Author: karthik
Current Affairs 26 july 2025 – Tone Academy
India-UK Vision 2035 and CETA Syllabus:IR Why in News? The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to London marked two significant developments: Unveiling of the India–UK Vision 2035 roadmap. Formalisation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Goal: To push bilateral trade beyond USD 100 billion by 2030. What are the Key Features of the India-UK Vision 2035? The Vision 2035 roadmap outlines strategic cooperation across multiple sectors: Trade and Economic Cooperation: The newly signed CETA is central, aiming to increase bilateral trade and create jobs. The Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) will oversee its implementation. Plans to advance a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) for greater investment protection. Technology and Innovation: A major focus is the Technology Security Initiative (TSI), targeting advancements in next-generation technologies. Key areas include Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, telecom, and critical minerals. Defense: Agreement on a 10-year defence industrial roadmap, focusing on joint research and manufacturing. Areas of collaboration: jet engine technology, maritime security, and directed energy weapons. The UK will rely on India for logistics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Cooperation under the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) to set up a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) to tackle non-traditional maritime security threats (e.g., piracy, drug trafficking). Climate and Sustainability: Collaboration to mobilize green finance. Partnership on offshore wind and nuclear technologies. Building joint supply chains in green goods. Utilizing platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Education and Skills: The UK will encourage the establishment of university campuses in India. Focus on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ), facilitating professional mobility. Climate-linked job creation through a Green Skills Partnership. Global Governance: Reinforces commitment to multilateralism. Advocating for reforms in institutions like the United Nations, WTO, IMF, and the World Bank, indicating a shared vision for a more equitable global order. What are the Key Highlights of the India-UK CETA? CETA is a pivotal Free Trade Agreement with comprehensive features: Key Features: Duty-Free Access for India: India will have 99% duty-free access to the UK market. This will significantly benefit labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, electric and hybrid vehicles, and auto components. Duty Reduction for UK: India will cut or eliminate duties on 90% of its tariff lines, covering 92% of imports from the UK (includes cars, alcohol). EV Tariffs: India will eliminate tariffs on UK electric vehicles (EVs) in the sixth year of the agreement, with no duties on EVs priced below GBP 40,000, promoting green mobility. Services Sector: Indian professionals and companies will enjoy expanded market access in IT, financial services, education, and more, with simplified visa processes for sectors like engineering, architecture, and hospitality. Double Contribution Convention: Under this convention, the India-UK CETA will exempt Indian professionals and their employers from UK social security contributions for three years, significantly improving the competitiveness of Indian talent in the UK market. Inclusive Growth: The agreement explicitly promotes participation from women, youth, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and innovators, encouraging access to global value chains and supporting sustainable practices. Agricultural Benefits: Indian agricultural products like processed foods, edible oils, and seafood will see tariff reductions, boosting exports to the UK. Impact: Trade Expansion: The CETA aims to double bilateral trade by 2030, reaching nearly USD 112 billion in goods and services combined. The agreement is projected to increase UK exports to India by 60% by 2040. Job Creation: The agreement will stimulate job creation in both countries by expanding economic activities, especially in sectors like manufacturing, services, and agriculture. Increased Investment: The inclusion of provisions that benefit MSMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs will encourage investment flows between India and the UK. How India-UK Relations Evolved Over Time? Trade and Investments: Bilateral trade reached USD 21.34 billion in 2023–24. India’s exports to the UK rose by 12.6% to USD 14.5 billion in 2024–25. Imports from the UK grew by 2.3% to USD 8.6 billion. Technology and Innovation: The India–UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), launched in 2024, focuses on key emerging sectors like AI, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. The UK is now India’s second-largest research partner after the US. India-UK “NET Zero” Innovation Virtual Centre will focus on green hydrogen and decarbonisation. The UK also named India a partner in its International Science Partnership Fund. Defence and Security: India and the UK have strengthened defence ties through joint exercises like Konkan (Navy), Cobra Warrior (Air Force), and Ajeya Warrior (Army). Focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation and defence technology collaboration. Health: Significant collaboration during the Covid-19 pandemic, notably with the AstraZeneca-Serum Institute vaccine partnership. Over 60,000 Indians work in the UK’s National Health Service, highlighting the crucial contribution of the Indian diaspora. Indian Diaspora: The UK is home to 1.86 million people of Indian origin, contributing significantly to science, arts, business, and politics, acting as a living bridge between the two nations. What are the Key Areas of Friction Between India-UK? Despite growing cooperation, certain issues pose challenges: Extradition Issues: India accuses the UK of sheltering fugitives (e.g., Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi). The UK’s reluctance on extradition strains legal and diplomatic trust. Russia-Ukraine War: India’s neutral stance (driven by strategic autonomy) clashes with the UK’s strong support for Ukraine, causing strategic discomfort and differing approaches on multilateral forums. Climate Tariffs: The UK’s planned Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) may hurt Indian exports like steel, which are energy-intensive. India perceives this as a form of protectionism under the guise of environmental concerns. Khalistani Activities: Pro-Khalistani protests and activities in the UK strain ties. India wants stronger UK action against such groups, viewing them as a threat to its national security and sovereignty. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): UK’s push for strict IP protection clashes with India’s need for affordable medicines (generic drug production) and flexible innovation rules, particularly in areas like public health. What Steps Can India Take to Strengthen India-UK Ties? Deepen Security Ties: Leverage forums like
