Daily Current Affairs - 2 July 2025

Welcome to your one-stop destination for crisp, reliable, and exam-relevant Daily Current Affairs. The PRESS Pad delivers daily updates and smart summaries that go beyond the headlines and align perfectly with the evolving pattern of UPSC and other state-level examinations.

Today's edition features key updates including Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, RDI Scheme, National Sports Policy, CITES marks 50 years, Terbium, New Criminal Laws, Certificate of Deposits, Mud Volcano, Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs), Project 17A: India’s Advanced Multi-Mission Stealth Frigates, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Operation Melon, Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting and more...

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Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme – Cabinet Approved | Union Budget 2024-25 Initiative

1. The Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme is one of the five flagship schemes announced under the Union Budget 2024–25, aimed at boosting employment, skilling, and social security.

2. This scheme falls under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, with a total financial outlay of ₹99,446 crore over a 2-year period from 2025 to 2027.

3. The ELI Scheme targets the creation of 3.5 crore new jobs, out of which 1.92 crore are expected to be first-time employees, marking a significant employment generation drive.

4. The primary objective is to promote job creation, enhance employability, and expand social security—especially in the manufacturing sector, which has high employment potential.

Scheme Structure – Two-Part Framework

Part A: Incentives for First-Time Employees

1. Eligibility: First-time job seekers who are registered with EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) and earn up to ₹1 lakh per month are eligible.

2. These individuals will receive an incentive equivalent to one-month EPF wage, capped at ₹15,000, encouraging formal employment.

3. The incentive will be disbursed in two instalments:

   • First instalment: After 6 months of continuous employment.

   • Second instalment: After 12 months, along with successful completion of a financial literacy programme (to enhance financial awareness).

4. A portion of the incentive will be placed in a savings instrument with a lock-in period, promoting long-term saving habits among young earners.

5. A total of 1.92 crore first-time employees are expected to benefit under this component.

6. The payment mechanism will follow Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using the Aadhaar Bridge Payment System (ABPS) – a digital system that ensures efficient and secure transfer of funds linked to Aadhaar.

Part B: Incentives for Employers to Generate Additional Jobs

1. To complement employee incentives, Part B focuses on encouraging employers to hire more workers, particularly in labour-intensive sectors like manufacturing.

2. Eligibility for Employers: Establishments registered with EPFO that hire

   • At least 2 additional employees if the firm has less than 50 workers.

   • At least 5 additional employees if the workforce is 50 or more.

3. Employers will receive an incentive of up to ₹3,000 per employee per month for 2 years, directly credited to their PAN-linked bank accounts.

4. For the manufacturing sector, this incentive period is extended to 4 years, recognising its strategic role in mass employment.

5. Hired employees must be retained for a minimum of 6 months, ensuring sustained employment rather than short-term recruitment.

6. The scheme covers new hires earning up to ₹1 lakh per month, aligning with the employee eligibility criteria and ensuring coverage of mid-level skilled jobs.

7. This employer-side support is expected to facilitate ~2.6 crore additional jobs, expanding the overall employment base.

Integrated Push for Formal Employment

1. By targeting both first-time job seekers and employers, the ELI Scheme ensures a dual incentive structure that promotes formalisation, job stability, and inclusion under social security systems like EPFO.

2. Through financial literacy, savings promotion, and digital benefit transfers, the scheme also builds long-term financial resilience among new workers.

3. With a strong focus on the manufacturing sector, large-scale job creation, and direct benefit models, the ELI Scheme is positioned as a key employment-generation pillar under India’s 2024–25 economic strategy.

Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme

1. The Union Cabinet has approved the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a massive outlay of ₹1 lakh crore, aiming to drive private sector investment in research, innovation, and strategic technologies.

2. The scheme is designed to target sunrise sectors (emerging high-growth industries), along with domains crucial for economic security, strategic autonomy, and national self-reliance.

Primary Aim and Key Objectives of the RDI Scheme

1. The scheme's core aim is to provide long-term financing or refinancing support at low or zero interest rates, thus reducing capital costs and unlocking private R&D investments.

2. Key objectives include:

   • Financing transformative projects at advanced Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), which measure how close a technology is to real-world application (higher TRLs = closer to deployment).

   • Supporting the acquisition of critical and strategic technologies, vital for sectors like defence, energy, and AI.

   • Establishing a Deep-Tech Fund of Funds, a pooled investment structure supporting high-risk, high-potential innovations (especially in cutting-edge areas like quantum tech, biotech, etc.).

Two-Tiered Funding Mechanism to Channel Investments

The funding structure is based on a two-tiered mechanism to ensure effective deployment and monitoring of funds.

Tier 1 – Special Purpose Fund (SPF):

• Set up under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the SPF acts as the primary custodian of RDI funds.

• The ANRF, established under the ANRF Act, 2023, aims to seed, grow, and institutionalize research and innovation in India.

• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a key funding body, has now been subsumed into the ANRF, consolidating national R&D funding.

Tier 2 – Second Level Fund Managers:

• The SPF disburses funds to second-level fund managers in the form of long-term concessional loans or equity investments, especially for startups and private firms.

• Concessional loans are loans offered at lower-than-market interest rates, making them ideal for long-gestation tech projects.

Governance and Oversight Framework

1. The strategic direction and policy guidance for the RDI Scheme will be provided by the Governing Board of ANRF, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, ensuring high-level oversight.

2. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will act as the nodal department, coordinating implementation and inter-agency collaboration.

Expected Impact of the RDI Scheme

1. The RDI Scheme is expected to address long-standing funding constraints that have hindered private sector participation in R&D.

2. It aims to bridge the financial gap in critical and emerging technologies, enabling India to become more self-reliant and globally competitive in innovation.

3. By promoting technological adoption and diffusion, the scheme supports Indian firms in building globally competitive capabilities.

4. It also provides growth capital to de-risk innovation, especially in high-cost, deep-tech domains where traditional financing is often unavailable.

Focus on Sunrise Sectors – The Innovation Frontier

1. The scheme strongly prioritizes sunrise sectors, which refer to new, rapidly growing industries expected to dominate future economic growth.

2. Examples of such sectors include:

   • Electronics & Semiconductors (key to digital infrastructure),

   • Electric Vehicles (EVs) (essential for clean mobility),

   • Renewable Energy (solar, wind, hydrogen),

   • Agro & Food Processing (value addition in agriculture),

   • Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals (domestic manufacturing of critical drugs and med-tech).

Transforming India’s Innovation Ecosystem

1. The RDI Scheme is a landmark initiative that combines financial innovation, institutional reform, and strategic vision to unlock India's next wave of technology-driven growth.

2. With ₹1 lakh crore in support, a deep-tech fund pipeline, and Prime Minister-led governance, the scheme aims to position India as a global hub for advanced research, innovation, and industrial competitiveness.

National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 approved by the Union Cabinet

1. The Union Cabinet has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, replacing the previous NSP 2001, with a vision to harness the power of sports for the nation's holistic development.

2. This is India's third national-level sports policy, the first being launched in 1984, marking a continued evolution in sports governance.

3. The new NSP 2025, also referred to as “Khelo Bharat Niti”, is structured around five core pillars to transform India’s sports landscape.

Pillar 1: Excellence on Global Stage

• Aims to build a strong sports ecosystem from grassroots to elite levels, ensuring smooth talent identification and progression.

• Focuses on capacity building and improved governance of National Sports Federations (NSFs), which are bodies responsible for managing specific sports disciplines.

Pillar 2: Economic Development through Sports

• Seeks to unlock the economic potential of sports by boosting sports tourism, a niche segment involving travel for sports events or recreation.

• Promotes startups and entrepreneurship in sports for job creation and innovation in areas like sports tech, equipment, and fitness.

Pillar 3: Social Development

• Emphasizes inclusivity by enhancing participation of women, marginalized communities, and the differently-abled, recognizing sports as a tool for social empowerment.

Pillar 4: Sports as a People’s Movement

• Encourages mass participation in physical activity, fostering a culture of fitness across all age groups.

• Targets universal access to sports infrastructure, especially in rural and under-served areas.

Pillar 5: Integration with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Aligns with NEP 2020 by integrating sports into the school curriculum, making it a core part of education rather than an extracurricular.

• Ensures specialized training for physical education (PE) teachers, helping identify talent early and promoting lifelong fitness.

Strategic Framework of NSP 2025

1. Governance: Establishes a robust regulatory framework, including a clear legal structure to ensure transparency, accountability, and athlete welfare.

2. Private Sector Support: Encourages innovative funding via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)—where companies contribute to sports as part of social impact.

3. Technology Integration: Plans to leverage emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for performance enhancement and monitoring.

4. Introduces a National Level Monitoring Framework to evaluate progress and ensure effective policy implementation.

Significance of NSP 2025

1. Strengthens India’s soft power and aligns with its regional and global sporting aspirations.

2. Positions India as a strong contender to host the 2036 Olympic Games, bolstering international recognition.

3. Supports the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by tapping into the nation’s youthful demographic dividend, i.e., the advantage of a large young population.

Institutional Framework & Government Role

1. As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, sports is a State subject, meaning individual states manage it primarily, though the Centre plays a guiding role.

2. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) oversees national sports development via its two departments: Youth Affairs and Sports.

3. Key institutional support comes from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), established in 1984 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which implements sports programs nationwide.

4. Notable government schemes include:

   1. TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme, 2014): Supports elite athletes for international competition.

   2. Khelo India (2017): Promotes grassroots sports and infrastructure.

   3. Fit India Movement (2019): Aims to make fitness an integral part of daily life.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) marks 50 years 

1. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) marks its 50th anniversary, highlighting its legacy as the first global agreement dedicated to safeguarding endangered wildlife from the threats of international trade.

2. Originally conceived in 1963 during a meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), CITES formally entered into force in 1975, becoming a landmark treaty in global conservation efforts.

About CITES: A Global Wildlife Trade Agreement

1. CITES is a voluntary international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

2. To achieve this, CITES imposes trade controls through a licensing system, covering all imports, exports, and re-exports of listed species, making it a key regulatory framework for legal wildlife trade.

3. The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland, serving as the coordinating and administrative body of the treaty.

4. The IUCN, a global authority on nature conservation, supports the Secretariat by providing scientific and technical services, including assessments of species' conservation status.

Membership and Legal Standing

1. With 185 Parties (including States and regional economic organizations), CITES enjoys near-universal participation; India ratified CITES in 1976.

2. Although CITES is legally binding, it does not override national laws; rather, each country is expected to implement CITES through its own domestic legislation, ensuring national ownership of enforcement.

3. The Conference of the Parties (CoP) serves as CITES' highest decision-making body, meeting regularly to amend species listings and improve implementation; notably, CoP3 was held in New Delhi in 1981.

Trade Monitoring and Data Management

The CITES Trade Database, a comprehensive source of trade data, is managed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) on behalf of the Secretariat, providing transparency and tracking global wildlife trade.

Key Conservation Initiatives Under CITES

1. Today, CITES provides varying degrees of protection to over 40,900 species, including 6,610 species of animals and 34,310 species of plants, playing a central role in conservation through trade regulation.

2. The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme, launched under a resolution at CoP10 (1997, Harare), is a site-based system that tracks trends in illegal elephant killings across African and Asian elephant ranges, providing data to inform policy.

3. Other important initiatives include:

   • The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), established in 2010, which fosters global collaboration among law enforcement agencies to fight wildlife trafficking.

   • The CITES Tree Species Programme (2024), focused on enhancing the sustainable trade and conservation of commercially valuable tree species.

CITES Appendices: Species Classification Based on Protection Level

1. Species under CITES are listed in three appendices, which determine the level of trade control depending on the species' conservation status:

   • Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction; international trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as for scientific research (e.g., tigers, gorillas).

   • Appendix II: Covers species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but where trade must be regulated to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (e.g., many reptiles and orchids).

   • Appendix III: Lists species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties to help control trade (a more localized mechanism of support).

Terbium

1. Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed an innovative glowing paper sensor designed to aid in the detection of liver cancer, marking a significant advancement in early diagnosis methods.

2. This novel sensor leverages the green luminescence of Terbium—a rare-earth metal known for its fluorescent properties—to sense the presence of β-glucuronidase, an enzyme that acts as a critical biomarker (a biological indicator) for liver cancer.

3. Terbium (Tb) belongs to the lanthanide series of the periodic table and is characterized by its soft, silvery metallic appearance, making it suitable for applications requiring fine luminescence.

4. In nature, terbium is not found in pure form but can be recovered from minerals like monazite and bastnaesite, which are phosphate and carbonate mineral sources rich in rare-earth elements.

5. Additionally, it is obtained from euxenite, a complex oxide mineral typically containing 1% or more of terbium, often found in igneous rocks rich in rare earths.

6. Beyond biomedical use, terbium has diverse applications including in solid-state electronic devices, low-energy lightbulbs, mercury vapor lamps, laser devices, and enhancing the safety of medical x-rays by improving image clarity.

One Year of New Criminal Laws which Came into Force on 1st July 2024

1. From 1st July 2024, three new criminal laws replaced colonial-era laws, aiming to make the justice system affordable, accessible, approachable, simple, consistent, and transparent.

2. These laws include:

   • Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) – replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC, 1860),

   • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) – replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC, 1973),

   • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) – replaces the Indian Evidence Act (1872).

Major Provisions & Key Changes

1. FIR registration at any police station, irrespective of jurisdiction, under BNSS, simplifies the first step toward justice and removes territorial hurdles.

2. Death penalty introduced for specific crimes against women and children, under BNS, reflecting enhanced seriousness for gender-based and child-related offences.

3. New offences defined under BNS, including acts of terrorism, and those endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, boosting national security frameworks.

4. Mob lynching and snatching, which were earlier prosecuted under general provisions, are now separately categorized under BNS, addressing modern societal threats more precisely.

Tech-Driven Reforms in Past One Year

1. A technology-driven justice system is being established, ensuring speed and transparency in trials and investigations.

2. e-Sakshya (electronic evidence platform) and e-Summons have been rolled out in 11 States/UTs, allowing paperless evidence and summons procedures.

3. Nyaya Shruti, enabling video conferencing for witness testimonies, is active in 6 States/UTs, helping save time and resources in remote hearings.

4. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), now connects 14,000+ police stations and 22,000+ courts online, enabling real-time crime data sharing and tracking.

5. Capacity building and training have been completed in 23 States/UTs, equipping police and judicial staff to operate under the new laws effectively.

6. A progressive step, community service has been introduced as a penalty in 12 States/UTs, offering alternative, reformative punishments for minor offences.

Implementation Challenges

1. Despite the legal overhaul, infrastructural support remains insufficient – many police stations, courts, and prisons lack internet and digital tools for full-scale implementation.

2. Although BNSS sets justice timelines, actual enforcement is weakened by 22% vacancies in the police force and district judiciary, delaying timely justice.

3. While BNSS and BSA emphasize forensic investigation, effective rollout is hindered by 47% administrative and 49% scientific staff shortages, impacting forensic labs and processes.

Key Supreme Court Judgments under New Laws

1. In Re: Inhuman Conditions in 1382 Prisons v. Director General of Prisons, the retrospective application of BNSS Section 479 (undertrial detention provisions) was upheld, guiding release for over-detained prisoners.

2. In Badshah Majid Malik v. Directorate of Enforcement, the Supreme Court granted bail under PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), citing BNSS provision that allows bail after one-third of maximum sentence served in non-severe offences.

3. In a related judgment, Re: Inhuman Conditions in 1382 Prisons, the Court directed jail authorities to identify eligible women prisoners for release under Section 479 of BNSS, reinforcing humane incarceration principles.

4. As India completes one year under BNS, BNSS, and BSA, the legal system moves towards modernization with rights-based provisions, but must urgently address digital infrastructure gaps and workforce shortages to realize the full potential of these transformative laws.

Certificate of Deposits (CD)

1. In a significant shift, public sector banks increased their issuance of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) from just 6% in 2022 to a substantial 69% in 2024, indicating rising reliance on short-term market instruments for liquidity.

2. A Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a negotiable money market instrument—meaning it can be traded in the secondary market—issued in dematerialised form (electronic form, not paper-based) by banks or eligible financial institutions in exchange for a fixed-term deposit of funds.

3. CDs are typically issued at a discount to their face value, and the difference between the purchase price and the face value represents the interest earned by the investor over the deposit period.

4. These instruments are issued by scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks and Local Area Banks) as well as by select All-India Financial Institutions (FIs) that are specifically authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to raise short-term resources.

5. CDs can be issued to a broad range of investors including individuals, corporations, companies (including banks), trusts, mutual funds, associations, and even Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)—though for NRIs, it is only on a non-repatriable basis (i.e., funds cannot be transferred abroad).

6. The issuance and regulation of CDs are currently governed by the Reserve Bank of India, which lays down guidelines regarding their maturity, eligibility, issuance procedures, and reporting requirements to ensure market stability and investor protection.

Taiwan’s Mud Volcano

1. A mud volcano recently erupted in Taiwan, drawing attention to this lesser-known yet geologically significant natural phenomenon.

2. Mud volcanoes typically form in subduction zones, which are regions where one tectonic plate slides beneath another at their convergent boundaries, sinking into the mantle due to gravity.

3. While many are naturally occurring, some mud volcanoes can also be man-made, triggered by human activities such as mining or drilling for natural gas, which disturb underground pressure systems.

4. In terms of appearance, a mud volcano usually takes the shape of a hill or mound, with a central vent through which mud, gases, and sometimes water are expelled.

5. The eruption process is driven either by tectonic forces (movements of the Earth’s plates) or by squeezing of deeply buried sediments, often found at the deltas of large rivers, where thick layers of soft sediment accumulate.

6. A key characteristic is that these eruptions commonly release gases, especially methane (CH₄)—a highly flammable greenhouse gas that escapes from deep underground.

7. Unlike traditional igneous volcanoes, which erupt lava, ash, and pyroclastic material, mud volcanoes do not produce lava or ash, making them fundamentally different in both structure and impact.

Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs)

1. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued guidelines for the establishment of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs) and launched a dedicated module on the Saral Sanchar portal to help identify spectrum bands earmarked for CNPNs.

2. A Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) refers to a terrestrial wireless telecommunication network set up for private, exclusive use within a clearly defined geographical area.

3. Unlike public mobile networks—which are operated by telecom service providers and are accessible to the general public—CNPNs are privately operated by enterprises and not open for commercial telecom services.

4. These networks are designed to serve internal communication needs, often within industries, factories, or campuses, ensuring no external access and thereby enhancing privacy and reliability.

5. The key significance of CNPNs lies in their ability to meet customized, tailormade communication requirements of enterprises, especially those involving high-performance connectivity, ultra-low latency, and specific network configurations.

6. Moreover, CNPNs offer complete control over data, network infrastructure, and security, making them highly valuable for sectors where data sovereignty and network integrity are mission-critical, such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.

Project 17A: India’s Advanced Multi-Mission Stealth Frigates

1. The INS Udaygiri, the second ship under Project 17A, a series of advanced stealth frigates, was recently delivered to the Indian Navy, marking a significant boost to naval capabilities.

2. Project 17A is a follow-on initiative of the earlier Shivalik-class frigates (Project 17), which are actively serving the Indian Navy.

3. A frigate is a multi-role warship primarily designed for fleet protection against surface combatants and aerial threats, providing versatile defense capabilities.

4. The Project 17A ships incorporate enhanced stealth features that reduce radar and sonar detectability and are equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, representing a substantial upgrade over the earlier Project 17 class.

5. These multi-mission frigates are designed to operate in a ‘Blue Water’ environment—which refers to open ocean and deep-sea areas far from a country's coast—enabling them to counter both conventional threats (like enemy ships and aircraft) and non-conventional threats (such as asymmetric warfare, piracy, or terrorism) across India’s maritime interests.

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

1. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has achieved a major milestone by executing over 60 Gigawatts of Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) for renewable energy capacity, reinforcing its leadership in India’s clean energy transition.

2. SECI was established in 2011 as part of the government's initiative to implement the National Solar Mission, aimed at promoting large-scale solar power generation across the country.

3. It functions as a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU)—a status granted to high-performing PSUs—operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

4. Recognised as the designated Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA), SECI plays a central role in rolling out various MNRE-led renewable energy schemes, including solar, wind, hybrid, and storage projects.

5. Additionally, SECI is licensed as a Category-I power trading entity—the highest classification under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)—which enables it to trade power across India efficiently and legally.

6. SECI also undertakes special programmes and regional renewable models, including initiatives like the greening of islands (such as Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) by reducing diesel dependence through renewable integration.

7. It further supports high-altitude renewable energy projects, such as the proposed 5 GW grid-linked solar capacity in Ladakh, tapping into the region's vast solar potential while improving local energy access.

Operation Melon

1. In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully busted a large-scale international drug racket operating via the darknet, under the operation code-named ‘Operation MELON’.

2. During the operation, authorities recovered LSD blots, Ketamine, and cryptocurrency, indicating both the chemical and financial sophistication of the drug network.

3. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) and Ketamine are both classified as potent hallucinogens—substances that alter perception, mood, and sensory experience, often distorting the way people see, hear, taste, smell, or feel.

4. While LSD is a classic psychedelic, Ketamine is a dissociative drug and is not an opioid (i.e., not a narcotic painkiller); instead, it acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, meaning it blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) neurotransmitter, which plays a key role in pain perception, mood, and memory.

5. The investigation also uncovered the use of TAILS OS—a specialized, privacy-focused operating system designed to leave no digital trace and frequently used for accessing darknet markets anonymously.

Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting

1. The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting recently concluded in Washington, USA, reinforcing the shared strategic vision among its four member nations.

2. The ministers reaffirmed strong support for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, clearly rejecting any coercive or unilateral attempts to alter the regional status quo—especially in the context of maritime disputes.

3. A renewed agenda was launched, focusing on four key pillars: maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and secure supply chains, emerging and critical technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response, highlighting the Quad's expanding scope beyond traditional security.

4. The Quad nations strongly condemned all forms of terrorism, explicitly referring to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, showcasing unified commitment to counter-terror efforts.

5. On the regional front, the meeting emphasized continued support for regional frameworks, particularly endorsing ASEAN centrality and unity, the Pacific Islands Forum, and other Pacific-led initiatives, as well as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)—a key platform for maritime cooperation among littoral states of the Indian Ocean.

6. To understand the platform, the Quad—short for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD)—is an informal strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan, aimed at promoting a rules-based international order, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

   
   

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