is India’s 3rd largest export destination in Europe. It acts as a logistical hub (Port of Rotterdam) for Indian goods entering the EU.
- The Semiconductor Pivot: A key highlight of this news is the focus on Semiconductors and Emerging Tech. The Netherlands (home to ASML) is a global leader in lithography; the JTIC aims to integrate India into the global semiconductor supply chain.
- Investment Security: India recently terminated many Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). The JTIC provides a "soft" alternative to resolve disputes and "Ease of Doing Business" issues for Dutch investors without immediate litigation.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
