On June 22nd, 2025, India witnessed important developments across various sectors. The persistent conflict between Israel and Iran continues to fuel regional instability, prompting India to extend its humanitarian efforts. Concurrently, major powers are strengthening ties, with Russia and India set to finalize a long-term cooperation plan. Meanwhile, India's stance on historical agreements, such as the Indus Water Treaty, remains firm, reflecting its evolving foreign policy positions.

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Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

Israel-Iran Conflict: Air Strikes Continue on 9th Day

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified, with both nations continuing to exchange air strikes on the ninth consecutive day. 

• This sustained period of direct military engagement signifies a dangerous escalation in regional tensions and poses a significant threat to stability in the Middle East.

Nature of the Air Strikes

The continued exchange of air strikes suggests:

• Targeting of Strategic Assets: Both sides are likely targeting military bases, command centers, and infrastructure perceived as vital to the opponent's operational capabilities.
• Retaliatory Cycles: Each strike by one side often triggers a retaliatory response from the other, creating a dangerous cycle of escalation that is difficult to break.
• Technological Capabilities: The use of air strikes highlights the advanced military capabilities of both nations, involving sophisticated aerial platforms and missile systems.

Implications of Prolonged Conflict

The continuation of air strikes for nine days has several grave implications:

• Regional Instability: It risks further destabilizing an already volatile Middle East, potentially drawing in other regional and global actors.
• Humanitarian Impact: Civilian populations in affected areas face direct threats to their lives and livelihoods, leading to displacement and humanitarian crises.
• Economic Consequences: Prolonged conflict often leads to disruptions in vital trade routes, energy supplies (as seen with the Strait of Hormuz context in other news), and overall economic uncertainty, impacting global markets.
• International Diplomacy: It puts immense pressure on international bodies and major global powers to mediate and de-escalate the situation, though finding a resolution in such complex conflicts is challenging.
• Impact on Global Energy Markets: As seen in related news, the conflict directly contributes to spikes in crude oil prices, affecting economies worldwide, including India's.

India Extends Operation Sindhu to Evacuate Nepalese and Sri Lankan Citizens from Iran

Source: Times of India

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• In a significant humanitarian gesture and a display of its growing regional leadership, India has expanded its ongoing 'Operation Sindhu' to include the evacuation of citizens from neighboring Nepal and Sri Lanka who were stranded in conflict-affected Iran. 

• This extension comes after the initial phase of the operation successfully brought back Indian nationals, primarily students, amidst heightened hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Context of the Evacuation

The need for 'Operation Sindhu' and its subsequent expansion arose directly from the escalating geopolitical tensions and an increasingly unstable security environment in Iran due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

• Security Concerns: The prolonged exchange of air strikes and the targeting of certain areas within Iran created an immediate threat to foreign nationals, making their continued stay unsafe.
• Stranded Citizens: Many Indian, Nepalese, and Sri Lankan nationals, including students and pilgrims, found themselves unable to leave the affected regions, necessitating urgent governmental intervention.

Significance of Extending Evacuation to Nepalese and Sri Lankan Citizens

The decision to extend 'Operation Sindhu' beyond Indian citizens holds significant implications:

• Regional Leadership: It showcases India's growing capacity and willingness to act as a 'first responder' and a responsible regional power, extending humanitarian assistance to its South Asian neighbors in times of crisis.
• "Neighbourhood First" Policy: This action strongly aligns with India's "Neighbourhood First" foreign policy, which emphasizes strengthening ties and cooperation with immediate neighbors.
• Humanitarian Diplomacy: It enhances India's image as a compassionate nation on the global stage, demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian values and solidarity within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework.
• Enhanced Goodwill: Such operations foster goodwill and strengthen diplomatic ties with the beneficiary nations, reinforcing India's strategic influence in the region.

India’s Track Record in Evacuation Operations

India has a commendable history of undertaking complex and large-scale evacuation missions worldwide, underscoring its growing logistical and diplomatic capabilities:

Russia-India Long-Term Cooperation Plan Till 2030 to be Finalised Soon: Putin

Source: AIR

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that a comprehensive long-term cooperation plan between Russia and India, set to extend until 2030, is nearing its finalization. 

• This significant development underscores the deepening and enduring strategic partnership between these two major global powers, signaling a clear roadmap for their bilateral relations over the next five years.

