What is happening in the DRC? | Explained

• The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is back in the spotlight after the M23 militia, backed by eastern neighbour Rwanda, captured the mineral-rich city of Goma, which lies on the border between the two countries.
•  UN estimates suggest that the fighting, which began in January, has taken the lives of more than 2,900 people, displaced close to 7,00,000 and injured many more.
• Since then, clashes have spread to the south of the border with the rebels eyeing Bukavu, the capital of the South Kivu province — another resource-rich region that is situated in the east of the DRC.

What is the history of the region?

• While the root cause of the crisis is generally attributed to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the region has been beset with conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis since colonial times; so much so that some 1,50,000 Tutsis had migrated to neighbouring countries even before Rwanda’s independence from Belgium in 1962.
• Imperialist powers such as Germany and Belgium ruled over Rwanda through a Tutsi monarchy in which local administrative roles were occupied by members of the Tutsis, who were a minority there, ensuring better prospects for the group.
• This did not sit well with the Hutus who eventually called for a ‘revolution’ in 1959, costing the lives of some 20,000 Tutsis. Consequently, King Kigeli V fled, and a Hutu regime came to power. Further solidifying the group’s grip on power were the elections of 1960 conducted by Belgian officials, in which Hutus emerged victorious in local communes. Two years later, the country proclaimed independence and got its first President in Grégoire Kayibanda.

What is the Rwandan genocide?

• With Hutus at the helm, there was systematic repression of the Tutsis. This led to the formation of the Tutsi rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which launched a civil war in 1990.
• The war reached its inflection point in April 1994, when an aircraft carrying Rwandan President Juvenal Habriyamana and his Burundi counterpart Cyprien Ntarynira — two Hutus — was shot down.
• Blaming the RPF for the attack, the Rwandan military and the Hutu Interahamwe militia went on a rampage, murdering almost 8,000 people per day. By the time the campaign ended 100 days later, some 8,00,000 Tutsis and a moderate number of Hutus had been killed.
• The genocide ended only after an RPF reprisal emerged victorious in July 1994. Paul Kagambe, one of the leaders of the uprising, was elected President of Rwanda in 2000 and has occupied the post ever since.

What was the aftermath of the genocide?

• As a result of the killings, some two million Hutus, including the perpetrators, crossed into the eastern region of the DRC, then called Zaire. Today, the region comprises more than 120 armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), claiming to fight for the Hutus, and the M23, which claims to represent the interests of the Tutsis.
• After the genocide, Rwandan troops invaded Congo, first in 1996 and then in 1998 — dubbed Africa’s World Wars. The war of 1996, called the First Congo War, resulted in the country being renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo and witnessed the overthrow of longtime ruler Mobutu Sese Seko.
• The next battle, known as the Second Congo War, came about as President Laurent-Désiré Kabila turned against allies Rwanda and Uganda. The fighting eventually ballooned into one of the biggest battles on the continent after nine countries and 25 armed groups joined in. It ended only in 2003 after having killed five million from battle, disease and starvation.
• From then on, the DRC has been marked by disarray while Rwanda, under Mr. Kagame, has been identified as a force of stability in Africa. With ample help from Western nations, the President lifted the country out of poverty. Yet, Mr. Kagame’s government has been accused of helping the M23 rebels.

Who are the M23 rebels?

• Formed in 2012, the M23 stands for Mouvement du 23 Mars — an abortive agreement signed on March 23, 2009, between the DRC government and the Tutsi-led National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP).
• According to the pact, the CNDP, which fought the government forces between 2006 and 2009, was to take the form of a political party and its fighters were to be absorbed into the DRC Army.
• These soldiers broke off from the Congolese Army and came together to form the M23. It is led by Sultani Makenga and is based in the North Kivu province. Claiming to protect Tutsis, the group managed to capture Goma for the first time in 2012.
• Following a series of setbacks at the hands of the Congolese Army and UN forces, the group retreated after it was assured the protection of the Tusis. A decade later, it resurfaced in 2022 citing failure to meet the promises. The group stands accused of war crimes by the UN.

Is the conflict only about ethnic tensions?

• Ethnic strife forms only one part of the story. The mineral-rich regions in the DRC’s east, coveted by nations and armed groups alike, form the other part. The DRC is home to Coltan, the ore from which Tantalum is produced.
• This blue-grey metal is used in smartphones and other electronic devices for it can hold a high charge over a range of temperatures, making it conducive for the manufacturing of capacitors that store energy.
• While Coltan is also mined in Brazil, Nigeria, and Rwanda, almost 40% of the global supply comes from the DRC.
• And the capture of Goma, a key trading and transport hub, will help M23 to a great degree.

How have regional players responded to the crisis?

