- Two years after a major rupture in ties, India and Canada have agreed to restore the High Commissioners, and discussed restarting talks for a trade agreement, visa services, and other dialogue mechanisms.
- The decisions came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 outreach session.
- The leaders also discussed the importance of restarting the stalled negotiations on the Trade Agreement (EPTA), with a view to paving the way for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
- The two Prime Ministers discussed collaborations in “clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, LNG, food security, critical minerals, higher education, mobility, and supply chain resilience”. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 19-06-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 19 June, 2025
PDF - India and Croatia have agreed to develop a long-term defence cooperation plan.
- Evolving European Strategy: PM Modi’s visit reflects India’s expanding European outreach beyond traditional Western partners.
- The focus is on newer EU members like Croatia that influence the EU’s consensus-driven decision-making.
- Importance of Croatia in India's Strategic Vision: Croatia’s neutral stance on major global conflicts and tech cooperation willingness align with India’s values.
- Eastern & Central Europe Access: Croatia shares borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia. Read More
India and Croatia to Make Long-term Plans for Deepening Defence Ties
Context
Significance of the Engagement
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh clarified that the government has not given up on the idea of lateral entry into government departments.
- It refers to the hiring of specialists, including professionals from the private sector, to take up senior roles in the government.
- It aims to bring in fresh talent and strengthen middle management by appointing specialists with domain expertise for specific roles. Read More
Lateral Entry Policy Still Active
In News
Lateral entry
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released its Global Drought Outlook, highlighting the increasing frequency, and geographical spread of droughts globally.
- Environmental Consequences: Droughts severely degrade ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands, leading to loss of biodiversity and reduction in plant biomass.
- Economic Consequences: Droughts also impact hydropower production, industrial operations, and fluvial trade, reducing efficiency and increasing energy and food insecurity.
- The economic costs of droughts are rising globally by 3% to 7.5% annually.
- Droughts account for only 6% of natural disasters but cause 34% of all disaster-related deaths. Read More
Global Drought Outlook
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Impacts of Drought
- Recently, the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC), held in Nice, France, concluded with commitments aimed at safeguarding the planet’s marine ecosystems.
- High Seas Treaty Nears Enforcement: Fifty-six of the required sixty countries have ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement (aka High Seas Treaty).
- It enables the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters, regulate marine genetic resources, and mandate environmental impact assessments.
- French Polynesia announced plans to establish the world’s largest marine protected area, covering its entire exclusive economic zone—about five million square kilometers.
- Global Political Declaration: Over 170 countries adopted the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a political declaration paired with more than 800 voluntary commitments. Read More
Third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC)-2025
Context
Key Outcomes of the Conference (2025)
- Sheikh Hasan Khan, mountaineer from Kerala is stranded at 17,000 ft on Mount Denali in North America due to a severe snowstorm.
- The name “Denali” stems from “deenaalee,” which is from the Koyukon language traditionally spoken on the north side.
- It is also known as Mount McKinley and it is the highest peak in North America.
- It is located near the center of the Alaska Range, with two summits rising above the Denali Fault, in south-central Alaska, U.S. Read More