Context of the Announcement

This announcement by President Putin comes at a time of evolving global alliances and geopolitical shifts. Both Russia and India are navigating complex international landscapes, and this long-term plan reflects their mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors. The finalization of such a plan suggests a high level of trust and shared strategic interests.

Key Areas of Anticipated Cooperation (Till 2030)

While specific details of the plan are yet to be officially unveiled, based on historical patterns and current strategic needs, the long-term cooperation is expected to encompass:

• Defence and Military-Technical Cooperation: This remains a cornerstone of the partnership. It is likely to include:
  • Continued supply of advanced Russian military equipment to India.
  • Joint production of defence platforms and components within India.
  • Transfer of critical defence technologies, supporting India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative in defence.
  • Joint military exercises and training.
• Energy Sector: Collaboration in:
  • Oil and natural gas supply and exploration.
  • Expansion of civil nuclear energy cooperation, including construction of nuclear power plants in India.
  • Potential for cooperation in renewable energy sources.
• Trade and Economic Ties: Efforts to:
  • Significantly boost bilateral trade volume, which has seen fluctuations.
  • Diversify the trade basket beyond traditional defence and energy sectors.
  • Explore new avenues for economic engagement, potentially leveraging new payment mechanisms to bypass Western sanctions.
• Science, Technology, and Space:
  • Joint ventures and collaboration in cutting-edge technological fields, including AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
  • Continued cooperation in space exploration and satellite technology.
• Connectivity Projects: Development of multi-modal connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to facilitate trade and logistics.
• Multilateral Forums: Continued coordination and cooperation in international forums such as BRICS, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), and the G20.

Geopolitical Significance

The finalization of this long-term plan holds significant geopolitical weight:

• Russia's Strategy: It reinforces Russia's continued focus on its traditional partners, particularly in Asia, amidst its strained relations with Western countries.
• India's Balancing Act: For India, it reflects a continuation of its foreign policy approach that aims to maintain strong relationships with multiple major powers, including both Western nations and Russia, rather than aligning exclusively with one bloc.
• Countering Unilateralism: Both nations often share common ground on issues related to international law and resisting unilateralism, which may be further solidified through this plan.
• Economic Resilience: The plan aims to build economic resilience for both nations by fostering complementary economic strengths and reducing vulnerabilities to external pressures.

India will never restore Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan: HM Amit Shah

Source: AIR

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made a strong and unequivocal statement, asserting that India will "never restore" the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan to its previous form or interpretation. 

• This declaration signifies India's firm and unyielding stance on the crucial water-sharing agreement, reflecting a hardening of its policy towards Pakistan amidst ongoing bilateral tensions.

Context of Home Minister Amit Shah's Statement

The Home Minister's strong declaration comes amidst a backdrop of long-standing tensions and disputes between India and Pakistan, particularly concerning cross-border terrorism and Kashmir.

• Cross-Border Terrorism: India has consistently accused Pakistan of sponsoring and supporting cross-border terrorism, which has been a major point of contention and a primary driver of strained bilateral relations.
• Review/Maximization of Water Use: In recent years, India has indicated its intent to maximize its utilization of the waters of the eastern rivers, and also to explore its permitted uses on the western rivers, especially in response to acts of terrorism. The statement could be seen as a culmination or a firm reiteration of this policy.
• Diplomatic Standoff: Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been at a low ebb for several years, with diplomatic ties often strained.

Implications of India's Stance on IWT

HM Amit Shah's statement carries significant implications for both India-Pakistan relations and regional dynamics:

• Hardening of India's Position: It marks a further hardening of India's stance in bilateral relations with Pakistan, indicating a reduced willingness to engage in dialogue or maintain status quo arrangements if its security concerns, particularly regarding terrorism, are not addressed.
• Water Security for Pakistan: Pakistan is heavily reliant on the waters of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), which flow through India first. Any perceived alteration or non-restoration of the treaty's spirit could raise significant concerns about its water security, especially for its agricultural sector.
• Regional Stability: The Indus Waters Treaty has often been cited as a successful example of water diplomacy, surviving multiple wars and conflicts between the two nations. A major shift in either country's approach or declaration of non-compliance could have profound impacts on regional stability and increase the risk of water-related disputes.
• International Scrutiny: Any significant deviation from the treaty or its declared non-restoration would likely attract international attention and mediation efforts, given the treaty's historical role and the World Bank's involvement.

Domestic Implications in India: For India, maximizing its water use from the eastern rivers and its permitted uses on the western rivers could aid in irrigation, hydropower generation, and regional development, particularly in states like Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.