GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at revoking birthright citizenship in the United States. This policy would change the longstanding practice where any child born on U.S. soil automatically receives U.S. citizenship, regardless of their parents' immigration status.

What is Birthright Citizenship?

• Birthright citizenship refers to the legal principle that any child born in the U.S. automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, as outlined in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868.
• This policy has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration law for over 150 years.
• The US is among about 30 countries where birthright citizenship -- the principle of jus soli or "right of the soil" -- is applied.

Trump's Executive Order:

• Trump’s executive order seeks to deny U.S. citizenship to children born in the U.S. if their parents are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The new rule would apply to:
  • Children born to people holding temporary visas (like H-1B work visas, student visas, etc.)
  • Children born to undocumented immigrants
  • Children of lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
• Impact on Indian Community: The Indian-American community, one of the fastest-growing immigrant groups in the U.S., would be significantly impacted.
• People who are legally in the country, such as tourists, students, and those on temporary work visas (like H-1B) will be affected.
• If this policy goes through, children born to these individuals in the U.S. would no longer automatically be U.S. citizens. This change could:
  • Create uncertainty for U.S.-born children of Indian families regarding their future status.
  • Discourage Indian professionals, students, and families from choosing the U.S. as a destination for work or study, as they may prefer immigration-friendly countries like Canada or Australia instead.
  • Potentially affect U.S. industries, especially technology, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on Indian professionals.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Details of the Executive Order:

• The order included four key actions:
• Pause on funding: All U.S. financial contributions to WHO were stopped. The U.S. contributes around 20% of WHO’s total budget. The U.S. is the largest single financial contributor, both through mandatory and voluntary
  • Recall of U.S. personnel: All U.S. government workers linked to WHO were recalled.
  • Identify new partners: The U.S. would find new international partners to take over roles previously carried out by WHO.
  • Stop negotiations on the pandemic treaty: The U.S. would stop participating in negotiations about a global pandemic treaty that WHO was working on to help countries prepare for future health crises.
• Trump listed several reasons for this decision:
  • WHO mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • WHO failed to implement urgent reforms.
  • WHO showed political bias and was influenced by member states.
  • The U.S. was asked for unfairly large financial contributions.

Impact on India:

• Health Programs in India: WHO plays a role in several health programs in India, like fighting diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and providing support for the immunization program.
• Funding Cuts: The loss of U.S. funding means WHO may not be able to fund or implement these programs effectively in India and other countries.
• Expertise Loss: U.S. health experts have contributed significantly to WHO’s research and guidelines for handling health crises. Their absence will affect how WHO can guide countries during health emergencies.

The Role of India and the Global South:

• With the U.S. pulling out, countries like India and China from the Global South could play a more significant role in filling the gap left by the U.S.
• India has become a prominent voice in the Global South on health and other international issues, and experts expect India to step up and lead global health efforts along with other nations like South Africa.

The World Bank-appointed "neutral expert" upheld India's stand after Pakistan raised several questions in relation to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir on matters related to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Background (the dispute):

• India and Pakistan have been in a long-standing disagreement over two hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir—
  • Kishenganga Project (330 MW) on Kishenganga river, a tributary of
  • Ratle Project (850 MW) on the Chenab River.
• Pakistan has raised concerns over the design of these projects, claiming that they could reduce water flow to Pakistan’s western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), which it is entitled to use under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed in 1960.

What is Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)?

• Signed in: 1960
• India and Pakistan share water from six rivers in the Indus River system: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) divides the water rights between the two countries:
  • India controls the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej)
  • Pakistan has unrestricted rights to the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). India can use the waters of the western rivers for hydroelectric power, but it cannot build storage dams on these rivers.

India and France have agreed to enhance cooperation on maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). They discussed ways to counter threats such as piracy, maritime terrorism, illegal fishing, cyber security threats, and marine pollution.

Key Points of the Cooperation:

• Coordinated Surveillance: Both countries agreed to explore joint efforts for coordinated surveillance in the IOR to address various maritime security challenges.

• This includes information sharing between key centres like:
• Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram, India.
• Regional Coordination Operations Centre in Seychelles.
• Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre in Madagascar.

