CURRENT AFFAIRS
12 February, 2025
1. THE SRI LANKAN NAVY ARRESTED SOME INDIAN FISHERMEN FOR FISHING IN PALK BAY (SRI LANKAN WATERS), REIGNITING THE INDIA-SRI LANKA FISHING DISPUTE –
• In 2024, Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka crossed 500 for the first time in a decade (2014: 787 arrests).
• Recurrent Arrests: Indian fishermen with their trawlers often in search of fishes stray into Sri Lankan waters due to engine failures or sudden weather changes.
• The destruction of fishing vessels, continued boat confiscation after fishermen’s release, and heavy fines by Sri Lankan authorities remain recurring issues between both nations.
• Violation of IMBL: Indian fishermen claim historical fishing rights beyond the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) based on traditional practices that lead to arrests of Indian fishermen in areas close to the IMBL.
• The Palk bay is equally divided between India and Sri Lanka by the IMBL, but fishing rights remain contested.
• The IMBL (as per UNCLOS) is an official boundary separating territorial waters, defining maritime jurisdiction, and regulating fishing, resource use, and naval activities.
2. THE INDIAN NAVY’S THEATRE LEVEL OPERATIONAL EXERCISE (TROPEX) 2025 IS BEING CONDUCTED IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION (IOR) OVER A DURATION OF 3 MONTHS (JAN – MAR 2025) –
• About TROPEX: It is the Indian Navy’s biennial and largest maritime exercise that strengthens joint operations against maritime threats with participation from the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
• Objective: Validate the Indian Navy’s warfighting skills and ensure an integrated response to conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid maritime threats posed by countries like China.
• China, the world’s largest navy with over 360 warships and submarines, deploys 7-8 naval vessels and spy ships in the IOR at all times.
• Phases: It includes Harbour and Sea Phases, featuring combat operations, cyber & electronic warfare, live weapon firings, and Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX).
3. LOK SABHA EXPANDS TRANSLATION SERVICES TO 6 MORE LANGUAGES –
• In a significant move to promote linguistic inclusivity, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the extension of translation services in the House to six additional languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu.
• This expansion aims to enhance accessibility for Members of Parliament and strengthen democratic participation. The initiative is part of a broader effort to eventually offer translation services for all 22 languages recognized under Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution.
• However, the inclusion of Sanskrit sparked debate, with concerns raised about its communicability and official status in states.
4. TRUMP IMPOSES 25% TARIFFS ON STEEL & ALUMINUM IMPORTS –
• U.S. President Donald Trump has officially announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, a move set to take effect from March 4, 2025. The decision eliminates previous country-specific exemptions, impacting key exporters like Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea.
• The administration has framed this as a step to simplify tariff policies, boost domestic production, and address concerns of foreign dumping. This announcement marks a return to the protectionist trade policies that characterized Trump’s first term in office.
5. ISRO & IIT MADRAS UNVEIL INDIGENOUS CHIP FOR SPACE –
• In a significant stride towards self-reliance in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have collaboratively developed and successfully booted an indigenous semiconductor chip named ‘IRIS’ (Indigenous RISC-V Microprocessor for Space Applications).
• This development aligns with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign technology in critical sectors.
MCQ QUIZ
Q1 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated Asia’s biggest Aero India show in Bengaluru. What is the theme of the Aero India show 2025 ?
a) Innovation for Defence
b) Runway to a Billion Opportunities
c) Future of Aerospace
d) Global Defence Partnership
Q2. Which state will host the world’s largest Jhumur dance on February 24, 2025 ?
a) West Bengal
b) Assam
c) Tripura
d) Manipur
Q3. US President Donald Trump has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and designated February 9 as “Gulf of America Day” through an executive order. According to the executive order, which two countries share the maritime boundary of the newly named Gulf ?
a) Canada and Cuba
b) Mexico and Canada
c) Mexico and Cuba
d) Cuba and Jamaica
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ?
1. It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates.
2. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year.
3. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
a) Only 1
b) Only 1 and 2
c) Only 3
d) 2 and 3 only
Explanation-
First statement is correct. The MPC is responsible for setting the benchmark interest rates (repo rate) to achieve the inflation target set by the Government of India.
Second statement is incorrect. The MPC consists of only six members: three RBI officials and three external members nominated by the Government of India. The RBI Governor is the ex-officio Chairperson, and the committee is not reconstituted every year.
Third statement is incorrect. The MPC functions under the chairmanship of the RBI Governor, not the Union Finance Minister.
Q5. Which of the following is the most likely implication of the U.S. President’s memorandum to modify or rescind sanctions waivers related to Chabahar Port ?
1. India may lose access to a key trade route, resulting in increased dependence on Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
2. India’s diplomatic relations with the U.S. may become more strained, given the continued partnership with Iran over Chabahar, which contradicts U.S. sanctions.
3. Afghanistan’s trade and economic stability could significantly improve, as the port will be fully under U.S. sanctions, boosting its own domestic economy.
4. India might strengthen its ties with regional powers like China and Russia.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2, and 4 only
d) 2 and 4 only
Explanation-
Statement 1 is correct. If Chabahar Port access is lost, India will be dependent on Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia, as Chabahar serves as an alternative route.
Statement 2 is correct. India’s continued involvement in Chabahar may strain its relations with the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict with U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The sanctions on Chabahar Port could hurt Afghanistan’s trade and economic stability, as it relies on India’s access to the port for growth.
Statement 4 is correct. If India loses access to Chabahar, it may seek to strengthen its ties with other regional powers like China and Russia while leveraging multilateral platforms like BRICS and the SCO to mitigate the loss.
Answer Key
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
B | B | C | A | C |