10.06.25 Current Affairs

Cargo ship M.V. Wan Hai 503

Context:

• A Singapore-flagged container vessel, M.V. Wan Hai 503, caught fire nearly 88 nautical miles off Beypore, Kozhikode (Kerala) on Monday morning.
• The vessel was en route from Colombo to Mumbai, carrying over 650 containers and a 22-member multinational crew.
• The fire led to explosions in some containers; the cause of the fire is still unknown.
• The incident follows the recent sinking of Liberian-flagged M.S.C. ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast, raising concerns about maritime safety.

Key Highlights:

• Rescue Operation:
  • A joint rescue operation by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy saved 18 crew members.
  • Five Coast Guard ships and a Dornier aircraft were deployed for rescue and aerial surveillance.
• Casualties:
  • Two crew members suffered serious injuries.
  • Four crew members (from Taiwan, Indonesia, and Myanmar) remain missing.
• Emergency Response:
  • The fire was first reported around 9:30 a.m. by the Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai.
  • Rescued crew members jumped into the sea and used emergency rafts to escape.
• Vessel and Cargo Details:
  • The vessel is 270 metres long and carried 650+ containers, including 150 hazardous ones.
• Environmental and Safety Risk:
  • Around 20 containers fell into the sea, posing navigational and environmental hazards.
  • Aerial surveillance is ongoing to track and monitor drifting containers.
• Disaster Preparedness:
  • The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is actively involved in monitoring the situation.
  • The incident highlights the urgency of maritime safety reforms and hazardous cargo regulation.

The Story of Asafoetida (Heeng)

Background & Cultural Importance

• Heeng (Ferula assa-foetida) is a key ingredient in Indian cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine.
• Mentioned in ancient Indian texts, including the Mahabharata, Charaka Samhita, and works of Panini.
• Traditionally used to enhance taste and treat digestive disorders.
• Despite heavy consumption, India was entirely dependent on imports from Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

Ideal Growing Conditions of Heeng

• Native to cold, arid zones like Iran and Afghanistan.
• Prefers sandy, well-drained soil, low moisture, and annual rainfall below 300 mm.
• Grows well in temperatures between 10–20°C, tolerates highs of 40°C, and lows of –4°C.
• Dormant in extremely dry, cold winters.
• Needs 5 years to mature, after which the resin is harvested by cutting the taproot.

India’s Initiative to Cultivate Heeng

• In response to import dependency, CSIR-IHBT (Palampur) launched a mission to cultivate heeng domestically.
• Started with a global search for viable seeds (2018–2020), contacting over 20 suppliers.
• Seeds sourced from Iran and later Afghanistan, with proper import permits and quarantine by ICAR-NBPGR.

Challenges in Cultivation

• Seeds showed dormancy and low germination rates.
• CSIR-IHBT developed protocols to overcome germination issues and identified altitude-specific zones.
• Controlled trials conducted at Palampur and Ribling (Lahaul-Spiti).

Milestones in Field Cultivation

• First seedling planted: October 15, 2020, at Kwaring village, Lahaul Valley.
• First expansion to mid-hills: November 8, 2020, at Janjheli, Mandi district.
• Demonstration plots and farmer trainings conducted in:
  • Lahaul & Spiti: Madgran, Salgran, Beeling, Keylong
  • Mandi: Janjehli, Majhakhal, Kataru, Ghayan, Karsog
  • Kinnaur: Kafnoo, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Moorang, etc.
  • Kullu: Bagsaid, Sainj, Kotla–Banjar
  • Chamba: Pangi, Bharmour, Mahala, Tooh

Institutional Support

• Heeng Germplasm Resource Centre set up at IHBT, Palampur (inaugurated March 5, 2022).
• Dedicated to research, conservation, seed production, and farmer training.
• A tissue culture unit was established with funding from the Himachal Pradesh Government for large-scale propagation.
• Used ecological niche modelling to map suitable cultivation zones.

Significance

• Marks the beginning of self-reliant heeng production in India.
• Helps reduce import dependency and opens new income opportunities for farmers.
• Demonstrates successful inter-agency collaboration between:
  • CSIR-IHBT
  • ICAR-NBPGR
  • Himachal Pradesh Government
  • State Agriculture Department
  • Local farmers

First Shoot Rise Safely Through Soil Towards Daylight

Context

• When a seed germinates underground in darkness, its delicate shoot tip is protected by a curved structure called the apical hook.
• This hook must stay closed until the seedling emerges into light to prevent damage to the shoot as it pushes through the soil.

Focus of the Study

• Conducted by IISER Bhopal researchers: Nevedha Ravindran, Kavuri Venkateswara Rao, and Sourav Datta.
• Investigated the BBX32 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant.
• Goal: Understand how ethylene (a plant hormone) and light signals coordinate to control when the hook opens.

Key Experiments & Methods

• Created genetically modified seedlings: without BBX32, with excess BBX32, or tagged with markers.
• Exposed seedlings to various light conditions: darkness, red, blue, far-red, and white light.
• Simulated soil pressure using thin sand layers.
• Tracked:
  • Hook angle over time
  • BBX32 gene activity
  • Success rate of seedlings breaking through sand

Main Findings

• Ethylene activates BBX32, while light prevents its degradation.
• BBX32’s role is to delay the hook from opening, giving the seedling more time to reach the surface safely.
• Without extra ethylene, BBX32 mutants behaved normally; with high ethylene or soil pressure, their hooks opened too early.
• BBX32 increases PIF3 activity, which in turn activates HLS1, the key gene keeping the hook closed.
• If PIF3 is missing, BBX32 can’t perform its function.

Key Results

• In sand tests:
  • Only ~25% of BBX32 mutants emerged successfully.
  • ~40% of normal seedlings made it.
  • ~80% of BBX32 over-expressors emerged, showing the benefit of a longer-closed hook.

Mechanism Explained

• In darkness, the COP1 enzyme degrades BBX32 to allow flexibility.
• Ethylene protects BBX32 partially in the dark.
• Upon exposure to light, COP1 activity falls. → BBX32 accumulates on the inner side of the hook, holding it shut briefly to aid emergence.

Significance

• Understanding this ethylene–light–BBX32 mechanism helps explain how seedlings survive underground.
• Offers potential to develop crops better adapted to dense or rain-compacted soils, crucial as climate change increases extreme weather events.

Delegation in the U.K. for Diplomatic Outreach

Context

• Pakistan launched a diplomatic outreach after India’s global campaign post the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack where 26 civilians were killed.
• Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister and PPP chairman, is leading the delegation.

Diplomatic Movement

• The delegation arrived in London from Washington on Sunday.
• Pakistan’s efforts include two delegations visiting key world capitals to seek international engagement.
• The visit is part of Pakistan’s bid to counter India’s narrative and seek third-party involvement in India-Pakistan tensions.

Key Engagements in the U.K.

• Scheduled talks at:
  • IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) — public remarks.
  • Chatham House — off-record meeting.
  • U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) — bilateral meetings.
• Next destination: Brussels after London.

Strategic Objectives

• Pakistan is:
  • Seeking international mediation in its conflict with India.
  • Opposing India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance.
  • Highlighting the U.K.’s historic role (Partition reference) to urge involvement.

India’s Position

• India strongly opposes third-party intervention.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s “zero tolerance” for terrorism to U.K. counterpart David Lammy.
• India is conducting its diplomatic campaign in seven global capitals to expose terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Sri Lanka and China to ‘Deepen’ Trade Ties

Context

• On May 29, 2025, Sri Lanka and China held the 8th meeting of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Trade and Economic Commission in Colombo.
• The meeting was co-chaired by China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Sri Lankan Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe (Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development).
• The meeting comes at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking foreign investment to support its post-crisis economic recovery.
• China has been a key trade partner and creditor of Sri Lanka and is central to several infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Key Highlights

• Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed:
  • Trade facilitation: Establishing a joint working group to streamline trade.
  • Industrial and supply chain cooperation: Enhancing collaboration in manufacturing and logistics.
• Both sides discussed:
  • Expanding trade and investment ties.
  • Advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
  • Supporting the multilateral trading system.
• Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao also met Sri Lankan President Dissanayake:
  • Highlighted Sri Lanka’s political and economic stability as a positive signal for investors.
  • Noted an increase in interest from Chinese investors in Sri Lanka.

NATO Summit in The Hague

Context

• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is set to emphasize a significant rise in defence preparedness in light of rising geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia.
• Ahead of his official visit to London, NATO released extracts from Mr. Rutte’s upcoming speech where he stresses the need for a “quantum leap” in collective defence.
• This announcement comes in the lead-up to the NATO Summit in The Hague scheduled for June 24–25, 2025.

Key Highlights

• Defence Spending Call:
  • NATO needs to increase air and missile defences by 400% to effectively deter and respond to threats from Russia.
• Spending Targets Proposed:
  • 3.5% of GDP to be spent on military expenditure.
  • An additional 1.5% of GDP on defence-related infrastructure such as:
    • Roads
    • Bridges
    • Airfields
    • Seaports
• Strategic Justification: The proposed targets reflect the need to modernize defence systems and improve logistics for faster mobilization and response capabilities.
• Anticipated Agreement: Mr. Rutte expressed confidence that NATO allies will endorse these targets at the upcoming June summit.

FDI in India

Context

• Over the past decade (2015–2025), foreign direct investment (FDI) in India has remained concentrated in a few key States.
• A new trend shows foreign investors shifting their capital from Delhi to Maharashtra, with Gujarat and Karnataka also gaining ground.
• This shift is largely driven by the search for predictable returns, mature industrial ecosystems, and stable infrastructure.

Key Highlights

• FDI Share Shift (2015–2025):
  • Delhi:
    • 2015–16: 32% share ($12.7 billion) — highest that year
    • 2024–25: 12% share ($6 billion) — significant decline
  • Maharashtra:
    • 2015–16: 24% share ($9.5 billion)
    • 2024–25: 39% share ($19.6 billion) — highest that year
  • Karnataka:
    • 2015–16: 10% share
    • 2024–25: 13% share — second highest
    • Featured in top 5 for 9 out of 10 years
  • Gujarat:
    • Increased from 6% (2015–16) to 11% (2024–25)
    • Among top 5 in 8 out of 10 years
  • Tamil Nadu:
    • Declined from 11% to 7% in the same period
    • Among top 5 in 7 out of 10 years
• FDI Concentration: 5 States have consistently attracted 75% to 90% of India’s total FDI over the last 10 years.
• Expert Insight:
  • The shift reflects a “flight to quality” amid global investment uncertainty.
  • Investors prefer states with strong industrial bases, connectivity, and policy stability, such as:
    • Mumbai’s financial ecosystem (Maharashtra)
    • Bengaluru’s tech corridor (Karnataka)
• Underlying Trend: The FDI trend reveals how global capital seeks safety and reliability in proven destinations, moving away from risk-prone or policy-uncertain regions.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Rules, 2006

Context

• On June 3, 2025, the Union Government of India notified key amendments to the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Rules, 2006, to encourage semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
• The move is aimed at attracting high-tech, capital-intensive investments in sectors that have long gestation periods before profitability.
• The reforms are intended to boost domestic production, create high-skilled jobs, and strengthen India’s position in the semiconductor ecosystem.

Key Highlights

• Minimum Land Requirement Reduced:
  • Under Rule 5 amendment, the minimum contiguous land required for SEZs for semiconductor/electronics units is reduced from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
• Domestic Market Access Allowed:
  • Rule 18 amended to allow SEZ units in semiconductors and electronic components to supply to the domestic market after paying applicable duties.
  • Traditionally, SEZs were export-oriented only.
• Encumbrance-Free Land Norm Relaxed:
  • Rule 7 amended to allow relaxation in the requirement for SEZ land to be encumbrance-free if mortgaged or leased to government agencies.
• New SEZ Approvals Announced:
  • Total approved investment: ₹13,100 crore.
  • Micron Semiconductor Technology India:
    • Location: Sanand, Gujarat
    • Investment: ₹13,000 crore
  • Hubballi Durable Goods Cluster Pvt. Ltd. (Aequs):
    • Location: Dharwad, Karnataka
    • Investment: ₹100 crore
• Government’s Rationale:
  • High-tech sectors like semiconductors are import-dependent and require large capital and time before becoming profitable.
  • Amendments aim to promote pioneering investments and build domestic capabilities.
• Expected Outcomes:
  • Boost to semiconductor and electronics manufacturing in India.
  • Creation of high-skilled employment.
  • Growth of a robust high-tech manufacturing ecosystem.

Nickel extraction is carbon-intensive

Context: Nickel is a critical metal used in clean energy technologies, especially electric vehicles (EVs). As global demand is projected to exceed 6 million tonnes annually by 2040, the need for sustainable production is urgent. Traditional nickel extraction is carbon-intensive, releasing over 20 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of nickel produced. A new study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, published in Nature (2025), proposes a hydrogen plasma-based method for nickel extraction that is cleaner, faster, and energy-efficient.

Key Highlights:

Innovative Extraction Method

• Hydrogen plasma replaces carbon as the reducing agent.
• Conducted in an electric arc furnace using electricity, hydrogen, and producing water as the by-product instead of CO₂.
• Bypasses multi-step traditional process (calcination, smelting, reduction, refining) with a single-step metallurgical process.

Environmental & Energy Impact

• Up to 84% reduction in direct CO₂ emissions.
• Approximately 18% more energy efficient than conventional methods.
• Yields high-purity ferronickel, reducing the need for further refining.

Application to Low-Grade Ores

• Focuses on laterite ores, which are:
  • Abundant in tropical regions (including Odisha’s Sukinda in India).
  • Lower-grade but traditionally tough to process.
• Enables economic extraction from underutilized domestic resources, reducing dependence on imported high-grade ores.

Relevance for India

• India has significant nickel laterite deposits that could be tapped using this method.
• Aligns with India’s dual goals of:
  • Accelerating industrial growth.
  • Meeting net-zero emissions by 2070.
• Potential to boost the green economy and local manufacturing of EVs and batteries.

Challenges and Cautions

• Scalability issues: High initial costs for infrastructure and renewable energy input.
• Ore-specific limitations: May not be suitable for all types of nickel ores.
• Further R&D needed:
  • Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis.
  • Continuous oxygen species supply at the arc-melt interface.

Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol leader

Context: Violent protests have erupted in Manipur following the arrest of Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol leader Kanan Singh and four others. Despite prohibitory orders, the state has witnessed arson, roadblocks, and clashes with security forces, leading to heightened tension. The state is currently under President’s Rule, and there are growing demands for the formation of an elected government.

Key Highlights:

Protests and Violence

• Torchlight processions, roadblocks, tyre burnings, and clashes with police occurred mainly in Imphal East and West districts.
• The Sub-Divisional Collector’s Office at Yairipok Tulihal was set on fire, damaging official records.
• Protesters used soil mounds and bamboo poles to block key roads, including those leading to Imphal Airport.
• Security forces responded with tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

Public Sentiment and Demands

• Women’s groups actively participated, calling for the immediate formation of a new state government.
• The protests began on June 7, following the arrest of Kanan Singh, a prominent Meitei leader.

Law and Order Measures

• Prohibitory orders imposed in five districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
• Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, have been suspended since Saturday night (June 8).
• Security has been tightened across key areas to prevent further escalation.

Investigation and Arrests

• The CBI confirmed the arrest of one Arambai Tenggol member at Imphal Airport, tied to the 2023 Manipur violence.
• Police have withheld details about the other four individuals arrested.

Government Response: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a high-level security review meeting on Sunday, assessing the situation and coordinating law enforcement efforts.

Prime Minister’s visits to Cyprus and Croatia

Cyprus Visit (Pre-G7)

• First visit by PM Modi to Cyprus, seen as a strategic signal to Turkiye, which supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor (May 2025).
• Cyprus has consistently supported India on:
  • Kashmir issue
  • Cross-border terrorism at EU platforms
  • India’s bids for the UNSC permanent seat, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the IAEA.
• India reciprocates by supporting Cyprus on its territorial dispute with Turkey, advocating for resolution as per UNSC resolutions and EU law.
• Visit aligns with Cyprus’ upcoming EU Council Presidency in 2026, bolstering diplomatic ties.
• PM Modi is expected to meet Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

Croatia Visit (Post-G7)

• First Indian PM visit since Croatia’s independence in 1991.
• Aims to strengthen:
  • Cultural ties: Strong Indology studies at the University of Zagreb; ISKCON presence.
  • Defence cooperation: MoU signed during Raisina Dialogue 2023 by Croatian FM.
  • Technological and maritime cooperation.
• Croatia is seen as a symbolic partner of India’s non-aligned legacy (Tito was Croatian).
• Important for India’s strategic interest in India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
  • Croatia’s Adriatic ports could support India’s maritime strategy in IMEC.
  • Both Cyprus and Croatia are viewed as potential partners/investors in IMEC.

Diplomatic & Strategic Implications

Country	Importance to India	Broader Message/Impact
Cyprus	Support on Kashmir, terrorism, UNSC membership; EU Council Presidency 2026	Sends message to Turkiye; reinforces EU diplomatic front
Croatia	Cultural, academic & defence ties; maritime capabilities for IMEC	Aligns with IMEC strategy, revives Non-Aligned connections

Axiom-4 (Ax-4) Mission

• Launch site: Launch Complex 39A, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Launch vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Spacecraft: Crew Dragon by SpaceX

Indian Involvement

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of the Ax-4 mission as India’s Gaganyatri (astronaut).
• His mission marks a significant international collaboration for India’s human spaceflight ambitions.

Mission Highlights

• Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
• Duration: ~14 days
• Activities:
  • Microgravity experiments
  • Technology demonstrations
  • Educational/outreach events
• Crew Status: Currently in quarantine

Reason for Delay

• SpaceX cited “high winds in the ascent corridor” as the main reason for postponement.
• Safe weather conditions are crucial during ascent phase for crewed launches.

Quick Facts Recap

• Mission: Axiom-4 (Ax-4)
• Indian astronaut: Gp. Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla
• New launch time: 11th June 2025, 5:30 PM IST
• Launch by: SpaceX for Axiom Space
• Docking (earlier plan): ~12:30 PM ET, June 11
• Mission type: Private–international research mission aboard ISS