• Threats to Maritime Security: India and France are focused on tackling illicit maritime activities. They also aim to address hybrid and cyber security threats and marine pollution in the region.
• Joint Maritime Operations: The two countries have already conducted joint patrols in the past. India’s P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft was deployed at French Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean for joint operations.
• Combined Maritime Forces (CMF): France welcomed India's participation in the CMF, a multinational naval partnership focused on enhancing maritime security across 2 million square miles of international waters.

• India became a full member of the CMF in November 2023 after having been an associate partner since 2022. This move reflects India’s growing commitment to maritime security in the region.
• India has a liaison officer posted at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Bahrain, working on CMF cooperation.

Almost a decade has passed since the Indian government announced the concept of “smart cities” as the new lighthouses of urbanisation. The June 2015 announcement of 100 smart cities aimed to create models of urban development. However, these lighthouses of urbanity have now been relegated to the annals of India’s urbanisation history.

About Smart Cities Mission

• The Smart Cities Mission, launched by the Indian government in June 2015, was aimed at developing 100 smart cities across the country to serve as models of urbanization.
• These cities were meant to integrate technology and innovation for better urban living, with a focus on mobility, waste management, and urban infrastructure.
• However, after nearly a decade, the initiative has struggled, and many of these cities are far from meeting their goals.
• Key Components of the Smart Cities Plan

• Pan-City Proposals: These involved IT-enabled services, such as smart mobility systems and waste management.
• Area-Based Development (ABD): Focused on retrofitting existing infrastructure, redeveloping old areas, and creating new greenfield projects (entirely new urban zones).
• Governance Structure: The projects were managed by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), which were set up like private companies, bypassing local government authorities. This approach assumed that private management could deliver better results than city councils.

What Happened in Shimla?

• Shimla was initially excluded from the smart cities list but later included after legal challenges. The city developed a smart city plan that included both pan-city and ABD components. The plan included:
  • Pedestrian crossing improvements and better vehicular mobility on key roads.
  • Eco-tourism initiatives like eco-adventure tourism and improvements in stormwater management.
  • Redevelopment projects aimed at replacing old, unsafe buildings with modern, resilient structures.
• The estimated investment for Shimla was around Rs 2,906 crore, with funding coming from Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), municipal bonds, external borrowings, and government schemes.
• What Went Wrong? Despite ambitious plans, the actual outcome has been disappointing:

• Funds have been mismanaged: Only about 24% of the estimated budget has been spent, with most funds allocated to ongoing projects rather than redevelopment.
• Traffic issues worsened: Instead of easing congestion, the traffic situation has worsened.
• Neglect of non-motorized mobility: Despite promises, pedestrian mobility was largely ignored.
• Incongruent projects: Instead of the promised redevelopment, funds were spent on items like flower pots worth Rs 2 crore and the construction of non-operational escalators that obstruct Shimla’s scenic views.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is amongst top global ports and India’s largest port by crossing 10+ million TEUs capacity in January 2025 and poised to achieve 10 million TEUs throughput by 2027.

About JNPA

• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), also known as the Nhava Sheva Port, is one of the premier container-handling ports in India.
• Since its inception on May 26, 1989, JNPA has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal to become the premier container port in the country.
• Currently, JNPA operates five container terminals -- NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. 

Trump administration has decided to withdraw from the landmark 2021 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Global tax deal.

About the Tax Deal:

• The OECD Global Tax Deal was negotiated in 2021 and involved over 140 countries, including both developed and developing nations.
• It emerged from the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project, launched in 2013 to combat tax avoidance by multinational corporations.
• The deal aimed to:
  • Set a global minimum tax rate of 15% for large multinational corporations, preventing companies from shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.
  • Introduce Pillar II, which allows signatory countries to impose top-up taxes on U.S. multinationals if their profits are taxed below 15% in their home country. This was a mechanism to ensure that large companies pay a fair share of taxes, regardless of where they are headquartered.
• The agreement also included measures to address digital taxes that were seen as disproportionately affecting U.S. tech giants, such as Apple, Google, and Amazon.
• More than 140 countries (including India) have signed up to the Global Minimum Tax deal.

Implications of U.S. Pullout:

• Global Tax Coordination: With the U.S. withdrawing from the deal, it could lead to uncertainty in global tax coordination. The U.S. has historically been a key player in international economic agreements, and its absence may reduce the effectiveness of the Global Tax Deal.
• Impact on U.S. Multinationals: The withdrawal could benefit S. tech giants by ensuring that they do not face additional tax liabilities in other countries, especially those related to top-up taxes under the OECD agreement. These companies would continue to avoid the 15% minimum tax in foreign jurisdictions, potentially reducing their overall tax burden.
• Impact on India: India, like other countries, could face challenges in enforcing tax policies on global digital services. The U.S. withdrawal from the deal may limit India's ability to apply top-up taxes on U.S. multinational corporations operating in India. Additionally, India's proposed 2% equalization levy on foreign tech giants might come under pressure if other countries align their tax policies with the OECD framework. This could affect India’s ability to generate revenue from international tech firms.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently achieved a significant milestone in the development of hypersonic technology. This breakthrough, involving the successful demonstration of a long-duration supersonic combustion ramjet (Scramjet) powered hypersonic technology, has positioned India as a key player in the race for next-generation missile systems.

About Scramjet Technology:

• A Scramjet is a type of air-breathing engine that can sustain combustion at supersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5, i.e., over 5,400 km per hour) without the need for any moving parts.
• These engines are vital for hypersonic missiles, which are designed to travel at speeds that are more than five times the speed of sound.
• Key aspects of Scramjet engines:
  • Air-breathing: Unlike traditional rockets that carry their oxidizer, Scramjets rely on atmospheric air for combustion, making them efficient for high-speed flight.
  • No moving parts: Scramjets are unique in that they don’t have any moving parts, unlike traditional jet engines, which rely on turbines and compressors.
  • High-Speed Combustion: They are designed to work at supersonic and hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5), ensuring efficient combustion and propulsion in such extreme conditions.

Significance of the Development:

• Bypassing Air Defence: Hypersonic missiles, which can achieve speeds greater than Mach 5, are difficult to intercept by existing air defense systems. This technology will enable India to develop next-generation missile systems with superior strike capabilities.
• Global Competition: Countries like the S., Russia, and China are also in active pursuit of Scramjet technology for their hypersonic missiles, making this development by India crucial for maintaining technological parity in global defense.
• Strategic Importance: The development of hypersonic missiles will enhance India’s defense capabilities and strategic deterrence, making it a significant player in the global defense landscape.
• Technological Leadership: India’s achievement in developing cutting-edge technologies like the Scramjet engine and the thermal barrier coating showcases the country’s growing technological prowess in aerospace and defense.

Kerala, which led India’s demographic transition by achieving a low fertility and mortality rate, is now facing the unintended consequence of an increasing maternal mortality ratio. The state’s declining birth rate, as a result of reaching the replacement level fertility, has created new challenges, including concerns over the future economic and social implications of an ageing population.

Key Dimensions of the Issue

• Impact of Low Fertility Rates on Maternal Mortality: Kerala's maternal mortality rate, once the best in the country, is now rising as the number of births decreases. The shift to a sub-replacement level fertility rate has resulted in fewer pregnancies, but also poses challenges to maternal health outcomes in the state.
• Demographic Transition and Population Decline: Kerala achieved total replacement level fertility in 1987-88, leading the southern states into a demographic transition. While this has improved health indicators, it has also raised political concerns regarding the future delimitation of Lok Sabha seats based on population size, with the southern states potentially losing out.
• Global Trends and Economic Challenges: Globally, countries like South Korea, which have experienced similar demographic transitions, are struggling with declining population growth. As the working-age population shrinks and the elderly population grows, governments face significant challenges in managing public finances, healthcare, and social support systems.

Solutions and Recommendations

• Strengthening Social Support Systems: To address the challenges posed by an ageing population, India, particularly Kerala, must focus on strengthening social security and healthcare systems. Policies to support elderly care and reduce the burden on the working population must be a priority for the future.
• Improving Healthcare Financing: Given the strain on resources due to an increasing elderly population, there needs to be a strategic focus on enhancing healthcare financing. This would involve increased investment in health infrastructure and ensuring adequate coverage for senior citizens.
• Encouraging Family and Work-Life Balance: Policy measures should also focus on ensuring gender equality in household responsibilities and promoting work-life balance. Incentives for childcare and the active participation of both genders in child-rearing can help address the demographic concerns while supporting the working-age population.

Practice Question:

Q. Kerala’s demographic transition, marked by declining fertility rates, has led to unintended consequences such as rising maternal mortality and concerns over a shrinking working-age population." Discuss the implications of Kerala’s demographic transition and suggest policy measures to address the economic and social challenges it poses.

