GS Paper 2

Context: India has supplied Prussian Blue capsules to Indonesia after Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination was detected in Jakarta. This humanitarian action followed an official request from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, underscoring India’s role as a regional first responder in public health and nuclear safety cooperation.

About Prussian Blue:

• Nature: Prussian Blue (ferric hexacyanoferrate) is a dark blue pigment and an FDA-approved oral medicine used for treating internal contamination by radioactive or non-radioactive caesium (Cs) and thallium (Tl).
• Mechanism: It binds radioactive isotopes in the intestine, preventing absorption into the bloodstream and facilitating excretion through stool.
• Use: It is part of the WHO Essential Medicines List and a key stockpile item in nuclear emergency preparedness.

About Caesium-137 (Cs-137):

• Origin: A radioactive isotope produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission in reactors and weapons testing.
• Half-life: Around 30 years, meaning it remains hazardous for decades.
• Radiation Type: Emits beta and gamma radiation, both harmful to living tissue.
• Health Impact:
  • External exposure can cause burns and acute radiation sickness.
  • Internal exposure increases risks of cancer and organ damage.
• Detection & Cleanup: Radiation detectors and decontamination agents such as Prussian Blue and potassium ferricyanide compounds are used to mitigate exposure.

India’s Role and Strategic Significance:

• Humanitarian Leadership: India’s timely delivery reflects its expanding role as a regional health and disaster relief provider, aligning with its “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies.
• Technological Capability: India maintains Prussian Blue stocks under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for nuclear or radiological emergencies.
• Diplomatic Value: Strengthens India–Indonesia bilateral relations, particularly under the ASEAN-India partnership framework for regional security and health cooperation.
• Historical Parallel: India had earlier provided medical and nuclear safety assistance to Japan and Sri Lanka under similar emergency circumstances.

Conclusion:

India’s dispatch of Prussian Blue capsules to Indonesia reinforces its commitment to regional stability, humanitarian aid, and nuclear safety diplomacy — enhancing its image as a trusted partner in crisis response and responsible scientific power in Asia.

Context: On World Food Day 2025, India and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) marked 80 years of partnership, highlighting India’s journey from food scarcity to self-sufficiency and global leadership in sustainable agriculture.
The collaboration symbolises India’s long-standing commitment to achieving food and nutritional security through innovation, inclusivity, and international cooperation.

India’s Achievements in Food Security:

• Resilient Agriculture Base: Despite having less than 4% of the world’s arable land and freshwater, India ensures food self-sufficiency and price stability through efficient policies and technological advances.
• Public Distribution & Welfare: The National Food Security Act (NFSA) guarantees subsidised food to over 800 million beneficiaries, supported by MSP (Minimum Support Price) and public stockholding systems.
• Empowering Small Farmers: With 146 million small and marginal cultivators, India’s targeted interventions — like PM-KISAN, Fasal Bima Yojana, and Soil Health Card Scheme — form the backbone of its agri-economy.
• Agri-Tech & Sustainability: Digital platforms like eNAM, Kisan Drone Initiative, and Millet Mission are redefining productivity, market access, and climate resilience.

About the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):

• Founded: 1945
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Membership: 194 countries; operations in over 130 nations
• Motto: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life for all
• Role: FAO acts as the custodian for 62 indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting data-driven policymaking and international coordination in food systems.

India–FAO Partnership Highlights:

1. Founding Membership:
   India has been associated with FAO since its inception in 1945, actively shaping agricultural and food policies.
2. Post-Independence Collaboration:
   FAO’s early technical assistance supported India’s Green Revolution and development of its agricultural research institutions.
3. Recent Initiatives:
   • Blue Ports Initiative: Promoting sustainable fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
   • Millets Promotion: Jointly led the International Year of Millets (2023) campaign to global success.
   • Climate-Smart Agriculture: Collaborative projects for resilient crop systems and biodiversity conservation.

Significance:

• Strengthens India’s global leadership in food and nutrition governance.
• Reinforces SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) through inclusive, sustainable agricultural models.
• Enhances South–South Cooperation, allowing India to share best practices with developing nations.

Conclusion:

The 80-year India–FAO partnership reflects a shared vision for a hunger-free, sustainable, and equitable world. As India transitions from food security to nutrition security, this collaboration will continue to drive innovations in agriculture, climate resilience, and rural development for decades to come.

Context: India has been elected unopposed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for a three-year term (2026–2028).
This marks India’s seventh term on the Council, underscoring the country’s growing credibility and leadership in upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law on global platforms. (Source: News on Air – NOA)

Election Significance

India previously served two consecutive terms (2018–2020 and 2021–2024) and voluntarily abstained from contesting in 2025, adhering to UN guidelines that prevent members from serving more than two consecutive terms.

Being elected again for 2026–2028 reflects the international community’s trust in India’s balanced, democratic, and inclusive approach to global human rights issues.

India’s re-election is not just symbolic — it highlights the country’s consistent efforts to promote pluralism, gender equality, and sustainable development, while advocating for a fair and impartial human rights discourse that respects national sovereignty and cultural diversity.

About the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

• Established: 2006 (replacing the UN Commission on Human Rights)
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Composition: 47 Member States elected by the UN General Assembly for three-year terms.
• Regional Distribution:
  • African States: 13
  • Asia-Pacific States: 13
  • Latin American & Caribbean States: 8
  • Western European & Other States: 7
  • Eastern European States: 6

The Council addresses human rights violations, conducts the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of all UN Member States, and provides a forum for dialogue and cooperation on global human rights issues.

India’s Role and Priorities at the UNHRC

India’s stance in the UNHRC is guided by the principles of non-discrimination, inclusivity, and dialogue.

As a multi-ethnic, multi-religious democracy, India emphasizes that human rights and development are interlinked, advocating for a constructive, non-politicized approach to human rights promotion.

Key areas of India’s focus include:

• Gender Equality & Women Empowerment
• Right to Development
• Digital Human Rights & Data Protection
• Climate Justice and Human Dignity
• Combating Racial and Religious Intolerance

India also supports capacity building in developing countries and encourages dialogue-based solutions rather than coercive interventions.

Significance for India and the World

India’s election reinforces its image as a responsible global actor and a voice of the Global South in shaping a fairer human rights agenda.

At a time of increasing polarization in global governance, India’s balanced approach — grounded in democracy, pluralism, and inclusivity — strengthens the credibility of the UNHRC itself.

Context: In October 2025, China announced export curbs on 12 rare earth elements (REEs), escalating existing trade frictions with the United States. In response, the US imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese rare earth exports, effective November 1, 2025. These developments underscore the strategic importance of rare earths in critical supply chains spanning clean energy, defence, and advanced technologies.

About Rare Earth Elements

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 elements, including 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Although abundant in the Earth’s crust, they occur in low concentrations and are difficult to extract and process, making them strategically valuable.

• Types:
  • Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) – more abundant (e.g. Neodymium)
  • Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) – scarcer and more critical (e.g. Dysprosium, Yttrium)
• Applications: Widely used in EV motors, wind turbines, defence systems, electronics, and medical imaging equipment like MRI machines.
• Global Distribution:
  • China: 61% of mining and 92% of processing (IEA 2024)
  • India: 3rd largest reserves (~6%) but <2% production (USGS 2024)

Impact on India

1. Supply Risk:
   India imports nearly 90% of its rare earth compounds from China (DGFT 2024). Export restrictions could disrupt EV, semiconductor and defence supply chains, slowing key manufacturing sectors.
2. Rising Costs:
   Tariffs and curbs are projected to increase input costs for electronics by 20–25% (IEA 2025), affecting both industry and consumers.
3. Strategic Opportunity:
   With 6.9 million tonnes of REE reserves, India can expand domestic capacity through Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) and the National Critical Minerals Mission (2023) to reduce import dependency.
4. Geopolitical Leverage:
   India’s participation in the Quad Critical Minerals Partnership (2022) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) can help diversify global supply chains and strengthen strategic ties.

Global Consequences

1. Supply Chain Disruptions:
   China’s dominance in processing (92%) makes global supply chains vulnerable to shocks.
2. Price Surge:
   Following the export curbs, global rare earth prices surged by 35–40% (IEA Market Update, Sept 2025), affecting clean energy and defence manufacturing worldwide.
3. Strategic Decoupling:
   The US, EU, and Japan are accelerating friend-shoring — relocating supply chains to trusted partners like Australia, Vietnam, and African nations under the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).
4. Environmental Challenges:
   Expansion of new mining hubs in regions such as Congo and Myanmar may lead to ecological degradation if not regulated under sustainable frameworks.

Way Forward

• Diversification of Supply: Strengthen partnerships with Australia, Vietnam, and African nations under MSP to reduce reliance on China.
• Sustainable Mining: Promote ESG-based standards through UNEP’s Global Mineral Governance Framework to ensure minimal environmental impact.
• Strategic Stockpiles: Create rare earth reserves under the G7 Critical Minerals Agreement to stabilize supply and prices.
• Recycling and Circular Economy: Expand e-waste recovery networks, similar to Japan’s Urban Mining Model, to recover key elements like neodymium and dysprosium from end-of-life electronics.

Context: During the recent state visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh to New Delhi, India and Mongolia signed 10 agreements, marking a new phase in their bilateral and strategic partnership. The visit reaffirmed both countries’ shared commitment to deepen cooperation in energy, defence, culture, and technology.

Key MoUs and Developments

1. Oil Refinery Project: India will finance Mongolia’s first oil refinery through a $1.7 billion Line of Credit extended via EXIM Bank. This is India’s largest overseas development partnership to date and aims to ensure Mongolia’s energy independence from imported crude.

2. Defence Cooperation: India will assist in training Mongolian armed and border security forces, and has appointed a Defence Attaché at its Embassy in Ulaanbaatar — a significant step to enhance strategic engagement and capacity building.

3. Cultural and Spiritual Bonds:

• India will send a Sanskrit teacher to Gandan Monastery, Mongolia’s premier Buddhist centre.
• Collaboration will begin to digitise one million ancient Buddhist manuscripts, preserving shared spiritual heritage.
• The holy relics of Buddha’s disciples – Sariputra and Maudgalyayana – will be sent to Mongolia in 2026, symbolising deep civilisational ties.

4. Regional Collaboration: A new MoU between the Ladakh Hill Development Council and Arkhangai Province will promote cultural, academic, and tourism exchanges, fostering people-to-people connectivity across the Himalayas and the Steppes.

5. Economic and Technological Cooperation: India and Mongolia agreed to explore joint ventures in critical minerals, rare earths, clean energy, and digital technology, aligning with India’s pursuit of resilient supply chains and sustainable growth.

Background of India–Mongolia Relations

• Diplomatic Relations Established: 1955
• Strategic Partnership: 2015
• Trade Volume (2024): USD 110.8 million
• Common Link: Shared Buddhist heritage and democratic values
• Recent Focus Areas: Renewable energy, cyber security, mining, education, and cultural exchanges

India remains Mongolia’s “Third Neighbor”, promoting stability and economic diversification beyond its two geographic neighbours, China and Russia.

Significance

• Enhances India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific vision.
• Strengthens energy and resource security for both nations.
• Reinforces soft power diplomacy through cultural and religious cooperation.
• Expands defence and regional strategic alignment in Central and East Asia.

Way Forward

Both sides aim to translate these agreements into tangible outcomes by 2030 - particularly in energy, digital innovation, and education, ensuring a mutually beneficial partnership grounded in trust, culture, and development.