Current Affairs 25 july 2025 – Tone Academy
Paika Rebellion Syllabus:History In News: Controversy: Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik criticized the exclusion of the 1817 Paika Rebellion from NCERT’s new Class VIII history textbook, calling it a “huge dishonour” to the Paikas. Who were Paikas? Definition: The Paikas (pronounced “paiko”, literally “foot soldiers”) were a class of military retainers. Recruitment: They had been recruited from various social groups by the Gajapati rulers of Odisha since the 16th century. Service and Land: They would render martial services to the king in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs), which they would cultivate during peacetime. This system gave them a unique social and economic standing. Paika Rebellion (1817): Nature: An armed uprising in Odisha against British rule. Leadership: Led by Bakshi Jagabandhu, a military chief of King Mukund Dev II. Triggering Factors for Rebellion: British Annexation of Odisha (1803): The British annexed Odisha after Colonel Harcourt’s largely uncontested march from Madras to Puri. An agreement was made with King Mukunda Deva II for compensation and land, but it was only partly honored, leading to discontent. Oppressive British Policies: New land revenue systems: Disrupted traditional landholding patterns and increased revenue demands. Currency changes: Introduction of new currency caused economic dislocation. Control over salt: The British salt monopoly deprived locals of a traditional livelihood and made salt expensive, a crucial commodity. Loss of Paika Privileges: The most significant direct impact on the Paikas was the loss of their hereditary rent-free lands, which undermined their social status and economic stability. Culmination: This mounting discontent culminated in the 1817 Paika Rebellion, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu. Participation: The rebellion was also joined by Kondh tribals, indicating a broader resistance from various sections of society. Actions: Rebels attacked British officials and government property, showcasing the widespread anger. Suppression and Legacy: Suppression: Though initially fierce, the revolt was eventually crushed by the British forces. Jagabandhu’s Surrender: Bakshi Jagabandhu surrendered in 1825. Broader Context: The rebellion was part of broader 19th-century rural uprisings in India against British disruption of traditional social and economic structures. Inspiration: Despite its failure, the rebellion inspired future resistance movements in Odisha and remains a strong symbol of Odia pride and resistance against colonial rule. Recognition: 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated more than 200 descendants of Paika warriors in Bhubaneswar, commemorating 200 years of the rebellion. 2019: Then President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone of the Paika Memorial at Barunei foothills, a significant site associated with the rebellion. Last Year (presumably 2024): Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the Paika Academy and Paika Memorial would be established expeditiously at Barunei near Khurda, further solidifying its place in public memory and historical education. The Paika Rebellion is often considered an early example of organized resistance against the British East India Company’s rule in India, predating the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 in its intensity and localized impact. With reference to the Paika Rebellion of 1817, consider the following statements: It was primarily triggered due to the abolition of the salt monopoly by the British, which led to widespread unemployment. The Paikas were granted rent-free land holdings in return for military services during peacetime. Bakshi Jagabandhu led the rebellion as a military chief under the British East India Company. The rebellion witnessed participation from tribal communities like the Kondhs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 2 and 4 onlyB. 1 and 3 onlyC. 2, 3 and 4 onlyD. 1, 2 and 4 only Correct Answer: A. 2 and 4 only Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: The salt monopoly was introduced by the British, not abolished. It deprived locals of livelihood and increased salt prices. Statement 2 is correct: The Paikas were indeed given hereditary rent-free lands (nish-kar jagirs) for their services. Statement 3 is incorrect: Bakshi Jagabandhu was not a British officer. He was the military commander of King Mukund Dev II. Statement 4 is correct: The rebellion saw participation from Kondh tribals, indicating wider social discontent. Can Presidential Reference Change a Judgment? Syllabus:Polity] Context: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued notices to the Union Government and all States on a Presidential reference regarding the President’s and Governor’s powers. The SC seeks opinion on whether the President and Governors can be judicially compelled to act within prescribed timelines on Bills passed by State legislatures. Background: Previous SC Verdict (Timeline for Bills): Recently, the Supreme Court verdict laid down a timeline for the President and governors to decide on state bills. “Pocket Veto” by Governor: Generally, the Governor is not bound by any time limit to act on a Bill. This allows the Governor to simply not act on a Bill indefinitely, referred to as a “Pocket Veto”, although the term is not officially used in the Constitution for Governors. (The term “pocket veto” is specifically used for the President of India’s power to not act on a bill, without sending it back or giving assent, for an indefinite period.) SC Ruling on Indefinite Delay: The Supreme Court ruled that Governors cannot delay or withhold assent to Bills indefinitely once they are passed or re-passed by the state Assembly. Timeline Set by SC Ruling (April 8th Ruling – implied): One month for re-passed Bills (i.e., bills returned by the Governor and passed again by the Assembly). Three months if the Bill is withheld contrary to Cabinet advice. Question on Judicial Authority: This ruling raised questions about the scope of judicial authority under Article 142, and whether the courts can enforce accountability on constitutional functionaries like Governors and the President. Presidential Reference: President Droupadi Murmu sought the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 143 on whether the President and governors need to follow timelines to decide on state bills. Article 143 Presidential Reference Article 143(1): The President can refer any question of law or fact that is of public importance to the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion. The Court may choose to answer or decline, however, if the court chooses