• DRC President Felix Tshisekedi called the capture of Goma “an act of war”. The winner of the 2023 election, which has been decried by activists, the loss of Goma leaves him on shaky ground.
• Mr. Kagambe, while never admitting to complicity in the M23’s actions, has issued remarks time and again, that hint at the M23’s legitimacy. The Rwandan leader wants the militant group to be made part of discussions.
• The Tutsi-led country’s actions are in the interest of the group living across the border and to prevent the spillover of a civil war, he says.
• Neighbouring Burundi, a Hutu-majority country that shares hostile relations with Rwanda, has warned the Kagambe administration about the M23’s advance further south. “If Rwanda continues to make conquests,” he wrote, “I know that war will even arrive in Burundi… One day he [Kagame] wants to come to Burundi — we’re not going to accept that. The war will spread,” President Evariste Ndayishimiye said.
• Uganda is toeing a middle line by helping the Congolese troops hunt down militants with Ugandan origins tied to the Islamic State. It also allows the M23 to use its territory as a base, reports the UN.

For young people, a digital learning resource to help avoid cannabis use :PRE –CURB.

• A team of researchers from Bengaluru-based NIMHANS have developed ‘Pre-CURB’, a digital learning resource for young people on preventing cannabis use and promoting responsible behaviour. 
• This digital resource, details the adverse health effects of cannabis, busts misconceptions with regard to its use, gives updates on the legal status of cannabis in India, and explains how young people can avoid cannabis use.
• The rising use of cannabis and several of its products has become a global concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this phenomenon has become more closely linked to youth culture, with the age of initiation usually being lower than that of other drugs.
• In India, cannabis (known in the vernacular as ganja or bhang) holds cultural significance because of its use during festivals and rituals even though its use is illegal.
•  Cannabis use rates ranging from 6.8% to 36% have been reported among college students in India, with poor academic performance, dropping-out, and cognitive impairment impacts, NIMHANS.

What Pre-CURB contains

• The Pre-CURB digital resource was developed by Kannan K. from the College of Nursing under the guidance of Prasanthi Nattala, professor and head of the Department of Nursing, Jayant Mahadevan, assistant professor of Psychiatry, and Dr. Meena.
• It is based on inputs from focus group discussions conducted among college students, an extensive review of the literature, and inputs provided by experts working in the area, said Dr. Nattala.
• “Pre-CURB is organised into three sections. The first section details the adverse health effects of cannabis, with specific reference to adverse impact on cognitive functions, driving impairment, and damage to major body systems. It also provides an update on the legal status of cannabis in India,” she said. 
• While the second section busts popular misconceptions with regard to cannabis use, such as the belief that cannabis is safer compared to tobacco, cannabis cannot cause addiction, etc., the third section explains how young people can avoid cannabis use by dealing with various use triggers and practising a healthy and responsible lifestyle.
• This can be done through building and nurturing family and social support networks, making positive personality changes, and experiencing pleasure without cannabis,

What are the health effects of cannabis use?

• Cannabis is by far the most widely cultivated, trafficked and abused illicit drug. Half of all drug seizures worldwide are cannabis seizures. The geographical spread of those seizures is also global, covering practically every country of the world.
• About 147 million people, 2.5% of the world population, consume cannabis (annual prevalence). An analysis of cannabis markets shows that low prices coincide with high levels of abuse, and vice versa.
• Cannabis impairs cognitive development (capabilities of learning), including associative processes; free recall of previously learned items is often impaired when cannabis is used both during learning and recall periods.
• Cannabis impairs psychomotor performance in a wide variety of tasks, such as motor coordination, divided attention, and operative tasks of many types.
• Chronic health effects include development of a cannabis dependence syndrome; exacerbating schizophrenia in affected individuals; epithelial injury of the trachea and major bronchi; airway injury, lung inflammation, and impaired pulmonary defence against infection.

Holistic approach

• As health and wellness comprise both physical and mental well-being, the workshop adopted a holistic approach with didactic interactive sessions for the students from a team of multi-disciplinary experts at NIMHANS.
• They addressed a range of topics such as prevention of non-communicable disorders, stress management, physical fitness, sleep and rest, healthy eating, as well as a session on the information-education-communication resources available at NIMHANS

 Government plans to amend nuclear liability law

• For an active partnership with the private sector towards this goal, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be taken up,” by Finance Minister , had said in the speech highlighting the need for “at least 100 GW” of nuclear energy by 2047, and making an outlay of ₹20,000 crores for the development of five SMRs to be operationalized in India by 2033.
•  India at present has a nuclear power capacity of 6780 MW comprising of 22 reactors, and the only foreign operator in India is Russia’s Rosatom. 
• Government plans to amend the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) 2010 and the Atomic Energy Act 1962 to address concerns of American and French nuclear power companies.
• Foreign companies have hesitated to invest in India due to strict liability clauses in the CLNDA, which place a high degree of responsibility on suppliers for nuclear accidents.
• The proposed amendments aim to align India’s liability laws with international standards, especially the Convention for Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), which holds operators liable, not suppliers.

Nuclear projects affected by the current liability laws

• Electricité de France (EDF)’s MoU to build six EPR1650 reactors in Jaitapur, Maharashtra, signed in 2009.
•  Westinghouse Electric Company’s MoU to build six AP1000 reactors in Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh, signed in 2012.
• Both projects have faced delays due to legal concerns over supplier liability under the CLNDA.

Potential benefits of amending the CLNDA

• Unlock stalled nuclear projects like EDF’s Jaitapur plant and Westinghouse’s Kovvada project.
• Attract foreign investment in India’s nuclear energy sector.
• Expand India’s nuclear power capacity, with a target of 100 GW by 2047.
• Facilitate the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are cost-effective and gaining popularity globally.

Challenges in amending the CLNDA 2010

• It was passed after intense debates in parliament, and any amendments that dilute supplier liability could face opposition from opponent parties and civil society groups.
• India created a ₹1,500 crore insurance pool in 2019 to cover nuclear damages, however, it failed to attract major investors. The amendments must ensure comprehensive legal protections and compensation frameworks to build investor confidence.

India plans to leverage Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by:

• Allocating ₹20,000 crore in the 2025 Budget for nuclear energy development.
• Setting a target to operationalize five SMR units by 2033.
• Partnering with the U.S. and France to adopt advanced SMR technologies, which are modular, cost-effective, and align with global trends in nuclear energy.

Government stance on amending the CLNDA

• In 2015, the government stated that there was “no proposal to amend the Act or Rules” and claimed that U.S. officials had reached a “general understanding” that India’s CLNDA was compatible with the international Convention for Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). However, this understanding did not result in any significant nuclear contracts.
• The current announcement marks a shift from the 2015 stance, with the government aiming to amend the CLNDA to address foreign companies’ concerns.
• The government has not provided a specific timeline for implementing the amendments.

Proposed amendment align with India’s nuclear energy goals

• The government aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, up from the current 6,780 MW.
• Nuclear energy will help diversify India’s energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
• The focus on SMRs and partnerships with the U.S. and France will enhance India’s technological expertise in nuclear energy

President''s Rule In Manipur: A Look At The Provision And Its History | What It Means And Why It Matters ?

• After two years of unrest and violence in Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down, leading to the imposition of president''s rule in the state.
• Following the Chief Minister''s resignation, there were speculations that the state might come under the President''s rule if the party failed to choose a new leader.

What is President’s Rule?

• President’s Rule is a provision under Article 356 to be imposed in case of the failure of the constitutional machinery in a State. In such situations, based on a report by the State’s Governor or other inputs, the President can issue a Proclamation taking over the functions of the State’s government and Governor — effectively transferring them to the Union government — and transferring the powers of the State Assembly to Parliament.
• The President cannot, however, assume any of the powers vested in a High Court. The President’s proclamation must be laid before Parliament, and will expire in two months unless both Houses ratify it. It may be renewed by Parliament every six months, for a maximum period of three years.
•  After the first year, renewal can take place under certain conditions, of an Emergency being declared in the country or the State, or the Election Commission declaring that State elections cannot be held.
• Article 356 does not list the various specific circumstances under which President’s Rule can be imposed, leaving it to the judgment of the President (and the Union Council of Ministers advising her) to satisfy herself that “a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Provisions of this Constitution”.
• A comprehensive assessment of President’s Rule published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in 2016 listed situations in which it has been imposed, apart from militancy and law and order: defections by MLAs, break-up of coalitions, passing of no-confidence motions, resignations of Chief Ministers, absence of legislatures in newly formed States, and public agitations leading to instability.
• The Supreme Court’s judgment in the 1994 S.R. Bommai vs Union of India case also listed the circumstances in which President’s Rule could and could not be imposed, though it made it clear this was not exhaustive.

President''s Rule In Manipur: A Timeline

• Manipur has faced President''s Rule a total of 10 times, with the first imposition occurring in 1967. The state has witnessed a significant number of President''s Rule impositions, making it one of the states with the highest instances of central rule.

Here''s a breakdown of the years when President''s Rule was imposed in Manipur:

• 1967 (twice): The first instance was from January 1967 to March 1967, and the second instance was from October 1967 to February 1968.
• 1969: President''s Rule was imposed from October 1969 to March 1972.
• 1973: It was imposed from March 1973 to March 1974.
• 1977: President''s Rule was in effect from April 1977 to June 1977.
• 1979: It was imposed from February 1979 to June 1979.
• 1981: President''s Rule was in effect from February 1981 to June 1981.
• 1992: It was imposed from January 1992 to April 1992.
• 1993: President''s Rule was in effect from December 1993 to December 1994.
• 2001: It was imposed from June 2001 to March 2002

President''s Rule Or Article 356: How It Works and When It''s Imposed

• With the imposition of the President''s rule under Article 356, all the functions of the state government are handed over to the Centre and the functions of the state legislature to the Parliament. The only exception to this is the functioning of the High Courts, which remains unchanged.
• The process starts when the President receives a report from the Governor and believes that the state government can no longer function as required by the Constitution.In such a scenario, the President issues a ''proclamation,'' which remains effective for two months.
• To extend its validity, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must approve it through a resolution within this timeframe.
• If approved, the President''s Rule can be prolonged for six months, with Parliament having the option to grant six-month extensions for up to three years.
• When President''s Rule is imposed, the President assumes the functions of the state government, and the powers of the state legislature are exercised by Parliament.
• The state legislative assembly may be suspended or dissolved, and the Governor administers the state on behalf of the President.

What does the Constitution say?

