Daily Current Affairs – 06 June 2025

4th Meeting of the India – Central Asia Dialogue

India hosted the 4th edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue aimed at exploring opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. Key discussions focused on enhancing financial cooperation through special rupee vostro accounts and expanding the use of India’s UPI system for cross-border transactions. Efforts to diversify trade and expand air and transit connectivity were stressed. Participating countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan emphasized India’s role in shaping Asia’s geo-economic architecture. Historically, India and Central Asia share deep civilizational ties dating back to the Silk Road. Modern partnerships include energy, pharmaceuticals, and security collaboration, though challenges like logistical barriers, geopolitical competition from China, and limited trade integration persist. The dialogue proposed accelerating the Chabahar-Zahedan railway, institutionalizing annual summits, and expanding cultural diplomacy to build sustainable engagement.

India, Vietnam Decide to Cooperate in Media & Entertainment Sector

India and Vietnam have committed to enhancing collaboration in media and entertainment. Initiatives include joint film productions, content exchange between broadcasters like Doordarshan and Vietnam Television, and professional exchange programs. The two nations also aim to promote shared historical and cultural narratives, particularly rooted in Buddhism. Bilateral relations have grown significantly with a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and extensive cooperation in defense, trade, and regional forums like ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. Challenges persist due to trade imbalance, slow FTA negotiations, and limited maritime coordination. Both sides pledged to deepen economic and maritime ties, expedite FTA reviews, and improve connectivity for stronger Indo-Pacific engagement.

India Pushes for WTO Reforms at Paris Ministerial

At the 2025 Paris mini-ministerial WTO meeting, India advocated for reforms to protect developing nations and revive WTO’s multilateral functions. The reform agenda focused on reducing non-tariff barriers (e.g., SPS and TBT standards), addressing distortions from non-market economies like China, and restoring the WTO’s appellate dispute system. India highlighted issues such as export barriers for basmati rice and mangoes and unfair trade impacts from subsidized Chinese imports. The broader context includes growing protectionism, deadlocks over foodgrain stockholding, and the erosion of WTO legitimacy. India seeks to modernize WTO functions without compromising the developmental space of poorer nations.

Should India Amend its Nuclear Energy Laws?

Discussions are underway to amend the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act, 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. The aim is to attract private and foreign investment into India’s nuclear sector, vital for achieving net-zero emissions. Proposed changes include capping supplier liability, limiting the liability period, and allowing minority equity participation by private firms. Proponents argue this will unlock access to small modular reactors (SMRs) and global technology. Critics warn that amending laws could compromise public safety, ignore technological constraints, and misdiagnose core issues like lack of domestic capacity. India must weigh foreign participation against the need to strengthen indigenous nuclear capabilities and regulatory safeguards.

Pre-Harappan Coastal Settlements in Kachchh

IIT Gandhinagar’s research has unearthed evidence of coastal settlements in Kachchh dating back over 5,000 years, predating Harappan urbanism. These communities thrived in mangrove ecosystems, relying on shellfish and stone tools, indicating semi-permanent habitation. The study reveals cultural connections with regions like Las Bela, Makran (Pakistan), and the Oman Peninsula, challenging the notion of a solely Harappan-led urban evolution. Radiocarbon dating through AMS and tree-ring calibration provided accurate timelines. The findings suggest indigenous developmental trajectories in western India’s coastal archaeology.

Index Cards

The Election Commission of India has digitized the post-election statistical reporting process by generating Index Cards. These non-statutory formats offer constituency-level insights into voter demographics, turnout, party performance, and gender patterns. This replaces earlier manual systems, making election data more transparent and accessible for stakeholders including researchers, political parties, and media.

S Mahendra Dev Appointed New Chief of EAC-PM

Eminent economist S Mahendra Dev has been appointed Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), succeeding Suman Bery. Dev, a noted authority on agriculture and rural development, brings academic and institutional experience from IGIDR and Kotak Mahindra. The EAC-PM advises the government on macroeconomic issues, and Dev’s leadership is expected to enhance policy responsiveness in rural development and structural reforms.

Ayush Nivesh Saarthi

The Ayush Nivesh Saarthi portal was launched to position India as a global hub for traditional medicine. Developed by the Ministry of Ayush with Invest India, the portal integrates policy frameworks, investment incentives, and project data for global and domestic investors. With 17% annual growth in the Ayush sector and rising global demand, this initiative supports FDI, entrepreneurship, and India’s leadership in medical value travel (MVT) and wellness services.

United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee

India has raised concerns over Pakistan’s appointment to key UN counter-terrorism bodies amidst recent terror activities. The UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee, formed post-9/11, enforces member compliance with anti-terror financing, asset freezing, and international cooperation. India emphasizes that state sponsors of terror must not be legitimized through such global platforms, reaffirming its stance on accountability and counter-terrorism integrity.

ECINET App

To address voter turnout data discrepancies, the Election Commission has launched the ECINET app, consolidating 40+ ECI apps and enabling real-time voter data collection. Presiding Officers now input data every two hours, improving transparency, timeliness, and public confidence. While Form 17C remains the official record, ECINET significantly modernizes electoral data management.

Chenab and Anji Rail Bridges

PM Modi inaugurated the world’s highest rail arch—the Chenab Bridge—and India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Bridge, in Jammu & Kashmir. These engineering marvels are part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. They drastically reduce travel time and improve regional connectivity, logistics, and defense access in the Kashmir Valley.

Aravalli Green Wall Project

Launched by the Prime Minister, the Aravalli Green Wall Project aims to combat desertification by afforesting a 5-km-wide corridor across 700 km of the Aravalli Range in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. The project aligns with global environmental commitments under UNCCD, UNFCCC, and CBD, focusing on native species, water harvesting, and community participation.

EnviStats India 2025: Environment Statistics

The Ministry of Statistics released EnviStats India 2025, an annual environmental data publication aligned with UN’s FDES framework. Key findings include a rise in average temperatures and inland fish production, while rainfall trends remain inconsistent. The report also highlights sectoral expenditure patterns and improved indicator mapping for policy planning.

Fusarium Graminearum

US authorities have charged individuals for smuggling Fusarium graminearum, a fungus causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereals. The pathogen produces toxic mycotoxins harmful to humans and animals. This raises agro-terrorism concerns where biological agents target food systems. International conventions like the BWC and UNSCR 1540 aim to prevent misuse. India must remain vigilant in monitoring agricultural biosecurity threats.