Cause–effect reasoning classification with business and trade context: Evaluate Statements I and II — 'India has surpassed all previous years' value of tea exports this year owing to higher European demand for quality tea' and 'Domestic demand for coffee has increased during the last two years' — and determine whether one causes the other, whether each is an independent effect, or whether both are effects of a common but unstated cause.

Given data

• I: India's tea export value is the highest ever this year due to increased European demand for quality tea.
• II: Domestic demand for coffee has risen over the last two years.

Concept/Approach

We classify the linkage between two statements into: (a) I causes II, (b) II causes I, (c) independent causes, (d) effects of independent causes, or (e) effects of a common cause. Look for a direct causal bridge, time sequencing, and domain overlap.

Step-by-step evaluation

Verification/Alternative

Even if one speculates a common macro factor (e.g., general beverage trends), it would be conjecture not stated. Logical classification therefore treats them as separate effects with independent causes.

Common pitfalls

• Forcing a link because both mention beverages; product/market domains differ.
• Assuming a common cause without textual evidence.

Final Answer
Both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes.