The Hindu

Government Buys Back G-Secs through RBI’s Switch Auction

Context: According to Business Standard, the Government of India recently bought back Government Securities (G-Secs) through a switch auction conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The move aims to ease redemption pressures on upcoming debt maturities and improve the government’s overall debt management strategy.

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What is a Switch Auction?

A Switch Auction is a debt management tool used by the RBI on behalf of the Government of India. Under this mechanism:

  • The government repurchases bonds that are close to maturity.
  • In exchange, it issues new long-term bonds to investors.

This process helps spread repayment obligations over a longer time horizon, thereby reducing short-term redemption pressure on government finances.

About Government Securities (G-Secs)

Government Securities (G-Secs) are tradable debt instruments issued by the Central or State Governments to finance public expenditure and fiscal deficits.

Key Features

  • Sovereign Guarantee
    G-Secs are often called “gilt-edged securities” because they carry very low default risk, backed by the government.
  • Liquidity Management Tool
    The RBI uses G-Secs in Open Market Operations (OMOs):
    • Buying G-Secs injects liquidity into the banking system.
    • Selling G-Secs absorbs excess liquidity.
  • Role in Banking Regulation
    Commercial banks must maintain a portion of their deposits in G-Secs to meet the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) requirement.
  • Retail Participation
    Through the RBI Retail Direct Scheme (2021), individual investors can directly purchase G-Secs via Retail Direct Gilt (RDG) accounts.

Classification of Government Securities

1. Short-Term Securities

These instruments generally do not pay periodic interest and are issued at a discount to face value.

  • Treasury Bills (T-Bills)
    Issued by the Central Government with maturities of 91 days, 182 days, and 364 days.
  • Cash Management Bills (CMBs)
    Introduced in 2010 to manage temporary cash mismatches, with maturities less than 91 days.

2. Long-Term Securities

These securities have longer tenors and usually pay periodic coupon interest.

  • Dated Government Securities
    Issued by the Central Government with maturities ranging from 5 to 50 years, typically paying semi-annual interest.
  • State Development Loans (SDLs)
    Issued by State Governments to raise funds from the market for developmental expenditure.

Significance of the Switch Auction

  • Debt Management Efficiency: Helps manage large upcoming debt repayments.
  • Market Stability: Prevents sudden liquidity stress in bond markets.
  • Fiscal Flexibility: Spreads liabilities over longer maturities, improving fiscal planning.

Thus, switch auctions represent an important tool in India’s public debt management strategy, helping maintain stability in both government finances and financial markets.

Divyang Sahara Yojana and Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana

Context: During a post-Budget webinar following the Union Budget 2026–27, the Prime Minister highlighted two new initiatives aimed at strengthening support for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan): Divyang Sahara Yojana and Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana. Both schemes are introduced under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) to promote accessibility, dignity, and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.

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Divyang Sahara Yojana

The Divyang Sahara Yojana focuses on improving access to modern assistive technologies for Divyangjan so that they can live independently and participate actively in society.

Key Features

  • Affordable Assistive Devices: The scheme aims to provide advanced assistive devices such as prosthetics, mobility aids, hearing devices, and other adaptive technologies at affordable prices.
  • Support to ALIMCO: It will strengthen the capacity of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) to expand manufacturing and adopt AI-enabled and advanced technologies for better assistive products.
  • Assistive Marts: Retail-style centres will be established where beneficiaries can see, test, and select suitable devices based on their specific needs.
  • Service Hubs: Existing Pradhan Mantri Divyasha–Vayoshri Kendras (PMDVKs) will be upgraded into service hubs to provide assessment, customisation, repairs, and maintenance of assistive devices.

Through these measures, the scheme aims to improve accessibility, mobility, and the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana

The Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana aims to strengthen the employability of Divyangjan by providing industry-relevant skill training aligned with emerging sectors of the economy.

Key Features

  • Skill Development: The scheme focuses on equipping Divyangjan with job-oriented skills to enable dignified livelihood opportunities.
  • Target Sectors: Training will be provided in high-growth sectors such as Information Technology (IT), Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC), Hospitality, and Food & Beverage services.
  • Digital Integration: Skill training registration will be integrated with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) through the PM-DAKSH Portal, ensuring transparency and improved monitoring.
  • Industry Linkages: The programme aims to connect trained candidates with employers, thereby promoting inclusive workforce participation.

Significance

Together, these two schemes represent a holistic approach toward disability empowerment:

  • Accessibility: Provision of modern assistive devices improves independence and mobility.
  • Economic Empowerment: Skill training enhances employability and financial independence.
  • Technology Integration: Use of AI and digital platforms strengthens delivery and monitoring of welfare schemes.
  • Inclusive Development: Aligns with the government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.”

By combining technological support with skill development, these initiatives aim to ensure that Divyangjan can participate more fully in India’s socio-economic growth.

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

Context: After two years of debate over the structural stability of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project’s barrages in Telangana, the Union Government has accepted the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and decided to undertake repair works on three barrages.
This marks a major step in implementing scientific dam safety oversight in India under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

About the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

  • Statutory Body: Established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the NDSA is a statutory authority functioning under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi.
  • Composition: Headed by a Chairperson, assisted by five members leading specialized divisions —
    1. Policy & Research
    2. Technical
    3. Regulation
    4. Disaster & Resilience
    5. Administration & Finance

Read also: Dam Safety Act, 2021

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Mandate and Functions

  • Policy Implementation: Executes policies framed by the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS).
  • Dispute Resolution: Resolves issues between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs) or between an SDSO and a dam owner.
  • Regulation & Inspection: Specifies standards for inspection, investigation, design, and maintenance of dams.
  • Accreditation: Grants accreditation to agencies involved in dam construction, design, or alteration.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Ensures that dam safety and emergency response protocols are in place, especially during natural disasters.
  • Capacity Building: Conducts awareness and training programmes to enhance safety management across states.

Significance

  • India has over 6,000 large dams, many of which are over 50 years old. Ensuring their safety is critical for lives, livelihoods, and irrigation infrastructure.
  • The NDSA establishes uniform national standards and bridges the coordination gap between Centre and States.
  • It promotes a preventive safety culture rather than a reactive disaster response mechanism.

Way Forward

  • Regular dam safety audits using modern technology such as remote sensing, drones, and digital monitoring systems.
  • Strengthening coordination between NDSA and state agencies for real-time data sharing.
  • Public awareness and early warning systems for communities in downstream areas.

Conclusion

The National Dam Safety Authority marks a paradigm shift from fragmented dam oversight to integrated and accountable safety governance.
Its proactive intervention in the Kaleshwaram case demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to scientific dam management and disaster resilience.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme: Boosting India’s EV Transition

Context: The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has released operational guidelines for the PM E-DRIVE (Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) scheme, a flagship initiative to accelerate India’s electric mobility transition.

About PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Launched in October 2024, the scheme has a financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore and is effective till March 2026, with certain components extended till March 2028. It builds on earlier initiatives such as FAME-I and FAME-II, but with a larger budget and broader scope.

Objectives

  • Promote adoption of electric 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, and buses.
  • Support public transport electrification to enhance mass mobility.
  • Establish a robust EV charging infrastructure across the country.
  • Encourage domestic EV manufacturing through a Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP).
  • Reduce vehicular emissions and improve air quality, aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Components

  1. Demand Incentives/Subsidies:
    • Upfront subsidies for purchase of EVs.
    • Capped at 15% of ex-factory price or fixed limits for eligible categories.
  2. Grants for Capital Assets:
    • Acquisition of e-buses and expansion of charging infrastructure.
    • Upgradation of testing facilities under MHI.
  3. Public Charging Stations:
    • Nearly 72,300 charging stations to be deployed with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore.
    • BHEL as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and a Unified EV Super App for real-time tracking and payments.
  4. Governance Mechanism:
    • Implementation through Project Implementation & Sanctioning Committee (PISC) chaired by Secretary, MHI.
    • Periodic review of incentives, charging infrastructure, and EV uptake.
  5. State-Level Incentives:
    • Road tax waivers, toll exemptions, and reduced parking fees encouraged.

Significance

  • Strengthens EV supply chain and boosts domestic manufacturing.
  • Supports India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
  • Helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and enhances energy security.
  • Encourages private sector participation through Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

L1 vs H1B Visa Comparison: The Other Work Visa for the US

Context: The United States is still a popular place for skilled foreign workers to go, especially those from India. The H1B visa has always been the most popular way to get to the US. But things have changed recently, like a big fee increase for H1B applications in September 2025. Now, the L1 visa is getting more attention as a way for employees to move within the same company.

What does the H1B Visa mean?

  • Nature: A non-immigrant work visa that lets US companies hire foreign workers for jobs that require a lot of technical skill.
  • Requirements: Foreign professionals must have at least a bachelor's degree (or the equivalent) in a specific field.
  • Cap and Lottery System: There are 65,000 visas available each year, plus 20,000 more under the master's cap. Very competitive, chosen by lottery.
  • Validity: The first three years, with the option to extend for up to six years.
  • Employer Tied: Needs the employer's support and approval of the working conditions.

What does the L1 Visa mean?

  • Nature: This is a non-immigrant visa for managers, executives, or specialized knowledge staff who are moving from a foreign office to a US office of the same company.
  • Requirements: The employee must have worked in the foreign office for at least one year in a row in the last three years.
  • No Cap: The L1 visa does not have a yearly number limit like the H1B visa does.
  • Validity: L1A (Managers/Executives): Up to 7 years.L1B (Specialized Knowledge): Up to 5 years.
  • Specific to the employer: Limited to the same group of companies, can't easily switch jobs.

Important Differences: L1 vs. H1B

FeatureH1B VisaL1 Visa
PurposeEmployment in specialty occupationsIntra-company transfer
Cap65,000 + 20,000 (lottery)No cap
EligibilityBachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field1 year employment in company abroad (past 3 years)
SponsorshipAny US employerSame company with US & foreign offices
Validity3 years, extendable to 6L1A: 7 years, L1B: 5 years
Green Card PathwayPERM labour certification routeL1A offers smoother EB-1C pathway
L1 Vs H1B visa comparison

What this means for India

  1. Indian IT Sector: Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro use L1 a lot to move employees without using the lottery system.
  2. Pressure to Raise Fees: The increase in H1B fees in 2025 (about $100,000 for each new petition) may make Indian companies use L1 visas more often.
  3. Impact on Migration Policy: This gives India another way to keep its large skilled diaspora in the US, even with strict H1B rules.
  4. Diplomatic Angle: Visa rules are a common source of tension in talks about trade and strategic partnerships between India and the US.

The Way Forward

  • Policy Engagement: India needs to keep pushing for a US visa system that is more predictable and less strict.
  • Diversifying skills: Indian companies can use both H1B for new hires and L1 for moving employees around within the company.
  • Long-Term Strategy: Making the innovation and startup ecosystems in the US stronger so that they don't rely too much on US visa rules.

Secularism and the Mysuru Dasara Case

Context: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the Karnataka government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq, a Muslim, to inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities. 

The Court reminded the petitioner of the Preamble, which enshrines secularism, liberty of thought and faith, equality, and fraternity as core ideals of the Indian Constitution.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Preamble, Article 25, landmark cases related to secularism.
Mains: Indian model of secularism.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

  • The Court noted that the inauguration was a State function and not a purely religious ritual, and hence no citizen could be excluded on the basis of religion. 
  • Denying participation on religious grounds violates the Preamble’s ideals of equality and fraternity.
  • The Court reaffirmed the M. Ismail Faruqui (1994) case judgment,“the State has no religion of its own and must act with neutrality”

Constitutional Position on Secularism

India follows a model of secularism that ensures respect for all religions while maintaining State neutrality.

  • The Preamble explicitly declares India to be a secular State (42nd Amendment, 1976).
  • Secularism has been upheld as part of the basic structure of the Constitution in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) and S.R. Bommai (1994).
  • Article 25 guarantees freedom of religion while allowing the State to regulate secular activities associated with religious practice. 
  • In R.C. Poudyal (1993), the Court observed that secularism means equal treatment of all religions without discrimination.
  • In Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India (2024), the Court held that secularism allows the State to intervene to eliminate practices that impede equality and development.

The Mysuru Dasara judgment underlines that Indian secularism is not about a rigid separation of religion from the State, but about principled equidistance and equal respect for all faiths. 

Also Read: What makes the Indian Constitution Secular? 

Climate-Health Vision with lessons from India

Context: The Global Conference on Climate and Health held in Brazil in July 2025 shaped the Belém Health Action Plan which will be launched at COP30.  The plan marks a global shift towards placing health at the centre of climate action. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Belém Health Action Plan; Major international climate agreements and action plans.

Belém Health Action Plan

The Belém Health Action Plan aims to become a global reference for strengthening climate-resilient health systems. The draft plan is structured around three main pillars:

  • Surveillance and Monitoring: Aims to strengthen health surveillance systems to effectively respond to climate-related threats, such as vector-borne disease outbreaks and mental health impacts from extreme weather events.
  • Evidence-Based Policy Strategy: Seeks to accelerate the implementation of proven solutions by fostering cooperation among governments, academic institutions, civil society, and other key actors.
  • Innovation and Production: Proposes investments in research and technology to develop solutions tailored to the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Why does the Climate-Health link matter?

  • Climate change exacerbates malnutrition, heat stress, respiratory ailments and vector-borne diseases. This makes it imperative to frame climate action not as a distant environmental agenda but as an immediate public health priority.

Insights from India’s Welfare Experience: 

India’s welfare policies demonstrate how non-health interventions can generate substantial health and climate co-benefits. For example: 

  • The PM POSHAN scheme has simultaneously improved child nutrition, strengthened education outcomes, promoted agricultural diversification, and built climate-resilient food systems through the use of millets.
  • The Swachh Bharat Mission has tackled sanitation, dignity, and public health while mobilising communities through cultural symbolism rooted in Gandhian ideals.
  • The MNREGA programme has improved rural livelihoods while restoring degraded ecosystems through water conservation and afforestation works.
  • The PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has reduced household air pollution and carbon emissions by providing clean cooking fuel to rural households.

These initiatives demonstrate that intentional, intersectoral action can multiply impacts across health, environment, and development.

From this experience, three insights emerge for integrated climate-health governance: 

  • Strong political leadership ensures inter-ministerial cooperation and elevates climate action as a public health and empowerment issue rather than a technocratic agenda. 
  • Community engagement enhances legitimacy when policies are anchored in local culture and participatory structures, as seen in parent–teacher committees under PM POSHAN or mass mobilisation under Swachh Bharat.
  • Embedding climate goals within existing delivery systems such as ASHAs, self-help groups and panchayats ensures sustainability without creating parallel structures.

Challenges in Implementation: 

Despite these successes, certain barriers persist :

  • Administrative silos reduce effectiveness when multiple departments are involved.
  • Economic barriers such as high LPG refill costs in PMUY hinder access for poor households.
  • Social and cultural practices limit adoption unless supported by long-term behavioural change.
  • Monitoring remains focused on outputs (E.g., toilets built) rather than real outcomes like improved health.

Way Forward

To overcome these challenges and build effective climate-health governance, India’s experience points towards a three-pillar framework: 

  • Strategic Prioritisation: Reframe climate policies as immediate health imperatives.
  • Procedural Integration: Mandate health impact assessments across all climate-relevant policies.
  • Participatory Implementation: Mobilise communities around tangible health gains like clean air, safe water, and nutritious food.

India can provide a model for the Global South, promoting a whole-of-society response to climate and health challenges. 

Blending Isobutanol with Diesel

Context: The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was exploring the possibility of blending isobutanol with diesel. The move comes after the efforts to blend ethanol with diesel were unsuccessful. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Isobutanol and its feasibility to blend with Diesel: Pros & Cons. 

Biofuel blending in Petrol and Diesel is an important contributor to the government’s objective of scaling the net zero emission target by 2070. 

Isobutanol and its feasibility to blend with Diesel

  • Isobutanol is a higher molecular weight alcohol with inflammable properties. It is used as a solvent in several industries, including painting. 
  • It is produced from either thermochemical pathways (such as synthesis gas to mixed alcohols) or biochemical pathways (such as fermentation by specially designed microbes under sterile conditions). 

Isobutanol Blending vs Ethanol Blending with Diesel

Studies suggest: 

  • Isobutanol has higher energy content as compared to ethanol and is more amenable to pipeline distribution.
  • Isobutanol blends better with diesel compared to ethanol. There is no need to add any complement for efficiency. 
  • Less water absorption (less hygroscopic) compared to ethanol, thus it has lower corrosion risks. 
  • The flash point or the lowest temperature at which isobutanol yields a vapour igniting a momentary flash is higher than ethanol.
    • A lower flash point was among the reasons that ethanol was not considered ideal for blending with diesel. Fuels with lower flash points are more volatile and entail a higher risk of catching fire. 
  • Proposed blending opens avenues for the surplus ethanol production sources to be diverted to produce isobutanol. Isobutanol can be produced from the same feedstock required to produce ethanol such as sugarcane syrup and molasses and grains etc. 

The proposed blend would have an impact on reducing emissions and help with import substitution. 

Associated Concerns: 

  • Isobutanol and diesel may have issues on miscibility (ability of two substances to mix to form a homogenous mixture) though it can be sorted out by mixing biodiesel to the blend. Biodiesel is the fuel manufactured from non-edible vegetable oils, used cooking oil and/or animal fat. 
  • Isobutanol has significantly lower cetane number (measure of combustion quality) as compared to diesel (the base fuel). This would reduce the blend’s overall cetane number. This raises concerns about diesel knock which can result in reduced power and potential damage to engines.
    • An ideal combustion translates to rapid ignition and the fuel combusting completely to produce the necessary energy.
    • ‘Knocking’ occurs when the fuel burns unevenly and/or prematurely in the vehicle’s fuel cylinder. However, cetane value can be restored through proper additives which would entail incremental costs.

The blending paradigm is still being studied and the pilot project would take about 18 months to complete. If successful, India would be the first country to have blended isobutanol with diesel. 

Also Read: What are Biofuels? 

Proper studies should be initiated encompassing varied vehicle classes and types. Phased blending targets with no more than 10% blending of isobutanol should be considered.  

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Context: Renowned Malayalam actor Mohanlal is set to receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2023. It will be presented during the 71th National Film Awards ceremony and he will be the 55th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award
  • The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 in honour of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the pioneer of Indian cinema, by the Government of India. 
  • It is India's highest award in the field of cinema.
  • It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • The Directorate of Film Festivals in India, established in 1973, is responsible for organizing major film events such as the International Film Festival of India, the National Film Awards, and the Indian Panorama.
  • Based in New Delhi, the organization operates under the works as part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • The recipient is honoured for their ‘great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema’ and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry.
  • The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 10 Lakh.  
  • The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani (widely acknowledged as the First Lady of Indian cinema), who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.

About Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (April 1870 – 16 February 1944): 

About Dhundiraj Govind Phalke
  • He was widely known as Dadasaheb Phalke and is referred to as ‘the Father of Indian cinema.’ 
  • He directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, which was released in 1913, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian cinema.
  • Over his 19-year career, from 1913 to 1937, Phalke produced and directed a total of 95 feature films and 27 short films.
  • Some of his most acclaimed works include Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918), and Kaliya Mardan (1919).

Why was Indonesia rocked by Protests?

Context: Recently, Indonesia witnessed violent protests against a range of cost-of-living issues. The protests have generally been seen as an incitement of anger against the elites by the middle class. 

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: India and its neighbourhood: Indonesia

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest democracy and economy, was rocked by one of its most intense waves of protests in recent years. Protestors attacked public buildings, burned down and looted houses of public officials. 

Causes of the Protests in Indonesia

  • Public resentment against elite privileges: Members of Parliament in Indonesia receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah (about $3000) which is almost ten times the national minimum wage.
  • Austerity measures introduced by the government: President Prabowo’s government announced budget cuts worth 306 trillion rupiah (approximately $18.8 billion) to fund the flagship school meals programme. This led to steep budgetary reductions in vital sectors such as public works, economic affairs, investment, and higher education. 
  • Tax hikes by regional governments: To offset the impact of reduced central funding, regional authorities imposed heavy tax increases. E.g., 250% hike in property tax in Pati, Central Java.
  • Income inequality: While the Gini coefficient of Indonesia has been declining, the country still registers one of the highest levels of inequality in the Southeast Asian region. As per an Oxfam report, Indonesia ranks sixth among countries with the greatest wealth inequality. 
  • Additional issues include low wages and job insecurity. Education also remains underfunded, with various barriers restricting higher education. 

Also Read: India-Indonesia Bilateral Relations 

At the regional and global level, Indonesia’s political stability is crucial for ASEAN and for global supply chains that depend on Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Continued unrest could therefore affect not just Indonesia but the wider region.

Why did India condemn the Doha Strike?

Context: India’s condemnation of Israel’s strike in Qatar as a “violation of sovereignty” marks a rare departure from its otherwise muted responses to Israeli operations in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India - Qatar Relations.

Israel targets Hamas leadership in Qatar strike

  • Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) carried out an airstrike in Doha, Qatar, targeting a house where senior Hamas leaders were meeting to discuss a U.S. backed ceasefire proposal.
  • At the UN Human Rights Council, India has stated that the attacks threaten peace, stability and security and condemned the attacks as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. India invoked the UN Charter and international law emphasising that escalation must be avoided. 

Traditionally, India has reacted with caution or silence to Israeli strikes across West Asia, often limiting itself to expressions of “concern.” Even when Israeli actions affected Indian interests in Iran, India’s response was inconsistent, initially distancing itself from an SCO statement condemning Israeli strikes before later joining a similar declaration. 

Why is Qatar Treated Differently? 

Qatar’s importance for India stems from multiple factors : 

  • Qatar hosts a large Indian diaspora of over 7.5 lakh people whose welfare and remittances are vital for India.
  • Qatar is a key supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) making it crucial for India’s energy security. 
  • Strong personal and leadership-level ties exist between the Indian Prime Minister and the Qatari Emir adding weight to the bilateral relationship. 
  • The Israeli strike in Doha directly threatens the security architecture of the Gulf where the U.S. bases are located, raising concerns for India’s broader regional interests.

While New Delhi’s partnership with Israel in defence and technology remains strong, its silence on Gaza amid heavy civilian casualties has strained goodwill in the Arab world. India’s condemnation of Israel’s strike in Doha coupled with India’s recent UNGA vote for a two-state solution, suggests a balancing effort to reassure Arab partners while maintaining ties with Israel.  

Also Read: India Qatar elevate ties to Strategic Partnership 

This recalibration becomes even more significant in the backdrop of the Saudi-Pakistan Mutual Defence Pact and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s push for a joint defence mechanism. 

India gets licence to explore Indian Ocean for Polymetallic Sulphides

Context: India has bagged a 15-year contract for exploration of polymetallic sulphides in the northwest Indian Ocean from the International Seabed Authority (ISA). 

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Polymetallic Sulphides; International Seabed Authority; Carlsberg Ridge. 

Licence to explore Indian Ocean for Polymetallic Sulphides: 

  • This is the first licence granted globally for exploring polymetallic sulphur nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge. 
  • The contract area covers 10,000 sq. km. in parts of the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean.

Polymetallic Sulphides Nodules: 

  • PMS nodules are hydrothermal mineral deposits or concentrations of rock found in the deep ocean (mid-ocean ridges and hydrothermal vents). 
  • They form when hot, mineral-rich fluids from the Earth's mantle mix with cold ocean water, resulting in the precipitation of metal sulphides. 
  • These metalliferous muds contain large amounts of copper, zinc, lead, iron, silver and gold. 
image 51

Carlsberg Ridge: 

  • The Carlsberg Ridge is 3,00,000 sq. km. stretch that lies in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the Arabian Sea and northwest Indian Ocean. 
  • It forms the boundary between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates.
  • The ridge separates the Arabian Sea to the northeast from the Somali Basin to the southwest.
image 52

Key facts about Exploration Process: 

  • For exploration in areas part of the ‘high seas’ or part of the ocean not part of their territories, countries must obtain permission from the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
  • These rights are specifically designated for regions within the open ocean defined as marine expanses encompassing the air above, surface, and seabed; where no nation holds sovereignty claims.
    • Countries have exclusive rights extending up to 200 nautical miles from their borders, including the underlying seabed. 
    • Countries can claim up to 350 nautical miles from their coasts as their continental shelf. Countries in the Bay of Bengal can claim up to 500 nautical miles as per the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • If the claim is approved, the country gains priority to explore and potentially exploit both living and non-living resources in the designated region. 

About International Seabed Authority: 

  • Autonomous international organisation established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 
  • It is the organisation through which States Parties to UNCLOS organise and control all mineral-resources-related activities in ‘the Area’ for the benefit of humankind as a whole. 
  • The international seabed area represents around 50% of the total area of the world’s oceans.
  • ISA has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities. 
  • All States Parties to UNCLOS are members of ISA (including India). 
  • Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica 

India’s third exploration contract with ISA: 

  • The contract is India’s third exploration contract with the ISA and is its second for PMS.
    • India had exploratory rights from the ISA in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (till 2027). 
    • India had obtained exploratory rights for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (2031).
  • India has become the first ISA Member State to hold two contracts for PMS exploration and to have the largest area allocated in the international seabed area. 

India continues to conduct its exploration activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction strictly within the framework of the UNCLOS and under the mandate of ISA. 

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