Daily News Analysis – 31 May 2025

Bonded Labour in India: The Invisible Chains of Modern Slavery

The tragic death of nine-year-old Venkatesh in a bonded labour arrangement underscores the continuing crisis of debt bondage in India, a practice outlawed nearly five decades ago. With over 11 million people estimated to be living in modern slavery, India’s battle against bonded labour remains undermined by social discrimination, poverty, and lax enforcement. Legal measures like the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and schemes like the 2016 Rehabilitation Framework have had minimal impact, with only a fraction of the targeted 1.3 million rehabilitations achieved. Caste-based hierarchies, systemic underreporting, and intergenerational debt cycles keep the practice alive. Moving forward, a multi-pronged approach involving state accountability, community empowerment, real-time digital tracking, and the reclassification of bonded labour as organized crime is critical for long-term change.

Russia’s Push for RIC Revival: Geopolitics Beyond the Quad

Russia has made a renewed diplomatic push to revive the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, a format that faded into dormancy after the 2020 Galwan clash. With over 33% of global GDP and 19% of landmass represented, RIC has the potential to reshape Eurasian security frameworks outside Western influence. Russia aims to leverage easing India-China tensions and its own pivot away from the West post-Ukraine to re-energize this strategic platform. However, India’s simultaneous engagement with the Quad, rising concerns about China’s assertiveness, and Russia’s growing proximity to Beijing present both opportunities and limitations for India in this balancing act.

India–New Zealand Relations: A Strategic Shift in the Indo-Pacific

In a significant diplomatic engagement, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister recognized India as a ‘geopolitical giant’ and reiterated the island nation’s commitment to regional cooperation. The Defence MoU signed in March 2025 focuses on military exchanges, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific resilience. Bilateral trade, education, and cultural ties are also on the rise, with over 8,000 Indian students and 300,000 people of Indian origin in New Zealand. The ongoing CFTA negotiations reflect India’s efforts to broaden trade beyond RCEP, especially in light of China’s strategic clout in the region. However, political sensitivities related to protests in New Zealand and divergent economic priorities will require delicate navigation.

Fiscal Discipline in Action: Achieving the 4.8% Deficit Target

The Government of India met its revised fiscal deficit target of 4.8% for FY25, a notable achievement in an environment of global uncertainty. The ₹15.77 lakh crore deficit was offset by strong revenue collections and modest disinvestment gains. While capital expenditure touched ₹10.52 lakh crore, experts remain cautious about the long-term debt burden. The NK Singh Committee’s recommendations, including a debt-to-GDP cap of 60% and an autonomous Fiscal Council, gain renewed relevance. Lower deficits signal improved investor confidence and credit ratings, but sustainable recovery will hinge on structural reforms and broader tax base expansion.

India’s Digital Revolution: 1 Billion Internet Users by FY26

India is poised to become a digital giant, with the number of internet users expected to cross 1 billion by the end of FY26. From just 250 million users in 2014, this transformation has been fueled by policy support (PM-WANI, BharatNet), reduced data costs, and the telecom PLI scheme. The BharatNet Phase II project, with its ₹1.39 lakh crore investment, aims to connect 3.8 lakh villages via high-speed fibre. Despite the growth, last-mile connectivity, cybersecurity risks, and digital literacy gaps remain critical challenges. The Bharat 6G Alliance now positions India as not just a tech consumer, but an emerging global leader in the telecom space.

South Asia’s Largest BESS: Energy Security Goes Green

Delhi’s commissioning of a 20 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokari marks a milestone in India’s clean energy transition. As the largest BESS in South Asia, it will store renewable energy, reduce grid stress, and support RTC (Round-The-Clock) power demands. This aligns with India’s ambitious 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030. The adoption of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology ensures safety and reliability. The associated PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cells is a promising opportunity for job creation and domestic battery manufacturing, enabling India’s green mobility and energy security ambitions.

Zoonotic Disease Surge: The Silent Pandemic Threat

New data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) confirms a worrying rise in zoonotic outbreaks, especially in the northeastern and southern regions of India. Diseases like Japanese encephalitis and leptospirosis now account for 8% of all reported outbreaks. Environmental degradation, climate change, and urban sprawl have intensified human-animal interactions. India’s One Health approach and NCDC protocols are timely responses, but underfunding and regional disparities threaten containment efforts. A robust pan-India zoonotic surveillance and early-warning infrastructure is urgently needed.

India-Chile CEPA Talks Begin: Latin American Engagement Deepens

India and Chile concluded the first round of CEPA negotiations, aiming for an upgraded trade relationship beyond the existing Partial Scope Agreement. While bilateral trade remains modest at $3 billion, Chile’s lithium reserves and copper exports present critical mineral opportunities for India. The CEPA discussions span 17 themes, from services and SPS standards to MSME integration. With global attention shifting toward South-South cooperation, India’s Latin American diplomacy reflects a diversification of its strategic economic outreach.

Goa Achieves Functional Literacy Under ULLAS Scheme

In a significant educational milestone, Goa has been declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS—Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Surpassing the 95% threshold, Goa joins Mizoram as a leader in adult functional literacy. The ULLAS program, based on the NEP 2020, integrates vocational and critical life skills like digital and financial literacy. This development not only meets SDG 4.6 targets but also empowers marginalized adults with tools for socio-economic participation.

West Bengal’s CGD Push: Clean Energy for Alipurduar and Cooch Behar

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation for a ₹1,010 crore City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in West Bengal. This initiative will bring piped gas to over 2.5 lakh households and set up 19 CNG stations. The CGD network, now spanning over 550 districts, is central to India’s aim of transitioning to a gas-based economy. Coupled with schemes like PM Ujjwala Yojana and the Urja Ganga project, the CGD expansion will reduce urban air pollution and enhance rural energy access.

ISSAR 2024: India’s Space Debris and Orbital Asset Report

ISRO’s Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2024 reflects both promise and peril. With 261 global launches in 2024, space is getting congested. India has 53 operational satellites, including Aditya-L1 and Chandrayaan-3 modules. However, legacy debris from past missions like PSLV-C3 remains in orbit. A sharp increase in fragmented debris—especially from China’s CZ-6A—poses serious collision risks. India’s IS4OM platform and participation in global space governance frameworks are vital to secure its space assets.

National Florence Nightingale Award 2025: Honouring Frontline Heroes

Fifteen nurses received the prestigious Florence Nightingale Award 2025 for their outstanding contribution to healthcare. Instituted in 1973, the award acknowledges selfless service across hospitals, educational institutions, and voluntary organizations. In an age of pandemics and rising healthcare demand, these awards reaffirm the critical role of nursing professionals in national well-being.

Scripps National Spelling Bee 2025: Indian-American Dominance Continues

Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old Indian-American from Texas, won the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee by spelling “éclaircissement”. His victory adds to the continuing legacy of Indian-origin participants dominating the U.S. spelling scene. Educational engagement among the diaspora, cultural emphasis on academic excellence, and community support have all contributed to this trend, now entering its third decade.

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