General Studies Paper-2

Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025.

Summit Overview

• Objective: Position the North East Region (NER) as a land of opportunities for both domestic and global investors.
• Key Focus Sectors: Tourism & Hospitality, Agro-Food Processing, Textiles, Handloom & Handicrafts, Healthcare, Education & Skills, IT & ITES, Infrastructure & Logistics, Energy, Entertainment & Sports.
  • Vision for North East: Emphasized the region’s crucial role in achieving a Developed India.
  • Highlighted that the North East is transitioning from a frontier to a front-runner of growth.
• “EAST” Acronym: Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform.
• Sectoral Opportunities: Urged investors to explore opportunities in Energy, Semiconductors, Eco-tourism, Bamboo and bio-economy.
  • Tea, petroleum, sports, and skill development.
• Tourism Potential: The region is a complete tourism package, suitable for global conferences, destination weddings, and concerts.
• Infrastructure Development: Investment of thousands of crores in connectivity and infrastructure.
• Notable projects:
  • Sela Tunnel (Arunachal Pradesh).
  • Bhupen Hazarika Bridge (Assam).
  • 11,000 km of new highways.
  • Expansion of railways and airports.
  • Waterways on Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
  • 1,600 km Northeast Gas Grid.
  • Installation of hundreds of mobile towers.

North Eastern Region (NER)

• The NER comprises eight States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
• This region is culturally and ethnically diverse having more than 200 ethnic groups which have distinct languages, dialects and socio-cultural identities.
• The Region covers 7.97% of the country’s geographical area and 3.78% of its population.
• It has 5,484 km of international border viz. Bangladesh (1,880 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), China (1,346 km), Bhutan (516 km) and Nepal (99 km)

Significance of the North East Region

• Geostrategic Significance:
  • International Borders: The NER shares borders with five countries—China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal which make it strategically important.
  • Gateway to ASEAN: It is a critical link in India’s Act East Policy, serving as a bridge to Southeast Asia.
    • Current India–ASEAN trade: ~$125 billion, projected to exceed $200 billion.
• Strategic Military Importance: Due to proximity to China, the region holds significant defense value for national security.
• Economic and Trade Potential:
  • Cross-Border Trade: Projects like the Kaladan Multimodal Transit and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway boost trade with Southeast Asia.
  • Untapped markets and natural resources make it ideal for early investors in sectors like energy, agriculture, tourism, and logistics.
  • Health, Wellness & Tourism: Offers clean air, organic food, serene landscapes, and rich tribal cultures.
• Ideal for wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism.
• Rich cultural diversity (dance, music, festivals) promotes cultural diplomacy and soft power.

Challenges Faced by the Region

• Poor connectivity: Difficult terrain and underdeveloped road, rail, and air networks.
• Limited digital infrastructure: Though improving, internet and telecom connectivity are weaker compared to other parts of India.
• Insurgency and Internal Security Issues: Presence of militant groups and separatist movements in some areas.
  • Cross-border infiltration and arms smuggling due to porous borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
  • Although security has improved, periodic unrest still affects peace and progress.
• Geographic and Environmental Constraints: Hilly and forested terrain makes development of infrastructure and industries difficult and costly.
• Ethnic Tensions and Migration Issues : Inter-community tensions and demands for autonomy or separate states lead to uncertainty in the region.
  • Illegal immigration from neighboring countries has altered demographics in some areas, creating social unrest.

Way Ahead

• Historically neglected, the northeast has gained prominence in recent decades.
• Its strategic value has increased due to India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.
• The region is now seen as a vital gateway for India’s regional connectivity initiatives.
• Ongoing connectivity efforts require capacity-building for rail and road projects and improved border infrastructure.
• The overarching goal is to maximise the multi-dimensional potential of the northeast and cement its role as a regional connectivity hub.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: India’s marine fisheries sector has reached its maximum potential yield, however it needs to take decisive steps to ensure sustainable fishing practices, balancing economic growth with marine conservation.

India’s Fisheries Sector

• India is the second largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production.
• It has vast and diverse inland fisheries resources, including 0.28 million km of rivers and canals, 1.2 million ha of floodplain lakes, 2.45 million ha of ponds and tanks, and 3.15 million ha of reservoirs.
• India’s marine fisheries potential is estimated at 5.31 million tons, with activities spread across the country’s vast coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Concerns Related To Fisheries Sector in India

• Stabilised Yields, Unequal Gains: India’s marine fisheries sector has stabilized at around three to four million tonnes of capture per year.
• However, small-scale fishers make up 90% of the fishing population but catch only 10% of the total volume, while larger mechanized fishing operations dominate the industry.
• Ecological Consequences: Overfishing has led to juvenile fishing, where smaller mesh sizes allow sub-legal fish to enter nets, depleting spawning stock biomass and causing long-term declines in commercially important species like sardine and mackerel.
• It mirrors global collapses like Canada’s Northern Cod crash (1992) and California’s Pacific sardine collapse (1960s–1980s)
• Policy Fragmentation and Regulatory Loophole: Each Indian coastal state has its own Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA), creating a regulatory patchwork.
• Fishers exploit these gaps — landing juvenile fish in one state that would be illegal in another.
• It enables the laundering of protected species and obstructs conservation.

Government Efforts & Initiatives

• Union Budget 2025-26: It proposed the highest ever total annual budgetary support of Rs. 2,703.67 crores for the fisheries sector.
  • It highlights enabling a framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from EEZ and High Seas with special focus on Lakshadweep and A&N Islands.
• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): It oversees fisheries development, ensuring sustainable practices and supporting fish farmers.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): It delves into the domain of inland fisheries and aquaculture, recognizing their pivotal role in bolstering production and ensuring robust food security.
• Blue Revolution Scheme: It focuses mainly on increasing fisheries production and productivity from aquaculture and fisheries resources, both inland and marine with its multi-dimensional activities.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Satellite Technology Integration: National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System, application of Oceansat, Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) etc.
  • GIS-Based Resource Mapping: For mapping marine fish landing centers and fishing grounds, aiding in effective resource management.

India’s Sustainable Fishing Efforts

• National Policy on Marine Fisheries (2017): It focuses a strong emphasis on sustainability as the core principle for all marine fisheries actions. It guides the conservation and management of India’s marine fishery resources.
• Regulation and Conservation Measures:
  • Uniform Fishing Ban: A 61-day uniform fishing ban during the monsoon season in the EEZ to allow fish stocks to replenish.
  • Prohibition of Destructive Fishing Methods: Bans on pair trawling, bull trawling, and the use of artificial LED lights in fishing.
  • Promotion of Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sea ranching, the installation of artificial reefs, and mariculture activities such as seaweed cultivation.

Best Practices

• New Zealand’s Quota Management System (QMS): It aligns science with policy through:
• Total allowable catch based on stock assessments
• Transferable quotas for various fishing sectors
• Stabilised and rebuilt fish stocks over decades.
• India could pilot a QMS model for its large mechanised fleet, ensuring fishing quotas reflect ecological health — not vessel size or engine power.
• Kerala’s Minimum Legal Size (MLS) Strategy: It led to a 41% catch increase within a single season. It proves that allowing fish to reach maturity before capture ensures both better yields and higher incomes.

Way Forward

• Towards a Unified, Science-Based Framework, India needs to harmonise its fisheries management through:
• National Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for species;
• Gear restrictions to reduce juvenile catch;
• Closed seasons based on spawning cycles;
• Scientific catch limits for all fleets;
• A cohesive, science-driven framework would streamline enforcement and protect marine biodiversity.
• Multi-Level Action is Critical: There is a need that India should harmonize regulations into a national standard, integrating scientifically established catch limits, uniform minimum legal sizes, fishing gear restrictions, and closed seasons.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: Despite significant investments in India’s Smart Cities Mission, there are shortcomings particularly in terms of maintenance and sustainability, as recently observed severe flooding in cities like Bengaluru and Pune.

