26 May 2025 Current Affairs

10th Meeting of NITI Aayog Governing Council – Centre-State Dynamics

(a) Date: May 2025
(b) Theme: “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”
(c) Chairperson: PM Narendra Modi

Key Developments:

1. Call for Unity:

• PM Modi emphasized Centre-State collaboration as “Team India”.
• Urged States to develop one tourist destination to global standards.
• Advocated greater inclusion of women in the workforce.

2. States’ Participation:

• Most Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors attended.
• Focus on collaborative growth, vision for 2047.

Grievances by States:

1. Tamil Nadu (CM: M.K. Stalin):

• Tax Devolution: Demanded 41% share in Central taxes (currently at 33.16%).
• Urbanization: Pitched for a dedicated urban mission, citing TN as the most urbanised state.
• River Project: Requested a Clean-Ganga-like project for Cauvery, Vaigai, Thamirabarani rivers.

2. Punjab (CM: Bhagwant Mann):

• Water Sharing: Cited 1972 Irrigation Commission to stake claim on Yamuna waters (like Haryana claims Ravi-Beas).
• Funding Grievance: Criticised the Centre for “stepmotherly treatment”.
• Asked for more financial support from the Centre.

Development Suggestions from States:

1. Andhra Pradesh (CM: N. Chandrababu Naidu):

• GDP Growth – Investments, exports, manufacturing.
• Demographic Advantage – Skilling & human capital.
• Tech Governance – Use of AI, drones, quantum computing.

2. Chhattisgarh (CM: Vishnu Deo Sai):

• Proposed 3T Model: Technology, Transparency, Transformation to achieve Viksit Bharat goals by 2047.

Significance:

• Enhances understanding of federalism, Centre-State relations, fiscal policy, and governance reforms.
• Likely passage/MCQ topic under Indian Polity or Current Affairs.

Inter-State Council (ISC)

Tip: ISC helps in cooperative federalism but lacks executive powers.

Finance Commission

• Tip: Article 280 is important for questions related to fiscal federalism.
• Home Work – Make notes on 16th Finance Commission and revise NITI Aayog      

Issue: Protests in Imphal over alleged undermining of Manipur’s identity

(a) Location: Raj Bhavan, Imphal
(b) Organiser: COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) – a Meitei umbrella group.

Main Pointers:

1. Clashes in Imphal:

• Protesters clashed with security forces near the Raj Bhavan during a civil disobedience march.
• At least 5 protesters were injured.

2. Trigger of Protests:

• COCOMI accused the Governor of insulting Manipur’s identity after security forced a team to cover the label “Manipur State Transport” on a bus (May 20).

3. Demands by COCOMI:

• Public apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
• Resignation of top officials: Chief Secretary, DGP, Security Adviser.
• End to use of aggressive force on peaceful protesters.

4. President’s Rule Context:

• Manipur is under President’s Rule since February 13, after CM N. Biren Singh resigned.
• Governor currently serves as the Administrator of the State.

5. Next Steps by Protesters:

• COCOMI delegation to meet Union Home Ministry officials in Delhi.
• Agenda: Follow-up on Manipur People’s Convention resolutions (held May 3), apology demand, and administrative reshuffle.

6. COCOMI's Statement:

• Condemned security actions as “hostile and concerning”, especially against women.
• Criticised Centre's lack of timely action and continued marginalisation of Manipur’s identity.

Static GK: Governor in Indian Constitution

Governor – Key Features

Tip: Governor’s powers are often in the news due to federal disputes – stay updated on real-world examples like Manipur or Tamil Nadu.

Issue: Kalimpong protests over foreign leader’s remark on the Siliguri Corridor

(a) Location: Kalimpong, West Bengal
(b) Trigger: Bhutan PM's comment describing Siliguri Corridor as a "problem area"

Main Pointers:

1. Mass Protest in Kalimpong:

• Thousands protested against Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s comment calling the Siliguri Corridor a “problem area” for India.

2. Political Reactions:

• Local leaders and Gorkha groups called the statement “insensitive” and “misguided”.
• It was viewed as ignoring the emotions of Indian citizens living in that region.

