Today's Brief 4/04/2025

1 .Coastal Shipping Bill:

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

The recently passed Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, by the Lok Sabha, marks a significant stride towards revitalizing India's maritime landscape

 This legislation aims to establish a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade, fostering economic growth and bolstering national security.

By encouraging the development of an indigenous coastal fleet and regulating foreign vessel operations, the bill seeks to reduce dependence on external entities and promote domestic participation.

 Key provisions, such as the formulation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and the creation of a National Database for Coastal Shipping, underscore a long-term, data-driven approach.

 Ultimately, this initiative is designed to alleviate logistical burdens, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance India's maritime infrastructure, while also reflecting a cooperative federalism approach between the central and state governments.

2 .India and Thailand,

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

a significant strengthening of bilateral relations occurred, culminating in the signing of six agreements and the elevation of ties to a "Strategic Partnership."

This move underscores the growing importance of the India-Thailand relationship within India's "Act East" policy and its broader Indo-Pacific vision. The agreements span critical sectors, including:

• Digital Technologies:

  • A memorandum of understanding to increase cooperation within the IT sector.

• Maritime Heritage:

  • An agreement regarding the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, signifying cultural and historical ties.

• MSME Development:

  • Cooperation to bolster micro, small, and medium enterprises, a vital economic sector for both nations.

• Handicrafts and Handlooms:

  • Agreements to promote and develop traditional crafts, highlighting cultural exchange.

• Regional Development:

  • Focus on cooperation between India's North Eastern region and Thailand, aiming to increase connectivity and economic activity.

Furthermore, the leaders emphasized increased cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and trade, and also discussed strengthening security cooperation, including establishing a "strategic dialogue" between security agencies.

This visit highlights the commitment of both countries to increase their cooperations, and to support a free, open, and inclusive indo-pacific region

3 New damselfly species found in Kerala:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

A significant discovery has been made in the Western Ghats of Kerala with the identification of a new damselfly species, "Agasthyamalai Bambootail" (Melanoneura agasthyamalaica).

Found primarily in the Agasthyamalai landscape, including areas near the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Ponmudi Hills, this species stands out with its striking black body adorned with vibrant blue markings and a unique, long, cylindrical abdomen that resembles a bamboo stalk.

This discovery, the second within the Melanoneura genus, highlights the rich biodiversity of the region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and underscores the vital need for conservation efforts, particularly in non-reserve areas where the species has also been observed.

The collaborative effort of scientists from MIT World Peace University, Christ College, Kerala, and the Society for Odonate Studies

4 .Hungary's government has announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC),

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

a move that has generated significant international discussion.

This decision comes amidst the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, expressing strong criticism of the ICC's perceived politicization.

Hungary's stated position of not upholding the arrest warrant, coupled with the initiation of the withdrawal process, underscores its growing divergence from international legal norms. The formal withdrawal will take effect one year after notification to the United Nations.

This action has prompted varied reactions, raising questions about Hungary's commitments as an EU member state and its adherence to international law, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the controversial nature of the ICC's warrant.

5 .The International Criminal Court (ICC),

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

established by the Rome Statute in 1998 and operational since 2002, is a permanent tribunal headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.

It prosecutes individuals for serious international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

The ICC serves as a court of last resort, intervening when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute offenders.

As of April 2025, it has 125 member states.

Notably, countries like the United States, China, and Russia are not members, expressing concerns over sovereignty and potential political misuse.

6 .The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, commonly known as BIMSTEC, is a significant regional organization established on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.

Its primary aim is to enhance technical and economic collaboration among nations situated along the Bay of Bengal, effectively bridging South Asia and Southeast Asia. Initially formed as BIST-EC with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, it expanded to include Myanmar later in 1997 (becoming BIMST-EC) and subsequently Nepal and Bhutan in 2004, bringing the total membership to seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The organization's permanent secretariat is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Its core objectives include accelerating economic growth and social progress, promoting active collaboration on matters of common interest across various fields, and providing mutual assistance in training and research.

For India, BIMSTEC holds considerable strategic importance, aligning with its 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies.

 It provides a crucial platform for regional cooperation, particularly in the strategically vital Bay of Bengal area, focusing on connectivity, trade, and security, and offering an alternative cooperative framework to SAARC.

A key milestone for the organization was the adoption of the BIMSTEC Charter in 2022, which formalized its structure and legal standing. Thailand currently holds the chairmanship of the group

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