Editorial Analysis

Despite the noble objectives of the Public Distribution System (PDS), it has been plagued by significant leakages and corruption, undermining its effectiveness and the food security of millions of Indians.

As the world shifts towards a low-carbon energy landscape, India’s focus on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) signals a transformative approach to nuclear energy that aligns well with its broader vision for sustainable energy security.

In a rapidly warming world, the need for effective cooling solutions has become more critical than ever. International cooperation on clean energy and cooling solutions is essential to address the dual challenges of climate change and energy efficiency.

Recent geopolitical and environmental changes have prompted calls for Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)’s modification and exploring the complexities and challenges involved in renegotiating the IWT, considering the perspectives of both nations.

With Donald Trump securing a second term as President of the United States ‘Trump 2.0’, the dynamics of US-India trade relations are poised for significant shifts with renewed focus on his ‘America First’ policies, which are expected to impact various sectors of the Indian economy.

On the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, India and Iran held a crucial bilateral meeting, highlighting the untapped potential in their partnership, which have been historically rich but faced stagnation in recent years.

Recently, India along with other IPEF nations welcomed the upcoming entry into force of the Clean Economy Agreement, Fair Economy Agreement, and the Overarching Agreement on IPEF, and emphasised the significant opportunities to further deepen economic cooperation and deliver concrete benefits through ongoing collaboration.

India has reaffirmed its commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), a UN-backed global agreement adopted in 2015.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)'s Living Planet Report 2024 reveals a drastic 73% decrease in the average size of monitored wildlife populations over the past 50 years, from 1970 to 2020.

The under-representation of women in judiciary, that is expected to embody fairness and equality, highlights a significant gap in achieving true gender parity. Despite various efforts, women continue to face substantial barriers in entering and advancing within the judiciary.