India’s Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

• It aims to address the growing urban challenges by integrating technology and sustainable development into city planning.
• It was launched in 2015 with the goal of transforming urban centers through technology-driven solutions.
• It aimed to enhance infrastructure, improve governance, and create sustainable cities.
• It included area-based development — such as retrofitting, redevelopment, and greenfield projects — and pan-city solutions that leveraged digital tools for efficient urban management.
• It aligns with 15 out of 17 SDGs, focusing on liveability, economic growth, and sustainability.

Operational Framework

• Selection Process: 100 cities were selected through a two-stage competition.
• Implementation: Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) handle project execution.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: ₹48,000 crore allocated by the central government over five years (₹100 crore per city annually).
  • States or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) need to match funding.
  • Additional resources raised via municipal bonds, government programs, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
• Over the years, the mission has sanctioned over 8,000 projects across 100 cities, with an estimated investment of ₹67 lakh crore.
• Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) were established to enable real-time monitoring and decision-making.

Challenges and Concerns

• Maintenance & Sustainability Concerns: Despite the substantial financial commitment, cities like Bengaluru and Pune have struggled with flooding due to inadequate upkeep.
  • The lack of clear guidelines for maintaining smart city assets raises concerns about the longevity of these investments.
• Governance and Implementation Issues: The governance model of smart cities bypassed local governments and relied on SPVs, which functioned like private companies.
• Delays and Incomplete Projects: Although the SCM was concluded on March 31, 2025, 7% of projects are still ongoing.
  • Many cities have struggled to complete their planned infrastructure upgrades within the given timeframe, leading to uncertainty about their future.
• Financial and Strategic Concerns: SCM has disbursed funds through a grant structure that lacks a cohesive national strategy.

Need for a Long-Term Strategy 

• The Smart Cities need to go beyond infrastructure upgrades and embed a culture of maintenance and performance tracking.
• Without proactive governance, cities risk repeating cycles of neglect and reconstruction.
• Expanding Digital Infrastructure: Smart cities need to continue investing in technology-driven solutions, such as real-time monitoring systems, AI-based traffic management, and IoT-enabled urban services.
  • Strengthening digital infrastructure will improve efficiency and responsiveness.
• Citizen-Centric Urban Planning: Integrating elected city councils into decision-making processes can enhance transparency and accountability.
  • Public participation in urban planning can make cities more responsive to residents’ needs.

Conclusion

• India’s Smart Cities Mission has made notable progress, but sustainability and maintenance remain critical concerns.
• Addressing these challenges requires clear operational strategies, accountability, and a long-term vision to ensure that smart cities remain truly ‘smart’ in the years to come.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: WHO Member States approved a historic resolution calling for adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, aimed at making the world safer from future pandemics.

WHO Pandemic Agreement

• The agreement is the result of over three years of negotiations initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic to address global inequities and improve pandemic preparedness and response.
• This includes equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
• It was adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution.
• It seeks to enhance collaboration among countries, WHO, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to prevent pandemics and improve response systems.
• It will open for signature and ratification after the annex is finalized. It will enter into force once 60 countries ratify it.
• It complements the International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments adopted in 2024.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system, to be negotiated and presented at next year’s World Health Assembly.
• Creation of a Coordinating Financial Mechanism and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to ensure equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products.
• Pharmaceutical companies in the PABS system must provide 20% of their real-time production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to WHO for equitable distribution, prioritizing developing countries.

Significance of an Agreement

• This landmark global accord reflects a unified international commitment to ensure a stronger, faster, and fairer response to future pandemic threats, grounded in equity, solidarity, and scientific evidence.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: India lost 18,200 hectares (ha) of primary forest in 2024 compared to 17,700 hectares in 2023, according to new data from Global Forest Watch (GFW).

Global Findings

• Tropical primary forest loss: 6.7 million hectares lost globally – nearly double 2023’s figures.
• Fires Surpass Agriculture as Leading Cause: For the first time in over two decades, fires became the primary driver of tropical forest loss, accounting for nearly 50% of the total.
• The combination of climate change and El Niño led to record-breaking heat and drought, creating conditions ripe for wildfires.
• Regional Impacts: Brazil accounted for 42% of global tropical forest loss.
• Bolivia experienced a 200% increase in forest loss, surpassing the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time.

Indian Findings

• Overall Tree Cover Loss Decreases: India saw a 6.9% decrease in total tree cover loss between 2023 and 2024, indicating some progress in forest conservation efforts.
• Increase in Humid Primary Forest Loss: Contrarily, humid primary forest loss increased by 5.9% in 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in preserving old-growth forests.
• Surge in Fire-Related Forest Loss: Fire-induced primary forest loss escalated to 950 hectares in 2024, marking a 158% increase from the previous year.
• Regional Hotspots: The Northeastern states, including Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram, have been the most affected, primarily due to shifting cultivation, agricultural expansion, and logging.
• According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation: India had the second highest rate of deforestation in the world between 2015 and 2020, losing about 6,68,000 hectares of forest per year.

What are India’s Initiatives to Combat Forest Loss?

• Policy and Legislative Measures:
  • Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (Amended 2023): Regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, with recent amendments aiming to streamline processes.
  • National Forest Policy, 1988: Aims to maintain at least 33% of India’s geographical area under forest or tree cover.
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAMPA): Ensures funds collected from forest land diversion are used for afforestation and eco-restoration.
• Afforestation and Reforestation Programs:
  • Green India Mission: Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, focusing on enhancing forest cover and ecosystem services.
  • State-Level Initiatives: For instance, Uttar Pradesh’s plan to plant 35 crore saplings in 2025 to increase green cover.
• Community Engagement and Rights:
  • Joint Forest Management (JFM): Collaborative management of forests involving local communities and forest departments.
  • Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities, empowering them to manage and conserve forests.
• Technological Interventions:
  • Satellite Monitoring: Utilization of satellite data for real-time monitoring of forest cover and illegal activities.
  • Mobile Applications: Development of apps like ‘My Plants’ to record plantation data and engage the public in afforestation efforts.
• International Collaborations:
  • Forest-PLUS 3.0: A U.S.-India initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable forestry practices and enhancing climate resilience.

Way Ahead

• Empower Local Communities: Accelerate the recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, ensuring that forest-dwelling communities have legal authority to manage and conserve their traditional forests.
• Leverage Technology for Monitoring and Management: Implement AI-based systems and satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of forest health, wildlife movements, and illegal activities, enhancing responsiveness and enforcement.
• Strengthen Legal and Policy Frameworks: Critically assess recent amendments to the Forest Conservation Act to ensure they balance development needs with ecological preservation, maintaining stringent protections for primary forests.
• Promote Sustainable Livelihoods and Eco-Tourism: Encourage agroforestry practices that integrate tree cultivation with agriculture, providing economic benefits to farmers while enhancing green cover.

General Studies Paper-1

Context: Bengaluru rain has led to widespread waterlogging, severe damages and traffic disruptions.

• Environmentalists and water conservationists have flagged the poor status of the city’s current drainage system, which is outdated and ill-equipped to handle the city’s current population and rainfall intensity.

What are Floods?

• Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry.

Types of Floods

• Flash floods are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels or roads may be overtaken.
• River floods are caused when consistent rain or snow melt forces a river to exceed capacity.
• Coastal floods are caused by storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunamis.
• Urban flooding occurs as a result of land development. Permeable soil layers are being replaced by impermeable paved surfaces, through which water cannot infiltrate.
• This leads to greater runoff being generated, which can make rivers out of roadways and ponds out of car parks.

Causes of Urban Flooding

• Heavy or intense rainfall in a short period.
• Blocked or undersized drainage systems.
• Encroachment of natural drains, lakes, or wetlands.
• Loss of green cover, leading to reduced water absorption.
• Rapid urbanization without proper planning or zoning regulations.
• Outdated infrastructure that can’t handle current population or rainfall levels.

Solutions to Mitigate Urban Flooding

• Upgrading and maintaining stormwater drainage infrastructure.
• Protecting and restoring wetlands, lakes, and natural waterways.
• Promoting green infrastructure: rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements.
• Implementing urban planning policies to prevent construction on flood-prone areas.
• Rainwater harvesting and better solid waste management.

Government Initiatives

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): While primarily focused on sanitation, this mission also emphasizes solid waste management and pollution control, which contribute to preventing waterlogging and flooding.
• National smart cities mission: It promotes the measures to manage urban flooding through rainwater harvesting, green spaces and proper drainage system.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): The Mission focuses on developing basic urban infrastructure in cities and towns, particularly in the areas of water supply, sewerage and septage management, and stormwater drainage.
• Guidelines and Regulations: The government has issued guidelines for sustainable urban development, encouraging the incorporation of features like permeable pavements, green roofs, and retention ponds to enhance water absorption.

Conclusion

• Combining engineering solutions, smart urban planning, real-time technologies, and community participation is key to building flood-resilient cities and effectively mitigating the challenge of urban flooding in India.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: The government is considering adding Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

Mission LiFE

• At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26), India announced Mission LiFE, to bring individual behaviors at the forefront of the global climate action narrative.
• The mission envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization.
• In India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI (MoEF&CC) is the nodal Ministry for national level coordination and implementation of Mission Life.

Approach of Mission LiFE

• Focus on Individual Behaviors: Make life a mass movement (Jan Andolan) by focusing on behaviors and attitudes of individuals and communities.
• Co-create Globally: Crowdsource empirical and scalable ideas from the best minds of the world, through top universities, think tanks and international organizations.
• Leverage Local Cultures: Leverage climate-friendly social norms, beliefs and daily household practices of different cultures worldwide to drive the campaign.

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

• The NAPCC is India’s comprehensive policy framework for addressing climate change, launched in 2008. It currently comprises eight core missions:
• National Solar Mission
• National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
• National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
• National Water Mission
• National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
• National Mission for a Green India
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Need for Integration of the missions

• Quantifiable Action: It will help measure the role of individuals and businesses in climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Amplifying Awareness: Mass campaigns under NAPCC can broaden the outreach of Mission LiFE.
• Behavioural Transformation: It will focus on low-cost, high-impact lifestyle changes, e.g., optimal use of energy, waste reduction, and sustainable consumption.
• Bridging the Gap: Tackles the common problem of awareness not translating into action.

Challenges in Implementation

• Self-driven Model: Unlike subsidy-based schemes like rooftop solar, Mission LiFE requires voluntary and intrinsic motivation.
• Lack of Measurement Tools: Tracking impact and progress of lifestyle-based interventions remains a challenge.
• Limited Climate Literacy: A significant portion of the population still lacks basic understanding of climate change, leading to a disconnect between individual actions and their environmental impact.

Way Ahead

• Policy Synergy: Align with schemes like Ujjwala, FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc., for greater synergy.
• Budgetary Allocation: Ensure adequate funding and investment to scale up behavioural campaigns.
• Awareness to Action: Launch targeted campaigns offering practical “to-do” lists for households and businesses.

Concluding remarks

• Merging Mission LiFE into the NAPCC can add a powerful, people-centric dimension to India’s climate response.
• While the transition to sustainable behaviour is a long-term process, institutional support, monitoring mechanisms, and mass outreach can catalyse significant climate-positive lifestyle changes.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to reach a deal in two phases.

India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations Overview

• Negotiation Resumption: Talks resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year hiatus (stalled in 2013 due to market access disagreements).
• Objective: To finalize a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods, services, investments, and geographical indications.
• Negotiation Structure: The agreement will be concluded in two phases, following India’s phased approach used in previous FTAs (e.g., with Australia).
  • This is partly due to the volatile global trade environment, including US tariff actions.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Commission President agreed to seal the deal by the end of this year.

Key Focus Areas

• Market Access: Duty cuts demanded by the EU in automobiles, medical devices, wines, spirits, meat, and poultry.
• Services and Investments: The talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, and investment.
• Regulatory Aspects: Stronger Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework.
• Agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs, government procurement, and sustainability.

Potential Benefits

• Increased competitiveness for Indian exports like ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, petroleum products, and electrical machinery.
• Stronger investment protection and clearer dispute settlement mechanisms.
• Enhanced bilateral cooperation in innovation and sustainable development.

India-EU relations

• Political cooperation: India-EU relations date to the early 1960s, and a cooperation agreement signed in 1994 took the bilateral relationship beyond trade and economic cooperation.
  • The first India-EU Summit, in 2000, marked a watershed in the evolution of the relationship.
  • At the 5th India-EU Summit at The Hague in 2004, the relationship was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.
• Economic cooperation : India’s bilateral trade in goods with the EU was USD 137.41 billion in 2023-24, making it the largest trading partner of India for goods.
  • EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods, 17% of India’s exports go to the EU and 9% of EU exports come to India.
• Other areas of cooperation:
  • The India-EU Water Partnership (IEWP), established in 2016, aims to enhance technological, scientific, and policy frameworks in water management.
  • In 2020, there was an agreement for research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the Government of India.
• India and the EU established the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in 2023. The TTC is a forum for the two parties to collaborate on trade, technology, and security. The TTC’s goals.

General Studies Paper-2

Context: India’s trade relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan are expected to come under strain due to Ankara and Baku backing Islamabad and condemning India’s recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.

Background

• India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for the Kashmir’s Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
  • All subsequent retaliations for Pakistani offensives were carried out under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
  • During the conflict, Pakistan used Turkish drones in its failed attempt to target Indian military installations.
• India and Pakistan announced reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea.

India’s Trade relationship with Türkiye and Azerbaijan

• A bilateral trade agreement was signed in 1973, followed by a pact on setting up an India, Turkiye Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation in 1983.
• India’s exports to Türkiye stood at USD 5.2 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 6.65 billion in 2023-24.
  • It accounts for only about 1.5 per cent of India’s total exports of USD 437 billion.
• India’s imports from Türkiye was USD 2.84 billion during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 3.78 billion in 2023-24. It accounts for only about 0.5 per cent of India’s total imports of USD 720 billion.
• India’s exports to Azerbaijan stood at only USD 86.07 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 89.67 million in 2023-24. It accounts for a meagre 0.02 per cent of India’s total outbound shipments.
  • Imports from Azerbaijan were USD 1.93 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25 as against USD 0.74 million in 2023-24.
  • It accounts for a meagre 0.0002 per cent of India’s total inbound shipments.
• India has a trade surplus with both nations.

Major products traded between these countries

• India’s exports to Türkiye include: Mineral fuels and oil (USD 960 million in 2023-24); electrical machinery and equipment; auto and its parts; organic chemicals; pharma products; tanning and dyeing items; plastic, rubber; cotton; man-made fibres and filaments, iron and steel.
  • Imports: Different types of marbles (blocks and slabs); fresh apples (about USD 10 million), gold, vegetables, lime and cement; mineral oil (USD 1.81 billion in 2023-24); chemicals; natural or cultured pearls; iron and steel.
• India’s exports to Azerbaijan : Tobacco and its products (USD 28.67 million in 2023-24); tea, coffee; cereals; chemicals; plastic; rubber; paper and paper board; and ceramic products.
  • Imports include: Animal fodder; organic chemicals; essential oils and perfumery; and raw hides and skins and leather (USD 1.52 million during Apr-Feb 2024-25). In 2023, India was the third-largest destination for Azerbaijan’s crude oil.

People-to-people ties

• There are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Türkiye, including 200 students.
• Similarly, the Indian community in Azerbaijan comprises more than 1,500 people.
• As per estimates, about 3 lakh Indian tourists visited Türkiye in 2023 and over 2 lakh to Azerbaijan.

Emerging Issues

• Türkiye and Azerbaijan may come under strain because the two countries have criticised India’s strike on terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
  • Islamabad has also used Turkish drones in the conflict.
• India witnessed a surge in calls to boycott both countries.
  • This led to mass cancellations of travel bookings, withdrawal of tour promotions by Indian operators, and the suspension of academic MoUs by institutions like IIT Bombay and JNU.
• In fact, Indian traders too have started boycotting Turkish products such as apples and marble.

General Studies Paper-3

Context: India’s decision to establish a direct link between the Northeast and Kolkata via Myanmar, bypassing Bangladesh, marks a strategic shift in regional connectivity.

Key Aspects of India’s Northeast & Myanmar

• India shares a 1,643 km land border with Myanmar, connecting Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.
• Myanmar serves as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, making it vital for trade and connectivity.

Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

• It aims to link Kolkata to Mizoram via Sittwe Port (Myanmar) and Paletwa inland waterways.
• It enables multi-modal cargo flow (sea, river, road).
• It reduces distance and time compared to the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor (Siliguri).
• It connects with India’s East-West industrial corridor plans.
• Phases:
  • Kolkata to Sittwe (Sea) – 539 km (Completed)
  • Sittwe to Paletwa (River) – 158 km (Completed)
  • Paletwa to Zorinpui (Road) – 108 km (Partially completed, delayed due to armed conflict in Rakhine State).
  • Zorinpui to Aizawl & Shillong (Road Extension): Underway through the Shillong-Silchar-Zorinpui corridor, approved by MoRTH.

Why is the Northeast-Kolkata Link via Myanmar significant?

• Shift in Connectivity Strategy: Historically, the Northeast has relied on Bangladesh for transit access to Kolkata and other parts of India.
  • India has invested in major connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (expected to be completed by 2030).
  • These projects aim to boost trade, tourism, and regional integration between India and ASEAN nations.
• Geopolitical Considerations: The decision to bypass Bangladesh comes after Bangladesh’s interim government remark related to Northeast India as ‘landlocked’ and dependent on Dhaka for ocean access.
  • India’s response was to strengthen alternative routes, ensuring trade independence.
• Economic and Strategic Benefits:
  • Reduced Dependency on Bangladesh: The new route eliminates transit fees and bureaucratic hurdles associated with Bangladesh.
  • Boost to Northeast’s Economy: Improved connectivity will enhance trade, tourism, and industrial growth in the region.
  • Strengthening India’s Act East Policy: The Myanmar route aligns with India’s broader strategy to deepen ties with Southeast Asia.
• Security Implications:
  • India’s investments in Myanmar infrastructure also help counter Chinese influence.
  • Presence in western Myanmar contributes to border stability, especially in conflict-prone Chin and Rakhine regions.

Challenges with Myanmar Route

• Insurgency threats (e.g., Arakan Army operations).
• Slow construction progress due to terrain and security issues.
• Chinese infrastructure competition in the same region (Kyaukpyu port, CMEC).

Curbing Bangladeshi Exports via Land Ports

• Ban on Ready-Made Garments via Land Ports: India has barred Bangladeshi ready-made garments from entering through land ports in Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
  • These goods must now be shipped via Kolkata and Mumbai sea ports, where they will undergo mandated inspections.
• Retaliation Against Bangladesh’s Restrictions: Bangladesh had earlier stopped Indian yarn exports through land ports, allowing imports only via sea routes.
  • India’s response aims to counterbalance trade policies that disadvantage Indian exporters.
• Impact on Trade & Economy: Around 93% of Bangladesh’s garment exports to India previously passed through land ports.
  • The new restrictions will likely increase costs for Bangladeshi exporters and shift trade dynamics in the region.