3. Why It Matters:

• The Siliguri Corridor (also known as India’s Chicken’s Neck) is a strategic bottleneck connecting the rest of India to the Northeast.
• The corridor is just 20–22 km wide at its narrowest point.

4. China’s Shadow:

• Concerns were also raised about China's influence in Bhutan, especially after border talks and growing Chinese assertiveness near Doklam.

5. Calls for Caution:

• Protesters urged the Government of India to be vigilant of foreign statements regarding this sensitive region.
• Political parties in Kalimpong demanded firm diplomatic communication with Bhutan.

Chicken’s Neck – Strategic Importance for India

Siliguri Corridor (India’s Chicken’s Neck)

Doklam standoff (2017) highlighted how close China can come to this corridor via Bhutanese territory.

Similar Corridors in Bangladesh (Bangladesh’s Chicken’s Necks)

Insight: Chicken Necks are not just geography—they are strategic pressure points that influence defence, diplomacy, and disaster response

Issue: Civilian deaths in Gaza and Malaysia's diplomatic response

(a) Location: Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, Kuala Lumpur
(b) Trigger: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and international criticism

Main Pointers:

1. New Civilian Casualties in Gaza

• 38 people killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli airstrikes, including a mother and two children in Deir al-Balah.
• Other fatalities include five people in Jabaliya, among them women and a child.
• Journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda and family also killed in Jabaliya.

2. Personal Tragedy

• A local doctor lost 9 of her 10 children in an Israeli strike on Friday, highlighting the humanitarian toll of the conflict.

3. Death Toll and Displacement

• Since the start of Israel’s 19-month offensive, over 53,000 Palestinians killed, per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
• Women and children form the majority of the deceased.
• 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, many multiple times.

4. Regional Spillover

• Israel intercepted a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.
• No reported damage or casualties.

5. Malaysia’s Strong Diplomatic Stance

• Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan condemned the situation as a violation of international law.
• Criticised global double standards and indifference.
• Urged ASEAN nations to take a collective stand and not remain silent.
• Noted that Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has no diplomatic ties with Israel.

Main Contentions Between Israel and Palestine

Kuwait’s Emir strips over 37,000 people of citizenship

(a) Location: Kuwait
(b) Trigger: Reform agenda by Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

Main Pointers:

1. Mass Citizenship Revocations

• Over 37,000 people, including 26,000+ women, have lost Kuwaiti nationality since August 2023.
• Many victims were naturalised through marriage, a process now abolished.

2. Targeted Groups

• Women naturalised by marriage post-1987.
• People with dual nationality, which Kuwait prohibits.
• Citizens naturalised for achievements or by fraud.

3. Legal and Human Impact

• Affected individuals face frozen bank accounts, loss of pensions, and statelessness.
• Amnesty International and analysts raise alarm on human rights violations.

4. Bidoon Parallel

• Kuwait already has ~100,000 stateless people called Bidoon, who have faced discrimination since 1961.

5. Political Objectives Behind the Move

• Analysts believe the goal is to reshape Kuwaiti identity by focusing on blood ties to the nation.
• It may also be a strategy to trim the electorate amid years of political crisis and parliamentary gridlock.

6. Exclusionary Nationalism

• Citizenship rights in Kuwait are linked to descent from a Kuwaiti father.
• New leadership is accused of pushing ethno-nationalist policies to create a more “pure” citizen base.

7. Women Hit Hardest

• Critics argue this campaign targets mothers and grandmothers, who are “the reproducers of the nation.”
• Government claims women will keep social benefits, but lose political rights like voting.

8. Public Opinion Shift

• Initially supported as an anti-fraud reform, but the mass scale and gendered targeting drew backlash.

9. Analysts' Warnings

• Some warn that Kuwait is inciting racism, creating statelessness, and dismantling national unity.

10. Geopolitical Implications

• This move raises questions about Gulf monarchies, citizenship hierarchies, and future political stability in the region.

Kuwait – Strategic and Political Significance

The “Video Game War” – Gulf War (1991)

Insight: The Gulf War shows how oil, geography, and identity politics intersect in West Asia — relevant in understanding both Kuwait’s reforms and U.S.-Israel strategies today.