12 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. India, U.S. inch closer to limited trade agreement

Source: The Hindu, Page 1 & 12, June 12, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 (International Relations), GS Paper 3 (Economy – Trade Policy)

Context

India and the U.S. are nearing a limited bilateral trade agreement, with talks focusing on tariff reliefs and market access ahead of a proposed fall 2025 signing.

Content: 

• Progress in Talks:

  • India and U.S. delegations exchanged visits recently.

  • A mini-deal is being discussed with mutual concessions in select sectors.

• Sticky Issues:

  • U.S. tariffs on Indian steel and aluminium (raised to 50%) are a major concern.

  • U.S. demands greater access to Indian agriculture markets, which India is resisting to protect farmers.

• Strategic Angle:

  • Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) aims at enhancing strategic economic ties amid global trade realignments.

  • It builds on PM Modi’s earlier U.S. visit in February 2025.

• Way Forward:

  • India must balance strategic partnership with domestic economic sensitivities.

  • Need to engage multilaterally at WTO to resolve tariff disputes.

Practice Question:

“Critically examine the implications of a limited trade agreement between India and the United States on India’s manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Suggest a strategy to balance domestic interests with strategic partnerships.”  (250 words / 15 marks)

2. Rescuers connect towline to ship ablaze off Kerala

Source: Page 6, The Hindu, June 12 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3 (Disaster Management, Environment), GS Paper 2 (Governance)

Context

After a major fire on container ship mv Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast, Indian agencies managed to connect a towline, avoiding an imminent environmental disaster.

Content:

• Incident Details:

  • Fire raged on the ship since June 10, posing a BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) risk.

  • Towline was secured by ICG and MERC teams using a helicopter.

• Environmental Concerns:

  • Containers may drift toward Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and even Sri Lanka.

  • Risk of oil spill and toxic emissions due to onboard chemicals.

• Disaster Preparedness Lessons:

  • Need for stricter hazardous cargo regulations.

  • Investment in marine response infrastructure and training.

  • Prompt coordination among ICG, INCOIS, Disaster Management Authority.

Practice Question:

In light of recent maritime incidents, discuss the institutional and regulatory challenges in managing marine environmental disasters in India. Suggest robust mitigation strategies. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. Recounting Velpur’s story in ending child labour

Source: The Hindu, Page 8, June 12, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 1 (Society), GS Paper 2 (Governance), GS Paper 4 (Ethics in Governance)

Context

On World Day Against Child Labour, Velpur in Telangana stands out as a model where community effort eradicated child labour completely.

Content:

• Magnitude of Problem:

  • 43.53 lakh child labourers in India (Census 2011); major in beedi, firework, carpet industries.

  • COVID-19 exacerbated school dropouts and informal child employment.

• Velpur Model:

  • 2001 campaign involving government, civil society, and local leaders.

  • 100-day campaign ensured 100% school enrolment.

  • Employers wrote off debts to families using children as mortgage labor.

  • 2025: 100% retention in schools; no child labour.

• Policy Implications:

  • Grassroots mobilisation + governance = sustainable social reform.

  • Can be a training module for anti-child labour programs.

Practice Question:

“How can community-led models such as the Velpur initiative be scaled nationally to eliminate child labour? Evaluate the effectiveness of existing legal and policy frameworks in India.” (150 words / 10 marks)

4. Bad blood: India and Canada must use every opportunity to reset ties

Source: The Hindu, Page 8, June 12, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2 (International Relations)

Context

PM Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7 Summit signals thawing of strained India-Canada relations post the Nijjar controversy.

Content:

• Background:

  • Relations hit rock-bottom in 2023 after allegations over Nijjar’s assassination.

  • Canada paused FTA talks, India stopped visa issuance, diplomats recalled.

• G7 Opportunity:

  • Canadian PM Carney invited Modi to G7 outreach.

  • Proposal for “law enforcement dialogue” and restoring diplomatic posts.

• Strategic Imperative:

  • 1.86 million Indian diaspora in Canada – key cultural and economic link.

  • Trade, investment, and education partnerships at stake.

• Way Forward:

  • Confidence-building measures, mutual respect for sovereignty.

  • Reframe partnership on economic, tech, and diaspora engagement.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the challenges in India-Canada bilateral relations in the context of recent controversies. What role can summit diplomacy play in restoring mutual trust?” (150 words / 10 marks)

5. Connecting bridge: The rail link will bring Kashmir closer to the rest of India

Source: The Hindu, Page 8, June 12, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 1 (Geography – Infrastructure), GS Paper 3 (Economy – Connectivity), GS Paper 2 (Governance)

Context

The inauguration of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) marks full rail integration of Kashmir with the rest of India.

Content:

• Project Highlights:

  • 272 km rail line, 28 years in the making.

  • Includes Chenab Rail Bridge – world’s highest railway bridge (359 m), and Anji Khad Bridge – India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.

• Developmental Significance:

  • Reduces Srinagar–Katra travel to 3 hours; Delhi–Srinagar to 13 hours.

  • Spurs economic integration, tourism, and psychological unity.

• Security and Strategic Implications:

  • Post-Operation Sindoor and April terror attacks, connectivity asserts control and stability.

  • Facilitates troop and goods movement in border regions.

• Way Forward:

  • Ensure socio-economic dividends reach grassroots.

  • Complement with educational, employment, and peace-building measures.

Practice Question:

“Critically evaluate the impact of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link on the socio-economic transformation of Jammu & Kashmir. How does infrastructure influence national integration?” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. India, U.S. inch closer to limited trade agreement

Source: Page 1 & 12, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2 (International Relations), GS Paper 3 (Indian Economy – Trade)

Context

India and the U.S. are negotiating a mini trade deal to address tariff disputes and boost sectoral cooperation.

Analysis of the news:

• A limited Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) likely by Fall 2025.

• Tariff dispute on steel and aluminium is a key hurdle.

• U.S. President signed an order raising tariffs on steel/aluminium to 50%.

• India’s Commerce Minister: Piyush Goyal led delegation to the U.S.

• The initiative builds on PM Modi’s U.S. visit in February 2025.

2. Connecting bridge: The rail link will bring Kashmir closer to the rest of India

Source: Page 8, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 1 (Geography – Infrastructure), GS Paper 3 (Economic Development)

Context

Completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) connects Kashmir to India’s rail network.

Analysis of the news:

• USBRL length: 272 km, cost: ₹43,780 crore.

• Includes 36 tunnels, spanning 119 km, and 943 bridges.

• Chenab Rail Bridge: Highest railway arch bridge (359 m).

• Anji Khad Bridge: India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge.

• Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra inaugurated.

Check more: 11 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs