Highlights of India -  US Joint statement

• India - U.S. Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister of India to US
• The President of the United States of America, The Honorable Donald J. Trump hosted the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi for an Official Working Visit in Washington, DC on February 13, 2025.
• As the leaders of sovereign and vibrant democracies that value freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and pluralism, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed the strength of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust engagement of their citizens.
• President Trump and Prime Minister Modi launched a new initiative – the "U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century” – to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation. Under this initiative, they committed to a results-driven agenda with initial outcomes this year to demonstrate the level of trust for a mutually beneficial partnership

Defense

• Highlighting the deepening convergence of U.S.-India strategic interests, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a dynamic defense partnership spanning multiple domains.
• To advance defense ties further, the leaders announced plans to sign this year a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century.
• 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.

Trade and Investment

• The leaders resolved to expand trade and investment to make their citizens more prosperous, nations stronger, economies more innovative and supply chains more resilient.
• They resolved to deepen the U.S.-India trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation. To this end, the leaders set a bold new goal for bilateral trade – "Mission 500” – aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
• Recognizing that this level of ambition would require new, fair-trade terms, the leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall of 2025.
•  The leaders committed to designate senior representatives to advance these negotiations and to ensure that the trade relationship fully reflects the aspirations of the COMPACT To advance this innovative, wide-ranging BTA, the U.S. and India will take an integrated approach to strengthen and deepen bilateral trade across the goods and services sector, and will work towards increasing market access, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, and deepening supply chain integration.
• The leaders welcomed early steps to demonstrate mutual commitment to address bilateral trade barriers.
•  The United States welcomed India’s recent measures to lower tariffs on U.S. products of interest in the areas of bourbon, motorcycles, ICT products and metals, as well as measures to enhance market access for U.S. agricultural products, like alfalfa hay and duck meat, and medical devices.
•  India also expressed appreciation for U.S. measures taken to enhance exports of Indian mangoes and pomegranates to the United States. Both sides also pledged to collaborate to enhance bilateral trade by increasing U.S. exports of industrial goods to India and Indian exports of labor-intensive manufactured products to the United States. The two sides will also work together to increase trade in agricultural goods.

Energy Security

• The leaders agreed that energy security is fundamental to economic growth, social well-being and technical innovation in both countries. They underscored the importance of U.S.-India collaboration to ensure energy affordability, reliability, and availability and stable energy markets.
• Realizing the consequential role of the U.S. and India, as leading producers and consumers, in driving the global energy landscape, the leaders re-committed to the U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership, including in oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy.
• The leaders underscored the importance of enhancing the production of hydrocarbons to ensure better global energy prices and secure affordable and reliable energy access for their citizens.
• The leaders also underscored the value of strategic petroleum reserves to preserve economic stability during crises and resolved to work with key partners to expand strategic oil reserve arrangements. In this context, the U.S. side affirmed its firm support for India to join the International Energy Agency as a full member.
• The leaders announced their commitment to fully realize the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement by moving forward with plans to work together to build U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India through large scale localization and possible technology transfer.
•  Both sides welcomed the recent Budget announcement by Government of India to take up amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) for nuclear reactors, and further decided to establish bilateral arrangements in accordance with CLNDA, that would address the issue of civil liability and facilitate the collaboration of Indian and U.S. industry in the production and deployment of nuclear reactors.
• This path forward will unlock plans to build large U.S.-designed reactors and enable collaboration to develop, deploy and scale up nuclear power generation with advanced small modular reactors.

Technology and Innovation

• The leaders announced the launch of the U.S.-India TRUST ("Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology”) initiative, which 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, while encouraging the use of verified technology vendors and ensuring sensitive technologies are protected.
• As a central pillar of the "TRUST” initiative, the leaders committed to work with U.S. and Indian private industry to put forward a U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure by the end of the year, identifying constraints to financing, building, powering, and connecting large-scale U.S.-origin AI infrastructure in India with milestones and future actions.
•  The U.S. 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.
• The leaders announced the launch of INDUS Innovation, a new innovation bridge modeled after the successful INDUS-X platform, that will advance U.S.-India industry and academic partnerships and foster investments in space, energy, and other emerging technologies to maintain U.S. and India leadership in innovation and to meet the needs of the 21st century. The leaders also reinforced their commitment to the INDUS-X initiative, which facilities partnerships between U.S. and Indian defense companies, investors and universities to produce critical capability for our militaries, and welcomed the next summit in 2025.
• The leaders also committed, as part of the TRUST initiative, to build trusted and resilient supply chains, including for semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced materials and pharmaceuticals.
• These investments will create good jobs, diversify vital supply chains, and reduce the risk of life-saving drug shortages in both the United States and India.
• Recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing, India and the United States will accelerate collaboration in research and development and promote investment across the entire critical mineral value chain, as well as through the Mineral Security Partnership, of which both the United States and India are members.
• To this end, the leaders announced the launch of the Strategic Mineral Recovery initiative, a new U.S.-India program to recover and process critical minerals (including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths) from heavy industries like aluminum, coal mining and oil and gas.
• The leaders hailed 2025 as a pioneering year for U.S.-India civil space cooperation, with plans for a NASA-ISRO effort through AXIOM to bring the first Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), and early launch of the joint "NISAR” mission, the first of its kind to systematically map changes to the Earth’s surface using dual radars.
•  The leaders called for more collaboration in space exploration, including on long duration human spaceflight missions, spaceflight safety and sharing of expertise and professional exchanges in emerging areas, including planetary protection.
• The leaders underscored the value of deepening ties between the U.S. and Indian scientific research communities, announcing a new partnership between the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Indian Anusandhan National Research Foundation in researching critical and emerging technologies.
•  This partnership builds on ongoing collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation and several Indian science agencies to enable joint research in the areas of semiconductors, connected vehicles, machine learning, next-generation telecommunications, intelligent transportation systems, and future biomanufacturing.
• The leaders also resolved to work together to counter the common challenge of unfair practices in export controls by third parties seeking to exploit overconcentration of critical supply chains.

Multilateral Cooperation

• The leaders reaffirmed that a close partnership between the U.S. and India is central to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
• As Quad partners, the leaders reiterated that this partnership is underpinned by the recognition of ASEAN centrality; adherence to international law and good governance; support for safety and freedom of navigation, overflight and other lawful uses of the seas; and unimpeded lawful commerce; and advocacy for peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law.
• The leaders plan to convene partners from the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and the I2U2 Group within the next six months in order to announce new initiatives in 2025.
• The US appreciates India’s role as a developmental, humanitarian assistance and net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. In this context, the leaders committed to deepen bilateral dialogue and cooperation across the vast Indian Ocean region and launched the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, a new bilateral, whole-of-government forum to advance coordinated investments in economic connectivity and commerce.
• Supporting greater Indian Ocean connectivity, the leaders also welcomed Meta’s announcement of a multi-billion, multi-year investment in an undersea cable project that will begin work this year and ultimately stretch over 50,000 km to connect five continents and strengthen global digital highways in the Indian Ocean region and beyond. India intends to invest in maintenance, repair and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean, using trusted vendors.
• The leaders recognized the need to build new plurilateral anchor partnerships in the Western Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific to grow relationships, commerce and cooperation across defense, technology, energy and critical minerals. The leaders expect to announce new partnership initiatives across these sub-regions by fall of 2025.
• The leaders also resolved to advance military cooperation in multinational settings to advance global peace and security. The leaders applauded India’s decision to take on a future leadership role in the Combined Maritime Forces naval task force to help secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.

People to People Cooperation

• President Trump and Prime Minister Modi noted the importance of advancing the people-to-people ties between the two countries. In this context, they noted that the more than 300,000 strong Indian student community contributes over $8 billion annually to the U.S. economy and helped create a number of direct and indirect jobs.
• They recognized that the talent flow and movement of students, researchers and employees, has mutually benefitted both countries. Recognizing the importance of international academic collaborations in fostering innovation, improving learning outcomes and development of a future-ready workforce, both leaders resolved to strengthen collaborations between the higher education institutions through efforts such as joint/dual degree and twinning programs, establishing joint Centers of Excellence, and setting up of offshore campuses of premier educational institutions of the U.S. in India.
• The leaders also committed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation to take decisive action against illegal immigration networks, organized crime syndicates, including narco-terrorists human and arms traffickers, as well as other elements who threaten public and diplomatic safety and security, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations.
• President Trump and Prime Minister Modi pledged to sustain high-level engagement between our governments, industries, and academic institutions and realize their ambitious vision for an enduring India-U.S. partnership that advances the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future, serves the global good, and contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

RuTAGe Smart Village Center to drive Rural Innovation and sustainable solutions

• The much-awaited launch of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAGe) Smart Village Center (RSVC) took place yesterday in Mandaura village, Sonipat, marking a transformative moment in rural technological advancement.
•  The RSVC Mandaura was inaugurated by Prof. Ajay Sood, the Hon’ble Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
• RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) is a pivotal step towards bridging the gap between rural needs and technological advancements, ensuring that innovation reaches the grassroots and transforms the lives of our communities.
• Prof Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India also shared the concept behind the creation of RSVCs, highlighting the major challenges faced by rural communities in accessing technologies that directly address their basic needs.
• These challenges include innovative solutions for animal intrusion, organic farming, and livelihood-enhancing technologies such as bead-making and bakery machinery.
• The Principal Scientific Adviser emphasized the significance of ensuring that technologies reach the bottom of the pyramid, a concept championed by Prof. CK Prahalad, thus creating a direct link between innovations and the market to improve rural livelihoods.
• This unique center, developed under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, aims to integrate cutting-edge technologies with rural needs, enhancing the quality of life and empowering communities through sustainable solutions.
• Their efforts in taking forward technologies such as satellite data, water monitoring kits, Internet of Things (IoT), solar power, organic fertilizers, assistive technologies, and livelihood-focused innovations to the grassroots level are a testament to the collaborative spirit driving this initiative.

Key Highlights of the RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) Model:

• Location & Physical Presence: The RSVC is designed to serve as a permanent presence at the Panchayat level, providing deep handholding to cater to the technological needs of 15-20 villages over several years. The center aims to build trust and confidence among the community members, ensuring the seamless adoption of innovative solutions.
• The RuTAGe Smart Village Center (RSVC) offers a comprehensive range of 12 technology tracks to address diverse rural challenges:
• Agriculture & Waste Management: Services for agriculture, waste management, homestays, and village tourism, supported by pre-sowing to post-harvest technologies, in collaboration with KVKs.
• RuTAG Technologies: Innovations from 7 IITs, developed under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
• Livelihood & Entrepreneurship: Promoting local entrepreneurship through schemes like NRLM and TRIF in Uttar Pradesh.
• Renewable Energy: Solar hybrid and wind technology solutions, with technical assistance from SELCO Foundation.
• National Innovations: Technologies from Manthan, Pune Cluster, and IIT Madras for various rural needs.
• Affordable Housing: Innovative housing technologies from Manthan and HR Corporation Pvt Ltd.
• WASH: Waste management, water, and sanitation solutions, including IIT Madras Aquamaps and weVois technologies.
• FinTech: Financial inclusion apps and AR/VR technologies developed by IISC and XR Group.
• Capacity Building: Research and capacity-building initiatives with Tier 2 & 3 colleges where NIFTEM is facility for piloting biscuit manufacturing from locally sourced materials like sugar, ghee. NAARM undertaking capacity building of RSVC centre heads.
• Govt. Scheme Apps: Dissemination of government schemes through citizen-centric apps for science, tech, and welfare programs.
• Assistive Technologies: Solutions for differently abled individuals through the Assistive Technology Foundation.
• Custom Solutions: Deployment of technologies like animal intrusion prevention and electronic medical record-keeping based on local needs.
• Quality Assurance: The RSVC ensures quality and feasibility through anchor leads from institutions such as Selco, IIT Madras, and the Assistive Tech Foundation. These entities guide the RSVC team in the on-the-ground deployment of technologies from platforms like Manthan and RuTAG.
• Market Access & Linkages: The RSVC also emphasizes market linkages through collaborations with platforms like ONDC, Amazon, and Market Mirchi (a RuTAG innovation by IIT Bombay), ensuring that rural producers have access to larger markets and can sell their goods effectively. Additionally, a Government Schemes Help Desk provides villagers with crucial information on available financial assistance and government schemes.
• Integration with Government Ministries: The initiative aligns with the objectives of various Ministries, including Rural Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Labour, through collaboration on schemes that will further enhance the welfare of rural communities.
• Scalability: The RSVC model is set to expand, with plans for 20 new centers across India. In addition to expanding the physical network, the Techpreneurs (Foot Soldiers) program will empower women entrepreneurs to sell and promote technologies in their local communities, ensuring the sustainability of this model.
• This launch marks the beginning of a new era of technology-driven rural development, where the community, local entrepreneurs, and various stakeholders work together to bridge the rural-urban divide.
• The launch also witnessed presence of steering committee members from various Ministries, Foundations, Corporates, and NGOs, all of whom have played a crucial role in making the RSVC a reality.
•  Their collective support and engagement ensure that this initiative will have a lasting impact, not just on Mandaura village but on rural communities across India.

India , Srilanka look forward to Mineral Exploration and mining.

• Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey held a productive meeting today with Shri Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Government of Sri Lanka, at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.
•  The discussions focused on fostering bilateral cooperation in mineral exploration and mining, particularly in securing critical minerals essential for both nations'' economic and industrial growth.
• A key focus was placed on Sri Lanka’s vast graphite and beach sand mineral resources, which hold immense potential in supporting the global shift towards clean energy, advanced battery technologies, and high-tech industries.
• Shri Dubey emphasized that India''s National Critical Mineral Mission is aimed at securing a steady supply of essential raw materials like lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and copper to meet the country’s ambitious renewable energy target. He stated that India is actively working towards granting mining rights for critical minerals, forging international partnerships, and encouraging Indian companies to acquire mineral assets globally.
• Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on exploration opportunities, technological collaboration, and investment prospects in these sectors. The possibility of mineral exploration on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis was also discussed, with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) expressing its interest in conducting mineral assessments in Sri Lanka.
•  Additionally, Sri Lanka requested India to encourage Indian companies to participate in the exploration and development of its beach sand and graphite resources.
• The finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on “Cooperation in the Field of Geology and Mineral Resources” between India’s Ministry of Mines and Sri Lanka’s Geological Survey & Mines Bureau was also discussed. Shri Dubey expressed confidence that this MoU, once concluded, will provide a strong framework for deepening collaboration in capacity building, mining exploration, and advanced mineral processing.
• He reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in skill development, knowledge exchange, and modernizing its mining industry through technological and financial assistance.
•  “India and Sri Lanka share a long-standing partnership, and our cooperation in the mining sector will further strengthen our economic ties. By working together, we can harness the full potential of our mineral resources, ensuring mutual growth and sustainability.”

India expands battery manufacturing with new PLI ACC agreement

• The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) signed a Programme Agreement on Tuesday with Reliance New Energy Battery Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC).
• The agreement grants Reliance New Energy Battery Limited a 10 GWh ACC manufacturing capacity, making it eligible for incentives under India’s ₹18,100 crore PLI ACC scheme.
• The PLI ACC scheme was approved by the Cabinet in May 2021 with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore to establish a total manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh. With this latest agreement, a cumulative capacity of 40 GWh has now been allocated to four companies.
• In the first round of bidding conducted in March 2022, three firms were awarded a total capacity of 30 GWh, with Programme Agreements signed in July 2022.
• According to MHI officials, the PLI ACC scheme aims to enhance local value addition and ensure competitive battery manufacturing costs in India.
•  The scheme allows participating firms to choose suitable technologies and inputs for setting up advanced ACC manufacturing facilities, catering primarily to the electric vehicle and renewable energy storage sectors.
• The Union Budget for FY2025-26 introduced measures to support domestic battery manufacturing, including exemptions on Basic Customs Duty (BCD) for 35 additional capital goods used in EV battery production.
• These initiatives are expected to boost lithium-ion battery production and strengthen the domestic supply chain.
• The Ministry of Heavy Industries remains focused on fostering innovation, attracting foreign investment, and supporting the establishment of a self-sufficient advanced battery ecosystem. Beyond the PLI beneficiaries, more than ten companies are setting up additional battery manufacturing facilities, contributing to the sector’s expansion.

ANRF Launches Call for Proposals Under J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced the launch of the J. C. Bose Grant (JBG), a new scheme, to recognize the outstanding performance and contributions of senior Indian scientists and engineers through this extra-mural funding opportunities to enhance their research in cutting-edge scientific and technological areas.
• The ANRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation. It will support capacity building at all levels to strengthen the research ecosystem of the country.
• The J. C. Bose Grant is designed to support senior-level researchers who have demonstrated exceptional achievements, with evidence of excellence such as publications records and research outcomes, patents, technology transfers, awards, and grants etc. across various domains of science and technology (S&T) including agriculture, medicine, as well as humanities and social sciences at the interfaces of S&T.
• Participants must be active, senior Indian scientists or researchers with a proven track record of excellence, holding at least a Professor-level position or equivalent at an Indian institution/university.
• This grant provides an annual research funding of Rs. 25 lakhs for a duration of five years. Additionally, an annual overhead of Rs. 1.0 lakh will be provided to the implementing institution. If the Principal Investigator (PI) superannuates, during the term of the grants, it can be continued subject to the host institutions willingness to host

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• The Parliament passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 in August 2023 to set up Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established by an act of Parliament in 2008, has been subsumed into ANRF.
• ANRF acts as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy.
• The ANRF aims to seed, grow and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. 
• Its mandate is to promote R&D activities through appropriate policy interventions and to provide extramural funding to the researchers associated with various academic institutions, research laboratories and other R&D organisations for carrying out competitive basic or fundamental research in all frontier areas of science and engineering. 
• ANRF strives to serve the needs of the researchers by making timely funding decisions and responding to their queries.
• It forges collaborations among the industry, academia, research institutions and government departments.

Funding for ANRF

• ANRF has been operationalised with a budgetary allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the financial year 2024-25.
• It has provisions to receive monies from the central government through grants and loans; donations from public sector enterprises, the private sector, philanthropist organisations, foundations or international bodies for R&D; recoveries made of the amounts granted to ANRF; any income from investment of the amounts received by ANRF and all amounts with the Fund for Science and Engineering Research under the repealed Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008. 
• ANRF and its funding systems are operated through a Governing Board and an Executive Council. 
• The Governing Board provides high-level strategic direction and monitors the implementation of the objectives of the ANRF and Executive Council is entrusted to implement the provisions of this Act.

4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Delhi-NCR out of sleep, big tremors, rumbling noise

• The 4-magnitude earthquake that originated in Delhi early on Monday (February 17, 2025) was the strongest since a 4.6-magnitude temblor in the city in 2007. While of a ‘moderate’ intensity, the latest earthquake, accompanied by a distinct rumble, served as a rude, early-morning awakening to denizens of the city at the broader National Capital Region in Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram because it was ‘shallow,’ or a mere five kilometres from the surface.
• “The 4.6-magnitude quake in November 2007 barely registered with many because it was at a 10-km depth, meaning that most of the energy dissipated by the time that seismic waves reached the surface
• In analysis by the institution of seismic activity in a 50-km radius of Monday’s quake says that from 1993 to 2025, 446 earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 1.1- 4.6 have been reported. The maximum magnitude (M 4.6) of an earthquake was reported on November 25, 2007, which is about six kilometres north-west of quake, which originated at Jheel Park, in Delhi, according to the agency.
• While it is common to associate earthquakes with the slipping, sliding and collision of tectonic-boundary plates — as the sprawling slabs of Earth’s outer crust, on which the continents are perched, are called — the 5:30 a.m. quake was not tectonics.
• “[The quake] occurred due to normal faulting that supported the concept of hydro fracturing as the principal cause of seismogenesis of varying strengths,” an NCS report on the event noted.
• In other words, below Delhi’s surface lie vast water channels of aquifers, ancient rivers and rivulets, and over aeons, they erode the underlying rocks causing various “fractures”, triggering seismic waves in the process.
• A 6-magnitude quake releases a thousand times more energy than a 4-magnitude one. Every step up, the earthquake-measurement scale is 33 times the energy released on the immediate, lower rung.
• While the timing and location of earthquakes can not be predicted, earth scientists can estimate, based on reports of previous historical earthquakes in the region and measurements, the accumulated stress in various zones and the likelihood of a future one.
• Based on this, scientists have long warned of an impending quake in the Himalayas — along what is called the Main Central Fault — that is likely to be of magnitude 8 or above.

How do earthquakes happen?

• According to the theory of plate tectonics, the Earth’s crust and upper mantle are made of large rigid plates that can move relative to one another. Slip on faults near the plate boundaries can result in earthquakes.
• The point inside the Earth where the earthquake rupture starts is called the focus or hypocentre. The point directly above it on the surface of the Earth is the epicentre.

What are seismic waves?

• Any elastic material when subjected to stress, stretches in a proportional way, until the elastic limit is reached. When the elastic limit is crossed, it breaks. Similarly, the Earth also has an elastic limit and when the stress is higher than this limit, it breaks.
• Then there is a generation of heat, and energy is released. Since the material is elastic, the energy is released in the form of elastic waves. These propagate to a distance determined by the extent of the impact. These are known as seismic waves.

How are earthquakes measured?

• Earthquakes are measured by seismographic networks, which are made of seismic stations, each of which measures the shaking of the ground beneath it. In India, the National Seismological Network does this work. It has a history of about 120 years and its sensors can now detect an earthquake within five to ten minutes.
• According to Shyam S. Rai who is a Raja Ramanna Fellow and Professor Emeritus at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, the wave parameters are measured, not the total energy released.
• He explains that there is a relationship between the quantum of energy released and the wave amplitude.
• The amplitude of the wave is a function of the time period of the wave. It is possible to convert the measured wave amplitude into the energy released for that earthquake. This is what seismologists call the magnitude of the earthquake.

What is the Richter magnitude scale?

• This is a measure of the magnitude of an earthquake and was first defined by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology, U.S., in 1935.
• The magnitude of an earthquake is the logarithm of the amplitude of the waves measured by the seismographs.
•  Richter scale magnitudes are expressed as a whole number and a decimal part, for example 6.3 or 5.2. Since it is a logarithmic scale, an increase of the whole number by one unit signifies a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the wave and a 31-times increase of the energy released.

How are zones designated?

• Based on seismicity, intensity of earthquakes experienced, and geological and tectonic qualities of a region, countries are divided into several zones. In India, for example, there are four zones, designated Zone II-Zone V. Among these, Zone V is the most hazardous and Zone II the least hazardous.

Can you build early warning systems for earthquakes?

• Since parameters of the earthquake are unknown, it is near impossible to predict an earthquake. The problem with earthquakes is that they are heavily dependent on the material property, which varies from place to place, says Professor Rai.
• If there are elastic waves propagating through a material, there are two kinds of waves — the primary wave which reaches first, and the second one called the secondary wave, which is more destructive.
•  Suppose the primary wave is measured, and we have efficient computer systems, all the inputs and excellent data collection, then it can be said that a possible earthquake of this much magnitude and energy has occurred and this could lead to a ground amplitude which could be destructive.
• If it is known that the amount of energy released is extremely high, trains and power grids can be shut down and the damage minimised. “This has worked in some locations, but not on a large commercial basis,”
• “The most successful early warning systems are in Japan. They have several hundreds of thousands recording devices. Responses are sent to a central point where they estimate whether it is large enough to form a tsunami or some other hazard, and precautionary steps are taken.

Earthquake power

• A quake’s destructive force depends not only on its strength, but also on location, distance from the epicentre and depth.
• Quakes can strike near the surface or deep within the Earth. Most quakes occur at shallow depths, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Shallow quakes

• Shallow quakes generally tend to be more damaging than deeper quakes. Seismic waves from deep quakes have to travel farther to the surface, losing energy along the way.
• Shaking is more intense from quakes that hit close to the surface like setting off “a bomb directly under a city,” said Susan Hough, a USGS seismologist.

What is shallow earthquake?

• • Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth’s surface and about 700 kilometers below the surface. 
• For scientific purposes, this earthquake depth range of 0-700 km is divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate and deep.
• i) Shallow earthquakes are between 0 and 70 km deep.
• ii) Intermediate earthquakes 70-300 km deep
• iii) Deep earthquakes 300-700 km deep. 
• In general, the term “deep-focus earthquakes” is applied to earthquakes deeper than 70 km.

Terms related to earthquake:

• Earthquake: An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. Earthquakes are classified as, Slight (M<5.0), Moderate (5.0<M<6.9) and Great (M>7.0) depending upon the magnitude on the Richter scale. An earthquake having a magnitude, M<2.0 is termed as a microearthquake. 
• Seismograph: A seismograph, or seismometer, is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes. Generally, it consists of a mass attached to a fixed base. During an earthquake, the base moves and the mass does not. The motion of the base with respect to the mass is commonly transformed into an electrical voltage. The electrical voltage is recorded on paper, magnetic tape, or another recording medium. This record is proportional to the motion of the seismometer mass relative to the earth, but it can be mathematically converted to a record of the absolute motion of the ground. Seismograph generally refers to the seismometer and its recording device as a single unit.
• Richter scale: The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes.
• The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included for the variation in the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes.
• On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake. 
• Epicenter: It is the point on the surface of the Earth, vertically above the place of origin (hypocenter or focus) of an earthquake.
• Fault: A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other.
• This movement may occur rapidly, in the form of an earthquake — or may occur slowly, in the form of creep. Faults may range in length from a few millimeters to thousands of kilometers.
• Most faults produce repeated displacements over geologic time. During an earthquake, the rock on one side of the fault suddenly slips with respect to the other. The fault surface can be horizontal or vertical or some arbitrary angle in between.
• Aftershock: An earthquake that follows a large magnitude earthquake called, “main shock” and originates in or around the rupture zone of the main shock.
• Generally, major earthquakes are followed by a number of aftershocks, which show a decreasing trend in magnitude and frequency with time.

 India leading global growth, energy sector at the core: PM Modi

• India is actively negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and exploring a similar pact with Qatar, aiming to deepen bilateral ties and boost cooperation in trade, energy, investment, and security.
• The development was announced during a special briefing on the state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are currently negotiating a free trade agreement. As for Qatar, both sides are exploring the possibility of signing a similar agreement in the future, which was part of the discussions during this round of talks.”
• India shares deep historical and economic ties with the Gulf region. Qatar, one of India’s closest allies in the Gulf, plays a pivotal role in India’s energy security, accounting for 41% of the country’s total natural gas imports. The Gulf region is also home to millions of Indian expatriates whose remittances significantly contribute to India’s economy.
• According to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report, remittances from the UAE alone amounted to USD 15.40 billion in the financial year 2020-21, representing 18% of India’s total inward remittances.
• The GCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, is India’s largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade reaching over USD 154 billion in FY 2021-22.
• Negotiations for an India-GCC FTA, which began in 2004 with a Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation, had stalled but have now resumed with renewed momentum.
• During the visit, India and Qatar signed an agreement to elevate their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and exchanged multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, energy, investment, innovation, technology, food security, culture, and people-to-people ties.
• The two leaders also reviewed the landmark agreement signed in February 2024 between Qatar Energy and Petronet LNG Limited, under which Qatar will supply 7.5 million metric tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India from 2028 for 20 years. “India and Qatar share a vibrant energy partnership, and both leaders discussed ways to broaden this partnership, including exploring mutual investments,” Chatterjee said.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Amir of Qatar for his support to the large Indian community in Qatar, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “India and Qatar enjoy deep-rooted, friendly relations anchored in historic trade and people-to-people ties,” .
• The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in India on a two-day visit and received a ceremonial welcome with a Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The Agreement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between India and Qatar was exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and the Amir at Hyderabad House in the national capital.

India and Indonesia deepen naval ties: INS Shardul sails to Bali for IFR 2025

• India’s maritime relations with Asean nation Indonesia have been growing rapidly, with a series of high-level engagements and joint exercises. The Indian Navy is participating in the prestigious Indonesia International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, taking place in Bali.
• The presence of the Indian Navy’s warship INS Shardul and the Long-Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8I at the event underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.
• The International Fleet Review, scheduled from February 15 to February 22, 2025, is a major multinational naval event, where the Indonesian President will review naval forces from around the world. The participation of the Indian Navy at this event highlights India’s deepening maritime ties with Indonesia, a key player in Southeast Asia.
• Alongside the IFR, both INS Shardul and the P-8I will join the Maritime Exercise Komodo, a multilateral naval exercise aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and promoting regional security.

Bilateral Naval Cooperation

• This visit is not the first sign of India​’s robust naval engagements with Indonesia. The Indian Navy has increasingly prioritized strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations, with Indonesia being a focal point in its strategy for regional maritime security.
•  The deployment of INS Shardul and the P-8I for the IFR 2025, alongside participation in Exercise Komodo, is a clear display of India’s commitment to ensuring maritime peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Earlier in January 2025, India​’s INS Mumbai and P-8I aircraft also participated in the LA PEROUSE exercises in Indonesia, further cementing this relationship. These activities align with India​’s broader vision under the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, aimed at fostering stronger maritime cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Indonesia​’s Interest in BrahMos Missile

• One of the key drivers of the growing India-Indonesia defence ties is the potential purchase of India’s advanced BrahMos missile system. During his visit to India, Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Ali visited BrahMos Aerospace in Delhi to explore further collaboration in defence and strategy.
• The BrahMos missile, a supersonic cruise missile co-developed by India and Russia, is considered one of the most advanced and lethal strike weapons in the world.
• The talks according to sources in in an advanced stage for the expected deal which is approximately worth $ 450 million.
• This development is significant, especially given Indonesia​’s rising tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
• Like the Philippines, which bought three BrahMos batteries in 2024, Indonesia​’s decision to procure this advanced missile is a strategic move to boost its defence capabilities.
• The Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, had also closely observed the BrahMos missile during the Republic Day celebrations in India, reinforcing the strengthening defence ties between the two nations.
• As both nations work towards strengthening their defence partnerships, the Indian Navy​’s ongoing presence in Indonesia and the potential defence deals set the stage for a promising future in bilateral maritime cooperation.
• Indian Navy’s INS Shardul and Long Range Maritime Surveillance P8I aircraft are participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia. 
• It began on February 15 and will conclude on February 22. 
• The IFR, a prestigious multinational naval event, will be reviewed by the  President of Indonesia and will witness participation of naval forces from various countries.
• The International Fleet Review celebrates the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Indonesian Navy.
• The Indian Navy will also take part in various high-level engagements including International Maritime Security Symposium, and tactical floor games.
•  Following the International Fleet Review, both INS Shardul and the P8I will participate in exercise Komodo, a multilateral naval exercise aimed at enhancing maritime interoperability and regional security cooperation. Exercise Komodo 2025 will bring together 15 nations for multilateral maritime training. It will include a collaborative maritime search and rescue scenario.
• India’s bilateral exercises with Indonesia
• Garuda Shakti - Army exercise
• Samudra Shakti - Naval exercise.

Fraud at Mumbai’s New India Cooperative Bank, why depositors can’t get their money

• The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police last week arrested Hitesh Mehta, former general manager and head of accounts at the city-based New India Cooperative Bank, for allegedly siphoning Rs 122 crore from the bank’s safe. A developer, Dharmesh Paun, has also been arrested for allegedly assisting Mehta in routing the embezzled money.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) then restricted withdrawals from the bank, leading to depositors queueing up for their money.

What is the fraud at the New India Cooperative Bank?

• The fraud involved the disappearance of a significant amount of cash from the bank. During an RBI inspection on February 12, officials discovered discrepancies in the bank’s cash records. Specifically, Rs 112 crore was found missing from the Prabhadevi branch safe, and an additional Rs 10 crore was missing from the Goregaon branch’s safe.
• Upon investigation, Hitesh Mehta came under the scanner for allegedly stealing the money over six years, between 2019 and 2025.

What action has the RBI taken?

• The RBI has imposed restrictions on the bank due to concerns over its financial stability. These restrictions include prohibiting the bank from issuing new loans, making investments, borrowing funds, or allowing withdrawals for a period of six months, starting from the close of business on February 13.
• Additionally, the RBI has superseded the bank’s board of directors for a 12-month period due to “poor governance standards.”
• The RBI has appointed Shreekant, a former chief general manager of the State Bank of India, as the administrator to manage the bank’s affairs, assisted by a committee of advisors.
  The restrictions also prevent the bank from granting or renewing loans, making investments, incurring liabilities, accepting fresh deposits, or disbursing payments without written approval from the RBI.

What is the record of the bank?

• New India Cooperative Bank had a network of 30 branches and a deposit base of Rs 2,436 crore as of March 2024. The bank had posted losses of Rs 22.78 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 30.74 crore in 2022-23.

Is this the first time that the RBI has imposed restrictions on a cooperative bank in Maharashtra?

• No. A similar thing happened with the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank, which faced action due to large-scale fraudulent loans.
• On September 23, 2019, the RBI imposed restrictions on PMC Bank, preventing around 17 lakh depositors from withdrawing money from its 137 branches across six states.