1. India’s Stand at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting: A Strategic Assertion of Interests

Context: At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Qingdao, China, India made a notable diplomatic move by refusing to sign the joint declaration. The reason cited was the absence of any reference to cross-border terrorism, particularly the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This decision led to the conclave concluding without a unified communique — a rare occurrence in multilateral diplomacy.

Understanding the SCO: Origins and Evolution

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a powerful Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. It traces its roots back to 1996, when it began as the Shanghai Five, a bloc comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, focused on resolving border issues post-USSR disintegration.

In 2001, with Uzbekistan’s inclusion, the group evolved into the SCO. Over the years, its mandate expanded to address regional security threats, economic cooperation, and cultural connectivity.

Today, the SCO consists of nine full members:

• China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

India became a full member in 2017 and held the rotating chairmanship in 2023.

SCO at a Glance:

• Official Languages: Russian and Chinese
• Observer States: Afghanistan and Mongolia
• Key Bodies:
  • Council of Heads of States (CHS) – Top decision-making authority
  • SCO Secretariat – Based in Beijing
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) – Headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Collectively, SCO nations represent nearly 40% of the global population and contribute around 30% of global GDP.

Why SCO Matters to India:

1. Regional Security Cooperation: India utilizes the SCO platform to engage in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and anti-extremism operations, particularly via the RATS mechanism.
2. Strategic Leverage: With China and Pakistan as members, the SCO provides India a space to assert its perspectives and push back against anti-India narratives in a multilateral setting.
3. Energy and Resource Diplomacy:  Central Asia’s rich reserves of oil, natural gas, and uranium are critical to India’s energy security. SCO ties bolster India’s outreach in this region.
4. Economic Integration: The SCO promotes economic collaboration, opening avenues for increased trade and investment, especially with landlocked Central Asian countries that India has historically found hard to access.
5. Strategic Outreach in Eurasia: India’s participation supports its “Connect Central Asia” policy and is in alignment with the broader geopolitical vision of “SAGAR” – Security and Growth for All in the Region.

Challenges India Faces in SCO:

• China-Pakistan Nexus: Their strong bilateral bond can undermine India’s interests and limit its ability to shape regional security dialogues.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Border disputes with China and hostility with Pakistan often spill into the SCO domain, hindering constructive engagement.
• Security-Centric Agenda: The SCO’s heavy focus on security comes at the cost of economic and developmental priorities, which India actively promotes.
• Consensus-Based Decision Making: The need for unanimity slows down key policy decisions, often diluting strong positions—such as those on terrorism.

India’s Refusal: A Diplomatic Signal

India’s decision to opt out of the joint statement is a firm diplomatic message: it will not endorse documents that ignore its core security concerns, especially regarding state-sponsored terrorism. By highlighting the omission of the Pahalgam terror attack, India reasserts its zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism in global platforms.

Conclusion: SCO as a Strategic Arena for India

Despite institutional challenges, the SCO remains a critical forum for India to build partnerships in Eurasia, promote regional stability, and safeguard its economic and strategic interests. India’s active participation also serves as a geopolitical counterweight to Western blocs and China-centric groupings.

By holding its ground at Qingdao, India has reinforced its commitment to principled multilateralism—one that emphasizes security, sovereignty, and strategic clarity.

2. Centenary of a Transformative Dialogue: Honouring Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi’s Historic Conversation

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the iconic meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This profound conversation took place on March 12, 1925, at the Sivagiri Mutt in Kerala, a moment etched in India’s social reform history.

A Landmark Meeting of Minds:

The dialogue between these two towering reformers was not just a meeting—it was a turning point in India’s socio-spiritual landscape. Their conversation revolved around core issues of national and moral significance:

• Vaikom Satyagraha
• Religious conversions
• Non-violence as a means of reform
• Abolition of untouchability
• Empowerment of the marginalised

This dialogue represented a fusion of spiritual wisdom and moral activism, echoing through the decades that followed.

Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi: A Comparative Vision

The Vaikom Satyagraha: A Prelude to the Dialogue

The Vaikom Satyagraha was a pivotal non-violent protest in the 1920s, launched to challenge the denial of access to roads around the Vaikom Shiva Temple to Dalits and lower castes in Travancore (now Kerala).

• Leaders: Spearheaded by T.K. Madhavan, K. Kelappan, and others.
• Supporters: While Gandhi offered strategic guidance, E.V. Ramasamy Periyar gave active support and became a key figure in the movement.
• Impact: This Satyagraha laid the groundwork for the Guru-Gandhi dialogue and exemplified peaceful resistance against caste oppression.

Sree Narayana Guru: The Beacon of Social Renaissance

Sree Narayana Guru was a revered spiritual philosopher, poet, and social reformer from Kerala. His mission was to dismantle caste-based discrimination and usher in an era of equality and enlightenment.

• Philosophy: His famous dictum, “One Caste, One Religion, One God for All,” remains a guiding principle in Kerala’s social consciousness.
• Institutions: He established the Sharada Mutt and Sivagiri pilgrimage centre to promote education, moral progress, and spiritual unity.
• Notable Works: Daiva Dasakam, Nivritti Panchakam, Atmopadesa Satakam — all of which reflect his mystical and reformist thought.

Enduring Legacy of the 1925 Dialogue:

This centennial marks more than a remembrance—it celebrates a visionary collaboration that left a lasting imprint on India’s soul:

• Catalyst for Gandhi’s Harijan Mission: The conversation compelled Gandhi to make the upliftment of Dalits (Harijans) a central goal of the freedom struggle.
• Model of Peaceful Protest: Both leaders emphasized that non-violent resistance, not revolution, was the key to true social change.
• Educational and Economic Empowerment: Their shared vision laid the groundwork for future policies focusing on inclusive development.

A Message for Today:

As India reflects on 100 years of this historic encounter, the values championed by Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi—social justice, non-violence, equality, and dignity for all—remain deeply relevant in contemporary society. Their legacies continue to guide movements for human rights, education, and communal harmony across the country.

3. Indian Astronaut Returns to Space After 41 Years: A New Chapter in Space Exploration

Context: After a 41-year-long gap, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has etched his name in history by becoming the second Indian astronaut to journey into space. He flew aboard the Axiom-4 mission, alongside astronauts from the USA, Hungary, and Poland, marking India’s debut presence on the International Space Station (ISS).

This momentous achievement comes decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission.

What is the International Space Station (ISS)?

The ISS is a permanently crewed space laboratory orbiting approximately 400 km above Earth, completing an orbit every 90 minutes at a speed of 28,000 km/h.

• Launched: The first module was deployed in 1998.
• Manned Since: Continuously inhabited since the year 2000.
• Partnerships: Operated by a coalition of five major space agencies: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada).
• Mission: To foster international cooperation in science and technology, support cutting-edge research, and prepare humanity for deep space exploration.

Axiom-4 Mission: A Giant Leap for India’s Space Aspirations

The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission is NASA’s fourth all-private crewed mission to the ISS, launched in collaboration with SpaceX and Axiom Space. It carries strategic value for India’s space future, particularly its upcoming Gaganyaan mission.

1. Preparing for Gaganyaan: India’s ambitious Gaganyaan programme, which aims to send its first crewed mission into low Earth orbit, can gain immensely from the Ax-4 mission:

• Real-time problem solving
• Team coordination in space
• Execution of scientific experiments in microgravity

These are critical skills and experiences that will support India’s astronaut training and mission design.

2. Driving Scientific Innovation: The Ax-4 mission involves over 60 advanced experiments from 31 countries. India contributed to research on muscle atrophy and stem cell behavior in zero gravity—key areas for:

• Space medicine
• Human physiology in microgravity
• Future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars

This aligns with ISRO’s growing research in diabetes control, bone density loss, and cancer treatment in space conditions—fields vital for the health and safety of astronauts on prolonged missions.

3. Strengthening Global Space Partnerships:  The mission highlights India’s deepening ties with global space agencies and its increasing engagement in the commercial space sector.
   
   India’s collaboration in this international mission showcases its potential as a key partner in space diplomacy, working closely with NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX.

Significance Beyond Science:

This spaceflight is more than a scientific endeavor—it symbolizes India’s emergence as a global space player. With growing expertise in launch systems, satellite technology, and space research, India is steadily climbing the ladder in the global space race.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission rekindles national pride and renews India’s commitment to advancing space exploration, paving the way for young scientists, engineers, and future astronauts.

Looking Ahead: India’s Role in the Future of Space

India’s active involvement in private and international missions signals a paradigm shift in its space ambitions. From Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter to Gaganyaan and beyond, India is now positioning itself as a leader in space innovation, scientific research, and sustainable space collaboration.

4. RBI Eases Priority Sector Lending Norms for Small Finance Banks

Context: In a significant regulatory move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines for Small Finance Banks (SFBs), lowering their mandatory PSL targets and offering greater operational flexibility. This shift is designed to enhance credit efficiency and align regulatory expectations with the operational scale and challenges faced by these niche banks.

What is Priority Sector Lending (PSL)?

Priority Sector Lending is a key instrument in India’s financial inclusion strategy. Under this RBI-mandated policy, banks are required to dedicate a specific portion of their lending to critical sectors that often suffer from inadequate credit flow. These include:

• Agriculture
• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
• Education
• Housing
• Export Credit
• Social Infrastructure
• Renewable Energy
• Weaker Sections of Society

The PSL framework ensures that the benefits of credit penetration reach the grassroots, thereby supporting inclusive and equitable growth.

Key Reforms in the Revised PSL Norms for SFBs:

The RBI has introduced targeted relaxations in the PSL requirements for Small Finance Banks, effective from the financial year 2025–26:

1. PSL Target Reduced: The overall PSL target for SFBs has been revised downward from 75% to 60% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBE), whichever is higher.
2. Revised Sub-sector Allocation: 

• Out of this 60%, 40% must continue to be allocated to the core priority sectors (agriculture, MSMEs, education, etc.).
• The remaining 20% can now be flexibly deployed to one or more priority sectors based on the bank’s competitive strengths, such as micro-lending, housing finance, or rural outreach.

3. Additional PSL Component Curtailed: The additional 35% PSL component mandated earlier has now been trimmed to 20%, simplifying compliance and easing the credit burden on smaller banks.

Understanding Small Finance Banks (SFBs):

Small Finance Banks are specialized banks set up to cater to the financial needs of the underserved segments, especially:

• Small farmers
• Micro and small businesses
• Low-income households
• The informal and unorganized sector

Regulatory Framework:

• Regulated by: RBI under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and RBI Act, 1934
• Company Structure: Registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013
• Subject to: All prudential norms applicable to commercial banks, including Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)

Promoter Eligibility:

• Resident individuals or entities with a solid track record in finance (minimum 5 years)
• Eligible institutions include NBFCs, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), and Local Area Banks (LABs)
• Initial capital requirement: Minimum ₹100 crore, with promoters contributing 40%, which must reduce to 26% within 12 years

Why This Reform Matters:

1. Enhancing Operational Agility: The relaxed PSL targets will provide greater flexibility to SFBs to optimize their lending portfolios, leading to better asset quality and risk management.
2. Supporting Financial Inclusion with Efficiency: While ensuring the core mission of financial inclusion remains intact, the changes also acknowledge the evolving maturity of SFBs in handling diversified credit segments.
3. Enabling Targeted Growth: By allowing SFBs to channel resources into areas where they are most effective, such as rural lending, affordable housing, or MSME financing, the RBI is fostering strategic specialization.
4. Aligning with Broader PSL Reforms: This move is in line with the RBI’s broader PSL revisions (announced in March 2025), which included enhanced loan limits for education and housing, and a recalibration of PSL targets for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs).

Conclusion: A Balanced Reform for Inclusive Growth

The RBI’s decision to revise PSL norms for Small Finance Banks marks a crucial step in balancing regulatory requirements with operational realities. It strengthens the financial backbone of India’s underserved sectors, while empowering SFBs to function with greater autonomy and efficiency.

5. Falkland Islands: Unearthing Ancient Secrets from a Remote British Territory

Context: In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists have uncovered a buried ancient forest beneath the rugged terrain of the Falkland Islands—a landscape better known for sheep pastures and seabird colonies. This prehistoric ecosystem is believed to have thrived long before humans or domesticated animals arrived, offering rare insights into the islands’ ecological past and adding a fascinating chapter to its already rich natural history.

Geography and Location: A Remote Archipelago in the South Atlantic

Often referred to as the Malvinas Islands (by Argentina), the Falkland Islands are an internally self-governing British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean, approximately 480 km northeast of Cape Horn, near the southern tip of South America.

• Comprising two major islands—East Falkland and West Falkland—along with over 770 smaller islets, the islands are separated by the Falkland Sound.
• They lie in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres.
• The total area of the territory is around 12,173 square kilometers.
• Stanley, the capital, is located on East Falkland and serves as the main port and administrative center.

Climate and People:

The Falklands experience a cool temperate oceanic climate, notable for mild temperatures, strong winds, and low seasonal extremes. Snowfall can occur in winter, but it is rarely heavy.

• The population is primarily English-speaking, with the majority being Falklanders of British and African-Irish descent (around 88% of the total population).
• The population is small, numbering around 3,500, with most residents living in Stanley or smaller settlements across the islands.

Economic Activities: From Sheep to the Sea

Historically, the economy of the Falkland Islands was driven by sheep farming, especially for wool exports. However, in recent decades, the economy has diversified, focusing more on:

• Fishing, particularly squid and Patagonian toothfish, which are exported globally
• Tourism, drawing nature lovers, cruise ships, and history enthusiasts
• Oil exploration, although its development remains limited due to political sensitivities

The Falkland pound is the official currency, pegged 1:1 with the British pound sterling.

Political Status and Historical Disputes:

The sovereignty of the islands has long been a source of contention between the United Kingdom and Argentina.

• The islands were reclaimed by Britain in 1833, but Argentina continues to claim them as part of its national territory.
• In April 1982, Argentine troops invaded the islands, triggering the Falklands War. The conflict ended in June 1982 with a British victory, and sovereignty was restored.
• Despite Argentina’s continued diplomatic pressure, the majority of Falklanders support remaining under British rule.
• In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters chose to stay a British overseas territory.

Governance and Administration:

• The islands are self-governing, with executive power vested in the British Crown.
• A governor, appointed by the UK, represents the monarchy.
• Local governance is carried out by an elected Legislative Assembly.
• The Falklands government also manages nearby British overseas territories, including South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, which lie 1,100 to 3,200 km southeast of the archipelago.

A Sanctuary of Biodiversity:

The Falkland Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, particularly for marine and seabird life. They are home to:

• Five species of penguins, including the iconic King penguin
• Sea lions and elephant seals
• Numerous species of albatrosses and other seabirds

This unique ecology draws wildlife researchers and eco-tourists from around the world. Several islands have been designated as Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

Final Thoughts: Where Nature and History Intertwine

From its rugged natural beauty and untamed wildlife to its layered geopolitical past, the Falkland Islands stand as a compelling fusion of raw nature, colonial legacy, and scientific intrigue. With the recent discovery of an ancient forest, the archipelago once again reminds us that even the most remote corners of the world can hold secrets that reshape our understanding of Earth’s history.

6. Salkhan Fossil Park: India’s Ancient Treasure Joins UNESCO’s Tentative List

Context: In a proud moment for India’s natural history, Salkhan Fossil Park, located in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, has been officially included in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. This recognition highlights the park’s extraordinary paleontological significance, making it a potential global geo-heritage site of international repute.

Where Earth’s Ancient Past Comes Alive:

Also referred to as Sonbhadra Fossils Park, Salkhan Fossil Park is nestled within the lush expanse of the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and is part of the Vindhyan mountain range, a region rich in biodiversity and geological history.

What makes the park exceptional is its fossil record dating back approximately 1.4 billion years, offering a rare glimpse into Earth’s Mesoproterozoic Era—a time long before complex life forms evolved.

Home to Earth’s Oldest Lifeforms:

At the heart of the park’s geological importance is its extraordinary collection of stromatolites—layered bio-chemical structures formed by cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. These organisms are some of the earliest life forms on Earth and played a pivotal role in shaping the planet’s atmosphere.

• The site hosts diverse stromatolite formations, ranging from domal to columnar shapes, preserved in ancient rock beds.
• These fossilized microbial mats are not only older than those at Shark Bay (Australia) and Yellowstone (USA), but also represent some of the best-preserved examples of early life on Earth.

A Glimpse into the Great Oxidation Event:

One of the park’s most scientifically significant aspects is its direct connection to the Great Oxidation Event (GOE)—a pivotal moment in Earth’s history when photosynthetic microbes began releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

• The Proterozoic stromatolites found here capture a moment when life transformed Earth’s environment, setting the stage for the evolution of complex organisms.
• These ancient fossils help researchers understand how microbial activity altered the planet’s atmospheric and oceanic chemistry nearly a billion years ago.

Geological Significance and Global Recognition:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified the site as a key area of geo-heritage interest, specifically under the theme “Evolution of Life” in its 2020 Guidelines for Geoconservation in Protected and Conserved Areas.

• The diversity in fossil structures provides valuable insight into varying ancient environmental conditions such as water depth, sediment levels, and wave activity.

• It serves not only as a research hotspot but also as a natural classroom for students and geologists studying Earth’s evolutionary timeline.

Moving Toward UNESCO World Heritage Status:

Being placed on UNESCO’s Tentative List is the first formal step toward achieving full World Heritage Site recognition. If selected, Salkhan Fossil Park would join a prestigious list of globally celebrated natural sites and receive enhanced protection, global awareness, and ecotourism development opportunities.

Conclusion: A Window to Earth’s Distant Past

Salkhan Fossil Park is more than just a collection of ancient rocks—it’s a living monument to the origins of life on our planet. As India moves forward in preserving its geo-heritage and natural wonders, the park stands as a symbol of scientific heritage, bridging the ancient past with modern conservation.

Its recognition by UNESCO not only elevates its status on the world stage but also underscores the need to safeguard Earth’s earliest biological records for future generations.