9 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Jaishankar to step up diplomatic push on visit to France, Belgium

Source: The Hindu, Page 1 & 12, June 9, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2: International Relations, GS Paper 3: Economic Corridors

Context

India’s External Affairs Minister embarks on a visit to France and Belgium to further strategic and economic cooperation post-Operation Sindoor and amid the EU-FTA talks.

Content: 

• The visit aims to strengthen India’s position diplomatically following terror-related incidents.

• Key discussions:

  • India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

  • Strategic Dialogue with EU High Representative.

  • Pursuit of repatriation of fugitive Mehul Choksi.

  • India’s interest in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

• Importance of Marseille as a port in the IMEC project.

• This visit comes after earlier European outreach in 2025 (UK, Ireland, Netherlands).

Way Forward
India should use such platforms to:

• Secure economic benefits from the EU FTA.

• Counter narratives propagated by hostile powers.

• Keep strategic corridors like IMEC alive despite West Asian disruptions.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the significance of India’s diplomatic engagements with the European Union in the context of evolving global geopolitics and economic alliances.”  (250 words / 15 marks)

2. Meeting interlocutors: The diplomatic messaging after Operation Sindoor

Source: Page 8, The Hindu, June 9, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2: International Relations, GS Paper 3: Security

Context

Post-Operation Sindoor, India deployed diplomatic delegations to convey its stance on terrorism and its new security doctrine.

Content:

• • 59 members across 32 nations explained India’s response to the Pahalgam attack.

  • Aimed to build global opinion on Pakistan’s role and India’s “new normal.”

  • Focused on UNSC members and critical countries like the US.

  • Counter-efforts by Pakistan included.

  • Criticism arose over focus on diaspora over policy interlocutors.

  Analysis

  • Demonstrated India’s strategic messaging capacity.

  • Highlighted challenge of public diplomacy in the age of global narratives.

  • Important for India’s future efforts to include civil diplomacy and clear policy articulation.

Practice Question:

Analyze the role of public diplomacy in India’s foreign policy strategy, especially after cross-border terror incidents. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. Judicial sensitivity to sentiments is a sign of regression

Source: The Hindu, Page 8, June 9, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 2: Judiciary, GS Paper 4: Ethics in Governance

Context

The editorial critiques the judiciary’s increasing tendency to regulate free speech based on public sentiment.

Content:

• Courts are increasingly upholding FIRs against critics of the government/military.

• Shift from principle-based adjudication to “managing” speech.

• Cases cited: critiques of PM, Army, controversial podcast language.

• Trend of courts suggesting apologies rather than upholding free speech.

Key Arguments

• Article 19(1)(a) is meant to empower dissent.

• Courts are confusing respect with restraint, chilling public discourse.

• Sentiment cannot override constitutional liberties.

Way Forward

• Courts must reinforce precedent-based, liberty-first interpretations.

• Free speech protections need clear doctrinal commitment.

• Judiciary must be seen as a bulwark of rights, not emotion.

Practice Question:

“Courts must be guardians of the Constitution, not curators of culture.” Examine this statement in light of recent free speech judgments.” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. Jaishankar to step up diplomatic push on visit to France, Belgium

Source: Page 1 & 12, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2: International Relations

Context

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is on a diplomatic tour to France and Belgium to advance bilateral ties and FTA negotiations with the EU.

Analysis of the news:

• Aim: Strengthen diplomatic ties and revive momentum in India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

• Meetings include:

  • French Foreign Minister and participation in Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue.

  • Strategic Dialogue with EU’s High Representative and talks with Belgian Deputy PM.

• Marseille considered as a critical IMEC port.

• Issues such as repatriation of Mehul Choksi and counter-terrorism are part of the agenda.

• India is working to secure support post Operation Sindoor.

2. Meeting interlocutors: The diplomatic messaging after Operation Sindoor

Source: Page 8, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2: International Relations

Context

India launched a diplomatic offensive via delegations post Operation Sindoor to counter Pakistan’s narrative and strengthen support against terrorism.

Analysis of the news:

• 59 Indian delegates visited 32 countries to explain India’s position on the Pahalgam terror attack.

• Key goal: Showcase restraint and India’s “new normal” in response to terror.

• Focused countries included UNSC members, OIC members, and the U.S.

• Pakistan conducted counter-campaigns to dilute India’s message.

• Criticism: Delegates engaged more with diaspora than with foreign stakeholders.

3. Judicial sensitivity to sentiments is a sign of regression

Source: Page 8, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 2: Judiciary; GS Paper 4: Ethics in Governance

Context

The judiciary is increasingly invoking public sentiment to justify restrictions on free speech, leading to a dilution of Article 19(1)(a).

Analysis of the news:

• Courts are increasingly upholding FIRs based on public outrage rather than constitutional legality.

• Examples include:

  • Social media criticism of PM Modi.

  • Comments by Kamal Haasan and professors facing judicial scrutiny.

• Courts are suggesting apologies for lawful speech, eroding the principle of liberty.

• Article 19(2) allows restrictions only on grounds like incitement or defamation, not sentiment.

Check more: 07 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs