1. Australia, the Partner for India’s Growth Trajectory

2. India’s Burden of Rising Obesity: The Hefty Cost to Pay

3. Battle for Growth: Increase in Government Spending, Private Consumption Bode Well

4. War and Peace: Ukraine Should Not Be Made a Pawn in Any U.S. Deal with Russia

5. The Way to Protect Orans

6. SC Seeks Measures Against ‘Vulgarity’ Online

7. How is China’s foreign policy structured?

8. Why is the Parandur Airport Project Facing Opposition?

9. Police Are Yet to Fathom the Right to Free Speech and Expression, Says SC

10. Study Finds 6,327 Gangetic Dolphins Across Four States

11. India Launches Multi-Nation Alliance for Collaboration on Sustainable Development

12. High-Powered Defence Committee Identifies Key Thrust Areas for Modernisation of IAF

Mains- GS-II: Bilateral, regional, and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

• The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) was implemented to boost bilateral trade.

• However, there was a need for a comprehensive roadmap to guide future engagement beyond trade to investment, technology transfer, and skill development.

• The New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India was introduced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to address this need.

The roadmap identifies four "Superhighways of Growth" and seven "Major Economic Roads to Prosperity" that will define the India-Australia economic partnership.

   o Australia is the largest producer of lithium, a critical component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

   o It also holds the second-largest reserves of nickel and cobalt, key minerals required for India's green energy transition.

   o Collaboration in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy is expected to drive future investments

   o India requires 2 crore skilled professionals annually, making skill development a priority.

   o Australian universities are expanding their presence in India, offering world-class education.

   o This collaboration aligns with India’s Skill India and NEP 2020 initiatives.

   o Australia is a major supplier of pulses, dairy, and wine to India.

   o Opportunities exist for technological cooperation in precision farming, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture.

   o Post-COVID, the number of Indian tourists visiting Australia is increasing.

   o Enhanced air connectivity and visa liberalization could further boost tourism.

   1. Investment: Australia aims to increase investment in India’s infrastructure, manufacturing, and startups.

   2. Technology: Digital economy collaboration, particularly in AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.

   3. Sports: Shared expertise in cricket, sports management, and athlete training.

   4. Culture & Arts: Strengthening creative industries and cultural exchanges.

   5. Resources: Leveraging Australia’s mining industry for India’s industrial growth.

   6. Defence & Space: Expanding cooperation in defense technology, maritime security, and space exploration.

   7. Health: Joint research in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation.

• India’s exports to the world grew by 35% in the last five years, but exports to Australia surged by 66%—almost double the global average.

• Key trade components:

   o India exports: Pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and IT services.

   o Australia exports: Coal, critical minerals, education services, and agricultural products.

• India and Australia are negotiating the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will further liberalize trade and investment.

• Key expectations from CECA:

   o Tariff reductions on Indian textiles and agricultural goods.

   o Greater market access for Indian IT and financial services.

   o Stronger investment protection measures.

• India’s push for electric mobility and battery storage aligns with Australia’s expertise in lithium, nickel, and cobalt.

• Australia is investing in green hydrogen projects, which could help India achieve its renewable energy targets.

• Australian universities were among the first foreign institutions to establish campuses in India.

• India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 encourages international collaborations, benefiting both nations.

• Australia has a strong and rapidly growing Indian diaspora that plays a crucial role in:

   o Strengthening economic ties and cultural diplomacy.

   o Influencing policy decisions on trade and immigration.

   o Enhancing business collaboration between Indian and Australian firms.

• The Maitri Grants Program, backed by ₹132 crore from the Australian government, aims to maximize the potential of the diaspora.

1. Trade Imbalance: India imports significantly more from Australia than it exports.

2. Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers: Both nations have to navigate regulatory hurdles in sensitive sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

3. Strategic Differences: While Australia has strong economic ties with China, India's security concerns with China may create diplomatic tensions.

4. Implementation of Agreements: The timely execution of CECA and other trade agreements is crucial for realizing full potential.

• Diversification of Trade: Encouraging Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT.

• Fast-Tracking CECA: Expediting negotiations to enhance investment flows.

• Energy Cooperation: Strengthening research and development in green hydrogen and solar energy.

• Enhancing Education and Skill Ties: Expanding Australian university campuses in India to meet skill demands.

• Diaspora Engagement: Leveraging the Indian community in Australia for deeper economic and diplomatic engagement.

Mains-GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development, role of local governance, legal frameworks for conservation.

• Sacred Groves: Orans have been protected by local communities since pre-agrarian times due to religious significance.

• Environmental Benefits:

   o Act as water recharge zones, increasing groundwater levels.

   o Support biodiversity conservation through protection of flora and fauna.

• Community Governance:

   o Traditionally managed by informal institutions, restricting tree cutting and ensuring conservation.

• Supreme Court’s declaration of orans as forests under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 provides protection.

• However, exemptions in the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 allow for deforestation in certain cases (e.g., zoos, safaris, ecotourism).

• This could lead to commercial exploitation of orans rather than true conservation.

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires a formal committee for managing such reserves.

• These committees often exclude local communities from decision-making.

• Risks weakening traditional governance models that have effectively preserved orans.

• The Forest Rights Act, 2006 grants community rights over forests.

• However, eligibility criteria may exclude traditional oran managers, leading to loss of control.

• Local communities fear losing access and usage rights due to bureaucratic formalization.

• The Supreme Court suggested that the Environment Ministry should frame a holistic policy on orans.

• This should recognize regional diversity in management practices rather than enforcing a centralized model.

• Instead of state-driven control, successful community-led governance models should be identified and replicated.

• Local communities and civil society organizations should be involved in decision-making.

• Policies should balance conservation with local livelihoods, ensuring that community participation remains central.