Blog

Nordic Countries

Syllabus: GS1/Places in News

Context

• After the Third India-Nordic Summit, Prime Minister Modi said that India and the Nordic countries are committed to “democracy, rule of law and multilateralism”.

Nordic Countries

• Nordic countries are a group of countries in northern Europe consisting of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
• The designation includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are autonomous island regions of Denmark, and the Åland Islands, an autonomous island region of Finland.

Nordic countries

• The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Scandinavia, a peninsular region of northern Europe that serves as the geographic core of the Nordic countries.
• Scandinavia is typically defined more restrictively, however, and refers primarily to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
• Denmark, Sweden and Finland are members of the EU while Norway and Iceland are European Economic Area (EEA) members.
• Among them Sweden is the most populated country while Iceland is the least populated.

Euthanasia for Rabid and Dangerous Stray Dogs

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court has allowed euthanasia for rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous stray dogs, citing the need to protect human life and public safety.

Key Observations of the Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court observed that the State has a constitutional obligation to protect citizens from repeated stray dog attacks and rabies threats.
• The Court upheld its earlier order directing the removal of stray dogs from schools, hospitals, markets, and other high-footfall public spaces.

Constitutional and Legal Dimensions

• Article 21 and Human Security: The judgment expanded the interpretation of Article 21 by linking public safety with the right to life and dignity.
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960: The Act protects animals from unnecessary cruelty while permitting humane treatment in exceptional situations.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023: The Rules emphasise sterilisation, vaccination, and scientific management of stray dog populations.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Delhi Police has suggested a larger SC Bench to review the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) bail curbs.

UAPA Act

• Enacted: 1967
• Mandate: It is aimed at “more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations for dealing with terrorist activities”.
• Unlawful activity: Unlawful activity means any conduct which constitutes a crime or which contravenes any law.
• Terrorist act: Section 15 of the Act defines “terrorist act” and is punishable with imprisonment for a term of at least five years and up to life.
• Power to central government – The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which the Centre deems an activity as unlawful.
• Applicability: The provisions of this Act apply also to—

(a) citizens of India outside India;

(b) persons in the service of the Government, wherever they may be; and

(c) persons on ships and aircrafts, registered in India, wherever they may be.

Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) Amendment Act 2019

• The Act empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists.
• Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation

Ayush Anudan Portal Under Ayush Grid Initiative

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

In News

• Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare launched the Ayush Anudan Portal at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi.

Ayush Anudan Portal

• It is developed by the Ministry of Ayush under the Ayush Grid initiative.
• Objective – It is a paperless, centralized digital grant-management platform launched by the Ministry of Ayush to streamline the end-to-end submission, processing, appraisal, and monitoring of funding proposals
• It is integrated with the NGO Darpan Portal and it ensures faster and more reliable verification of applicant organisations.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
• Significance – Replacing manual, paper-heavy traditional grant workflows with an automated, transparent, and easily accessible digital workflow.

Ayush Grid Project

• It is conceptualized by the Ministry of Ayush for creating a comprehensive Information Technology backbone for the entire Ayush sector.
• It envisages digitization of service delivery across the six functional areas — Health Services, Education, Research, Drug Administration, Medicinal Plants, and Ministry of Ayash Oversight along with capacity building and media outreach.
• It is aimed at establishing an integrated, transparent, and citizen-centric digital ecosystem for the Ayush sector through the use of modern technology.

Oslo Summit

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• PM Modi participated in the Third India–Nordic Summit held in Oslo.

Oslo Summit

• The summit brought together leaders of the five Nordic countries; Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
• Objective – The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between India and Nordic countries in trade, investment, clean energy, technology, innovation, maritime affairs and sustainable development.
• The first India–Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in 2018 and the second summit took place in Copenhagen in 2022.

Significance of Nordic Countries for India

• Technological Cooperation: Nordic countries are global leaders in clean technologies, innovation and digital governance.
• Green Energy Partnership: Nordic expertise in offshore wind, green hydrogen and sustainable technologies supports India’s energy transition goals.
• Maritime Cooperation: Nordic countries possess advanced capabilities in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and sustainable port infrastructure.
• Arctic Significance: Nordic cooperation is important for India’s climate research and Arctic engagement.
• Research and Innovation: Collaboration in research, education and start-up ecosystems can strengthen India’s knowledge economy.

Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA)

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Iran has established a new regulatory body named as Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA).

About

• Aim: To oversee and manage operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
• Under the new system, vessels will be required to follow directives issued by the authority and secure transit permits before entering the Strait of Hormuz.
• The US, Gulf states, and European nations have all rejected the legality of Iran’s fee regime.

Strait of Hormuz

• Location – The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• At its narrowest point it is about 33 kilometres wide, with shipping lanes just a few kilometres across in either direction.
• Significance- Nearly half of India’s crude oil and around 60 per cent of its natural gas imports pass through the strait.

Ebola Outbreak

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international health emergency after an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo killed over 80 people.

Ebola virus disease (EVD)

• It is formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever. It is a rare but severe, often fatal illness in humans.
• First found in – Guinea in December 2013..
• Transmission – The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population(Zoonotic nature).
• Host – fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts.
• Symptoms – Fever, fatigue, muscle, pain, headache, sore throat.

vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidney and liver function.

• Treatment – The Ervebo vaccine has been shown to be effective in protecting people from the species Zaire ebolavirus. Remdesivir was also tested as an Ebola treatment

Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• A joint mission of the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences named SMILE is being developed to study how Earth’s magnetic shield responds to solar storms and space weather events.

SMILE Mission

• SMILE stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer.
• Launched by – is a joint ESA-China satellite mission launched on May 19, 2026.
• Objective – Exploring the interface where solar winds collide with the outer boundary of Earth’s magnetosphere

Global Space Missions

• Parker Solar Probe (NASA): Launched in 2018; sweeps directly inside the Sun’s coronal atmosphere (within 6.5 million km) using an advanced carbon-composite heat shield.
• Solar Orbiter (ESA & NASA): Launched in 2020 to capture the first-ever close-up images of the Sun’s polar zones by shifting outside the traditional ecliptic plane.
• PUNCH Mission (NASA): Targeted to track solar winds and coronal mass ejections passing from the corona directly into the broader heliosphere.

PM Modi Visit to Norway

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Prime Minister Modi lands for the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway after 43 years.

Key Highlights of the Meet

• Green Strategic Partnership: India and Norway formally declared the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Green Strategic Partnership to ensure increased collaboration in sectors ranging from Clean Energy to Climate Resilience, Blue economy to green shipping.
• Norway Joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI): Norway formally joined India’s IPOI framework (launched 2019), which promotes a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Triangular Cooperation Agreement: India and Norway will jointly offer India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) (the Aadhaar-UPI-CoWIN stack) to countries of the Global South.
• Diplomatic Outcomes: Norway reaffirmed support for India’s permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.
• PM Modi awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V, Norway’s highest civilian honour for foreign heads of government.

India – Norway Bilateral Ties

• India and Norway established bilateral relations in 1947.
• The India-Nordic Summit format allowed more regular and structured interactions at Prime Ministerial levels.
• The first summit was held in 2018 at Stockholm.
• Norway has been supporting India’s perusal to become a permanent member of a reformed UN Security Council.
• Arctic/ Polar: India set up its first permanent research station ‘Himadri’ in the Arctic in 2008 at Svalbard, Norway.
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) carries out multiple scientific expeditions to the Arctic every year.
• India has also been an Observer State in the Arctic Council since 2013.
• Space: ISRO uses Norway’s Svalbard ground station on commercial terms to receive data from IRS satellites.
• KSAT is also setting up ISRO’s antenna in Svalbard.

India-South Korea Ties

Syllabus: GS2/IR

In News

• The Indian Defence Minister’s visit to Seoul after the South Korean President’s visit to India highlights the growing strength and strategic importance of India–South Korea relations.

India-South Korea

• Special Strategic Partnership: Upgraded in 2015; links India’s Act East Policy with South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Defense Success: Shifted from buyer-seller to co-production via the K9-Vajra self-propelled artillery guns.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Jointly working to de-risk supply chains and reduce economic over-reliance on China.
• Climate Alignment: South Korea joined the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Challenges

• Trade Imbalance: India’s widening trade deficit causes economic friction.
• China Dilemma: India is structurally assertive against Beijing, while South Korea remains economically tied to China.

RTI Act Does not Apply to Cricket Board: CIC

Syllabus: GS2/Polity & Governance

Context

• The Central Information Commission (CIC) held that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not fall within the ambit of a “public authority” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

Central Information Commission (CIC)

• Established – in 2005 by the Central Government under the provisions of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
• Objective – It hears appeals against public authorities who have not provided information satisfactorily to the public and also addresses major issues concerning the RTI Act.
• Annual report – CIC submits an annual report to the Union government on the implementation of the provisions of RTI Act.

Composition of CIC

• Head – The CIC is headed by the Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners.
• Tenure – The Chief Information Commissioner holds office for five years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. He is not eligible for reappointment.
• Appointment of the commissioner in CIC – The commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee.
• Selection committee – It consists of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

State Information Commission

• The Right to Information Act of 2005 provides for the creation of a State Information Commission at the state level.
• The State Information Commission is a high powered independent body which inter-alia looks into the complaints made to it and decides the appeals.
• It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc under the concerned state government.
• Composition – State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten State Information Commissioners appointed by the Governor.

Silver

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• The government has shifted silver imports to the “restricted” category and imposed a 15% import duty to curb rising imports and protect domestic interests.

Silver

• It is a relatively soft, lustrous precious metal.
• It has highest electrical and thermal conductivity among all metals, critical for electronics, circuit boards, connectors, batteries, and automotive systems.
• It is mainly found in ores like argentite and chlorargyrite (horn silver).
• Mexico is the largest silver producer in the world.
• India imports silver mainly from the United Arab Emirates, Britain and China.

India-Sweden Upgrade Ties to Strategic Partnership

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• India and Sweden elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, during an official visit of PM Modi to Sweden.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• PM Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of Polar Star and Commander Grand Cross, the highest recognition and honour that can be conferred upon a head of government.

India–Sweden Relations

• Diplomatic Relations: India and Sweden established diplomatic relations in 1948.
• Sweden hosted the first India–Nordic Summit in 2018, strengthening India’s engagement with the Nordic region.
• India and Sweden jointly launched the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019.
• LeadIT promotes low-carbon industrial transition and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Indus Waters Treaty

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relation

In Context

• India has rejected the latest ruling of the Court of Arbitration (CoA), a five-member arbitral panel set up in 2023 at Pakistan’s request to settle a dispute over the design of India’s Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir.

Indus Waters Treaty

• Background – In 1947, the partition had cut the Indus river system into two between India and Pakistan.
• Mediated by – The World Bank
• Signed in – it was signed in 1960 by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru and then President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan.
• Transboundary river – The Indus River is a transboundary river that flows through Pakistan (47%), India (39%), Tibet (8%), and Afghanistan (6%). It is the longest river in Pakistan.
• Note – In India, the Indus basin spreads over J&K, HP, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

Major tributaries of the Indus River are:

Provisions of Indus Water Treaty

• It allocated the three western rivers (i.e., Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum) to Pakistan for unrestricted use, barring certain non-consumptive, agricultural and domestic uses by India.
• It allocated the three eastern rivers, (i.e., Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) to India for unrestricted usage.
• This meant that 80% of the share of water went to Pakistan, leaving 20% of water for use by India.

Annexure C and D

• Though Pakistan has rights over waters of Jhelum, Chenab and Indus, but:

1. Annexure C of the IWT allows India certain agricultural uses
2. Annexure D allows India to build ‘run of the river’ hydropower projects (projects not requiring live storage of water).

Permanent Indus Commission

• The treaty also required that both countries should establish a Permanent Indus Commission constituted by permanent commissioners of both sides.
• It functions as the first stop for resolution of conflicts.
• It should meet at least once a year.

Prime Minister’s Visit to Netherlands

Context

• PM Modi paid an official visit to the Netherlands.
• Elevation to Strategic Partnership: India and the Netherlands upgraded bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership”.

India- Netherlands Relations

• Diplomatic relations: India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947, with 2026 marking 79 years of bilateral diplomatic ties.
• Economic Cooperation: India and the Netherlands formalized the Joint Trade & Investment Committee (JTIC) in 2025, strengthening bilateral trade, two-way investment cooperation, and collaboration in technology, MSMEs, and emerging sectors.
• Cultural Cooperation: India and the Netherlands signed an MoU in 2025 for cooperation in the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
• Additional Information – The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

• It is a world-class tourism facility under construction in Lothal, Gujarat to showcase India’s 4,500-year-old maritime history.
• Location: Lothal, Gujarat (Ancient Indus Valley Civilization port city).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) under the Sagarmala Programme.
• Scale: Spread over 400 acres; set to be the world’s largest maritime museum complex.
• Key Feature: Will host the world’s tallest lighthouse museum.
• Executing Agency: Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL).

Bhojshala

Syllabus: GS1/Art and Culture

In News

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district a Hindu temple.

Bhojshala Complex

• Raja Bhoja, the greatest ruler of the Paramara dynasty, founded the famous Bhojshala at Dhar around 1000–1055 A.D. as a major center of learning dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
• Later, the structure was converted into the Kamal Maula Mosque during Muslim rule.
• It served as a premier college and centre of Sanskrit learning. The mosque still contains carved pillars, ceilings, and stone inscriptions from the original Bhojshala.
• Important inscriptions include Sanskrit grammar tables, hymns to Vishnu, praises of Paramara kings, and the Sanskrit drama Karpuramanjari written by Madana during the reign of Arjunavarma Deva.

Jaggery Sector in India

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

In News

• Jaggery production in India is a key agro-processing sector that is supporting rural livelihoods, farmer incomes, and value addition through cottage industries.

Jaggery

• It is commonly known as gur and is a traditional, unrefined, natural sweetener.
• It is produced by concentrating sugarcane juice without the use of chemicals.
• It is widely consumed across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean under various local names.

Jaggery Production in India

• India produces over 70% of the world’s jaggery, making it the largest global producer.
• Uttar Pradesh contributed 48.5 percent of total production, followed by Maharashtra (24.1 percent) and Karnataka (10.5 percent).

Saranda Forest

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

In News

• The Jharkhand government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its earlier order directing the state to notify the Saranda elephant forests as a wildlife sanctuary within three months.
• Jharkhand argues that declaring the sanctuary could affect tribal habitations, roads, and infrastructure, requiring further studies.

Saranda Forest

• It is located about 122 km from Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.
• It is the largest Sal forest in Asia and is known as the “land of seven hundred hills.”
• It is part of the Chhotanagpur biogeographic zone and connects with forests in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, creating a continuous wildlife habitat.
• Flora and fauna – It includes endangered flying lizards and large elephant populations, and forms an important migratory elephant corridor.
• Major tree species – Sal, Mahua, and Kusum.
• Tribes – Ho, Munda, Uraon, and Santhal peoples,
• Significance – It holds deep cultural significance for local tribes, whose traditions, rituals, and sacred groves (“Sarna”) are closely tied to the forest ecosystem.

Miyawaki Forest Plantation

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Delhi government’s Forest Department has planned a Miyawaki plantation drive at the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

Miyawaki Technique

• Origin: The Miyawaki technique, Often referred to as the ‘pot plantation method’, was developed by renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s.
• It is a revolutionary method for creating dense forests in small urban spaces.
• Principle: It involves planting trees and shrubs close to one another to accelerate their growth. Plants grow 10 times faster with this technique, making it a practical solution for urban areas.
• Significance: In urban areas, the method is known to have successfully converted barren, polluted lands into thriving green ecosystems, simultaneously managing industrial waste and curbing pollution.

Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is located in southern Delhi and extends into parts of Faridabad in Haryana.
• The sanctuary lies along the Southern Ridge of the Aravalli Range, which is one of the oldest mountain systems in the world.
• The sanctuary was declared a protected area in 1991 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The sanctuary is also known as the “green lungs” of Delhi and acts as a natural ecological barrier against the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Union Minister for Defence laid the foundation stone for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project at Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme facility

• is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It will serve as the integration, development and flight testing hub for India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft programme.
• The AMCA fighter aircraft will feature stealth technology, twin-engine super cruise capability and advanced avionics.

‘Abhay’: AI-powered verification system

Syllabus: GS3/Cyber Security

In News

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an AI-based helpbot called “Abhay” for authentication of CBI notices.

‘Abhay’

• It is the AI-powered chatbot-style verification mechanism for the public to verify notices issued by CBI.
• It is designed to protect the citizens from the growing menace of cyber fraud and digital arrest scams.
• It has been designed keeping in mind data confidentiality and the requirement for a public-facing authentication mechanism.

India’s First Satellite-tagged Ganges Soft-shell Turtle

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

In News

• India’s first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle was released in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Assam is one of the world’s top priority areas in freshwater turtle conservation. Of the eight soft-shell turtles reported from India, five are known from the Kaziranga landscape.

Ganges soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica),

• Characteristics: It can be differentiated from other riverine turtles by its distinct arrowhead-shaped markings on the top of the head.
• It feeds on fish, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, carrion, and aquatic plants.
• Habitat and Distribution: It mainly lives in rivers and large canals with muddy bottoms and flowing, turbid water, though it may also use ponds and lakes.
• It is found across the northern plains of the Indian subcontinent, including the Indus, Ganga, Narmada, Mahanadi, and Brahmaputra river basins in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• In India, the species inhabits large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
• Ecological Role : It is a major river predator and helps clean up the system by feeding on dead and decaying animal matter.
• Threats : It faces severe threats from illegal hunting, international trade, and habitat destruction.
• Protection status : It is a Schedule I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• It is recorded as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• It is included in CITES Appendix I, prohibiting all forms of international commercial trade.

Government Banned Sugar Exports

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Government of India, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, placed exports of raw, white, and refined sugar under the prohibited category till September 30, 2026.

Reasons Behind the Sugar Export Ban

• El Niño and Monsoon Concerns: The government fears that a possible El Niño event may weaken the monsoon, reduce sugarcane cultivation, and affect future sugar production.
• Fertiliser Supply Risks: Geopolitical tensions in West Asia may disrupt fertiliser supplies, which is significant because sugarcane is a fertiliser-intensive crop.
• Maintaining Adequate Domestic Stocks: The ban aims to preserve sufficient sugar stocks to control prices, prevent shortages, and ensure domestic food security.

Assam Ships First Legal Agarwood Chips to West Asia

Syllabus:GS3/Economy

In News

• Assam legally approved export of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Agarwood

• It is also known as oud.
• It is produced from resin formed in infected Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees.
• Agarwood is a highly valued material used globally in luxury perfumes, incense, cosmetics, and traditional products.
• Agarwood is grown in countries such as India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, and Bhutan.
• In India, key species like Aquilaria malaccensis and Aquilaria khasiana are found mainly in the Northeast, including Assam and surrounding states.
• Agarwood is conserved under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Withholding Tax

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• Amid the West Asia conflict, the government is reportedly considering slashing the ‘withholding tax’ rate from 20% to the earlier 5% as it looks to revive overseas inflows.

Withholding Tax

• Withholding tax, or WHT, is a tax collected at the source of income.
• Instead of waiting for an investor or foreign company to pay taxes at the end of the financial year, the government requires the payer to deduct a portion of the income before it is remitted to the recipient.
• The deducted amount is then directly deposited with the government.
• In simple terms, whenever income is earned whether through employment, investments, royalties or other sources the government ensures tax collection in advance through withholding tax.
• Hong Kong and Singapore don’t have a withholding tax.

Significance of Slashing Withholding Tax

• Attracts Foreign Investment: Lower withholding tax increases returns for foreign investors, encouraging greater FDI and portfolio investments.
• Improves Ease of Doing Business: Reduces tax and compliance burden on companies engaged in cross-border transactions.
• Boosts Capital and Trade Flows: Encourages international trade, technology transfer, and movement of global capital.
• Supports Economic Growth: Increased investment and business activity can generate employment, innovation, and higher economic productivity.

Prime Minister’s Visit to the UAE

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• PM Modi made a landmark diplomatic stopover in UAE, first stop in his five-nation trip to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

Key Outcomes

• MoU on Strategic Collaboration between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
• Strategic Collaboration Agreement between Indian Oil Limited (IOCL) Company and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) on supplies of Liquified Petroleum gas (LPG).

Framework for the Strategic Defence Partnership:

• MoU between Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Drydocks World (DDW) on setting up a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar, Gujarat.
• Cooperation includes offshore fabrication, under the Maritime Development Fund Scheme launched by the Government of India.

Additional Information – India and UAE

• Political: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1972.
• Relationships were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2017.
• Trade and Investment Ties: Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries crossed US$100 billion for the first time.
• Space Cooperation: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the UAE Space Agency signed an MoU regarding cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes in 2016.
• Indian Community: Indian expatriate community of approximately 3.5 million is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 35% of the country’s population.
• Multilateral Cooperation: India and the UAE are currently part of several plurilateral platforms such as India-Middle East EU Economic Corridor (IMEC),  I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) and UFI (UAE-France-India) Trilateral, etc.

Chahbahar port

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Iranian Foreign Minister described Chabahar port a “golden gateway”, expressing the hope that India will continue to develop the strategic port.

Chabahar Port

• Location: It is a seaport in Chabahar located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman.
• It consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
• It is only about 170 kilometers west of the Pakistani port of Gwadar.
• Strategic location: India needs access to iron from Afghanistan’s Hajigak mine and other natural resources from the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which is made possible by the Chabahar port.
• INSTC: The port is also part of International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transport project to connect the Indian Ocean to Northern Europe.