India and International Big Cat Alliance

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) signed an agreement with the central government on  (April 17) formalising India as the headquarters and secretariat of the alliance, over two months after it came into force as a full-fledged treaty-based intergovernmental organisation
• According to IBCA’s official site, “it is a multi-country, multi-agency coalition comprising of 95 big cat range countries, non-range countries with an interest in big cat conservation, conservation partners, scientific organizations engaged in big cat research, as well as business groups and corporates committed to supporting big cat conservation efforts.”
•  The IBCA was launched at the initiative of India to focus on global conservation of seven big cats —the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the IBCA in April 2023 during the 50th year celebrations of Project Tiger.
• India formally joined the IBCA in September 2024. After five signatory countries—India, Liberia, Eswatini, Somalia, and Nicaragua—ratified the IBCA framework agreement, the alliance came into force as a global legal entity.
•  In February 2024 the cabinet approved the establishment of the IBCA’s headquarters as well as the budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for it for the 2023-24 to 2027-28 period.

What are the 7 Big Cats covered under IBCA?

• Tiger (Panthera Tigris): Panthera tigris, the continental tiger, and Panthera tigris sondaica, the Sunda tiger, are the two recognised subspecies of tigers.  According to the fifth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 summary report, India is home to about 3,167 tigers, accounting for more than 70 per cent of the world’s wild tigers.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List-Endangered, Schedule 1 under Wildlife Protection Act (WPA, 1972)
• Conservation Efforts: Project Tiger (1973) , Establishment of National Tiger Conservation Authority, Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS) Accreditation.

• Lion (Panthera Leo): Most sociable when compared to other big cat species, Lions are found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, a tiny population of Asiatic lions in India’s Gir National Park, and a severely endangered subpopulation in West Africa.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Vulnerable, Schedule 1 under WPA, 1972
• Conservation Efforts: Project Lion (announced on August 15, 2020), Use of advanced technologies in Lion conservation.

• Leopard (Panthera Pardus): The leopard, the smallest of the big cats, is well known for its ability to adapt to a variety of settings.
•  This species is a nocturnal mammal, they can hunt at night. It eats smaller herbivorous animals found in its vicinity. There are nine species of leopards, which are found in both Asia and Africa.
• The “Status of Leopards in India, 2022” report states that there were 13784 leopards in India in 2022 compared to 12,852 in 2018. The maximum population of leopards is found in Madhya Pradesh (3907) followed by Maharashtra (1985), and Karnataka (1879).
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Vulnerable, Schedule 1 under WPA, 1972
• Conservation Efforts: The leopard is not among the species for whom a “species-specific conservation program” has been defined because there is no evidence that the species is at risk of going extinct in the country.
• However, The World Wildlife Fund offers assistance to bolster anti-poaching endeavours within protected regions, thereby mitigating the poaching of leopards.

• Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): Cheetahs are well-known for their tawny coats speckled with black dots, which are placed in a distinctive pattern to aid in animal identification. 
• India was home to Asiatic cheetahs. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, In 1952, the cheetah bid farewell to India, succumbing to a culmination of threats. Now, the Asiatic cheetah is believed to survive only in Iran. The intercontinental translocation of African cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh was launched under Project Cheetah (2022).
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Asiatic cheetah “critically endangered”,African Cheetah is listed as a vulnerable (VU), WPA, 1972: Asiatic cheetah-Schedule 1, African Cheetah-Schedule 1.
• Conservation Efforts: Project Cheetah (2022)

• Snow Leopard: Also known as “Ghost of the Mountains”, Snow Leopards, can climb steep hills easily while their rear legs help them to leap over six times of their own length of the body. 
•  The mountainous regions of twelve Asian countries—Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan—make up the habitat range of the snow leopard.
• A survey taken by the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) has estimated a population of 718 Snow Leopards in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Most of the habitat of the Snow Leopard is not accessible by roads.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Vulnerable, Schedule 1 under WPA, 1972

• Puma (Puma concolor): Sometimes referred to as a mountain lion, cougar, or panther, Puma is the biggest of the “small cats.” Closely related to the domestic cat, this genus has only one extant species, the cougar. They are not native to India.

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Least Concern

• Jaguars (Panthera Onca): Jaguars are distinguished swimmers, they are not native to India and are mainly found in South America. Melanistic (black) Jaguars are common and are often called black panthers. Jaguar was a powerful motif in the Mayan and Aztec civilisations.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List- Near Threatened

• As IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 in Mysuru, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger
• The ‘Project Tiger’ is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) launched by the Central government on April 1, 1973, in a bid to promote conservation of the tiger. The programme came at a time when India’s tiger population was rapidly dwindling.
•  To tackle the problem of hunting and poaching of not just tigers but also other animals and birds, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi promulgated the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972. A year later, after a task force urged the government to create a chain of reserves dedicated to tiger preservation, government unveiled Project Tiger.
• Launched at the Jim Corbett National Park, the programme was initially started in nine tiger reserves of different States such as Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, covering over 14,000 sq km.
• Notably, Project Tiger didn’t just focus on the conservation of the big cats. It also ensured the preservation of their natural habitat as tigers are at the top of the food chain.

BharatNet :Extending Internet Access, Expanding Rural Progress

What is the BharatNet project?

• BharatNet is an ambitious project of the Government of India aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world.

What is the objective of the BharatNet project?

• The primary objective is to provide unrestricted access to broadband connectivity to all the telecom service providers. This enables access providers like mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to launch various services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and remote India. It aims to empower rural India, foster inclusive growth, and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

How many Gram Panchayats (GPs) are targeted under BharatNet?

• The project initially aimed to connect approximately 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country.

What are the different phases of the BharatNet project?

•  The Telecom Commission approved the implementation of the project in three phases on 30.04.2016:
• Phase I: Focused on laying optical fibre cables to connect 1 lakh Gram Panchayats by utilising existing infrastructure. This phase was completed in December 2017
• Phase II(ongoing): Expanded coverage to an additional 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats using optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies. This phase incorporated collaborative efforts with state governments and private entities.
• Phase III(ongoing): Aims at future-proofing the network by integrating 5G technologies, increasing bandwidth capacity, and ensuring robust last-mile connectivity. This phase is ongoing. The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) approved in August 2023 can be considered part of this evolution.

What is the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP)?

•  Approved in August 2023, the ABP is a design improvement aiming for Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.64 lakh GPs in ring topology (a network design where connected devices form a circular data channel) and OF connectivity to the remaining non-GP villages on demand. It includes features like IP-MPLS (Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network with routers at Blocks and GPs, operation and maintenance for 10 years, power backup, and Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS). The cost allocated is Rs. 1,39,579 crores.

What other initiatives support digital empowerment in rural India?

•   Several other initiatives complement BharatNet, including
• Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): To ensure digital literacy in rural households, with over 6.39 crore individuals trained by March 31, 2024.
• National Broadband Mission (NBM): Launched to fast-track the expansion of digital communications infrastructure. National Broadband Mission 2.0 was launched on January 17, 2025. Key initiatives under NBM include the Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal GatiShakti Sanchar.

How is BharatNet being funded?

• A: BharatNet is primarily funded through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which is a fund that replaced the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The total funding for BharatNet (Phase-I and Phase-II) approved by the Cabinet is Rs 42,068 crores (exclusive of GST, Octroi, and local taxes). As of 31.12.2023, a total of Rs. 39,825 crores have been disbursed under the BharatNet Project since its inception.

Who is executing the BharatNet project?

• The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which was incorporated on 25.02.2012 under the Indian Companies Act 1956. Under the Amended BharatNet Program, BSNL is appointed as the single Project Management Agency (PMA) for Operation & Maintenance of the entire network.

What is the current status of BharatNet implementation?

• As of 19^th March 2025, 2,18,347GPs have been made service ready under the BharatNet project in the country.
• As of March 25, 2025, the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) length has increased to 42.13 lakh route km.
• As of 13.01.2025, 6,92,676 Km of OFC (Optical Fiber Cable) has been laid.
• 12,21,014 Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections are commissioned
• 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots are installed.

How is the BharatNet network utilised?

• A: The network is utilised through leasing bandwidth and dark fibre, Wi-Fi to access broadband or internet services in public places, and Fibre to the Home (FTTH). Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) is provided through Wi-Fi in public places or other suitable broadband technologies, including FTTH at Government institutions such as schools, hospitals, post offices, etc.

What are the benefits and impact of the BharatNet project?

BharatNet has had a transformative impact on rural India, contributing to socioeconomic development in multiple ways

• Digital Inclusion: Connecting remote villages to high-speed internet, enabling access to e-governance, online education, and telemedicine.
• Economic Opportunities: Enabling participation in digital commerce, access to financial services, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Education and Healthcare: Facilitating digital classrooms and telehealth services.
• Empowering Local Governance: Enabling Gram Panchayats to implement e-governance projects.

What is the role of CSC e-Governance Services India Limited in BharatNet?

• CSC (Common Services Centre) e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC-SPV) was assigned to provide the last mile connectivity in GPs through Wi-Fi Access Points and FTTH connections.  As of September 2024, 1,04,574 Wi-Fi Access Points and 11,41 ,825 FTTH connections have been installed in the GPs. CSC-SPV also undertook a pilot project for laying overhead optical fiber from GPs.

 What is the collaboration between DBN and NABARD?

• Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed an MoU to drive rural development by providing access to digital services, digital governance, and promoting a digital economy through high-speed broadband connectivity under the BharatNet program.
•  Key areas of collaboration include reference data sharing, digital content sharing, digital services integration, awareness and capacity building, promoting a digital economy, and inclusion of ICT infrastructure.

How does BharatNet relate to mobile connectivity in rural areas?

•   Alongside BharatNet, the government is also focusing on expanding mobile connectivity in rural areas. As of December 2024, around 6,25,853 villages are covered with mobile connectivity, including 6,18,968 villages having 4G mobile coverage. The median mobile broadband speed has increased significantly. These efforts are complementary to BharatNet in bridging the digital divide.

What to look for in Telangana’s implementation of Scheduled Castes sub-categorisation for your UPSC

·         Telangana became the first state in the country to implement the Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation, popularly called reservation within reservation.

·          According to the notification, Scheduled Castes in the state will be divided into three categories – Group I, II, and III; and the prevailing SC reservation of 15 per cent will be distributed among these groups. While Group I, consisting of 15 castes, will get 1 per cent of the share, Group II, comprising 18 castes, and Group III, consisting of 26 castes, will get 9 and 5 per cent share, respectively.

·         The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has also approved the draft ordinance proposal made by the Social Welfare Department to implement sub-categorisation among Scheduled Castes in the state on 15th April.

·         This comes after a seven-judge Constitution Bench in Davinder Singh v State of Punjab (August 2024) that allowed further sub-classification of SCs and STs to ensure the grant of quota to more backward castes inside these groups. The sub-classification of SCs and STs was introduced since reservations were introduced in the Constitution in 1950.

·         The Seven-judges Bench, headed by then Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud in a 6:1 ruling, permitted states to create sub-classifications within the SC and ST categories for the purpose of according wider protections — through fixed sub-quotas — to the most backward communities within these categories.

·         This judgement overturns the apex court’s 2004 decision in E V Chinnaiah v State of Andhra Pradesh, in which it had held that the SC/ST list is a “homogenous group” that cannot be divided further. The Court has stated that micro-classification of SCs was unconstitutional.

·         In 1975, Punjab issued a notification giving first preference in SC reservations to the Balmiki and Mazhabi Sikh communities, two of the most backward communities in the state. In 2006, the Punjab & Haryana High Court in Dr. Kishan Pal v State of Punjab struck down the 1975 notification.

·         However, the very same year, the Punjab government again passed the Punjab Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006, reintroducing the first preference in reservations for the Balmiki and Mazhabi Sikh communities.

·         This Act was challenged by Davinder Singh, a member of a non-Balmiki, non-Mazhabi Sikh SC community. The HC, in 2010, struck down the Act, leading to an appeal at the Supreme Court. In 2014, the case was referred to a five-judge Constitution Bench to determine if the E V Chinnaiah decision had to be reconsidered.

·          In 2020, the Justice Arun Mishra-headed Constitution Bench in Davinder Singh v State of Punjab noted that the court and the state “cannot be a silent spectator and shut its eyes to stark realities” and therefore, there is a need to reconsider the 2004 decision. Eventually, in 2024, a seven-judge bench was constituted, which passed this judgement.

Constitutional articles that were addressed in the Davinder Singh v State of Punjab case:

·         1. Article 341 (1) of the Constitution allows the President, through a public notification, to list as SC “castes, races or tribes” that suffered from the historical injustice of untouchability. SC groups are jointly accorded 15% reservation in education and public employment. Article 341 (2) only empowers the President to issue such a notification, and Parliament to make additions or deletions to the list.

·         2. In the E V Chinnaiah case court held that SC must be treated identically, without taking into account the relative backwardness. In the Davinder Singh judgment, CJI Chandrachud rejected this premise, stating that the Presidential list of SCs is a “legal fiction”  — something that does not exist in actuality but is “treated as real and existing for the purpose of law”.  CJI Chandrachud said this legal fiction cannot be “stretched” to claim that there are no “internal differences” among SCs.

·         3. Article 15 provides the state power to make provisions for the advancement of SCs. Article 16 gives states the specific power to provide “reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which…is not adequately represented in the services of the State”. In E V Chinnaiah, the court held that the state can’t sub-classify a class already recognised by the Constitution and allot a portion of the already reserved quota amongst the State-created sub-class within the SC list.

·         4. In the Davinder Singh judgment, the court held that “the State in exercise of its power under Articles 15 and 16 is free to identify the different degrees of social backwardness and provide special provisions (such as reservation) to achieve the specific degree of harm identified”.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

·         1. The NCSC is a Constitutional body set up under Article 338 of the Constitution of India to safeguard and promote the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India. The purpose of the commission is to provide safeguards to SCs against exploitation and protect their social, educational, economic, and cultural interests.

·         2. By the Eighty-Ninth Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, the erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes was replaced by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

·         3. The NCSC comprises of Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, and three other Members. Besides making an appointment, the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Commission are determined by the President. The first National Commission was established in the year 2004. The current chairperson is Shri Kishor Makwana

PM Modi heads to Saudi next week: Trade, energy and defence ties on the table

·         Prime Minister Narendra Modi is headed to Saudi Arabia next week — his first visit to the country in his third term. Since first assuming office in 2014, Modi has travelled there twice before — in 2016 and 2019

·          Modi is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. His visit comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to Saudi Arabia in mid-May — Trump’s first foreign trip in his second term at the White House.

·         — The tension in the West Asian region has impacted the ambitious IMEEC in the last couple of years, ever since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks by Hamas on Israel led to the war in Gaza. New Delhi would want to take stock of the current situation, and move forward on the IMEEC — that will connect India with Europe, through the Middle East.

·         — Saudi Arabia is a key partner in this endeavour and India wants to move on this swiftly, after high-level visits by the UAE’s royalty, Israel’s minister and Italy’s deputy prime minister among others.

·         — Modi visited Riyadh again in October 2019, during which the Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed, establishing a high-level council to steer India-Saudi ties. Prince Mohammed bin Salman then visited India in September 2023 to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit and to co-chair the First Leaders’ Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council along with Modi.

·         — Ties with Saudi Arabia are important for energy security — it was India’s third largest crude and petroleum products sourcing destination in 2023-24. India imported 33.35 MMT of crude oil from Saudi Arabia in 2023-24, accounting for 14.3% of the country’s total crude oil imports. Saudi Arabia was the third largest LPG sourcing destination for India in this period, accounting for 18.2% of India’s total LPG imports. Delhi will want to engage with Saudi for better deals, as they discuss India’s high energy needs.

·         — Indian investments in Saudi Arabia have also increased in recent years, reaching a cumulative figure of approximately US$ 3 billion in August 2023. Saudi investment in India has been about US$ 10 billion. Efforts will be made to enhance these investments as well.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

·         The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a connectivity project that seeks to develop a seamless infrastructure of ports, railways, roads, sea lines and pipelines to enhance trade among India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region and Europe.

·         The IMEC aims to capitalise on the existing trade routes between India and the Arab Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe and build the missing infrastructure to link the Gulf and Mediterranean regions.

·          The project is an outcome of the growing diplomatic and political convergence between India, the Arab Gulf monarchies, Israel, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) with a common understanding for the need to enhance sea and land connectivity towards greater economic exchanges among these regions

 Why the first-ever confirmed image of the colossal squid in deep sea is significant

·         In the Age of Sail, when much of the world’s oceans were still uncharted, the mythical Kraken, a gigantic tentacled sea monster with a taste for human flesh, was a sailor’s worst nightmare.

·         “Below the thunders of the upper deep; Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea; His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep; The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee…” wrote Lord Alfred Tennyson in his 1830 poem titled The Kraken.

·         But the Kraken was not just a product of superstition. Today, it is well-known that its descriptions were probably based on sightings of real animals, namely the giant squid (Architeuthis dux) and colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), the largest cephalopods (class of marine animals including octopii and cuttlefish), and possibly the largest invertebrates in the world.

·         Despite their size, these deep-sea squid remain elusive. Until very recently, a century after it was first identified and named, there was still no image of the colossal squid in its natural environment.

·         This changed last month when a team of scientists, on board a research vessel in the South Atlantic, recorded a juvenile colossal squid, only a foot long, 2,000 feet under the ocean’s surface. The footage taken near the South Sandwich Islands was released on April 15.

Why the colossal squid has remained an enigma

·         Colossal squid have been nearly impossible to spot, especially on camera. This is due to their large, sensitive eyes, which probably makes them stay away from research equipment that can be bright and loud, Dr Kat Bolstad, an associate professor at the Auckland University of Technology, told NPR.

·         As a result, researchers have very little idea about the diet, lifespan or reproductive traits of the colossal squid. Most of our understanding of the creature comes from dead or dying specimens found within the stomachs of whales and seabirds, or when younger ones turn up in trawl nets.

·         The cephalopod was first discovered in 1925 when scientists found arm fragments from two squid in the belly of a sperm whale. Until last month, humans had not seen it in the depths of the Southern Ocean, its natural habitat.

·         Although also elusive, more is known about the giant squid, which was identified in 1857. A live specimen was captured on camera only in 2004, and on video in 2016. Giant squid also live in the frigid depths of the ocean, between 600 to 3,000 feet under the surface, in tropical and temperate waters. They are known to eat deep-sea fish and other species of squid.

What explains their huge size?

·         Beyond their habitat, the two massive squid differ in shape and size. However, reports have often exaggerated just how big they are.

·         Experts believe that colossal squid can be as long as seven metres or 23 feet, and weigh up to 500 kg. The giant squid is thought to grow up to 13 metres or 43 feet, and typically weighs up to 275 kg.

·         “Colossal squid have a huge body but relatively short arms and tentacles, which means their body plan is in some ways opposite to giant squid,” 

·         A Researchers suggest their massive size increases the number of animals that they can prey on, and reduces the number of species that can prey on them. Once fully grown, the only animal that can eat them is the sperm whale, the largest toothed predator in the world. The massive eyes of the two squid, roughly the size of a basketball, are meant to help them spot their primary adversary, according to some experts.

·         But unlike many other squid species, giant and colossal squid likely take years to mature. “Most squid live fast and die young,” Ablett said in the report. Researchers believe giant squid live anywhere between two and 12 years. There is no clear agreement on the average life span of the colossal squid.

Why this was a significant sighting

·         The high-resolution video footage of the colossal squid can help resolve several mysteries around the animal, from where these animals spend their time to where they travel to mate or spawn, and how long they live.

·         Speaking about the observed juvenile colossal squid, Dr Aaron Evans, an independent researcher who was not part of the expedition, told CNN: “For us to see this kind of midrange size in between a hatchling and an adult is really exciting because it gives us the opportunity to fill in some of those missing puzzle pieces to the life history of this very mysterious animal.”

·         Researchers highlighted that the sighting of rarely seen colossal squid can also inform decisions about human activities such as deep-sea mining, which is known to directly harm marine life

In tariff shadow, trade talks gather pace, team visits US on April 23, Goyal in UK in May

·         TRADE TALKS with Western countries, particularly, the United States and the United Kingdom, have gathered pace with a negotiating team headed to Washington DC next week to push through an interim deal, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal set to visit the UK to iron out the remaining differences. 

·         The visit, scheduled to commence on April 23, is significant with the trade war escalating between the US and China and both powers pursuing their own set of trade deals. While the US is negotiating with India, Japan, and South Korea, China is pushing ahead with agreements involving Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia — all countries that have received significant investment from China in the last few years.

·         With the ‘rules of origin’ featuring early in the negotiations with India, the US could be addressing its concerns emerging from the last trade war launched under US President Donald Trump’s first administration.

·         Chinese goods had landed on US shores despite tariffs on China since products got rerouted via Vietnam, Mexico and other countries, making US tariffs on China counterproductive.

·         ‘Rules of origin’ are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a product and has been a tough area of negotiations for India too with other trade partners such as those in the ASEAN region primarily because of the risk of Chinese products getting re-routed to India, and benefiting from the concessions given to the ASEAN countries under the free trade agreement.

·         Notably, agriculture has also emerged as a key focus area following comments last month by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, who said India must “open up” its agriculture sector to US products.

·         India and the US will discuss market access for goods and digital trade in the first tranche of negotiations. Key US demands—particularly in the automobile, whisky, and agriculture sectors—will be addressed. Labour, environment, and government procurement are expected to feature in the second tranche.

·          Meanwhile, Indian industry is urging the government to fast-track a deal, as tariff uncertainty is already impacting manufacturing and services.

·         The Trump tariffs, and the radical changes in US trade policy, have prompted India to push through trade agreements with not just the US, but also with the UK and the European Union. The 90-day tariff pause is being used to at least conclude an interim deal with the US.

Do You Know:

·          As the US is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in 2023 crossing $117 billion. India is also vulnerable to changes in American trade policy, as the US market is India’s largest export market for both goods and services. Most importantly, the US is the only country with which India has a trade surplus, making it a crucial source of US dollar earnings. 

·          In this context, India’s strategy of initiating talks for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US, along with its restraint in not retaliating against US tariffs, appears to have paid off, as US President Donald Trump Wednesday (April 9) paused reciprocal tariffs on 75 countries, including India. 

·         India and the US are currently negotiating a bilateral trade agreement aimed at more than doubling trade – from the current $191 billion to $500 billion by 2023. The first phase of the deal is expected to be concluded by autumn this year.

Trade talks with UK in final stages, no new round

·         Within a month of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visiting the UK, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to meet his counterpart in London next month, as trade talks are progressing “well”, a senior government official said on Saturday. 

·         This comes as radical changes in US trade policy are rapidly resetting the global trading order, with countries seeking to secure market access in as many nations as possible. For India, negotiations with the UK and the European Union — stuck for decades — have gained momentum.

·         While negotiations with the US are expected to conclude before the end of the year, New Delhi and Brussels have also agreed to sign a trade deal within the year. However, talks with developed countries have yet to conclude due to stringent labour and environmental standards sought by Western nations.

·         In a bid to secure a deal, India is considering an early harvest agreement with various trade partners that would include “core trade issues” such as market access, leaving labour and environmental matters for subsequent discussions.

·         Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds announced the resumption of negotiations for the proposed FTA between the two countries in February this year. The negotiations resumed after a gap of over eight months. The talks were launched in January 2022.

·         The two countries are actively negotiating on three fronts — the FTA, a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. The BIT talks are being led by the Finance Ministry and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the UK earlier this month.

·         Amid an anticipated shift in global trade and investment away from China following the ongoing US–China trade tensions, India, during the Union Budget announcement, signalled stronger protections for foreign investors. The government announced a revamp of the conservative 2016 model Bilateral Investment Treaty, which had favoured the state over investors in dispute resolution.

·         The UK is the 16th-biggest trading partner of India. India is currently in talks with both the UK and the European Union for an investment treaty and is also expected to negotiate a BIT with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) region, which has committed to investing $100 billion in India over a 15-year period

RBI to remain ‘agile & proactive’ in policy action: Guv

·         Amid the ongoing tariff war, Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra has said that the central bank will continuously monitor the rapidly evolving global situation and remain ‘agile and proactive’ in its policy actions. 

·         Observing that the Indian economy and the financial markets have demonstrated remarkable resilience, Malhotra cautioned that “they are not immune to the vagaries of an uncertain and volatile global environment.”

·         “In view of the rapidly evolving situation, especially on the global front, we are continuously monitoring and assessing the economic outlook. We will be agile and proactive in our actions on the policy front, as always,” he said, while addressing the 24th FIMMDA-PDAI Annual Conference in Bali on Friday.

·         He said the growth-inflation balance has improved significantly and there has been a decisive improvement in headline inflation which is projected to remain aligned to the target of 4 per cent in FY26. Global uncertainties and weather disturbances, however, pose risks to the inflation outlook.

·         “Even though we have projected a somewhat lower real GDP growth for FY26 at 6.5 per cent, India is still the fastest growing economy. Yet, it is much below what we aspire for. We have reduced repo rates twice and provided sufficient liquidity,” he said.

·         On the Indian financial markets, the Governor said all market segments including FX, G-sec, Money Markets, have largely remained stable. While the rupee came under a bit of pressure a few months ago, it has fared better thereafter and regained some lost ground, he noted.

·         Equity markets experienced significant correction, as capital outflows accelerated, a trend seen in most emerging markets. The government securities market has, however, remained rock-steady throughout the year.

·         The Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, announced on 7th February 2025 a reduction in the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent, after keeping it unchanged for two years. This is the first rate cut initiated by the RBI in five years, the last one being in May 2020. Until now, the repo rate stood at 6.5 per cent. The move comes barely a week after the Centre cut personal income tax to boost consumption.

·         Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to determine the policy interest rate required to achieve the inflation target. The first such MPC was constituted on September 29, 2016.

·         Section 45ZB lays down that “the Monetary Policy Committee shall determine the Policy Rate required to achieve the inflation target”, and that “the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be binding on the Bank”.

·         Section 45ZB says the MPC shall consist of the RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson, the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, an officer of the Bank to be nominated by the Central Board and three persons to be appointed by the central government.

·          The last category of appointments must be from “persons of ability, integrity, and standing, having knowledge and experience in the field of economics or banking or finance or monetary policy”. (Section 45ZC

The train to Kashmir: 100 years of paving the path

·         “A rail line to Jammu & Kashmir is more than just a tale of tracks, bridges and tunnels. The saga to connect one of the country’s most picturesque regions by rail link with the rest of India spans over a century. That saga is expected to culminate later this month, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the remaining 63-km Katra-Sangaldan section of the 272-km Kashmir line, also called Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).”

·         “The importance of connecting Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India by rail was recognised back in the 1890s. As part of his Punjab-Kashmir Project, in 1889, Raoul De Bourbel, a Major-General in the Royal Engineers of the British army, conducted the first survey for a rail line from Jammu to Akhnoor, located on the banks of the Chenab. Eight years on, the state would get its first rail line, from Jammu to Sialkot (in present-day Pakistan). However, a rail line to the Valley was still a distant dream.”

·         “In 1898, Maharaja Pratap Singh of Jammu & Kashmir proposed the idea of a rail link to the Valley. The British administration saw strategic merit in his suggestion despite the challenges. The Maharaja commissioned a detailed survey in 1902, which threw up four potential rail pathways.”

·         “The other routes suggested by the surveyors included the Banihal route from Jammu (which involved crossing the Pir Panjal range via the Banihal Pass), the Poonch route along Jhelum valley; the Pajar Route (which would start from Rawalpindi, located in present-day Pakistan);and the Abbottabad route (in present-day Pakistan, which would start from Kalako Serai and pass through Hazara in the Upper Jhelum Valley, also called the Kashmir Valley). Despite these suggestions, the ambitious project did not materialise.”

·         “Buoyed by the survey results, the colonial government in 1905 once again proposed a rail link between Rawalpindi and Srinagar. However, Maharaja Pratap Singh approved a rail line between Jammu and Srinagar via Reasi through the Mughal Road.”

·         “A series of events in the early 20th century would derail the Kashmir rail project for a while. Besides World Wars I and II, which consumed the resources and attention of the colonial government, the Partition sounded the death knell for the Jammu-Sialkot rail link.”

·         “Despite these setbacks, the Indian Railways kept pushing its boundaries to reach the Valley. The very first effort was made after Independence, when the Jalandhar-Mukerian line in Punjab was extended to Pathankot and made operational in 1952. Two surveys by Indian Railways engineers in 1961 and 1962 did not result in major discoveries.”

·         “In 1964, prompted by the Defence Ministry, a potential rail link to Udhampur was explored…By 1966, marking an incremental yet largely symbolic progress, the railhead (the point at which a railway ends) advanced from Pathankot to Punjab’s Madhopur and then to Kathua. The significant breakthrough came in 1969 — when a project to extend the rail line beyond Kathua to Jammu was initiated.”

·         “In 1971, the final survey for a metre-gauge electrified line from Qazigund to Baramulla was carried out.

·         On October 2, 1972, the Kathua-Jammu section was opened for goods traffic, marking a major milestone. Two months later, on December 2, the Srinagar Express, now called the Jhelum Express, made its first run from Pathankot to Jammu.”

·         “In 2002, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared the Kashmir Rail Link as a “national project” and termed it as an ambitious vision to connect the Kashmir Valley with the country’s rail network. On October 11, 2008, a 68-km section from Anantnag to Mazhom was opened by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.”

·         “Two sections were inaugurated in 2009 — a 32-km section from Mazhom to Baramulla and a 18-km section from Qazigund to Anantnag — followed by the 18-km Qazigund-Banihal section in 2013. In 2014, PM Modi inaugurated the 25-km Udhampur-Katra stretch. The last stretch of the USBRL — the 48-km Sangaldan-Banihal section — was commissioned in February 2024.”

·         While trains are operational between the Jammu and Kashmir sections separately, the stretch that will be inaugurated by PM Modi will not only connect the Valley with the rest of the country, it will also reduce the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar, and make disruptions in travel by road due to uncertainties of climate a thing of the past.