Current Affairs 02 May 2025

Content:

1. Modi champions ‘orange economy’ at WAVES
2. Vizhinjam port set to boost South Asia’s maritime trade
3. How can India tap its natural hydrogen potential?
4. Can the Indus Waters Treaty be suspended unilaterally?
5. EC to obtain death registration data for voter roll revision
6. Protect vulnerable people from summer heat: NHRC to States

Modi champions ‘orange economy’ at WAVES

Context : At the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched India as a rising hub of the orange economy—focused on creativity, culture, and intellectual property. He urged global content creators to “create in India, create for the world,” highlighting the country’s cultural inclusivity and digital growth.

Relevance : GS 3(Indian Economy)

Highlights from PM’s Speech

• Promotion of the Orange Economy:
  • Modi positioned India as a rising “orange economy” — the creative economy driven by culture, art, and intellectual property.
  • Emphasis on “Create in India, create for the world” to attract global content creators.

• Cultural Inclusivity as a Strength:
  • Asserted India’s historical openness to other cultures (e.g., Parsis, Jews).
  • Indian culture’s strength lies in respecting and integrating foreign cultures.

• Support for Content Creators:
  • Encouraged Indian creators contributing to a global creative wave.
  • Noted the increasing global reach of Indian entertainment through subtitled content and digital formats.
  • Promised governmental support for the creative industry.

• Responsible Creativity:
  • Stressed the need for creators to respect human sensitivities and sensibilities.
  • Warned against dehumanization: “We want to enrich humans, not turn them into robots.”

Global & Strategic Significance

• Soft Power Diplomacy:
  • Leveraging India’s cultural exports to enhance global influence (soft power).
  • WAVES Summit acts as a platform to showcase India’s creative leadership globally.

• Economic Diversification:
  • Signals diversification from traditional sectors (agriculture, IT) to IP-led economic models.
  • Creative industries offer potential for employment, entrepreneurship, and foreign investment.

• Digital & Technological Implications:
  • Acknowledgment of evolving screen consumption trends (smaller screens, growing viewership).
  • Push for digital-first content strategies that cater to global audiences.

Vizhinjam port set to boost South Asia’s maritime trade

Vizhinjam Port, Kerala’s first deep-water transshipment hub, is poised to transform India’s maritime logistics by reducing dependence on foreign ports. Its strategic and technological capabilities are set to enhance South Asia’s trade efficiency and regional connectivity.

Relevance : GS 3(Infrastructure)

Strategic Importance of Vizhinjam Port

• All-weather, deep-water port with natural depth and minimal littoral drift, ideal for large vessels and transshipment operations.
• Designed as a transshipment hub, reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Dubai.
• Expected to save $200–220 million annually in transshipment costs and improve trade competitiveness.

Technological Advancements

• Equipped with an AI-driven control room and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) developed by IIT-M and Maritime Technology Pvt. Ltd.
• Enables real-time tracking of ships, efficient traffic flow, and optimized berthing management, enhancing operational efficiency.

National and Regional Impact

• Positioned to become a maritime gateway for South Asia, enhancing India’s role in global shipping lanes.
• Will likely boost employment, logistics, and ancillary industries in Kerala and beyond.
• Enhances India’s maritime sovereignty by curbing reliance on international shipping hubs.

Challenges Faced

• Faced local resistance, especially from fishermen and church-backed groups over environmental and livelihood concerns.
• Kerala government had to negotiate protests while emphasizing the port’s long-term economic benefits.

How can India tap its natural hydrogen potential?

Strategic Significance for India

• Natural hydrogen can help meet India’s net-zero target by 2070 and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Offers a low-cost, low-emission alternative to manufactured hydrogen (e.g., green or grey hydrogen).
• Enhances energy security and strategic autonomy, vital in a geopolitically volatile world.

Relevance : GS 3(Energy Security)

Estimated Potential

• Preliminary academic models suggest India may hold 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen.
• India’s hydrogen demand is projected to rise from 6 Mt/year (2020) to 50+ Mt/year (2070).
• Natural hydrogen could replace manufactured hydrogen, if large, accessible reserves are confirmed.

Key Exploration Challenges

• Limited exploration techniques unlike well-established oil and gas methods.
• Hydrogen’s high diffusivity and small molecular size make containment and extraction harder.
• Safety concerns: Hydrogen is reactive and requires specialized materials for handling.
• Accurate identification of seals, traps, and hydrocarbon generation potential is essential.

Infrastructure & Technology Gaps

• Need for cost-effective extraction methods and hydrogen-resistant materials.
• Lack of widespread geological studies and mapping focused on hydrogen.
• Storage solutions (e.g., underground storage) are still underdeveloped in India.
• Existing natural gas pipelines may require upgrades to carry hydrogen safely.

Suggested Roadmap for India

• Replicate Solar Mission’s SRRA model to map hydrogen reserves via public-private partnerships.
• Leverage expertise from Oil & Gas industry and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons to analyze rock samples and drill test wells.
• Adapt some current gas pipelines for hydrogen transport after safety upgrades.
• Develop regulatory frameworks and offer grants/debt capital to incentivize exploration.

Global Best Practices

• The U.S. is exploring in-situ hydrogen generation by injecting water (and CO₂) into iron-rich rocks, enabling simultaneous carbon sequestration.
• India could adopt and pilot similar reactive drilling technologies to expand its options.

Cost Considerations

• Natural hydrogen could be cheaper than manufactured hydrogen, but feasibility depends on:
  • Scale and accessibility of reserves
  • Infrastructure investments
  • Technology adaptation costs
• Early pilot projects and cost-benefit analyses will guide long-term investments.

Can the Indus Waters Treaty be suspended unilaterally?

Context : Legal Status of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)

• IWT (1960) is a bilateral treaty brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan.
• Grants India exclusive use of eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and limited, non-consumptive rights over western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).
• Article XII: The treaty can only be modified or terminated by mutual agreement via a ratified treaty—unilateral withdrawal is not permissible.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), 1969

• India is not a signatory, Pakistan has signed but not ratified.
• Article 62 (Customary International Law): Treaties may be suspended/terminated if there is a fundamental change in circumstances.
• ICJ affirms this rule as binding under customary international law.
• But the bar for “fundamental change” is very high — political or security shifts alone may not qualify.

Interpretation of “Abeyance” by India

• India used the term “held in abeyance”, which lacks legal recognition in international treaty law.
• Possibly a diplomatic euphemism for “suspension” rather than “termination”.
• Suspension must still meet legal standards set under VCLT (e.g., Article 62).

ICJ Precedents

• In Gabcíkovo-Nagymaros (1997), ICJ rejected Hungary’s claim of environmental and political change as grounds to terminate a dam treaty with Slovakia.
• Suggests India must show a direct link between the changed circumstances and the core objective of the IWT.

Strategic and Economic Impact on Pakistan

• 80% of Pakistan’s agriculture and about 1/3rd of its hydropower rely on Indus basin waters.
• India’s existing infrastructure (run-of-the-river hydro projects) does not allow large-scale water withholding.
• However, India could:
  • Redesign hydro projects for more storage.
  • Use “drawdown flushing”, releasing water suddenly — potentially harmful for Pakistan downstream.
  • Create strategic uncertainty over water flow, impacting Pakistan’s agrarian economy.

Geopolitical and Diplomatic Implications

• Any disruption could trigger international concerns over transboundary water conflict.
• Could undermine India’s image as a responsible regional power.
• May prompt global arbitration or pressure via World Bank or UN bodies.

EC to obtain death registration data for voter roll revision

Objective of the Move

• Aims to enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls by removing names of deceased voters.
• Strengthens electoral integrity amid allegations of manipulation in voter rolls during recent Assembly elections.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Election)

Legal Basis

• Based on:
  • Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
  • Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, amended in 2023.

Key Features of the Reform

• Electronic sharing of death data from the Registrar-General of India to EC.
• Allows timely and automatic updates to voter rolls without relying on public complaints (Form 7).
• Empowers Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) to act proactively.

Role of Booth-Level Officers (BLOs)

• Appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• Act as the first point of contact between voters and the EC.
• Will now receive official photo identity cards for greater legitimacy and easier interaction with citizens.

Voter Information Slip Redesign

• Improved layout for better voter experience.
• Serial number and part number to be displayed in larger font for easier polling station identification.
• Aims to assist both voters and polling officials on election day.

Context and Significance

• Comes at a time of political scrutiny over voter roll integrity.
• Reflects EC’s effort to modernise and automate electoral roll maintenance.
• Enhances transparency, efficiency, and citizen trust in electoral processes.

Protect vulnerable people from summer heat: NHRC to States

Context

• India is facing a severe heatwave, especially in northern, central, and western regions.
• NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) intervenes to protect vulnerable populations from heat-related health risks.

Relevance : GS 3(Disaster Management)

Targeted States

• NHRC has issued advisories to 11 States:
  Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Vulnerable Populations Identified

• Outdoor workers, elderly citizens, children, and the homeless.
• Informal settlers and labour colonies are at high risk due to poor access to basic infrastructure.

Alarming Data

• 3,798 deaths from heat and sun strokes reported by NCRB between 2018–2022.
• Indicates chronic under-preparedness and lack of preventive systems.

NHRC Recommendations

1. Immediate Pre-emptive Measures:
   1. Provision of temporary shelters, relief materials, and medical supplies.
   1. Adjustment of working hours to avoid peak heat.

• Public Infrastructure Improvements:
  • Equip schools, anganwadi centres, and community halls with:
    • Ventilation
    • Fans
    • Drinking water
    • Basic medical kits

• Support for Informal Settlements:
  • Supply fans, cool roof materials, and ORS sachets.
  • Establish hydration stations, shaded rest zones, and promote protective clothing.

Protocol and Guidelines

• States reminded to implement NDMA heatwave mitigation guidelines.
• Urged to establish standard treatment protocols for heat-related illnesses.

Accountability

• NHRC has asked all 11 States to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs).