Donald Trump cuts NOAA funding: How it will impact global climate monitoring

• In another move towards ending climate research and unleashing the US''s energy production, the Donald Trump administration has slashed funding given to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• The funding has been reduced by 27% or by $1.67 billion, according to the draft memo released by the White House.
• "Reaching balance requires: resetting the proper balance between Federal and State responsibilities with a renewed emphasis on federalism; eliminating the Federal Government’s support of woke ideology; protecting the American people by deconstructing a wasteful and weaponised bureaucracy; and identifying and eliminating wasteful spending," the draft mentioned.
• NOAA is a US government agency under the Department of Commerce, founded in 1970, with the mission of researching and regulating information related to climate, weather, and oceanic conditions.
• Key functions include climate monitoring, weather forecasting, storm warnings, coastal restoration, and supporting marine commerce.

HOW DOES DOWNSIZING NOAA AFFECT THE US AND INDIA?

• Downsizing the research department could harm the US military and the US government’s Arctic expedition, as its understanding of the ocean environment helps in naval operations and can strengthen situational awareness.
• It also affects the US military, particularly the Air Force. With the changing climate, predicting accurate weather details requires expertise.
• This is provided by NOAA, as it provides weather forecasting for all branches of the military. Halting the operations of NOAA''s National Weather Service can affect this function.
•  International collaborations will also be affected, as the world will be deprioritised by getting the right information regarding climate change and its effects.
• With increasing interest in seabed mining, NOAA''s marine science guidance ensures policymakers have a proper and complete understanding of seabed minerals and their potential impact.
• The service nature of NOAA during times of extreme heatwaves, storms, and floods has helped policymakers to take prior actions and drive communities to safer areas.
• As the primary mission of the National Weather Service is the "protection of life and property," the information provided by it acts as a first line of defence.
• The developing countries could lose the edge in climate change negotiations because of this.
• For India, the information provided by NOAA serves as useful data.
• The information helps the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to derive accurate data on the Indian weather system based on global data. It can also halt research collaborations between countries.
• With the closure of the research department of NOAA, science research will be relegated to the backseat, which will deprive other countries, including the US, of accurate climate information, affecting millions of lives and the economy

Centre frames draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011

• The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has taken a significant step towards strengthening consumer protection, promoting fair trade practices and ensuring accurate measurement in gas usage by framing draft rules for Gas Meters under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.
•  These rules make it mandatory for all gas meters used for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes, to undergo testing, verification and stamping prior to their use in trade and commerce.  The re-verification of these gas meters is also prescribed under the rules to ensure their correctness when these are in use.
• The primary objective of these new rules is to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability in the measurement of gas.
• Verified and stamped gas meters will prevent overcharging or under-measurement, reduce disputes and provide guaranteed protection to consumers against faulty or manipulated devices. Consumers stand to benefit directly through fair billing, improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs arising from standardized and compliant equipment.
• In addition to consumer benefits, the rules provide a structured compliance framework for manufacturers and gas distribution companies, aligned with international best practices and OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) standards.
• This alignment strengthens India’s commitment to global standards, boosts credibility in international trade and encourages innovation and quality assurance within the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
• The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, entrusted with ensuring the accuracy of all weighments and measurements has followed a thorough and inclusive consultative process to draft these rules. A technical committee consisting of representatives from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), industry experts and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) was constituted to frame the draft. Simultaneously, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was engaged to examine the draft and provide scientific and technical inputs.
• Draft rules were widely circulated among stakeholders, including manufacturers, testing laboratories, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies and State Legal Metrology Departments.
• Their feedback was carefully analysed and incorporated into the final draft, wherever required. Multiple rounds of stakeholder meetings and inter-departmental consultations were held to ensure every aspect was comprehensively addressed, balancing regulatory requirements with ease of implementation.
• Following deliberations, the rules were finalized with a provision for a transitional period to allow industry and implementing authorities to prepare for compliance. This measured approach ensures a smooth implementation across the country without disrupting gas supply or burdening consumers or businesses.
• This initiative underscores the Department''s commitment to modernizing India’s measurement ecosystem in line with global benchmarks, enhancing consumer confidence and promoting efficiency and integrity in the market. With these rules, India moves closer to a transparent and accountable system of gas measurement, aligned with its vision of consumer-centric governance and international standardization.

How were these rules drafted?

• The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs has followed a thorough and inclusive consultative process to draft these rules. 
• A technical committee consisting of representatives from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), industry experts and Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) was constituted to frame the draft. 
• Simultaneously, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was engaged to examine the draft and provide scientific and technical inputs.
• Draft rules were widely circulated among stakeholders, including manufacturers, testing laboratories, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies and State Legal Metrology Departments.

 A transitional period will allow industry and authorities time to prepare for implementation without disrupting gas supply or burdening consumers or businesses

Legal metrology laws

• Legal metrology (weights and measures) laws form the basis of commercial transactions in any civilised society.
•  Metrology is the science of measurement and its application.
• Precision and accuracy in measurement plays a very vital role in day to day life. 
• A transparent and efficient legal metrology system inspires confidence in trade, industry and consumer and brings harmonious environment for conducting business by way of:
• i) Contribution to the economy of the country by increasing the revenue in various sectors. 
• ii) Playing important role in reducing the revenue losses in the coal, mines, industries, petroleum and railways.
• iii) Reduction of the loss and wastage in the infrastructure sector.
• • The work performed by the legal metrology therefore, is vital to the public interest. 
• ‘Pre-packaged commodity’ is defined under the Act as, “a commodity which without the purchaser being present is placed in a package of whatever nature, whether sealed or not, so that the product contained therein has a pre-determined quantity”.
•  To ensure accuracy of measurement in such transactions, the government has enacted legislation namely, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 . It is a unified Act of two repealed acts namely the Standards of Weights & Measures Act, 1976 & the Standards of Weights & Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985. 
•  The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 has come into force with effect from April 1, 2011. Rules have been formulated for better implementation of the Act.
• The government ensures through the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 that all weights and measures used for transaction and protection are accurate and reliable so that users are guaranteed for correct weighment and measurement. This in turn enables the consumer to get the right quantity for which he/she has paid for.
• The central government has made seven rules for the better implementation of the Act. 
• The state governments have also framed their Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules. 

The following Legal Metrology Rules have been framed under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 for protection of consumer interest:

• 1) The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
• 2) The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
• 3) The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011
• 4) The Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011
• 5) The Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011
• 6) The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011
• 7) The Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013

Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI releases First Edition of India’s International Technology Engagement Strategy (ITES) for Quantum

• The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India today released the first edition of International Technology Engagement Strategy for Quantum, marking a significant step toward articulating India’s outward-facing strategy in Quantum Science, Technology and Innovation (QSTI), with the intent to accelerate discovery, foster innovation, and catalyse adoption across critical sectors.
• The report was officially unveiled by PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood during the Office of PSA’s podcast on the occasion of World Quantum Day 2025, celebrated every year on April 14.
• This report comes with a special significance because of 2025 being the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQST) designated by the United Nations and member states.
• The strategy report provides a foundational landscape analysis to enable domestic and foreign stakeholders in government, academia, and industry to formulate context-specific action points aligned with their engagement goals complementing the ambitions of India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) and other ongoing efforts by various agencies and stakeholders in the ecosystem.
• Talking about the importance of Quantum Tech, Prof. Sood highlighted it is an area where no country wants to be left behind because it is important for strategic autonomy and there cannot be strategic autonomy without being quantum safe.
• Further speaking about gaps and potential in the sector for India, he stated, “India has to invest in Quantum hardware, we have to reduce our dependencies on imports, and advancements in all areas of quantum computing can help with that. We need to bring much more funds for startups, and de-risk the investment — which means we need to create markets for the products.
•  And this is where all the players, be it government, private sectors, academia, or startups, play a role to create this ecosystem,” he added. “We need to be an active player in defining the global standards for Quantum Tech.
• This is a gap we need to fill. Because once we have that, we will also play a role in standardisation efforts, and that is what leads to strategic autonomy. We have to do that very proactively and ensure that we have these global standards because our market is not only the Indian market but global.“
• While talking about NQM, Prof. Sood mentioned that the mission being very efficiently rolled out by the Department of Science and Technology ( DST ) under the leadership of Secretary DST looks at the complete life cycle of this frontier technology - the R&D needed, what does it take to translate that R&D to technology and how to make a product from that for the market scale up. He also explained the key features of the hub-and-spoke model that is being implemented by NQM at the national scale involving 152 researchers from 43 institutions across 17 states and 2 UTs .
• This inaugural edition of ITES-Q provides a comprehensive overview of both global and national quantum ecosystems, covering analysis of investments, talent development, institutional strengths, research publications, intellectual property, startups, supply chains, and industrial activity.
• The ITES-Q is thought out to facilitate impactful partnerships and particularly add value to the efforts of Indian missions abroad in strengthening bilateral and multilateral engagements for QSTI.

 NITI Aayog launches Report on ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’

·         NITI Aayog launched a report on Hand and Power tools sectors – ‘Unlocking $25+ Billion Export Potential - India’s Hand & Power Tools Sector’. The report underscores the transformative potential of hand and power tools industry for India’s economic growth, delving into the challenges, policy headwinds, and necessary interventions vital for strengthening the Indian hand and power tool ecosystem.

·         It outlines a strategic path for the sector to enhance its global competitiveness and capture a significantly larger share of the international market. The report was launched by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog in the presence of Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, Dr. Arvind Virmani, Member, and Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

·         The report suggests that the global trade market for power and hand tools, currently valued at approximately $ 100 billion, is projected to grow significantly, reaching around $ 190 billion by 2035. Within this market, hand tools account for $ 34 billion and are expected to expand to $ 60 billion by 2035, while power tools, including tool accessories, represent $ 63 billion and are anticipated to surge to $ 134 billion, with electrical tools comprising the majority.

·         China dominates global exports, holding about 50% of the hand tools market with $ 13 billion and 40% of the power tools market with $ 22 billion, whereas India has a smaller presence, exporting $ 600 million in hand tools (1.8% market share) and $ 470 million in power tools (0.7% market share).

·         One important finding of the report is that India has the potential to capture a larger share of the global market, targeting $ 25 billion in exports over the next decade, which could create approximately 35 lakh jobs by achieving a 10% market share in power tools and 25% in hand tools. Through fostering innovation, empowering our MSMEs, strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem, we can solidify the nation’s position as a reliable, high-quality global manufacturing hub. The potential rewards for Indian economy and its people are immense.

·         The report also analyses the challenges which India may face, including a 14-17% cost disadvantage compared to China, driven by higher structural costs and smaller operational scale.

·          This disadvantage stems from elevated raw material costs, such as steel, plastic, and motors, as well as lower labour productivity due to higher overtime wages and restrictions on overtime hours. Furthermore, higher interest rates and logistics costs for transporting goods from inland states to ports further hinder India’s competitiveness in the global market.

·         To achieve India’s potential of $ 25 billion in power and hand tool exports over the next decade, the report delves into the issues impacting hand and power tools sectors and recommends three key categories of interventions which are essential. These include:

·         Developing world-class hand tool clusters with advanced infrastructure is critical, requiring 3-4 clusters aggregating around 4,000 acres. These clusters operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model would feature plug-and-play infrastructure, worker housing, and facilities like connectivity and convention centers to streamline operations.

·         Addressing structural cost disadvantages through market reforms is necessary, including rationalizing Quality Control Order (QCO) restrictions and import duties on essential raw materials like steel and machinery, simplifying the Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) scheme by easing Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) requirements, and reducing penal provisions like interest on defaults. Additionally, reforms to building regulations and labour laws are needed to enhance competitiveness.

·         Providing bridge cost support to offset cost disadvantages is crucial, though no additional support beyond existing schemes like Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and duty drawbacks is required if factor market interventions are effectively implemented.

·          However, the report estimates that in the absence of these reforms, an additional RS. 8,000 crores in bridge support will be necessary, which should be viewed as an investment rather than a subsidy, as it is expected to generate 2-3 times its value in tax revenue over the next five years.

·         The report observes that the tools industry serves as a foundational pillar of the global manufacturing ecosystem.

·         The Hand and Power Tools sector represents a significant opportunity to realise India’s ambition of becoming a ''global manufacturing hub’. The report underlines that India stands at the cusp of becoming a developed nation i.e Viksit Bharat @ 2047, where the industrial eco-system will play a pivotal role.

·          The Hand and Power Tools sector will help enhance our domestic manufacturing and expand our global footprint by $ 25 billion in the next 10 years, with the growth in the construction and DIY markets, augmenting the “Make in India” initiative and accelerating nation’s economic growth

India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Sea Vessel Launched

·         Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised India’s first indigenous hydrogen-powered sea vessel as a landmark public-private collaboration. The project reflects India’s push for self-reliance in clean energy technology, supported by CSIR’s New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI).

·         The Minister lauded the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), calling it a unique example of collaborative innovation in the public-private space.

·          As India’s largest publicly funded, industry-oriented R&D programme, NMITLI brings together top institutions, industrial partners, and research labs to pursue high-risk technological ventures with the potential for national impact.

·         Dr. Jitendra Singh particularly appreciated two recent breakthroughs supported under the NMITLI programme.

·         The first is the development and commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers (CTR-300 and CTR-150), achieved through a partnership between CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR–AMPRI), Bhopal, and M/s TechnoS Instruments, Jaipur.

·         These high-end Raman spectrometers, approved for marketing in January 2022, represent a significant milestone in India’s scientific instrumentation capabilities. Eleven units of indigenous Raman Spectrometers have been supplied across the country to date, demonstrating growing national adoption of this indigenous technology.

·         The second highlighted success, Dr Jitendra Singh noted, was the development of fuel cell technology under the Industry-Originated NMITLI programme. In this initiative, KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to develop and demonstrate low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems.

·          The expertise developed through this collaboration has since been translated into applications for the marine, defence, and automotive sectors.

·         A major outcome of this effort was the launch of the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the Harit Nauka initiative.

·          The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., features a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by CSIR.

·         Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these achievements exemplify the role of CSIR in driving technology-led growth and contributing to India’s self-reliance in frontier areas.

New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative

·         • The Union Minister lauded the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), calling it a unique example of collaborative innovation in the public-private space. 

·         As India’s largest publicly funded, industry-oriented R&D programme, NMITLI brings together top institutions, industrial partners, and research labs to pursue high-risk technological ventures with the potential for national impact.

 Jitendra Singh highlighted two recent breakthroughs supported under the NMITLI programme. 

·         The first is the development and commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers (CTR-300 and CTR-150), achieved through a partnership between CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR–AMPRI), Bhopal and TechnoS Instruments, Jaipur.

·         These high-end Raman spectrometers, approved for marketing in January 2022, represent a significant milestone in India’s scientific instrumentation capabilities.

·          The second was the development of fuel cell technology under the Industry-Originated NMITLI programme. 

·         In this initiative, KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to develop and demonstrate low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems. 

·         The expertise developed through this collaboration has since been translated into applications for the marine, defence, and automotive sectors. 

·         A major outcome of this effort was the launch of the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the Harit Nauka initiative. 

What is green hydrogen?

·         Although hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, it is rarely found in nature in its elemental form and always must be extracted from other hydrogen-containing compounds. It also means that how well hydrogen contributes to decarbonisation depends on how clean and green the method of production is

Type 5 diabetes recognised as distinct form of disease: why is this significant?

·         Type 5 diabetes, which affects lean and undernourished young adults in low- and middle-income countries, has at last been officially recognised as a distinct form of the disease by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

·         Neglected for decades in research, and frequently misdiagnosed, it has taken a long time for Type 5 diabetes, caused by malnutrition-induced lowering of insulin production, to gain official recognition.

What is Type 5 diabetes?

·         Type 5 diabetes is a form of diabetes affecting lean and malnourished teenagers and young adults in low- and middle-income countries.

·         This is unlike Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of the disease, where the main problem is insulin resistance — while the pancreas continues to produce insulin, the body does not respond properly to the hormone.

·         The term ‘Type 5’ diabetes was introduced and endorsed by Prof Peter Schwarz, president of the IDF, in January this year. On April 7, it was officially recognised at the 75th World Congress for Diabetes in Bangkok.

·         However, this is not a new disease. It was first reported in Jamaica as early as 1955 under the moniker J-type diabetes. In 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the condition as “malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus”. But this classification was done away with in 1999 for the want of evidence of a causal link to malnutrition, which is among the definitive features of what is now known as Type 5 diabetes.

·          It was subsequently reported in many countries, such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Korea, mostly in the Global South. It currently affects an estimated 25 million people globally.

·         Its official recognition comes on the back of recent research, which has brought renewed attention to the impact of malnutrition on pancreatic development and insulin function, particularly in individuals with poor nutrition in childhood and early adulthood.

What are markers of Type 5 diabetes?

·         According to Dr Thomas, this unique form of diabetes, observed in Asian Indians, has no evidence of autoimmune or genetic causes.

·         “Affected individuals have a significantly lower body-mass index (BMI) — of less than 18.5 kg/m2 — than those reported in previous Indian studies. Insulin secretion is severely reduced, much lower than typical Type 2 diabetes and just above levels seen in Type 1 Diabetes,” he said.

·         “Body scans also reveal a substantially lower percentage of body fat compared to Type 2 diabetes cases. Additionally, dietary intake of proteins, fibre and essential micronutrients is significantly low,” Dr Thomas added.

So, what causes Type 5 diabetes?

·         Malnutrition. And it all begins in the womb.

·          “If a baby does not get the right amount of nutrition while growing in the womb, it can increase the risk of diabetes later in life. For a long time, many Indians were undernourished due to hard labour, colonisation, and famines.

·         But in the past 50 years, with rapid urban growth and development, overeating has also become a problem. When a baby is under or over nourished before birth and then gains too much weight later, it can lead to Type 2 diabetes.

·          But if the baby stays undernourished both before and after birth, it can lead to this malnutrition-related diabetes, or as now christened, Type 5 diabetes,” he said.

How can Type 5 diabetes be treated?

·         Given it has only now been officially recognised, specific diagnostic criteria and therapeutic guidelines are yet to be finalised. This is what the aforementioned Working Group will be doing over the next two years, by looking at diverse populations, especially in low-income, low-resource settings.

·         According to Dr Thomas, a high protein diet is important. Depending on the person’s low BMI and physical activity levels, an adequate amount of carbs and fats are also needed to ensure weight gain.

·         “Anti-diabetic medicine or insulin is considered based on the level of glucose and the therapeutic response on a case-by-case basis.

India-Thailand strategic partnership: New arc in regionalism and Indo-Pacific vision 

·         The recent elevation of the India-Thailand bilateral relationship to the strategic level reflects a smart foreign policy move in New Delhi’s regional and international diplomacy, indicating the growing weight of Southeast Asia in its strategic calculus. As India deepens its Act East policy and expands its Indo-Pacific engagement, Thailand emerges as a key partner, bound by longstanding historical and cultural ties and shared strategic concerns. 

·         During his official visit to Thailand on April 3, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised that Thailand holds a “special place” in India’s Act East Policy and is integral to India’s Indo-Pacific vision.

·         The decision to elevate the ties between the two nations, therefore, is not merely symbolic but rather represents a coalescence of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy aimed at strengthening regional stability, deepening economic integration, and collectively addressing emerging security challenges. 

·         This new arc of cooperation is grounded in a shared vision of a rules-based Indo-Pacific, compact connectivity, and the institutional strengthening of regional groupings like BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

India-Thailand deepening partnership

·         The India-Thailand strategic partnership aims to broaden cooperation across a wide array of sectors: defence, security, cybercrime, maritime safety, trade and investment, innovation, start-ups, renewable energy, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. 

·         Both countries have also agreed to institutionalise new frameworks for high-level consultations, including a strategic dialogue between their National Security Councils and enhanced defence coordination through technology transfers, joint training, and industry collaboration. 

·         Moreover, trade remains a major pillar of the India-Thailand relationship, but it is also an area that presents both opportunities and challenges. While Thailand is India’s fourth-largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the widening deficit indicates the need for a more balanced trade relationship.

·         India has pushed for increased market access for its agricultural products, generic drugs, and services, while also exploring the feasibility of local currency-based trade settlement mechanisms to mitigate foreign exchange volatility.

·         But the current global uncertainties call for deeper coordination between the two nations to insulate their economic engagement from external shocks. India and Thailand are focusing on next-generation industries such as electric vehicles, digital payments, fintech, space technology, and the circular economy. 

·         They have also agreed to accelerate the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make it more user-friendly and conducive to business, with a target for substantial conclusion by the end of 2025. However, enhancing investment promotion, reducing non-tariff barriers (such as quotas and technical standards), and aligning regulatory standards will be essential in adapting to the new economic reality.

Thailand and India’s Act East policy  

·         Thailand’s geopolitical location makes it significant to the success of India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific framework. It acts as a gateway to the ASEAN heartland and shares maritime space in the Andaman Sea, offering potential for trilateral and multilateral maritime collaboration. 

·         Thailand’s strategic infrastructure and its participation in regional forums such as ASEAN, BIMSTEC, MGC (the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation), and IORA allow it to function as a stabilising force and a bridge between South and Southeast Asia.

·         Similarly, the Indo-Pacific construct has allowed India to frame its regional diplomacy in tune with ASEAN Centrality and multilateral platforms like the East Asia Summit, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).

·         The two countries’ reaffirmation of their support for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific is closely tied to their commitment to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Thailand’s role as co-lead, alongside Australia, in the Maritime Ecology Pillar of IPOI strengthens this synergy. 

·         This institutional complementarity shows how bilateral diplomacy, when linked with regional frameworks, strengthens India’s proactive multilateralism and builds resilience against strategic pressures, particularly those emerging from China’s assertiveness in maritime zones. An example of this synergy is the Bay of Bengal region and the BIMSTEC grouping, where India and Thailand play key roles.

BIMSTEC and the Bay of Bengal 

·         The Bay of Bengal region has recently emerged as a theatre of strategic alliance and economic opportunity. The BIMSTEC, where India and Thailand are founding members and the two largest economies, forms the mainstay of this regionalism. The recent adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter and the Master Plan for Transport Connectivity are signs of a new momentum along these lines.

·         At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok (April 2025), India and Thailand jointly called for faster implementation of the Motor Vehicles Agreement and enhanced coastal shipping, as well as port-to-port linkages to improve regional mobility and trade flows.

·         These initiatives are essential for connecting India’s Northeast with Southeast Asia and are foundational to Prime Minister Modi’s Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).

·         The emphasis on BIMSTEC is also a pragmatic turn in India’s neighbourhood-first policy, especially as SAARC continues to face political gridlock. With growing connectivity projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, BIMSTEC presents a practical route to deepen economic integration and counterbalance China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region. 

·         Moreover, BIMSTEC provides India and Thailand a platform to jointly address transnational threats, including human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, and illicit trade, through coordinated security architectures.

The road ahead

·         Despite the strategic momentum, several challenges remain. First, India continues to face a significant trade deficit with Thailand. This imbalance needs to be addressed through greater market access for Indian goods and the diversification of trade baskets.

·         Second, infrastructure and bureaucratic delays continue to hinder the completion of vital connectivity projects like the Trilateral Highway. Political instability in Myanmar also poses risks to these initiatives. Moreover, regulatory misalignments and gaps in mutual recognition of standards and certifications could obstruct smooth economic engagement.

·         Third, the expanding influence of China through its economic investments and strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal necessitates greater India-Thailand coordination to safeguard maritime commons and regional autonomy.

·         To sustain and deepen the strategic partnership, India and Thailand will need to focus on implementing the Joint Plan of Action, boosting joint production and technology transfers in defence, resolving non-tariff barriers, and enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration in renewable energy, AI, fintech, and space. Engaging the private sector, academia, and youth in collaborative platforms will further enrich this partnership.

·         In sum, with the Bay of Bengal now positioned as a critical node in the Indo-Pacific architecture, Thailand’s role becomes indispensable to India’s outreach to ASEAN and beyond. By positioning bilateral aspirations within the regional and global frameworks, India and Thailand are set to launch a new era of Asian regionalism that is more vibrant, cooperative, and strategically balanced.

Enhancing labour productivity for sustainable and inclusive growth

·         As India approaches its centenary of independence in 2047, the vision of what India@100 might look like is a topic of great anticipation. Will we rise as a global superpower, fulfilling our potential, or remain in pursuit of the developed economies?

·         While there are multiple levers driving our nation’s progress, one often remains overlooked despite its monumental impact: Labour productivity (LP). While job creation frequently dominates discussions about growth, it is productivity—the efficiency with which these jobs contribute to economic output—that defines the long-term prosperity of a nation. 

·         LP is the economic output (gross domestic product, or GDP) per hour worked and its growth means getting more from the work our workforce does. 

Why LP matters

·         Considering the impact this lever has on prosperity; it is said to be the most consequential determinant of long-run economic growth. Rough estimates suggest that a 1% increase in LP yields an equivalent increase in GDP per capita, which thereon contributes to higher income and spending capacity

·         A strong focus on productivity levels is especially needed now as the world faces the many challenges of a new geo-economic era. 

·         Productivity growth is the best antidote to the asset price inflation of the past two decades, which has created about $160 trillion in “paper wealth” and even larger amounts of new debt. Without a surge in productivity, we could be headed for a Japan-style wealth reset or a period of sustained inflation. 

·         Second, we need to fund the net-zero transition and keep improving living standards if we are to achieve sustainable inclusive growth. Closing the empowerment gap and the net-zero investment gap requires the equivalent of 8% of global GDP annually, which will be very hard to achieve without rapid productivity growth.

·         LP growth addresses critical challenges like asset price inflation, sustainable development, and economic inclusion. For India, which boasts impressive annual productivity growth of 5.6% largely fuelled by capital investments (second only to China), the potential is vast. 

·         As much as 70% of India’s productivity growth is attributed to growth in capital stock per worker that grew by close to four times. While this growth is impressive, a lot more has to be done as globally, India’s capital stock per worker is still less than half of China’s and less than a third of Central and Eastern Europe. 

·         The key question, however, is how to further fuel this growth. 

·         While tangible capital investment, in the form of tools and technology, has a role to play, the quality of human capital—their education and abilities to perform a task efficiently—has a more significant impact. And if India wants to be the Talent Capital of the World, in both services and manufacturing, a lot of work would need to be done to enhance LP.

Driving productivity and job creation

·         A productive workforce is the cornerstone of economic growth, with productivity directly tied to the effectiveness of jobs performed. While skilling is a key enabler, its ultimate purpose is to fuel productivity and generate meaningful employment opportunities.

·         A In India, building a workforce capable of addressing the challenges of the modern economy requires a holistic approach that balances three critical factors:

·         Basic competencies: Foundational abilities like communication and financial literacy that ensure individuals are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.

·         Job-specific expertise: Core technical and vocational knowledge needed to perform tasks effectively.

·         Future-ready capabilities: Skills that evolve every decade or so in response to technological advancements, enabling adaptation to new roles and industries.

·         While developed economies often have institutionalised systems to address these areas, emerging economies like India must tackle all three simultaneously.

·         India’s demographic advantage and global workforce potential are well-recognised, but the key to unlocking this lies in translating skills into higher productivity and job creation.

·         With the right focus on execution, we can ensure that every effort contributes not just to skill-building but also to raising productivity levels, driving economic output, and consequently increasing the GDP per capita.

·         At the same time, the formalisation of employment through structured staffing solutions plays a crucial role in ensuring workforce efficiency.

·          A well-regulated staffing industry enhances job security, provides access to essential benefits, and ensures compliance with labour laws, all of which contribute to a more stable and productive workforce.

·          Supporting the formal staffing industry can bridge employment gaps, reduce informality, and create pathways for skill development, ultimately aligning with India’s goal of sustained economic progress.

 Getting the field ready

·         Like in almost all country-wide initiatives, the journey starts with the right policy in place. However, an interesting fact is that while policies and movies are alike in the way they garner attention and acceptance, the time it takes to decide their fate is different.

·         A movie is declared a hit or flop within weeks, but at times, it takes decades for a policy to show results, especially in a country as spread out and diverse as India.

·         Hence, instead of bringing more policies that may add complexities, the focus should be on creating a ground on which policies can be executed—swiftly and efficiently. We have already seen how the direct disbursement of the funds to the beneficiary’s accounts has reduced the fund leakage to less than 1% from almost 70-80% earlier.

·         We already have the New Education Policy, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and many more.

·         The government is serious about enhancing productivity through skilling and has allocated almost Rs 1.48 lakh crore in the 2024 Budget towards education, employment, and productivity-oriented skilling programs. If we can devise an immaculate execution engine, the rest will follow.

·         There are companies from across the globe ready to partner with India to nurture and enhance the country’s talent potential, provided there is a blueprint for execution available.

The way forward

·         True progress is not just about creating opportunities but ensuring they are impactful. By enhancing productivity, we empower individuals to achieve their fullest potential and collectively build a future-ready nation.

·         While the path to becoming a global productivity leader may be challenging, incremental changes, guided by focus and tenacity, will enable India to carve its unique story of growth.