India–Japan Cooperation for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Phase II
Key Points:
1. NITI Aayog and Japan International Cooperation Agency signed the Record of Discussions (RoD) for the Japan–India SDG Cooperation Project Phase II.
2. The project aims to strengthen policy frameworks in areas like health, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and infrastructure.
3. It focuses on capacity building, monitoring systems, and localisation of SDGs in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
4. Under the broader India–Japan partnership, Japan remains India’s largest bilateral donor since 1958, with over ₹4.4 lakh crore in ODA and a $68 billion investment target for the next decade.
US Torpedo Attack on Iranian Frigate Near Sri Lanka Raises Strategic Concerns in the Indian Ocean
Key Points:
1. A US submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Galle, marking the first US torpedo sinking of an enemy ship since World War II.
2. Sri Lanka deployed naval vessels to rescue sailors as per the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue obligations.
3. The SAR Convention, adopted under the International Maritime Organization, ensures global cooperation and rescue assistance for people in distress at sea.
4. The ship had earlier participated in the International Fleet Review 2026 hosted by the Indian Navy, placing India in a delicate diplomatic position between the US and Iran.
IAEA Emergency Meeting Amid US–Israel–Iran Tensions Over Nuclear Facilities
Key Points:
1. International Atomic Energy Agency held an emergency meeting in Vienna after tensions between the US–Israel bloc and Iran.
2. The IAEA reported no damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities such as Natanz Nuclear Facility and Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, with normal radiation levels.
3. Iran claimed that US–Israeli strikes targeted Natanz but has not provided technical evidence.
4. Established in 1957, the IAEA—headquartered in Vienna—acts as the global nuclear watchdog, promoting peaceful nuclear use and preventing nuclear weapon proliferation.
India Signs ₹5,083 Crore Defence Deals for ALH Mk-III Helicopters and Shtil Missile System
Key Points:
1. The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Rosoboronexport for defence procurement.
2. Six HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III will be acquired for the Indian Coast Guardunder the Buy (Indian–IDDM) category to enhance maritime security operations.
3. The Shtil Surface-to-Air Missile System will be inducted for the Indian Navy to intercept aircraft, UAVs, and anti-ship missiles.
4. The deals boost maritime defence capability while supporting Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, involving over 200 MSMEs and generating around 65 lakh man-hours of employment.
Rising Tensions Along the Durand Line Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Key Points:
1. The Durand Line, a 2,640-km disputed border, has seen frequent clashes between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan forces over fencing and militant activities.
2. The border was created in 1893 through an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durandand Abdur Rahman Khan to demarcate spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan.
3. Afghanistan has historically refused to recognise the Durand Line as an international border because it divides Pashtun and Baloch tribal communities.
4. Recent tensions also involve the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Pakistan’s border fencing, leading to military operations and regional security concerns.
Heading:
US–Israel Strikes on Iran Raise Questions on International Law and Self-Defence
Key Points:
1. Recent US–Israeli strikes in Iran, including a bombing in Minab, have raised concerns about violation of United Nations Charter, which restricts the use of force except under self-defence or UN approval.
2. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the right of self-defence is valid only in response to an actual armed attack, making the justification of anticipatory self-defence legally controversial.
3. The attack on civilian infrastructure may violate Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protect civilians and children during conflicts.
4. The torpedoing of IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka raises legal concerns regarding freedom of navigation under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
National Science Day 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of C.V. Raman
Key Points:
1. India celebrates National Science Day on 28 February to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by C. V. Raman in 1928.
2. The Government of India declared the day in 1986, and the first celebration was held in 1987; the 2026 theme is “Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat.”
3. C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics, becoming the first Asian Nobel laureate in science.
4. He also founded major institutions like the Raman Research Institute and the Indian Academy of Sciences, significantly contributing to India’s scientific research ecosystem.
India Submits 7th National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity
Key Points:
1. India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, assessing progress on 23 National Biodiversity Targets aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
2. The report states that only 2 out of 23 biodiversity targets are currently on track, with limited quantitative evidence for achieving goals by 2030.
3. Progress has been noted in forest cover (25.17%) and ecosystem restoration of 24.1 million hectares under initiatives like the Bonn Challenge.
4. Major concerns include land degradation (29.77% of India’s area), limited protected areas (~5%), biodiversity data gaps, and financial and technical constraints.
7th Joint Committee Meeting of India–Japan CEPA Held in Tokyo
Key Points:
1. The 7th Joint Committee Meeting under the India–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was held in Tokyo to review implementation and strengthen economic cooperation.
2. Discussions focused on bilateral trade, investment, improving the business environment, and preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Yaoundé (March 2026).
3. The CEPA, effective August 2011, aims to eliminate tariffs on over 94% of traded goods and covers services, investments, IPR, and movement of professionals.
4. India–Japan trade reached USD 22.85 billion in 2023–24, while cumulative Japanese FDI in India since 2000 stands at about USD 43.2 billion, making Japan the 5th largest investor.