As Donald Trump returns to the White House, India faces new challenges in its relationship with the United States. Despite positive bilateral relations during Trump's first term, the shifting dynamics in US internal and external policies require India to adapt its approach to trade, immigration, and security issues.

Key Dimensions of the Issue

• Trade Relations and Tariffs: India must prepare for increased pressure from the US regarding market access and trade issues, despite Trump’s avoidance of immediate tariffs. Trump’s administration is expected to adopt a more systematic approach, indicating potential tariffs in the future. India must overhaul its trade negotiations strategy to avoid punitive measures and ensure more flexibility in trade partnerships.
• Immigration and H-1B Visas: Immigration remains a contentious issue with the US under Trump, particularly concerning H-1B visas for Indian tech workers. India cannot directly influence US immigration discourse but must ensure effective repatriation of undocumented migrants and work proactively to address challenges in the US concerning Indian nationals.
• US Relations with China and Russia: India’s security is affected by the shifting dynamics of US relations with China and Russia. While India welcomes the normalisation of ties between the US and Russia, it must be cautious of any agreements with China. India needs to focus on strengthening its strategic partnership with the US to safeguard against potential changes in US-China relations and avoid self-defeating approaches to engagement with Washington.

Solutions and Recommendations

• Revising Trade Negotiations: India must adopt a more creative and flexible approach to its trade negotiations, moving away from bureaucratic inefficiencies to focus on building strong trade and investment partnerships. A proactive strategic approach by PM Modi in handling US trade demands is critical for India’s long-term economic interests.
• Addressing Immigration Issues: India should focus on creating mechanisms for smooth repatriation of undocumented migrants and maintain regular communication with the US to ensure that concerns about Indian workers and tech companies are addressed without causing diplomatic friction.
• Strengthening US-India Strategic Partnership: India must focus on capitalising on opportunities to strengthen its strategic partnership with the US. A proactive approach in engaging with Washington will help India navigate potential fluctuations in US-China relations, ensuring its own security interests are not compromised in the process.

Practice Question:

Q. With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, India faces a series of challenges in its relationship with the US, particularly in trade, immigration, and security matters. Discuss these challenges and suggest measures India can adopt to safeguard its strategic and economic interests.

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 highlights a paradox in India’s forest cover. While overall forest and tree cover has increased to 25% of the total geographical area, the destruction of dense forests, especially in biodiversity hotspots, raises concerns about the quality of the cover. The government aims to reach one-third forest cover, as per the National Forest Policy, 1988, and forest conservation and afforestation activities need acceleration.

Key Dimensions of the Issue

• Forest Cover vs. Forest Quality: India’s forest and tree cover has increased to 25% of the total land area, but this statistic masks the loss of 6.3% of the country's dense forests in the last two decades. Most of this loss has been offset by plantations, which grow much faster than natural forests, questioning the overall ecological value of this increase.
• Loss of Biodiversity and Degraded Ecosystems: The destruction of dense forests is particularly evident in biodiversity-rich areas like the Western Ghats, Nilgiris, and Northeast India. Additionally, the ongoing loss of mangroves in Kutch and Andaman Islands and the threat to open natural ecosystems highlight the risks to India’s rich biodiversity.
• Global Importance of Forests: Forests are vital to the survival of around 1.6 billion people globally and provide a crucial socioeconomic safety net. They contribute to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and climate mitigation, playing a key role in reducing zoonotic diseases and promoting good health and well-being.

Solutions and Recommendations

• National Forest Policy and Afforestation: The National Forest Policy of 1988 targets having one-third of the land area under forest cover. To achieve this, afforestation activities need to pick up pace, and the focus must shift to the regeneration of natural forests rather than relying solely on plantations.
• Financial Incentives and Collaborative Efforts: To promote forest conservation, the government should provide financial incentives, tax benefits, and subsidies for tree planting. Collaboration with industries, NGOs, and local communities will be critical in funding and implementing green projects, ensuring sustainable forest management.
• Restoration of Degraded Lands: The government should carry out restoration of degraded lands through soil restoration techniques, watershed management, and reforestation. Establishing seed banks and nurseries will help provide high-quality planting material to support afforestation efforts.

Practice Question:

Q. While India has made progress in increasing its forest cover, the quality of forest ecosystems continues to decline due to the loss of dense forests and the spread of plantations. Discuss the challenges in achieving the forest cover target under the National Forest Policy, 1988, and suggest measures to address these issues.