o Simple, effective, clear and predictable customs procedure to reduces processing times at the border.

o Increases predictability and eliminates many barriers encountered at the border, such as quotas and
labour market tests.
Why U.K. wants to join CPTPP?
• It reflects U.K.’s post-Brexit Pacific tilt and will allow U.K to deepen ties with some of the fastest-growing
markets and major economies, including Mexico,
Malaysia and Vietnam. About Brexit
• Joining CPTPP will cut tariffs for UK industries, • UK voted to leave the EU in 2016 and officially
left the trading bloc - it's nearest and biggest
including food and drink and cars, while also creating
trading partner - on 31 January 2020.
new opportunities for modern industries like tech and
• EU is a grouping of 27 countries that trade and
services, ultimately supporting and creating high-value allow their citizens to move freely between
jobs across the U.K. nations to work and live.
• Unlike European Union (EU) membership, joining
CPTPP does not require U.K. to cede control over laws, borders, or money.
• Other benefits include: modern digital trade rules that allow data to flow freely between members, remove
unnecessary barriers for businesses, and protect commercial source code and encryption.

2.5. NEW START NUCLEAR ARMS TREATY

Why in News?
Recently, United States (US) has extended the New START
(Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) nuclear arms control treaty with
Russia for five years.
About New START Treaty
• New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact
between US and Russia.
• The treaty, which first went into effect in 2011, limits U.S. and
Russia to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic
nuclear warheads each and imposes restrictions on the
land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to
deliver them.
• The treaty contains detailed procedures for the
implementation and verification of the central limits
on strategic offensive arms (discussed above) and all
treaty obligations.
• New START replaced the 1991 START I treaty, which
expired December 2009, and superseded the 2002
Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT), which
terminated when New START entered into force.

2.6. EXTRADITION
Why in News?
Recently, UK court paved way for Nirav Modi to be extradited to India.
More on News
• Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi is wanted by Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Rs
13,500-crore bank loan fraud case.
o India-UK Extradition Treaty was signed in 1992

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