Daily Current Affairs 2025  

29/08/2025

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CA-29/08/2025

 
 
Why in news?
India-Sri Lanka cooperation under Vision SAGAR has recently seen major activity, including high-level Coast Guard talks and naval exercises, strengthening maritime security, capacity-building, and environmental stewardship in 2025.
 
SLINEX-25 Bilateral Naval Exercise

• The 12th edition of SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise), held in Colombo from August 14–18, 2025, involved Indian Naval Ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti, and Sri Lankan ships SLNS Sayura and SLNS Vijayabahu.
• The exercise deepened operational interoperability and promoted best practices, reflecting Vision SAGAR’s aim for shared regional security and maritime stability.

India-Sri Lanka Coast Guard Cooperation

• The 8th High-Level Meeting between Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards occurred on August 11, 2025, in New Delhi.
• Talks centered on marine pollution response, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and technical assistance, enhancing mutual readiness for shared maritime challenges.
• Both sides committed to operational coordination, best practices exchange, and strengthening the regional maritime safety and security framework in line with Vision SAGAR.

The Vision SAGAR framework is closely linked to India’s Neighbourhood First policy, supporting Sri Lanka through generous development initiatives beyond defense, encompassing health, education, infrastructure, and connectivity.
 
About Vision SAGAR
Vision SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, is India’s strategic maritime policy focused on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to promote security, stability, economic cooperation, and sustainable development among its maritime neighbors.

Key Elements

• Security: Enhances maritime and coastal security to protect the interests of all states in the region and discourages threats such as piracy, terrorism, and illegal activities.
• Economic & Capacity Building: Aims to foster economic growth, connectivity, and collective capacity building, particularly leveraging opportunities in the blue economy (such as marine resources, renewable energy, and trade).
• Collective Action & Sustainable Development: Promotes collaborative approaches to natural disaster response and regional infrastructure, as well as sustainable use of ocean resources.
• Respect for Maritime Rules: Urges adherence to international maritime laws, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for each nation’s interests for a climate of trust and openness.
• Strategic Evolution – MAHASAGAR: India’s broader global maritime vision, branded “MAHASAGAR” (announced March 2025), expands on SAGAR to include a wider Indo-Pacific and Global South focus, integrating India’s partnerships with countries beyond the Indian Ocean, such as the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ghana.

Objectives

• Deepen India’s role as a “net security provider” and “first responder” in the IOR by supporting humanitarian efforts, disaster relief, and maritime stability.
• Strengthen regional maritime partnerships and ensure the Indian Ocean remains free, open, and inclusive.
• Counteract rising challenges from extra-regional powers, notably addressing China's growing presence and influence in the region.

Importance

• The vision is crucial for India to safeguard its trade routes, natural resources, coastal security, and economic prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
• SAGAR complements other Indian government initiatives like Sagarmala (port-led development) and aligns with policies such as Act East and the Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Through missions such as “Mission SAGAR” during the COVID-19 pandemic, India demonstrated its commitment to supporting neighboring nations through medical and humanitarian assistance.

Challenges

• Geopolitical rivalry, especially with China’s increasing maritime influence (“String of Pearls” approach) and debt diplomacy.
• Non-traditional threats, including piracy, trafficking, and ecological risks such as overfishing, ocean pollution, and overexploitation of resources.
• The need for greater coordination among regional states to avoid duplication of effort and reliance on extra-regional naval forces.

Overall, Vision SAGAR has become central to India’s foreign policy for regional peace, sustainable development, and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
 
 

     
Why in news?
India and Bhutan have signed several MoUs across various fields recently, reflecting strong bilateral cooperation.
Key recent MoUs include those on agriculture and allied sectors, space cooperation, energy efficiency, trade facilitation, rail link establishment, and cultural exchange.
 
MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors (August 2025)

• India and Bhutan signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, livestock, food processing, post-harvest management, seed development, agricultural research, and capacity building.
• This MoU emphasizes sustainable farming, food security, technology exchange, and rural prosperity.
• It also set up a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) for action planning and implementation, highlighting priority areas like climate-resilient agriculture and farmer support.

MoU on Space Cooperation (November 2020)

• MoU was signed to pursue cooperation in space technology involving remote sensing, satellite communication, satellite navigation, space science, and planetary exploration.
• A Joint Working Group was formed for coordinated implementation, benefiting both countries' technological capabilities and applications.

MoU on Energy, Trade, and Rail Links (March 2024)
Several MoUs were signed including:

• Facilitation of petroleum, oil, and lubricant supplies from India to Bhutan.
• Trade facilitation by recognizing Bhutanese export inspection certificates for the Indian market.
• Promotion of energy efficiency through star labeling of appliances.
• Development of two proposed rail links between India and Bhutan: Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse.
• Cooperation in pharmaceuticals regulation and affordable generic medicine supply.
• Digital connectivity enhancement via the National Knowledge Network and Druk Research and Education Network.

India-Bhutan Foundation MoU (August 2003)

• This foundational MoU established the India-Bhutan Foundation aimed at enhancing educational, cultural, scientific, and technical exchanges.
• It is governed by a board co-chaired by ambassadors from both countries and funded through a trust fund.

These MoUs underscore India and Bhutan's commitment to deepening bilateral relations across strategic, economic, social, and technological domains. They highlight ongoing collaboration in sustainable development, connectivity, innovation, and people-to-people ties.
 
 
 
 
   
Why in news?
The 7th meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) took place in New Delhi on August 28, 2025.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the implementation of decisions from previous meetings.
 
Key areas discussed:

• Training Cooperation: India offered training programs to Saudi Armed Forces.
• Industrial Partnerships: Emphasis on joint manufacturing and cooperation in defence equipment, leveraging India's "Make in India" initiative.
• Maritime Cooperation: Discussions on enhancing naval collaboration.
• Military Exercises: Strengthening joint military drills and exercises.
• Cyber Security and IT: Collaborative efforts in cybersecurity and information technologies.
• Disaster Management: Opportunities for joint work in disaster response and management.
• Tactical Communication: Enhancing communication capabilities for defence purposes.

These focus areas reflect a comprehensive approach to deepening bilateral defence ties beyond procurement towards strategic partnership and capability building.
 
 
 
   
 
Why in news?
On August 28, 2025, Army Hospital Research and Referral AHRR became the first government institute in India and the second in South Asia to successfully perform Robotic Custom Laser Cataract Surgery using the advanced ALLY Adaptive Cataract Treatment System.
 
About Robotic Custom Laser Cataract Surgery

• Use of femtosecond laser guided by robotic systems for highly precise, customized treatment based on detailed imaging of the patient's eye anatomy.
• Minimally invasive, bladeless surgery that reduces inflammation, lowers risk of infection, and enhances visual outcomes.
• Customized correction of astigmatism and optimal intraocular lens (IOL) placement.
• Faster healing time and minimal need for stitches due to smaller and more precise incisions.

This technology represents a major advancement over conventional cataract surgery by providing better surgical consistency, improved safety, and tailored treatment plans for each patient’s unique needs.
 
 
 
   
Why in news?
The Nuakhai Festival 2025 was celebrated on August 28, 2025, primarily in western Odisha, India.
 
Significance and Traditions

• Nuakhai means "new food," emphasizing the fresh harvest.
• The festival is rooted in Vedic rituals of first grain offerings and was formalized in the 14th century by Raja Ramai Deo of Patna State.
• People perform pujas to village and household deities, and distribute the new rice as blessings.
• The exchange of greetings, Nuakhai Juhar, symbolizes unity and the renewal of relationships.
• Traditional Sambalpuri dance forms like Rasarkeli, Dalkhai, Maelajada, and Sajani are prominent cultural aspects of the event.

Regional Observances

• Celebrated with particular fervor in districts like Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Balangir, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, and Nuapada in Odisha.
• Large ceremonies take place in temples dedicated to deities such as Samaleswari, Pataneswari, Sureswari, and Manikeswari.
• The festival also has tribal origins and blends tribal customs with Hindu rituals.

Nuakhai is a vibrant harvest festival symbolizing prosperity, gratitude, community bonding, and cultural richness in Western Odisha and adjoining regions.
 
 

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