7 April 2025 Current Affairs

India–Sri Lanka Sign Landmark Defence Cooperation Pact

India and Sri Lanka signed a landmark defence cooperation pact on Saturday, signalling a significant step forward in their strategic partnership. The agreement came after wide-ranging talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. PM Modi highlighted that the security of both nations is deeply interconnected and emphasized mutual commitment to regional peace.

Key Agreements Signed During PM Modi's Visit (April 2025)

1. Defence Cooperation Pact

• First formal defence MoU between India and Sri Lanka.
• Focuses on joint military exercises, training, and high-level defence exchanges.
• Aims to boost maritime security and strategic trust.

2. Sampur Solar Power Project

• Groundbreaking ceremony conducted virtually.
• Will help ensure Sri Lanka’s energy security.
• Focus on Trincomalee's development as an energy hub.

3. Grid Interconnectivity Agreement

• MoU to interconnect the electricity grids of both countries.
• Enables potential electricity exports from Sri Lanka to India.

4. Tripartite MoU with UAE

• Collaboration to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub.
• Includes construction of a multi-product energy pipeline.

5. MoU on Digital Transformation

• India to share digital solutions with Sri Lanka.
• Aims to support Sri Lanka’s efforts in digitisation and governance reforms.

6. Support Package for Eastern Provinces

• India announced assistance worth 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees.
• Intended for social and economic development of Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces.

7. Solar Rooftop Systems Project

• Inauguration of solar systems for 5,000 religious institutions.
• Funded through India’s $17 million credit assistance.
• Expected to generate 25 MW of clean energy.

8. Health and Medicine Cooperation

• MoU signed between the health ministries of both nations.
• Strengthens collaboration in public health and medical sectors.

9. Pharmacopoeia Collaboration

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and Sri Lanka’s NMRA signed MoU.
• To promote cooperation in pharmacopoeial standards and regulatory practices.

10. Debt Restructuring Dialogue

• Included as part of broader cooperation discussions.
• Reflects India's support for Sri Lanka’s economic stability.

Brief Background of India–Sri Lanka Relations

• Geographical and Cultural Proximity: India and Sri Lanka share close historical, cultural, linguistic, and religious ties.
• Political Engagements: Regular high-level visits and bilateral meetings have strengthened diplomatic and political bonds.
• Economic and Developmental Aid: India has been a major development partner for Sri Lanka, offering lines of credit, humanitarian aid, and infrastructure support.
• Security Concerns: India's past involvement in Sri Lanka's civil war through the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and its concern over Chinese influence have kept security cooperation crucial.
• Recent Developments: India supported Sri Lanka with financial aid and resources during its recent economic crisis, strengthening goodwill.

India’s Initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok. India announced several initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation across sectors such as trade, security, disaster management, digital infrastructure, energy, and youth engagement. These efforts reaffirm India’s commitment to deepening ties within the BIMSTEC region.

Brief Background of BIMSTEC

• Full Form: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
• Founded: 1997
• Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
• Objective: To foster regional cooperation and integration in the Bay of Bengal region across 14 priority sectors, including trade, connectivity, security, and sustainable development.
• Significance: Serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia and complements India’s “Act East” and “Neighbourhood First” policies.

India’s Key Initiatives at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit

1. Business and Economy

• Establishment of BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce.
• Organization of an annual BIMSTEC Business Summit.
• Feasibility study on trade in local currency within the BIMSTEC region.

2. Information Technology

• Pilot study to assess the needs of BIMSTEC nations for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) sharing.
• UPI connectivity with payment systems in the BIMSTEC region.

3. Disaster Management

• Establishment of BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India.
• Hosting of the fourth joint disaster management exercises in India this year.

4. Security

• India to host the first meeting of the Home Ministers' Mechanism for BIMSTEC.

5. Space Cooperation

• Establishment of ground stations, training manpower, manufacturing and launching Nano Satellites, and using remote sensing data.

6. Capacity Building & Training

• Launch of “BODHI” initiative: Train 300 youth from BIMSTEC countries in India every year.
• Scholarships for BIMSTEC students at the Forestry Research Institute of India and Nalanda University.
• Annual training program for young BIMSTEC diplomats.
• Tata Memorial Centre to aid in cancer care training across BIMSTEC.
• Establishment of:

- Centre of Excellence for traditional medicine research and dissemination.

- Centre of Excellence in India for agriculture knowledge exchange and capacity building.

7. Energy Cooperation

• BIMSTEC Energy Centre started operations in Bengaluru.
• Acceleration of work on electric grid interconnection among member countries.

8. Youth Engagement

• Organization of the BIMSTEC Young Leaders’ Summit this year.
• Launch of BIMSTEC Hackathon and Young Professional Visitors Programme.

9. Sports

• India to host the BIMSTEC Athletics Meet in 2025.
• India to host the first BIMSTEC Games in 2027.

10. Culture

• India to organize the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival this year.

11. Connectivity

• Establishment of a Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre in India to boost maritime policy coordination, innovation, and research.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Passed by Indian Parliament

India’s Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to change how Muslim charitable properties—known as waqf—are managed. The government claims the amendments aim to ensure transparency and accountability, while opposition parties and Muslim leaders allege it infringes on minority rights and is unconstitutional.

Background: What is Waqf?

• In Islamic tradition, a waqf is a permanent charitable endowment, typically immovable property, donated for religious or social purposes.
• Common uses: mosques, graveyards, madrassas, orphanages, etc.
• Governed by the Waqf Act, 1995, which established state waqf boards composed of Muslim lawmakers, Islamic scholars, legal experts, and property managers.
• India has around 200 million Muslims; waqf properties are crucial to community welfare.

Key Features of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

1. Change in Determination of Waqf Property

• Oral or traditional declarations will no longer suffice.
• Valid documentation is now mandatory to register or claim property as waqf.
• In case of land disputes (especially with government land), the final decision lies with the government.

2. Inclusion of Non-Muslims

• The bill allows non-Muslims to be appointed to waqf boards and tribunals—a first under Indian law.
• This move has drawn criticism for being inconsistent with waqf’s religious character.

3. Judicial Review Introduced

• Earlier, waqf tribunal decisions were final.
• The amendment allows for judicial intervention in waqf-related disputes, bringing them under regular courts.

4. Centralised Registration System

• All waqf properties must be registered in a centralised online database within six months of the law’s enactment.
• All new waqf property declarations must also follow this system.

5. Increased Government Oversight

• The bill enhances the government's role in surveying and mapping waqf properties.
• Critics claim this gives the state greater control over religious endowments.

First Budget Session Of The 18th Lok Sabha Concluded

The First Budget Session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded on April 4, 2025, with a highly productive run, though ending in disruptions due to the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The session witnessed marathon debates, high legislative output, and political friction on key issues.

Key Highlights of the Session

1. Session Duration: January 31 – April 4, 2025 (Recess: Feb 14 – Mar 9)

2. Lok Sabha Productivity: 118%

3. Rajya Sabha Productivity: 119%

4. Total Bills Passed: 16, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and Immigration and Foreigners Bill

5. Historic Sitting: Rajya Sabha sat non-stop for 17.02 hours (from 11 AM Thursday to 4.02 AM Friday) to pass key bills.

6. Debates:

a. Motion of Thanks on President’s Address:

• Lok Sabha: 17 hrs 23 mins (vs allotted 12 hrs)
• Rajya Sabha: 21 hrs 46 mins

b. Union Budget:

• Lok Sabha: 16 hrs 13 mins
• Rajya Sabha: 17 hrs 56 mins

Disruptions on Final Day

1. Lok Sabha:

• Opposition raised slogans over U.S. tariff issues.
• BJP protested Sonia Gandhi’s claim that the Waqf Bill was bulldozed, leading to adjournments.

2. Rajya Sabha:

• BJP raised the issue of the Calcutta HC order cancelling 24,000 teaching posts.
• TMC protested over Electoral Photo Identity Card duplication; their demand for debate was denied.
• Two adjournments before valedictory address by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

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