TITBITS:
1.
Multilateralism-economic,
political, and institutional- that reached its peak at the turn of the 21st
century is now in trouble. While globalists will bemoan the passing of an era,
India's policymakers will have no choice but to adapt to the new dynamics
shaping international order.
2. India and Bangladesh
discussed keeping some land ports open 24/7 to boost trade. They also talked
about letting Bangladeshi trucks carry exports to Nepal and Bhutan through
ports in northern Bengal. The meeting, hosted by India’s Land Ports Authority,
focused on improving border infrastructure.
India welcomed progress on shared projects, including a new cargo gate at
the West Bengal border. Bangladesh highlighted how its 17 customs stations help
connect India’s northeastern states with Bangladesh.
3. WIPO 2024
Report:
In 2023, India saw a big rise in intellectual property
(IP) filings, with a 15.7% increase in patent applications, making it the
leader worldwide. This growth shows India’s growing importance in global
innovation, especially in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. It also
reflects the country's efforts to improve its IP system.
4. In October, India’s
retail inflation hit a 14-month high of 6.21%, mainly due to a sharp rise in
the prices of essential food items, according to the National Statistical
Office (NSO).
Retail inflation is the rate at which prices of goods and services that
households buy rise over time. In India, it is measured by the Consumer Price
Index (CPI), which tracks price changes for a typical basket of goods and
services consumed by urban and rural households. Inflation can happen due to
supply-demand imbalances, supply disruptions, or inflation expectations.