• Emergency provisions, inspired by the German Constitution and outlined in Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution, protect India’s sovereignty, unity and security. They empower the Central government to address extraordinary crises by temporarily assuming control to ensure stability and safeguard the democratic framework.
• The Constitution provides for three types of emergencies — national (Article 352), State (Article 356) and financial (Article 360).
• In Manipur, the President has proclaimed a “state emergency” — popularly known as “President’s Rule” or “Constitutional Emergency” — by exercising powers under Article 356. This fulfils the Union’s obligation under Article 355 to protect States against ‘external aggression’ and ‘internal disturbance’ (such as separatist or sectarian violence or calamities beyond a State’s control) and to ensure that State governments operate as per the Constitution.
• When a State’s “constitutional machinery” fails due to non-performance or malperformance, Article 356(1) empowers the President to issue a proclamation— upon receiving a report from the Governor or otherwise — if she is satisfied that the State government cannot function constitutionally.
• This effectively transfers all executive functions of the State to the Centre and legislative functions to Parliament while leaving the High Court’s (HC) powers unaffected. Additionally, Article 365 provides that if a State fails to comply with any Union directions under constitutional provisions, the President may declare a “Constitutional Emergency.”
• As per Clause 3 of Article 356, the proclamation must be laid before each House of Parliament, and unless approved by a ‘simple majority’ in both Houses, it ceases after two months. Once approved, it remains effective for six months from the proclamation date, with further six-month extensions requiring additional Parliamentary approval.
• Renewal beyond one year is allowed only if two conditions are met — an Emergency has been declared in the country or any part of the State, and if the Election Commission certifies that President’s rule is necessary due to difficulties in conducting State elections.
• However, in no case can the proclamation remain effective for more than three years, and the President may revoke or vary it at any time by a subsequent proclamation.

How is a ‘constitutional emergency’ different from a ‘national emergency’?

• Article 352 governs the proclamation of a “national emergency,” which has been invoked thrice — during the 1962 India-China war, the 1971-armed conflict with Pakistan, and in 1975 on grounds of “internal disturbance.”
•  In 1975, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared the emergency after the Allahabad High Court, in The State of Uttar Pradesh versus Raj Narain (1975), found her guilty of “electoral malpractices” and debarred her from holding any elected post.
• Unlike a “State emergency,” proclaiming a “national emergency” requires that the President be satisfied that India’s security — or any part of its territory — is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
• The 44th Constitutional amendment (1978) introduced multiple safeguards to prevent misuse.
• It replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion”, mandated a written recommendation from the Cabinet (rather than just the Prime Minister), and shortened the parliamentary approval window from two months to one month. It also clarified that Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended, and that the President must revoke the proclamation if the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving it.
• Crucially, the amendment restored judicial review of the President’s satisfaction in proclaiming an emergency, a safeguard removed by the 38th Constitutional amendment (1975).
• Unlike a “constitutional emergency” (which can last up to three years), a “national emergency” has no time limit. Additionally, while the President’s rule (Article 356) requires a ‘simple majority’ for parliamentary approval, a national emergency needs a ‘special majority’.
• In a national emergency, the State executive and legislature continue to function, whereas under President’s Rule, the State executive is dismissed, and the legislature is suspended or dissolved.
• However, the Manipur Assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has not been dissolved but is placed under “suspended animation”. This means that the Assembly is temporarily “paused”, allowing its revival if ‘political stability’ is restored.

Does it affect fundamental rights?

• President’s rule does not affect citizens’ fundamental rights, unlike a national emergency, where under Article 358, freedoms under Article 19 become inoperative, and the President may suspend other fundamental rights, except Articles 20 and 21.
• Under President’s Rule, the President acquires extraordinary powers, with the Governor, on her behalf, administering the State with assistance from the Chief Secretary or advisers appointed by the President.
•  Additionally, Article 357 allows Parliament to confer legislative power on the President and authorise delegation to another authority while also giving the President power to sanction expenditure from the State’s Consolidated Fund.

President''s Rule In India: A Timeline Of Key Events

• India has witnessed 134 instances of President''s Rule since 1950, with Manipur and Uttar Pradesh being imposed with it the most at 10 times each. President''s Rule was first imposed in India in 1951, in the state of Punjab.
• Jammu and Kashmir holds the distinction of being under President''s Rule for the longest period, followed closely by Punjab and Puducherry.
• Since India''s Constitution came into effect in 1950, Jammu and Kashmir has spent over 12 years under central control, while Punjab has been under President''s Rule for more than 10 years.
• In the most recent period, President''s rule was imposed in Puducherry when the Congress government lost power after failing a trust vote in 2021.
• In its history, Puducherry has spent more than 7 years under President''s rule, a major reason for governments often losing support in the Assembly due to internal strife or defections.

Supreme Court''s Stand On Article 356

• The Supreme Court has played a crucial role in shaping the contours of President''s Rule in India. A landmark judgement in this regard is the S.R. Bommai v. Union of India case (1994), which laid down significant guidelines for the imposition of President''s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.
• A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court decided that the president''s power to impose President''s Rule under Article 356 can be reviewed by courts. Courts can check if the decision was made wrongly, with bad intentions, or for the wrong reasons.
• The court cannot question the President''s decision itself but can check if the information given to the President was relevant to the decision made.
•  The court also laid down guidelines to protect the independence of state governments.
• Even if the President''s proclamation is valid, the court ruled that only the state legislature would be suspended, while the other branches of the state government would continue to function. However, this is contingent upon approval from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha within two months. If this approval is not obtained, the court held that the dismissed government would be reinstated.
• Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy, who was part of the majority, expressed his opinion as follows: The fact that under the scheme of our Constitution, greater power is conferred upon the Centre vis-à-vis the states does not mean that states are mere appendages of the Centre.
• The courts should not adopt an approach, an interpretation, that has the effect of or tends to have the effect of whittling down the powers reserved to the states.
• Since the Supreme Court''s decision in Bommai, the imposition of President''s Rule has decreased significantly.

 India-US trust initiative to boost national critical minerals mission

• The India-US TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) initiative will help in giving a push to the government''s National Critical Mineral Mission, which encourages public and private sector companies to acquire critical mineral assets abroad.
• The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), approved by the government for a period of seven years till 2030-31, at an outlay of Rs 34,300 crore, proposes development of stockpiles of critical minerals within the country.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have agreed on the TRUST initiative, to emphasis on creating strong supply chains of critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.
• As per a joint statement issued after the Trump-Modi meeting in Washington, both the countries have decided to launch a recovery and processing initiative for strategic minerals like lithium and rare earth.
• The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) aims to build a resilient value chain encompassing mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing and recovery from end-of-life products.
• NCMM also seeks to encourage Indian public sector undertakings and private companies to acquire critical mineral assets abroad and enhance trade with resource-rich countries. TRUST will greatly help to achieve the objectives of NCMM," said R K Sharma, Special Advisor at Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI).
• The two sides will also work together on economic corridors and connectivity infrastructure Under the IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) and I2U2 frameworks.
• The US-India TRUST initiative will catalyze government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas like defense, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space.
• India-US TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) will pave the way for economic and technological cooperation between the two countries, while focus on the IMEC framework will deepen collaboration in infrastructure and economic corridors, according to industry experts.
• As a central pillar of the TRUST initiative, the leaders committed to work with US and Indian private industry to put forward a ‘US-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure’ by the end of the year. 
• It will identify constraints to financing, building, powering, and connect large-scale US-origin AI infrastructure in India with milestones and future actions.
• The US and India will work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next generation data centers, cooperation on development and access to compute and processors for AI, for innovations in AI models and building AI applications for solving societal challenges while addressing the protections and controls necessary to protect these technologies and reduce regulatory barriers.
•  Part of the TRUST initiative, the leaders also committed to build trusted and resilient supply chains, including for semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals. 
• Both countries plan to encourage public and private investments to expand Indian manufacturing capacity, including in the US, for active pharmaceutical ingredients for critical medicines. 
• These investments will create good jobs, diversify vital supply chains, and reduce the risk of life-saving drug shortages in both India and the US.

New 10-year agreement seeks to deepen India-US defence strategic ties

• India and the United States have agreed to deepen strategic ties with a new 10-year agreement on defence cooperation, which will be signed later this year.
• The joint statement, released by the Ministry of External Affairs, does not mention F-35, although it says the US is announcing a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters and undersea systems to India. 
•  Lockheed Martin, the US company that makes F-35, unveiled the supersonic single-engine plane in India at Aero India 2023. India has started its own programme to make stealth fighters, with mass production planned for 2035-36.  
•  India needs fifth-generation aircraft, but developing them at home would be the ideal solution,” the former vice chief of air staff at the Indian Air Force, said.
• One F-35 could cost $80 million.
• Other than the ongoing sales of American-made fighters and attack helicopters, the US will sell anti-tank guided missiles (Javelin) and infantry combat vehicles (Stryker) to India this year. The US is also expected to complete the sale of six more P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. India has spent more than $20 billion in defence procurement from the US since 2008.
•  The US recognises India as a “major defence partner”, which means while India is technically not an “ally” (unlike, say, NATO), given India’s strategic autonomy, the US can consider transferring some technology, for instance.
• The joint statement says the US and India will review the respective arms-transfer regulations in order to streamline defence trade, technology exchange and maintenance, spare supplies and in-country repair, and overhaul of US-provided defence systems.
• The leaders welcomed the significant integration of U.S.-origin defense items into India''s inventory to date, including C‑130J Super Hercules, C‑17 Globemaster III, P‑8I Poseidon aircraft; CH‑47F Chinooks, MH‑60R Seahawks, and AH‑64E Apaches; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; M777 howitzers; and MQ‑9Bs.
•  The leaders determined that the U.S. would expand defense sales and co-production with India to strengthen interoperability and defense industrial cooperation.
• They announced plans to pursue this year new procurements and co-production arrangements for "Javelin” Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and "Stryker” Infantry Combat Vehicles in India to rapidly meet India’s defense requirements. They also expect completion of procurement for six additional P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft to enhance India’s maritime surveillance reach in the Indian Ocean Region following agreement on sale terms.
• Recognizing that India is a Major Defense Partner with Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA‑1) authorization and a key Quad partner, the U.S. and India will review their respective arms transfer regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), in order to streamline defense trade, technology exchange and maintenance, spare supplies and in-country repair and overhaul of U.S.-provided defense systems.
• The leaders also called for opening negotiations this year for a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement to better align their procurement systems and enable the reciprocal supply of defense goods and services.
•  The leaders pledged to accelerate defense technology cooperation across space, air defense, missile, maritime and undersea technologies, with the U.S. announcing a review of its policy on releasing fifth generation fighters and undersea systems to India
• Building on the U.S.-India Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation and recognizing the rising importance of autonomous systems, the leaders announced a new initiative - the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) - to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific.
• The leaders welcomed a new partnership between Anduril Industries and Mahindra Group on advanced autonomous technologies to co-develop and co-produce state-of-the-art maritime systems and advanced AI-enabled counter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to strengthen regional security, and between L3 Harris and Bharat Electronics for co-development of active towed array systems.
• The leaders also pledged to elevate military cooperation across all domains – air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace – through enhanced training, exercises, and operations, incorporating the latest technologies.
• The leaders welcomed the forthcoming "Tiger Triumph” tri-service exercise (first inaugurated in 2019) with larger scale and complexity to be hosted in India.
• Finally, the leaders committed to break new ground to support and sustain the overseas deployments of the U.S. and Indian militaries in the Indo-Pacific, including enhanced logistics and intelligence sharing, as well as arrangements to improve force mobility for joint humanitarian and disaster relief operations along with other exchanges and security cooperation engagements.

 SWAMIH 2.0: Why India’s Booming Housing Market Still Needs Govt Support

• Indian property developers had another strong year in 2024, as robust housing demand drove record-high sales and new luxury project launches in many top-tier cities.
• At the same time, the number of stalled housing units in 44 Indian cities rose to over 5 lakh, according to data released by NSE-listed analytics firm PropEquity. Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida recorded the highest number of unfinished housing units (76,256), followed by Thane and Gurugram, the data shows.
• The second installment of the Central government''s Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund, announced in Budget 2025, aims to help complete 1 lakh of these stalled units.

How SWAMIH Fund Helped Homebuyers

• The first SWAMIH Fund was launched in 2019 and dubbed "last-mile financing" as lakhs of unfinished housing units languished across India, leaving thousands of buyers in distress. The fund was set up by the Central government and is managed by SBI Ventures.
• the SWAMIH Fund, with a capital commitment of Rs 15,530 crore, has helped complete over 50,000 homes and aims to deliver 60,000 more in the next three years.
• On 1 February, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Budget speech that SWAMIH Fund 2 will be established as a blended finance facility with Rs 15,000 crore to expedite the completion of another 1 lakh units.

Why Govt Brought SWAMIH 2.0

• The second SWAMIH fund comes against the backdrop of a booming housing market in India, where sales in the top eight cities rose 7% year-on-year in 2024, reaching a 12-year high. Demand for premium homes has surged, prompting developers to increase launches of Rs 1 crore and above properties fivefold compared to 2019, according to Knight Frank India.
• "While market conditions are favourable, they mostly benefit new launches and projects backed by reliable developers with a clear path to completion. However, stalled projects are still languishing,

Suffering Homebuyers

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, noted that SWAMIH has supported and will continue to support "middle-class families who are paying EMIs on loans taken for apartments while also paying rent for their current dwellings."
• Following liberalisation and other reforms, India''s tier-1 cities saw a wave of real estate investment in the early 2000s, driven by rising salaries, low interest rates, and banking sector expansion. However, the 2008 financial crisis in the US served as a wake-up call, as excessive debt had built up across stakeholders—developers hoarding expensive land, small investors stretching loans, and banks and institutional investors heavily exposed.
• "The launch of SWAMIH 2.0 is a significant development, particularly as the affordable housing segment has underperformed in recent quarters due to stressed projects.
• SWAMIH 2.0 will help clear unsold inventory through a balanced approach of debt financing for developers and interest subvention schemes for homebuyers.

France''s ITER, or ''Mini Sun'' project, and its India link

• One of Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s pit stops on Wednesday, during his France visit, will be to review the progress of the world''s most advanced fusion energy nuclear reactor that is being developed in Cadarache where scientists from around the globe have gathered to create a "miniature Sun" on Earth.
• Named the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) or "The Way", the project seeks to provide the world an unlimited supply of clean energy and costs over Euro 22 billion. The project, which was first conceptualized in the mid-80s, took off with the collaboration of seven nations - the US, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China, India and the European Union (EU).
• It will be the first fusion device to generate more heat than used to start the fusion reaction, relying on an impressive range of technologies which are essential to deliver fusion power in future.
• ITER will be the largest Tokamak device to test magnetic confinement to produce fusion energy. It will count millions of components, operated by cutting-edge systems, so as to measure its performance, and draw lessons for a future commercial fusion power plant.

The project

• The one-of-a-kind scientific collaboration dates back to 1985 when former Soviet Union Premier Gorbachev proposed to US President Reagan that an international project be set up to develop fusion energy for peaceful purposes. The first design was completed in 2001.
• China, the Republic of Korea, and later on, India joined the project. In 2003, Europe offered to host the ITER project and eventually, the land was allotted in France. On 24 October 2007, they signed an international agreement to build ITER
• The platform measures 42 hectares and is one of the largest man-made levelled surfaces in the world. The European Union is taking care of 45 per cent of the construction cost, and the rest of the member nations are sharing 9.1 per cent of the cost each.

‘Made in India’

• India has made significant contributions to the ''mini Sun'' project. It has committed Rs 17,500 crore - around 10 per cent of the cost, in return for 100 per cent access to the technology. 
• India has also contributed the biggest component in the project - the world''s largest refrigerator that houses this unique reactor. The refrigerator was made in Gujarat by Larsen & Toubro.
• It weighs over 3,800 tonnes and is almost half the height of the Qutub Minar. The total weight of the ITER reactor will be about 28,000 tonnes. Besides, India has also contributed "in-kind" material manufactured by the Indian industry.

What is ITER?

• • ITER the Latin word for “the way”) is a large-scale scientific experiment intended to prove the viability of fusion as an energy source. ITER is currently under construction in the south of France. 
•  It is one of the most ambitious fusion energy projects in the world, in Cadarache in France.
• Seven partners — China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States — have pooled their financial and scientific resources to build the biggest fusion reactor in history. 
• These nations are collaborating to build the world’s largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars.

Origin of ITER

•  ITER was set in motion at the Geneva Superpower Summit in November 1985, when the idea of a collaborative international project to develop fusion energy for peaceful purposes was proposed by Soviet Union’s Mikhail Gorbachev to the US President Ronald Reagan.
• One year later, an agreement was reached. The European Union (Euratom), Japan, the Soviet Union and the US joined to pursue the design for a large international fusion facility, ITER.
• Conceptual design work began in 1988, followed by increasingly detailed engineering design phases until the final design for ITER was approved by the members in 2001.
• The ITER members — China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States —  are now engaged in a decades-long collaboration to build and operate the ITER experimental device, and together bring fusion to the point where a demonstration fusion reactor can be designed.
• On-site construction of the scientific facility began in 2010. As the buildings rise at the ITER site in southern France, the fabrication of large-scale mockups and components is underway in the factories of the seven ITER members.

What is fusion?

• Fusion is the energy source of the Sun and stars. In the tremendous heat and gravity at the core of these stellar bodies, hydrogen nuclei collide, fuse into heavier helium atoms and release tremendous amounts of energy in the process.
• This is the opposite of nuclear fission – the reaction that is used in nuclear power stations today – in which energy is released when a nucleus splits apart to form smaller nuclei.
• Three conditions must be fulfilled to achieve fusion in a laboratory: very high temperature (on the order of 150,000,000°C); sufficient plasma particle density (to increase the likelihood that collisions do occur); and sufficient confinement time (to hold the plasma, which has a propensity to expand, within a defined volume). At extreme temperatures, electrons are separated from nuclei and a gas becomes a plasma — often referred to as the fourth state of matter. Fusion plasmas provide the environment in which light elements can fuse and yield energy.

 In a tokamak device, powerful magnetic fields are used to confine and control the plasma.

What is a tokamak?

• The tokamak is an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion.
• The term ‘tokamak’ came from a Russian acronym that stands for “toroidal chamber with magnetic coils”.
• First developed by Soviet research in the late 1950s, the tokamak has been adopted around the world as the most promising configuration of magnetic fusion device. ITER will be the world’s largest tokamak.
• Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through the fusion of atoms is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel. Just like a conventional power plant, a fusion power plant will use this heat to produce steam and then electricity by way of turbines and generators.The heart of a tokamak is its doughnut-shaped vacuum chamber. 
• Inside, under the influence of extreme heat and pressure, gaseous hydrogen fuel becomes a plasma — the very environment in which hydrogen atoms can be brought to fuse and yield energy. 
• The charged particles of the plasma can be shaped and controlled by the massive magnetic coils placed around the vessel. Physicists use this important property to confine the hot plasma away from the vessel walls.

What is the significance of ITER?

• ITER will not produce electricity, but it will resolve critical scientific and technical issues in order to take fusion to the point where industrial applications can be designed. 
•  By producing 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW of power injected in the systems that heat the plasma — a “gain factor” of 10 — ITER will open the way to the next step: a demonstration fusion power plant.
• ITER is one of the most complex scientific and engineering projects in the world today. The complexity of the ITER design has already pushed a whole range of leading-edge technologies to new levels of performance. However, further science and technology are needed to bridge the gap to the commercialisation of fusion energy.
• The experimental campaign that will be carried out at the ITER is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.
• The ITER will also test the availability and integration of technologies essential for a fusion reactor (such as superconducting magnets, remote maintenance, and systems to exhaust power from the plasma) and the validity of tritium breeding module concepts that would lead in a future reactor to tritium self-sufficiency.
•  As signatories to the ITER Agreement, concluded in 2006, the seven Members will share the cost of project construction, operation and decommissioning. They also share the experimental results and any intellectual property generated by the fabrication, construction and operation phases.
• Europe is responsible for the largest portion of construction costs (45.6 per cent). The remainder is shared equally by China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States (9.1 per cent each).
• Taken together, the ITER members represent three continents, half of the world’s population and 73 per cent of global gross domestic product.
• In the offices of the ITER Organisation and those of the seven domestic agencies, in laboratories and in industry, literally thousands of people are working toward the success of ITER.

India’s role in ITER

• India became a full partner of ITER in December 2005.  ITER-India, Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat is the Indian domestic agency to design, build and deliver the contributions to ITER. 
• Around 200 Indian scientists and associates, as well as notable industry players such as L&T, Inox India, TCS, TCE, HCL Technologies among others are engaged in the ITER project.

India is responsible for delivery of the following ITER packages:

• Cryostat
• In-wall Shielding
• Cooling Water System
• Cryogenic System
• Ion-Cyclotron RF Heating System
• Electron Cyclotron RF Heating System
• Diagnostic Neutral Beam System
• Power Supplies
• Diagnostics.

 AI, nuclear energy, and startups: Key outcomes of PM Modi''s 3-day France visit.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s three-day visit to France has resulted in several important agreements and declarations aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the coming years.
• The Prime Minister''s visit highlighted the strengthening Indo-French partnership across key areas, including technology, nuclear energy, sustainability, and cultural ties.
• At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to France from February 10 to 12. 
• This was Prime Minister Modi’s sixth visit to France, and follows President Macron’s visit to India in January 2024 as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day of India. 
•  The leaders held bilateral discussions on the entire gamut of the exceptionally strong and multifaceted bilateral cooperation and on global and regional matters. 
• This was followed by delegation level talks after arrival in Marseille. The leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the India-France Strategic Partnership, which has steadily evolved into a multifaceted relationship over the past 25 years.

Highlights of the discussions:

KEY OUTCOMES OF PM''S FRANCE VISIT

• India-France declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI): Both nations committed to enhancing collaboration in AI research and applications, emphasising ethical and responsible AI development.
• Launch of India-France Year of Innovation 2026 logo: The two countries unveiled the official logo for the upcoming initiative, signifying their commitment to fostering innovation and scientific collaboration.
• Indo-French Center for Digital Sciences: A Letter of Intent was signed between India''s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France''s Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) to establish a dedicated center for digital sciences, furthering research and development.
• Support for Indian startups: In a bid to boost entrepreneurship, an agreement was signed to host 10 Indian startups at the renowned French startup incubator, Station
• Partnership on advanced modular and small modular reactors: A Declaration of Intent was signed to enhance collaboration on next-generation nuclear reactor technologies.
• Renewal of MoU on nuclear energy cooperation – The agreement between India''s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and France''s Commissariat a IEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) was renewed, strengthening the nuclear energy partnership.
• Cooperation between nuclear research institutions: A new implementing agreement was signed between DAE and CEA to foster collaboration between India’s Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) and France’s Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN).
• Triangular development cooperation: India and France issued a joint declaration of intent to collaborate on development projects in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on sustainability and economic growth.
• India’s consulate in Marseille: PM Modi and French officials jointly inaugurated India''s new consulate in Marseille, further strengthening people-to-people ties and diplomatic presence.
• Environmental partnership: A Declaration of Intent was signed between India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and France’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition to enhance cooperation in biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable development.
• Strengthening the India-France Strategic Partnership: Both leaders reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in the Joint Statement issued following President Macron’s State Visit to India in January 2024 and in the Horizon 2047 Roadmap published during the visit of PM Modi to France in July 2023 as the Chief Guest of the Bastille Day Celebrations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership. They commended the progress achieved in their bilateral cooperation and committed to accelerating it further across its three pillars.
• Technology and Innovation: In light of the recent AI Action Summit and the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation 2026, discussions focused on expanding cooperation in digital sciences, artificial intelligence, and startup incubation.
• Trade and Investment: The leaders welcomed the 14th India-France CEOs Forum report and emphasized strengthening economic ties.
• Indo-Pacific Engagement: They reiterated their commitment to regional security, sustainability, and global cooperation. They lauded the launching of the India-France Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation, aiming to support climate- and SDG-focused projects from third countries in the Indo-Pacific region. 

MoUs/Agreements/Amendments:

• 1) Declaration on AI – Strengthening collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• 2) Launch of India-France Year of Innovation 2026 Logo – Showcasing future cooperation in technology.
• 3) Indo-French Center for Digital Sciences – Agreement between DST (India) and INRIA (France) to boost research.
• 4) Startup Incubation – Hosting 10 Indian startups at Station F, France’s leading startup hub.
• 5) Advanced Modular & Small Modular Reactors – Strengthening cooperation in nuclear technology.
• 6) Renewed MoU on Civil Nuclear Cooperation – Between India’s DAE and France’s CAE.
• 7) Global Nuclear Energy Partnership – New agreement between India’s GCNEP and France’s INSTN.
• 8) Triangular Development Cooperation – Strengthening Indo-Pacific partnerships.
• 9) Inauguration of India’s Consulate in Marseille – Expanding diplomatic and cultural ties.
• 10) Environmental Cooperation – Agreement between India’s Ministry of Environment and France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition.