Government approves Rs 315 hike in raw jute MSP for 2025-26

• The Centre has approved a Rs. 315 increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute for the marketing season of 2025-26. The new MSP for raw jute will be set at Rs. 5,650 per quintal, up from Rs. 5,335 per quintal for the previous season.
• This increase follows the government’s long-term policy of linking the MSP to the average cost of production.
• Since 2014-15, the MSP of raw jute has risen from Rs. 2,400 per quintal to the current level, a growth of Rs. 3,250 per quintal (2.35 times). In total, the government has paid Rs. 1,300 crore in MSP to jute farmers between 2014-15 and 2024-25, compared to Rs. 441 crore from 2004-05 to 2013-14.
• The jute industry supports the livelihoods of approximately 40 lakh farm families, directly or indirectly. About 4 lakh workers are employed in jute mills and related trades. Last year, jute was procured from 1.7 lakh farmers. West Bengal accounts for 82% of jute production, with Assam and Bihar contributing 9% each.
• The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will remain the central government’s nodal agency for price support operations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• The government will fully reimburse any losses JCI incurs during these operations, the statement added.
•  India is the largest producer of jute, also called the “golden fibre”.Jute is a cash crop and it is sown from March-May and harvested from June end to September upon the weather conditions.
• Jute is an important natural fibre crop in India next to cotton. In trade and industry, jute and mesta crop together known as raw jute as their uses are almost same. 
• Raw jute was originally considered as a source of raw material for packaging industries only. But it has now emerged as a versatile raw material for diverse applications, such as, textile industries, paper industries, building and automotive industries, use as soil saver, use as decorative and furnishing materials, etc. 
•  Raw jute, being bio-degradable and annually renewable source, is considered as an environment-friendly crop and it helps in the maintenance of the environment and ecological balance.
• Jute as a natural fibre has some definite inherent advantages. Its silky luster, high tensile strength, low exhaustibility, considerable heat resistance and long staple length are the qualities that cannot be matched by synthetic fibre. Further attraction of jute lies in its easy availability, inexhaustible quantity at a comparatively cheaper rate. Moreover, it can easily be blended with other natural and man-made fibres. 
• The jute industry is one of the major industries in the eastern region, particularly in West Bengal. It is estimated that the jute industry provides direct employment to four lakh workers in organised mills and in diversified units including tertiary sector and allied activities and supports the livelihood of 40 lakh farm families. In addition to this there are a large number of persons engaged in the trade of jute.
• As on March 31, 2024, there are 111 composite jute mills out of which the state of West Bengal has 82 jute mills, Andhra Pradesh has 14 mills.
• The government provides support to the jute growers not only through MSP operations by the Jute Corporation of India but also through direct purchase of jute sacking valued at around Rs 12,000crore annually for packing food grains by invoking provisions under the Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987. This is a major support not only to the jute farmers but also to jute mill workers.
• The Jute Corporation of India was established in 1971. It is the official agency of the ministry of textiles responsible for implementing the MSP policy for jute producers and serves as a stabilising agency in the raw jute market.
• JCI also undertakes commercial operations, procuring jute at prices above the MSP on commercial consideration to generate profits. 
• The schemes for promotion of jute sector are primarily implemented by the National Jute Board, a statutory body established under National Jute Board Act, 2008 for development and promotion of jute sector.
• Jute-ICARE has been launched for improving fibre quality and productivity and reducing the cost of jute production and increasing income of jute farmers by at least 50 per cent through promotion of certified seeds, better agronomic practices and use of microbial reusing of the jute plant. The programme has shown enormous promise so far.
• An e-platform “JUTE-SMART” (Jute Sacking Supply Management and Requisition Tool) has been implemented for procurement of jute sacking from November 1, 2016.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) Scheme , 10 Years

•  The Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) Scheme is a small deposit scheme of the Government of India meant exclusively for a girl child. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22nd January 2015 as a part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. The scheme is meant to meet the education and marriage expenses of a girl child.
• The year 2025 marks the completion of 10 years of the scheme that encourages families to invest in the bright futures of their daughters, fostering a culture of inclusion and progress.
• This scheme weaves together the threads of financial security and social empowermen
• Key features of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
• The SSY encourages parents to invest in their daughters'' education and marriage expenses. A parent or legal guardian can open an account in the name of a girl child under the age of 10.

Here are some key highlights:

• Minimum investment: ₹250 per year
• Maximum investment: ₹1.5 lakh per year
• Tenure: 21 years from the account opening date or until the marriage of the girl (after 18 years)
• Tax benefits: Contributions, interest earned, and maturity proceeds are exempt under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it a triple tax-free (EEE) scheme.
• Despite being a small savings scheme, the Sukanya Samriddhi Account has the potential to have a phenomenal impact on the lives and self esteem of young girls in the country. 
• SSY interest rate trends over 10 years
• The SSY’s interest rate is revised quarterly by the Ministry of Finance
• While the rates have fluctuated over the years, the scheme has consistently offered higher returns than fixed deposits or similar savings options
• When launched in January 2015, the SSY offered 9.1% interest rate, which increased to 9.2% in April 2015. However, the rates started declining after 2016, following trends in broader market interest rates.
• Between April 2020 and September 2022, the scheme offered its lowest rate of 7.6%.Since January 2024, the SSY account provides an 8.2% interest rate.
• The scheme aims to ensure a bright future for the girl children by facilitating their education and marriage expenses.
• As of November 2024, over 4.10 crore accounts have been opened under the scheme.
• Under the scheme, a parent or legal guardian can open an account in the name of the girl child until she attains the age of ten years. 
• The account can be opened in any post office branch and designated public sector banks.
• The minimum deposit that needs to be every year is Rs 250 (earlier it was Rs 1,000), and the maximum amount that can be deposited in a year is Rs 150,000. 
• The account is managed by the guardian until the girl child reaches the age of 18. This allows the guardian to oversee the savings and ensure that the funds are utilised effectively for the child’s education and future needs. Upon turning 18, the account holder can take control of the account herself by submitting the necessary documents.
•  The account shall mature after 21 years from the date of opening or on marriage of the girl child under whose name the account is opened, whichever is earlier. 
• Deposits can be made up to 15 years from the date of opening of the account. After this period the account will only earn interest as per applicable rates.
•  In case the required minimum annual deposit is not made by a parent or a guardian, the account will cease to be active. 
• Premature withdrawal – withdrawing money before the completion of the maturity period of 21 years – can only be made by the girl child in whose name the account has been opened after she attains the age of 18 years. 
• This withdrawal will also be limited to 50 per cent of the balance standing at the end of the preceding financial year, and will only be allowed for the purpose of higher education or if the girl intends to get married. 
• Tax exemption is one of the greatest advantages of the Sukanya Samriddhi Account programme. The deposits made to the account, and also the proceeds and maturity amount would be fully exempted from tax under section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

A New Airstrip Has Been Spotted on a Yemeni Island

•  A mysterious airstrip being built on a remote island in Yemen is nearing completion.
• The airstrip is positioned on Abd al-Kuri Island which sits on a key waterway. Due to its location, the airstrip could be used as a landing zone for military operations in the waterway or for commercial shipping purposes.
• Since the Houthis have ramped up their attacks targeting international vessels in the Red Sea, commercial and energy shipments in the region have halved.
• Although Abd al-Kuri sits within Houthi drone and missile range, the island’s distance from the mainland is large enough that the rebel group won’t be able to take control of it.

Yemen

What is Paris Agreement?  Donald Trump again shows NON – Commital Towards Climate change Goals

• Trump signed the order to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement for a second time. Trump also withdrew the U.S. from the Paris deal during his first term in office, though the process took years and was immediately reversed by the Biden presidency in 2021.
• After signing the order, the US president wrote a formal letter to the United Nations, notifying the global body of the country’s decision to leave the agreement. The landmark 2015 accord seeks to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change.
• The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. On 12 December 2015, 196 parties (193 countries plus the EU) adopted the agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016.
• According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), overarching goal pf Paris Agreement is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” However, in recent years, world leaders have stressed the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of this century as the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the 1.5°C threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall.
• To limit global warming to 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43 percent by 2030.

What are the terms of Paris Agreement?

• The agreement lists a series of commitments:
• To “pursue efforts” to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, and to keep them “well below” 2.0C above those recorded in pre-industrial times
• To achieve a balance – known as net zero – between the greenhouse gases that humans put into the atmosphere and the gases that they actively remove, in the second half of this century
• Each country to set its own emission-reduction targets, reviewed every five years to raise ambitions
• Richer countries to help poorer nations by providing funding, known as climate finance, to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy
• The 1.5C target is generally accepted to refer to the 20-year average, rather than a single year.
• Consequently, even though the year 2024 was more than 1.5C warmer than pre-industrial times, that does not mean the Paris Agreement threshold has yet been breached.

 Why it is important to global warming at 1.5C?

• Scientists have emphasised that every 0.1C of temperature leads to increased risks for the planet, such as longer heatwaves, more intense storms and wildfires. According to a report by BBC, the 1.5C target was agreed because there is very strong evidence that the impacts would become much more extreme as the world gets closer to 2C. Some changes could become irreversible.
• It is noteworthy that in 2024, earth was closer to warming more than 1.5C, BBC reported. The European Copernicus climate service said, earlier this month, that 2024 was the first calendar year to pass the symbolic threshold, as well as the world’s hottest on record. Earlier this month, UN chief António Guterres described the recent run of temperature records as “climate breakdown”.
• “We must exit this road to ruin – and we have no time to lose,” he said in his New Year message, calling for countries to slash emissions of planet-warming gases in 2025.

How Trump’s decision to exit Paris Agreement would affect global climate goals?

• Following the United States’ announcement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is confident that U.S. cities, states and businesses “will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs,” said associate U.N. spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino, in a written statement.
• “It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues,” she said. “The collective efforts under the Paris Agreement have made a difference but we need to go much further and faster together.”
• According to a report by news agency Reuters, the United States is already the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas thanks to a years-long drilling boom in Texas, New Mexico and elsewhere, fueled by fracking technology and strong global prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The countries have already facing difficulties in cutting down emissions required to lower the projected temperature increase, as wars, political tensions and tight government budgets push climate change down the list of priorities.
• Unlike Trump, former president Joe Biden wanted the United States to lead global climate efforts and sought to encourage a transition away from oil and gas using subsidies and regulations.
• Some experts have also maintained that the withdrawal by United States risks undermining the country’s ability to compete with China in clean energy markets such as solar power and electric vehicles

India and France to jointly assess maritime threats in Indian Ocean Region

• India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of maritime threats, focusing on piracy, maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, cybersecurity risks and marine pollution in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The commitment was made during the seventh India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue that was held in Delhi on January 14, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Monday. The dialogue was co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Alice Rufo, Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces, France.
• The 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in New Delhi last week. 
• Both sides reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security and emphasised upholding international law, supporting multilateralism through regional organisations, and ensuring respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation .
• Building on the joint strategic vision of India-France cooperation in the IOR established in 2018, the dialogue aimed to strengthen collaboration for free and secure access to sea lanes of communication,".
• France welcomed the participation of the Indian Navy in the Combined Maritime Forces and expressed optimism about India''s future leadership roles within the appropriate Combined Task Forces.
• To enhance cooperation, India and France will bolster information exchange mechanisms, including the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram and regional centres in Seychelles and Madagascar. They will also explore coordinated surveillance to counter threats to maritime security and strengthen bilateral engagements in the region.
• Both sides discussed enhancing their cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security, a key element of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
•  India and France agreed to develop a joint assessment of the threats to maritime security in the region; to counter illicit maritime activities, including piracy and armed robbery, maritime terrorism, contraband smuggling, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing; hybrid as well as cyber security threats and marine pollution.India and France committed to mutually support each other in maritime security engagements and constructs.
• As part of their joint commitment towards the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of oceans, India and France also agreed to preserve marine resources in the Indian Ocean Region, through the United Nations Ocean Conference. 
• Both countries welcomed the progress made on biodiversity and blue economy during the last bilateral dialogue on blue economy and ocean governance, and agreed to pursue cooperation at the regional level, as members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

India-France Bilateral Relations

•  India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring ‘Strategic Partnership’ covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation which involves a strategic component.
• Launched on January 26, 1998, India’s first-ever Strategic Partnership, embodied the core vision of both the countries to enhance their respective strategic independence by drawing upon a strong and enhanced bilateral cooperation. 
• Defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute the principal pillars of this strategic cooperation and now includes a strong Indo-Pacific component. 
• In recent years the partnership has broadened to include maritime security, digitalisation, cyber security and advanced computing, counter terrorism, climate change, renewable and sustainable growth and development among others.
• The core of the India-France long-standing partnership is underpinned by our shared democratic values, belief in multilateralism as a means to tackle global challenges, respect for international law, strong economic, cultural academic, and people-to-people ties.
• India and France have a strong and robust defence partnership. Major ongoing defence-related projects include the purchase of Rafale aircrafts and the P-75 Scorpene Project. Other potential new areas of collaboration being pursued are co-development of next generation engines for fighter planes. 
•  India France joint defence exercises have grown in scope and complexity over the years.
• Both countries have a rich history of cooperation in the field of space for over 50 years between ISRO and the French Space Agency. France remains a major supplier of components and equipment for the Indian space programme.
•  India and France have a Cyber Dialogue mechanism to discuss cyber cooperation and related matters. France is one of the largest investors in India with FDI inflow of $659.77 million for FY 2022-23 and a cumulative FDI stock of $10.76 billion from April 2000 to September 2023. 
• There are over 70 Indian companies employing over 8,000 employees in France. There are over 750 French companies invested in India employing over 450,000 people. 
• For FY 2023-24, Indian exports to France totaled $3.06 billion and imports from France totaled $2.36 billion. 
• India’s main exports to France include engineering goods including electrical machinery and boilers, petroleum products, pharmaceutical products, electronic equipment and ready made garment.
• Main imports from France are aviation products, machine equipment, electrical equipment and chemical products.

Surprise finding sheds light on what causes Huntington’s disease, a devastating fatal brain disorder

• Scientists are unraveling the mystery of what triggers Huntington’s disease, a devastating and fatal hereditary disorder that strikes in the prime of life, causing nerve cells in parts of the brain to break down and die.
• The genetic mutation linked to Huntington’s has long been known, but scientists haven’t understood how people could have the mutation from birth, but not develop any problems until later in life.
• New research shows that the mutation is, surprisingly, harmless for decades. But it quietly grows into a larger mutation — until it eventually crosses a threshold, generates toxic proteins, and kills the cells it has expanded in.
• Scientists have discovered a surprising mechanism by which the inherited genetic mutation known to cause Huntington’s disease leads to the death of brain cells. 
• The findings change the understanding of the fatal neurodegenerative disorder and suggest potential ways to delay or even prevent it. For 30 years, researchers have known that Huntington’s is caused by an inherited mutation in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene, but they didn’t know how the mutation causes brain cell death. 
•  A new study published in Cell reveals that the inherited mutation doesn’t itself harm cells. Rather, the mutation is innocuous for decades but slowly morphs into a highly toxic form that then quickly kills the cell.
• The study was conducted in donated human brain tissue and led by scientists at Harvard Medical School, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and McLean Hospital. 
• Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes brain cells to slowly lose function and die. 
• It is often passed down through a changed gene from a parent.
• It is caused by a mutation in the gene for a protein called huntingtin. The defect causes the building blocks of DNA called cytosine, adenine, and guanine (CAG) to repeat many more times than they normally do. It affects the cells in parts of the brain that regulate voluntary movement and memory. 
• The condition leads to dementia. 
• Common symptoms include uncontrollable movements and changes to thinking, behavior and personality. It is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. 
• Adult-onset Huntington’s disease, the most common form of this disorder, usually appears in a person’s thirties or forties. 
• Early signs and symptoms can include irritability, depression, small involuntary movements, poor coordination, and trouble learning new information or making decisions. Many people with Huntington’s disease develop involuntary jerking or twitching movements known as chorea. 
• As the disease progresses, these movements become more pronounced. Affected individuals may have trouble walking, speaking, and swallowing. 
•  People with this disorder also experience changes in personality and a decline in thinking and reasoning abilities.
• Changes may include trouble with driving, prioritising (deciding which things are more important to do and which are less important), and organising, learning new things, remembering a fact, putting thoughts into words, or answering a question.
• These cognitive changes get worse as the disease progresses, until people with the condition are not able to work, drive, or care for themselves.
• A less common form of Huntington’s disease known as the juvenile form begins in childhood or adolescence. It also involves movement problems and mental and emotional changes. 

Key Findings:

•  Mutation Mechanism: The Huntington’s mutation involves a stretch of DNA in the HTT gene in which a three-letter sequence of DNA, “CAG”, is repeated at least 40 times, as opposed to the 15-35 repeats inherited by people without the disease. The researchers found that DNA tracts with 40 or more CAG repeats grow until they are hundreds of repeats long. This type of “somatic expansion” occurs in only the specific types of brain cells that later die in Huntington’s disease. Only once a cell''s DNA expansion reaches a threshold number of CAGs — roughly 150 — does the cell sicken and then die. The cumulative death of many such cells leads to the symptoms of Huntington’s disease.
• Slow Expansion: The CAG repeats expand slowly over the first 20 years of life. After reaching around 80 repeats, the expansion accelerates, and once it surpasses 150 repeats, it becomes toxic, leading to neuronal death. This process happens over several decades, with symptoms of Huntington’s appearing in middle age.
• Cell-Specific Toxicity: Not all cells are affected the same way. Only striatal projection neurons (cells in the striatum, which is responsible for motor control and cognition) suffer from the toxicity, making these cells more susceptible to the mutation.
• Modeling CAG Repeat Expansion: Using computer modelling, the researchers estimated how and when CAG repeats expand in striatal projection neurons, which are primarily responsible for movement and cognition. This model suggests that neurons spend most of their life with the harmless mutation, and toxicity occurs only in a small fraction of cells after decades.

Implications for Treatment:

•  New Treatment Strategies:The study’s findings could lead to new strategies for delaying or even preventing Huntington’s disease. Reducing CAG-repeat expansion or slowing the rate at which it expands could delay the onset of symptoms by preventing the toxicity that causes cell death.
• Previous Drug Trials: Drugs aimed at reducing the activity of the mutated gene have struggled, as they may only impact a small portion of affected cells. Targeting the mechanism that accelerates the CAG-repeat expansion could impact a larger number of cells, offering a more effective therapeutic approach.
•  Broader Application: These insights could apply not just to Huntington’s but also to other genetic disorders involving abnormal DNA repeats, such as fragile X syndrome and myotonic dystrophy.

Flamingo Fest kicks off at Sullurpeta in Tirupati

• The Since its beginning in 2001, the festival has become one of India’s key eco-tourism events, offering a blend of nature, culture, and conservation.
• It is set against the beautiful backdrop of Pulicat Lake and the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, located in Andhra Pradesh.The Flamingo Festival 2025 concluded at the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto visit: A turning point in bilateral cooperation and defense partnerships

•  Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, is in India for his first-ever official state visit, making him the chief guest at India’s Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2025. The visit, running from January 24-26, celebrates 75 years of Indonesia-India bilateral relations and aims to elevate the strategic ties between the two nations in areas ranging from defense to trade.
• ​A 352-member marching and band contingent from Indonesia will be participating in India’s Republic Day Parade. This will be the first time that an Indonesian marching and band contingent will participate in a national day parade abroad.
• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is set to grace the upcoming Republic Day celebration in New Delhi as the chief guest.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with Subianto during his visit.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

• Prabowo’s visit is symbolic of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. In his meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected on January 25, the agenda will focus on expanding cooperation across several sectors:
•  Every year, India invites world leaders to attend the Republic Day celebration.  
• India and Indonesia have maintained a long history of interaction in the domains of culture, language, art, and architecture for several centuries.

Defense and Security:

• One of the most significant developments from this visit is expected to be the BrahMos missile deal, with Indonesia poised to sign an agreement for the purchase of the supersonic missile. This deal would bolster Indonesia’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of rising tensions in the South China Sea. The air-launched BrahMos missile, known for its precision and speed, will enhance Indonesia’s military edge.
• The signing of the deal is part of India’s broader strategy to increase its defense exports to ASEAN nations, following its successful missile sale to the Philippines. The BrahMos missile deal would not only underscore the deepening defense cooperation between India and Indonesia but also establish India as a key player in Southeast Asia’s defense sector.

Economic Cooperation:

• The Indonesia-India trade volume reached $24.1 billion in 2024, with a significant trade surplus in favor of Indonesia. Despite a slight dip in trade, both sides are expected to discuss ways to enhance bilateral economic relations, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and technology. Indian investments in Indonesia, currently around $1.56 billion, are expected to grow, with both nations seeking to improve trade balance and expand their economic footprint.

Cultural and Educational Engagements:

• The cultural ties between the two nations date back centuries, with events like the Bali Yatra festival serving as reminders of the deep-rooted maritime exchanges. Additionally, education and people-to-people links are also on the agenda, with more scholarships and educational exchanges between both countries.

Regional Security and Maritime Cooperation:

• As part of India’s Act East Policy, Indonesia plays a key role in ensuring regional security. The two nations will review their cooperation in maritime security, with both countries actively participating in exercises like CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol). Joint maritime and air force drills are expected to be intensified, focusing on common security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bilateral Agreements and MoUs Expected:

• During the visit, several MoUs will likely be signed, covering various sectors such as:
• Healthcare and traditional medicines: Increasing collaborations in medical technology and healthcare systems.
• Cultural exchange programs: Furthering ties through art exhibitions, festivals, and people-to-people interactions.
• Infrastructure development: Working on joint projects, particularly in urban planning and smart cities.
• Digital technology and connectivity: Enhancing ICT collaborations and fostering greater internet connectivity between the two nations.

The Strategic Importance of the Visit:

• This visit is strategically significant for several reasons:
• Regional Influence: With Indonesia being a leading ASEAN member, its partnership with India strengthens India’s presence in Southeast Asia, particularly as the Indo-Pacific becomes a focal point of global geopolitics.
• Defense Deals: The BrahMos deal will not only enhance Indonesia’s military capabilities but also cement India’s position as a leading defense supplier in the region, countering China’s influence.
• Geopolitical Synergies: As Indonesia strengthens ties with India, it counters regional threats and China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The defense pact and strategic discussions will serve as a balancing factor in the region.
• Close historical, cultural and commercial ties between the two countries which dates back to more than 2,000 years is reflected across the length and breadth of Indonesia. The great Majapahit Dynasty and before that the Sriwijaya kingdom had deep cultural, religious and economic linkages with India. 
• The struggle against colonial powers, democratic traditions, pluralist culture, and progressive leadership are some of the common strands connecting India and Indonesia. 
• Since the adoption of India’s ‘Look East Policy’ in 1991, and its upgradation to ‘Act East’ in 2014, there has been a rapid development of bilateral relations in political, security, defence, commercial and cultural fields.
• Both countries have recently witnessed intensive engagement in the political, strategic, defence, security, and economic spheres. There have been a number of meetings at the ministerial level, especially those concerned with foreign affairs, security, defense and trade.
• Both sides achieved a wide ranging convergence of strategic thinking and have finalised a plan of action to implement the same. 
• India and Indonesia elevated the bilateral ties to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ in 2018.
• Both sides have also signed on the Shared Vision of India-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which highlights the importance of the region for both countries and immense potential for creating synergies between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and President Joko Widodo’s ‘Global Maritime Fulcrum Policy’.
• Both India and Indonesia have a shared vision for building a peaceful regional order and cooperate on a number of important security issues, including anti-terrorism and maritime security. India is the second largest buyer of coal and crude palm oil from Indonesia and imports minerals, rubber, pulp and paper and hydrocarbons reserves. India exports refined petroleum products, commercial vehicles, telecommunication equipment, agriculture commodities, bovine meat, steel products and plastics to Indonesia.
• India and Indonesia have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols (IND-INDO CORPAT) along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002, with an aim of keeping the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities. CORPATs help build understanding and interoperability between navies, and facilitate institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.