- India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to reach a deal in two phases.
- Negotiation Resumption: Talks resumed in June 2022 after an 8-year hiatus (stalled in 2013 due to market access disagreements).
- Objective: To finalize a comprehensive trade agreement covering goods, services, investments, and geographical indications.
- Negotiation Structure: The agreement will be concluded in two phases, following India's phased approach used in previous FTAs (e.g., with Australia).
- This is partly due to the volatile global trade environment, including US tariff actions. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 20-05-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 20 May, 2025
PDF - India's trade relations with Türkiye and Azerbaijan are expected to come under strain due to Ankara and Baku backing Islamabad and condemning India's recent strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.
- There are currently around 3,000 estimated Indian nationals in Türkiye, including 200 students.
- Similarly, the Indian community in Azerbaijan comprises more than 1,500 people.
- As per estimates, about 3 lakh Indian tourists visited Türkiye in 2023 and over 2 lakh to Azerbaijan. Read More
India’s Relationship with Türkiye and Azerbaijan
In News
People-to-people ties
- The Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to investigate and reclaim forest lands that were illegally allotted for non-forest purposes, citing severe legal and ecological violations.
- Violation of the 1996 Supreme Court Order: The SC had directed in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India (1996) that all non-forest activities on forest land must stop unless approved by the Central Government.
- Loss of Green Cover: The continued possession of forest lands by revenue departments has led to non-forestry usage, reducing India’s forest cover and biodiversity. Read More
SC Direction to Take Back Forest Land Illegally Allotted to Private Entities
Context
Legal & Environmental Issues Highlighted
- The U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act, criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images including AI-generated deepfakes.
- The Act makes it illegal to “knowingly publish” or threaten to publish intimate images without a person’s consent, including AI-created “deepfakes.”
- It also requires websites and social media companies to remove such material within 48 hours of notice from a victim.
- The platforms must also take steps to delete duplicate content. Read More
US Passes Take It Down Act
In News
What is the Take It Down Act?
- A recent report by LibTech India has raised questions about the effectiveness of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the financial year 2024–25.
- Increase in Coverage: The number of registered households under MGNREGS rose by 8.6%, from 13.80 crore in FY 2023–24 to 14.98 crore in FY 2024–25.
- Decline in Employment Days: Despite higher registration, persondays fell by 7.1%. Average employment per household dropped from 52.42 days to 50.18 days, a 4.3% decrease.
- Only about 7% of households received the full 100 days of employment guaranteed under the Act.
- Regional Disparities: States like Odisha (34.8%), Tamil Nadu (25.1%), and Rajasthan (15.9%) saw a sharp decline in employment days, while Maharashtra (39.7%), Himachal Pradesh (14.8%), and Bihar (13.3%) recorded increases. Read More
Mismatch Between MGNREGS Coverage and Delivery
Context
Key Findings of the Report
- India is eyeing a strategic expansion of its port infrastructure and management capacities on a global scale.
- The Shipping Ministry plans to transform IPGL from a purely strategic asset to a commercially active operator, including domestic terminals.
- A new umbrella entity, Bharat Global Ports, will act as an integrated port infrastructure provider, with IPGL as its operational wing.
- The goal is to bolster IPGL’s credibility globally through a stronger domestic footprint. Read More
India has Ambitious Expansion Plans in the Port Sector Globally
Context
Repositioning India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)
- In response to the Red Sea security crisis that severely disrupted maritime trade, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% discount on transit fees for large container ships from May 15, 2025.
- The crisis began in 2023 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen started targeting commercial ships linked to Israel or its allies, in retaliation to the conflict in Gaza.
- In response, major shipping lines avoided the Red Sea and rerouted ships via the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing Voyage duration by 10–14 days, Fuel consumption and Freight rates. Read More
