Daily Current Affairs- 17th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 17th May 2025

Why Northeast-Kolkata Link via Myanmar — Not Bangladesh — Is Significant

In the News: India is expediting the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) and the Shillong–Silchar highway to establish a direct link between the Northeast and Kolkata through Myanmar. This move aims to reduce dependence on the narrow Siliguri Corridor and respond to recent geopolitical assertions from Bangladesh's interim leadership.

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

• Sea Route: The project connects Kolkata Port to Sittwe Port in Myanmar, covering approximately 539 km by sea.
• Inland Waterway: From Sittwe, cargo is transported via the Kaladan River to Paletwa, spanning about 158 km.
• Road Link: A 110 km road from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the India–Myanmar border facilitates land connectivity.
• Indian Extension: From Zorinpui, the route extends to Lawngtlai and further to Aizawl in Mizoram, integrating the northeastern states with the rest of India.

This multi-modal corridor provides an alternative to the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor, enhancing connectivity and security for the northeastern region.

Shillong–Silchar Highway

• Length and Structure: The 166.8 km four-lane highway connects Shillong in Meghalaya to Silchar in Assam, traversing 144.8 km in Meghalaya and 22 km in Assam.
• Significance: This highway serves as a critical link to Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and the Barak Valley, facilitating movement and trade.
• Impact: The project is expected to reduce travel time between Shillong and Silchar from 8.5 hours to 5 hours, marking the first high-speed corridor in the Northeast's hilly terrain.
• Implementation: Executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Strategic Implications

• Reduced Dependence: The new route offers an alternative to transit through Bangladesh, which has historically limited India's access to the Bay of Bengal.
• Geopolitical Response: The initiative counters statements from Bangladesh's interim leader suggesting Northeast India's reliance on Dhaka for ocean access.
• Security Concerns: By providing an alternative to the Siliguri Corridor, the project addresses vulnerabilities associated with this narrow land link, which is susceptible to geopolitical tensions.

Economic and Policy Benefits

• Trade Enhancement: The corridor facilitates cargo movement from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to the Northeast without transiting through Bangladesh, boosting trade efficiency.
• Regional Development: Improved connectivity is expected to stimulate economic activity and infrastructure growth in the underdeveloped northeastern states.
• Act East Policy: The project aligns with India's Act East Policy, strengthening engagement with Southeast Asia through improved connectivity and trade routes. 

Samudrayaan: India’s First Manned Deep Ocean Mission to Launch by 2026

In the News: India is poised to launch its inaugural manned deep ocean mission, Samudrayaan, by the end of 2026. This ambitious endeavor aims to deploy the indigenously developed submersible, MATSYA 6000, to explore ocean depths reaching 6,000 meters. The mission is a significant stride in India's pursuit of deep-sea exploration and aligns with its broader objectives under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), initiated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2021.

 Mission Overview

• Samudrayaan is India's first manned deep ocean mission, designed to facilitate deep-sea exploration and resource assessment.
• The mission will utilize MATSYA 6000, a submersible capable of carrying three individuals to a depth of 6,000 meters.
• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is spearheading the development and implementation of this mission.

Features of MATSYA 6000

• MATSYA 6000 is a fourth-generation manned submersible, indigenously developed by NIOT.
• The submersible is constructed with a titanium hull, enabling it to withstand extreme pressure and temperature conditions at depths of up to 6,000 meters.
• It has an operational endurance of 12 hours and an emergency endurance of up to 96 hours.
• Deployment and recovery of the submersible will be managed by India's research vessel, Sagar Nidhi.

Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)

• The Deep Ocean Mission is a comprehensive initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, launched in 2021 with a budget of ₹4,077 crore over five years.
• DOM encompasses six components, including manned submersible development, biodiversity exploration, mining, climate advisory services, marine biology research, and advanced ocean observation.
• The mission supports India's Blue Economy by promoting sustainable exploration and utilization of ocean resources. 

India is Advocating for the United Nations to Label The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Terrorist Organisation

In the News: India has intensified its diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation under the UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee. This push comes in the wake of recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, for which TRF has claimed responsibility, most notably the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Indian authorities allege that TRF is a front organisation for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is already proscribed by the UN.

Key Details

• India has submitted evidence to the UN, highlighting TRF’s involvement in multiple terror activities, its direct responsibility in the Pahalgam attack, and its operational and financial links to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• Indian officials have argued that designating TRF as a terrorist organisation would subject the group and its members to international sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes, thereby limiting its ability to operate.
• The Resistance Front (TRF) emerged in 2019 and has been involved in several attacks against Indian security forces and civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian intelligence agencies claim that TRF is an attempt to give a “local” name and face to terrorism orchestrated from across the border.
• The UN Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee has already listed several Pakistan-based groups and individuals involved in terrorism, and India is urging similar action against TRF to reflect the evolving nature of terrorist threats in the region.
• India has sought support from other member states in the UN Security Council, as previous attempts to list groups linked to Pakistan have been blocked by China, which has a history of placing technical holds on such proposals.
• If successful, this designation would require all UN member states to take steps to restrict TRF’s movement, funding, and logistical support internationally. 

Neeraj Chopra Crosses 90m Mark, Finishes Second in Doha Diamond League 2025

In the News: On May 16, 2025, at the Doha Diamond League, Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the 90-meter mark for the first time in his career. He recorded a personal best throw of 90.23 meters, becoming the 25th athlete in history to breach this prestigious barrier. Despite this historic achievement, Chopra finished second in the event, with Germany's Julian Weber clinching the top spot with a throw of 91.06 meters.

Historic 90m Barrier Breached

• Neeraj Chopra's throw of 90.23 meters marked his first-ever breach of the 90-meter mark, a long-anticipated milestone in his career.
• This achievement places him among an elite group, becoming the 25th athlete globally and the third Asian to cross the 90-meter threshold in men's javelin throw.

Event Outcome

• Despite his personal best, Chopra secured the second position in the event.
• Germany's Julian Weber won the competition with a final throw of 91.06 meters, surpassing Chopra's mark in the last round.

Chopra's Performance Series

• Chopra's series of throws included: 88.44m (first attempt), a foul (second), 90.23m (third), 80.56m (fourth), and a foul (fifth).
• He led the competition until the final round when Weber's throw overtook his leading mark. 

 

India’s Press Freedom Ranking in 2025

In the News: India's press freedom ranking has improved in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, moving up eight places to 151st out of 180 countries, compared to 159th in 2024. This annual index is compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and assesses the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in various countries.

India’s 2025 Ranking and Score

• Rank: 151 out of 180 countries (up from 159 in 2024).
• Global Score:96.
• This improvement is attributed to slight enhancements in India's press freedom environment and the deterioration of press freedom in other countries.

Global Press Freedom Landscape

• The 2025 index highlights that, for the first time, conditions for journalists are considered "bad" in 50% of the countries evaluated.
• Economic fragility is identified as a leading threat to press freedom globally, with financial pressures undermining the viability of independent journalism.

India’s Media Environment

• India boasts a vibrant media landscape with nearly 900 television channels and over 140,000 publications.
• Despite the numerical strength, challenges persist, including political influence over media, economic pressures, and legal constraints that impact journalistic freedom.

Concerns Highlighted in the Report

• The RSF report raises concerns about the concentration of media ownership in India, which can lead to a lack of diversity in viewpoints and increased self-censorship among journalists.
• Legal intimidation and the use of laws to suppress critical reporting are also noted as significant issues affecting press freedom in the country.

Top and Bottom Rankings in 2025

• Top 3 Countries: Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands continue to lead the index, benefiting from strong legal protections and a diverse media landscape.
• Bottom 3 Countries: Eritrea ranks last, followed by North Korea and China, where severe restrictions on press freedom are prevalent.