Daily Current Affairs- 17th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 17th December 2025

PM Modi Becomes First World Leader to Receive Ethiopia’s Top Award

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, "The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia", by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali during his two-day official visit to Addis Ababa. PM Modi became the first global Head of State or Head of Government to receive this prestigious award,. The honour was presented in a special ceremony at the Addis International Convention Centre, recognizing PM Modi's exceptional contribution towards strengthening India-Ethiopia partnership and his visionary leadership as a global statesman.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement and Ceremony Details: PM Modi became the first global Head of State or Head of Government to receive Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, "The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia" on December 16, 2025. The award was conferred by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali in a special ceremony hosted at the Addis International Convention Centre in Addis Ababa during PM Modi's first bilateral visit to Ethiopia (December 16-17, 2025).
• Historical and Civilizational Bonds:  PM Modi recalled India's role in ensuring that the African Union became a G20 member in 2023, noting that "the African Union HQ in Ethiopia makes Ethiopia the meeting point of African diplomacy," which further strengthens Ethiopia's strategic importance. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed spoke of Ethiopia's strong economic performance and the deep civilizational links between the two nations spanning millennia.
• Multiple MoUs and Agreements Signed: During the visit, three significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between India and Ethiopia: (1) Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters to facilitate trade and prevent customs offenses; (2) MoU on Establishment of Data Centre within Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with India providing technical support for digital infrastructure; (3) MoU on UN Peacekeeping Operations Training Cooperation, leveraging both countries' substantial contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. Additionally, an MoU on debt restructuring was signed under the G20 Common Framework, with India participating in coordinated debt relief for Ethiopia.
• Strategic Significance for India-Africa Relations: Africa's second-most populous country (120+ million people) and diplomatic capital hosting African Union headquarters. Ethiopia holds strategic importance due to its location in the Horn of Africa .

Homebound Shortlisted for Oscars 2026 International Feature

In the News: India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards, "Homebound," directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at Oscars 2026, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on December 16, 2025. The film is among 15 titles advancing to the next round of voting from a pool of 86 eligible countries .

Key Points:

• Shortlist Achievement and Oscar Timeline: "Homebound" has successfully advanced from India's official entry status to being one of 15 films shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, as confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on December 16, 2025. The shortlist represents films advancing to the next round of voting from submissions by 86 countries .From these 15 shortlisted films, only 5 will receive final Oscar nominations when the Academy announces the complete nominees list on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, and will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien, who returns to host after his previous hosting appearances. "Homebound" one step closer to becoming only the fourth Indian film to secure an Oscar nomination in the International Feature Film category (previously called Best Foreign Language Film), following "Mother India" (1958), "Salaam Bombay!" (1989), and "Lagaan" (2002), though none ultimately won the award. India's most recent shortlist success was "Last Film Show" (Gujarati film "Chhello Show") in 2023, which made the shortlist but did not advance to final nominations.
• International Recognition and Festival Success: Before its Oscar shortlist achievement, "Homebound" garnered significant international acclaim through prestigious film festival selections and awards. At Cannes 2025, "Homebound" reportedly received a standing ovation following its screening, indicating strong emotional and critical reception from the international film community including critics, industry professionals, distributors, and cinephiles from across the globe who attend Cannes. Following its Cannes success), demonstrating not just critical approval but genuine audience connection—important validation since Oscar voters often consider how films resonate with general audiences beyond specialized critics.

PC & PNDT Act in the Digital Age

In the News: The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act), originally enacted to combat female foeticide and regulate prenatal sex determination, faces unprecedented challenges in the digital age with the emergence of new technologies including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), online advertisements for sex selection services, telemedicine consultations, portable ultrasound devices, cross-border sex-determination rackets, and digital genetic testing platforms.

Key Points:

• Origin and Core Provisions of PCPNDT Act: The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT) was originally enacted by the Parliament of India to stop female foeticide and arrest the declining sex ratio in India, and was significantly amended in 2003 to become The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act) to improve regulation of technology used in sex selection. The Act bans prenatal sex determination and prohibits sex selection before or after conception. Every genetic counselling centre, genetic laboratory, or genetic clinic engaged in counselling or conducting pre-natal diagnostic techniques—including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with potential for sex selection (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis), ultrasound, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and blood tests—comes under the purview of the PCPNDT Act.
• Digital Age Challenges to PCPNDT Enforcement: The Act, formulated in 1994 for physical clinics and traditional ultrasound centers, struggles to address modern digital realities. New technologies bypassing traditional enforcement include: Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) using cell-free fetal DNA from maternal blood samples (, portable and handheld ultrasound devices (easily concealed, mobile, operated in unregistered locations including vehicles—Act defines genetic clinic to include "a vehicle" but enforcement remains challenging), direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits (companies offering at-home DNA collection with results delivered digitally, operating across borders beyond Indian jurisdiction), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) with IVF/IUI technologies offering sex selection capabilities, and telemedicine platforms enabling remote consultations where sex determination could occur without physical clinic visits making verification difficult.
• Persistent Ground Realities Despite Legislation: Despite three decades since the PCPNDT Act's enactment (1994), driven by deep-rooted son preference stemming from socio-cultural norms (patriarchal inheritance systems, dowry demands, economic dependence of women, perception of sons as old-age security, daughters as economic burdens). Sex ratio at birth (SRB) data reveals ongoing discrimination: India's overall SRB improved marginally to 917 females per 1,000 males (2021-23) per SRS 2023, still far below natural ratio of 952.

Three MoUs Signed as PM Modi Visits Addis Ababa

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook his first-ever visit to Ethiopia on December 16-17, 2025, as part of a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman arriving in Addis Ababa . During the historic visit, India and Ethiopia signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of both Prime Ministers covering: (1) Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, (2) MoU on Establishment of a Data Centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and (3) MoU on UN Peacekeeping Operations Training Cooperation, while both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and held wide-ranging discussions on enhancing cooperation in food and health security, capacity building,

Key Points:

• Three MoUs Signed - Substantive Cooperation Frameworks: The centerpiece of PM Modi's Addis Ababa visit was the signing of three comprehensive Memoranda of Understanding establishing formal frameworks for bilateral cooperation across critical domains. (1) Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters: This agreement facilitates enhanced cooperation between Indian and Ethiopian customs authorities covering (2) MoU on Establishment of a Data Centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (3) MoU on UN Peacekeeping Operations Training CooperationThis MoU reinforces both nations' commitment to multilateralism, international peace and security, and UN's peacekeeping architecture while providing practical framework for defense cooperation in non-controversial domain acceptable to both countries.
• Elevation to Strategic Partnership and Key Priority Areas: Beyond the three formal MoUs, PM Modi's discussions with PM Abiy Ahmed Ali yielded agreement to elevate India-Ethiopia bilateral .PM Modi outlined three key priority areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation during his talks: (1) Food and Health Security: Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in sustainable agriculture, natural farming techniques, India committed to support upgrade of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa (originally built with Indian assistance, symbolizing long-standing development cooperation. (2) Capacity Building and Human Resource Development: Educational exchanges received major boost with India doubling scholarships offered to Ethiopian students under Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) program. India will provide specialized training courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, equipping Ethiopian professionals with skills in cutting-edge technologies critical for digital economy development.
• Ceremonial Elements of Visit: PM Modi received ceremonial welcome with guard of honor at National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's seat of government During visit, PM Abiy bestowed upon PM Modi the "Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia" (also reported as Ethiopia's highest civilian award), recognizing his "visionary leadership" and contribution to strengthening bilateral relations—joining select global leaders honored with Ethiopia's premier award. The warmth, personal engagement, and ceremonial honors reflected genuine affinity between both leaders and nations' commitment to deepening partnership beyond diplomatic protocols.
• India-Ethiopia Historical Ties and People-to-People Connections: PM Modi's visit built upon deep historical and civilizational connections between India and Ethiopia dating back millennia. Ancient trade routes connected Indian Ocean ports with Red Sea region facilitating commerce, cultural exchange, and religious interactions.

Exercise Ekatha 2025

In the News: Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy, undertook an official visit to the Maldives from December 15-17, 2025, to attend the closing ceremony of Exercise Ekatha 2025, marking his maiden visit to the Maldives. The 8th edition of Exercise Ekatha, an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) established in 2017, witnessed extensive professional interactions and training activities including technical and combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition and explosive handling, asymmetric warfare tactics, and special heli-borne operation drills, aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational synergy between the two maritime forces while reinforcing India's commitment to regional partners under the 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region' (MAHASAGAR) vision and Neighbourhood First policy.

Key Points:

• Exercise Overview and Establishment: Exercise Ekatha is an annual bilateral maritime exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) that was established in 2017, making the 2025 edition the 8th iteration of this regular maritime cooperation mechanism. The "Ekatha" exercise specifically focuses on maritime and naval cooperation, addressing the unique security challenges and operational requirements in the Indian Ocean Region where both India and Maldives have vital maritime interests. The 2025 edition was conducted in the Maldives from December 15-17, 2025, demonstrating the alternating host country pattern common to bilateral exercises that ensures balanced engagement and allows participating forces to train in different operational environments and gain exposure to each other's facilities, procedures, and capabilities.
• High-Level Participation and Diplomatic Significance: The exercise gained particular prominence with Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS) of the Indian Navy—one of the most senior officers in the Indian Navy hierarchy—undertaking an official visit to the Maldives specifically to attend the closing ceremony. The bilateral discussions between the DCNS and CDF focused on multiple strategic dimensions.The maiden visit of the DCNS specifically to attend the exercise closing ceremony sends a powerful diplomatic signal, demonstrating that Exercise Ekatha is not merely a routine training event but a strategic platform for reinforcing bilateral ties at the highest levels.
• Comprehensive Training Activities and Operational Focus: The 8th edition of Exercise Ekatha 2025 encompassed diverse training activities designed to enhance the operational capabilities of both participating navies across multiple maritime warfare domains. The exercise activities included: Technical and Combat Diving, Boarding Operations, Firing Drill, Demolition and Explosive Handling, Asymmetric Warfare Tactics and Special Heli-borne Operation Drills.
• Alignment with India's Strategic Vision and Regional Policies: Exercise Ekatha 2025 and Vice Admiral Sobti's visit explicitly align with India's broader strategic frameworks for Indian Ocean engagement. The exercise reinforces India's MAHASAGAR vision—an acronym for 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region'—which represents India's comprehensive maritime security strategy for the Indian Ocean emphasizing: cooperative security architecture based on partnership rather than dominance; inclusive growth benefiting all littoral states; capacity-building and assistance to smaller island nations; freedom of navigation and adherence to international law including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea); and environmental sustainability and blue economy development. MAHASAGAR articulates India's vision as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean, offering smaller nations like Maldives maritime security assistance, training, equipment, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations without seeking bases or imposing political conditions.
• India-Maldives Defense Partnership Context: India was among the first countries to recognize Maldives after its independence from British protection in 1965 and establish diplomatic relations with the island nation. The bilateral relationship is underpinned by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, and commercial linkages steeped in antiquity, with significant people-to-people connections and shared civilizational heritage. India has been the primary security partner for Maldives, providing: training for over 1,600 Maldivian military personnel in Indian defense institutions; supply of defense equipment including fast patrol vessels, helicopters, coastal surveillance systems, and small arms.
• Broader Regional Security Architecture: The three major exercises—bilateral Ekuverin (India-Maldives army exercise), bilateral Ekatha (India-Maldives naval exercise), and trilateral Dosti (India-Maldives-Sri Lanka maritime exercise)—form a comprehensive framework for defense cooperation addressing land-based counter-terrorism, naval operations, and multilateral maritime security respectively.