India and the US collaborate at platforms like the UN, G-20, ASEAN, and WTO.
The US supports India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
India is a member of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

1. India-US Relations
Overview:
•    Strategic Partnership: Based on shared democratic values and a rules-based international order.
•    Areas of Cooperation: Global security, economic prosperity, trade, and connectivity.
Economic Relations:
•    The US is India’s biggest trading partner
in 2022-23.
•    Bilateral trade grew to USD 128.55 billion, with exports of USD 78.31 billion and imports of USD 50.24 billion.
International Cooperation:
Defence Cooperation:
•    India has signed all four foundational defence agreements with the US: LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA, and GSOMIA.
•    Both countries conduct joint military exercises such as Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar, and are part of the Quad grouping.
Science and Technology Cooperation:
•    NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) for Earth observation is a key project.
•    iCET initiative focuses on AI, quantum technology, space, and semiconductors.

Challenges in India-US Relations Foreign Policy Divergences:
•    India’s non-alignment policy and stance on the Russia-Ukraine war create tensions.
Economic Tensions:
 

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•    The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is viewed by the US as protectionist.
US Criticism of India’s Democracy:
•    Reports like the International Religious Freedom Report 2023 have raised concerns about India's democratic health.

Way Forward:
•    Indo-Pacific: Partnership is critical for a
free and open Indo-Pacific.
•    Demographic Dividend: Both nations can capitalize on technology transfer and investment to bolster economic growth.

Prelims Question:
With reference to India-US defence cooperation, consider the following statements:
1.    India has signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US.
2.    The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) facilitates the sharing of geospatial intelligence.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only
B)    2 only
C)    Both 1 and 2
D)    Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C) Both 1 and 2

Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of India-US defence cooperation in strengthening the Indo-Pacific region. How do joint military exercises and defence agreements contribute to regional stability?

2. Tackling the Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
What is AMR?
•    Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) evolve and no longer respond to antimicrobial drugs, leading to harder-to-treat infections and increased risks of spread, severe illness, and death.

Causes of AMR
•    Natural causes: Resistance can arise through genetic mutation or horizontal gene transfer between species.
•    Human-induced causes:
o    Misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
o    Lack of clean water and sanitation.
o    Inadequate infection prevention measures.
o    Low awareness of proper antibiotic use.
Health Concerns
•    Global impact: A 2021 Lancet report estimated 4.95 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR, with 1.27 million directly attributed to it.

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•    Geographical vulnerability: Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are among the hardest-hit regions.
•    Threat to healthcare: Rising AMR could undermine progress in infectious disease treatment, cancer care, and surgeries like transplants.

Drivers of AMR
•    Excessive antimicrobial use.
•    Lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for both humans and animals.

AMR Concerns in India
1.    High AMR Rates:
o    India reports one of the world’s highest AMR rates, with over 60,000 newborns dying annually due to resistant infections.
2.    High Burden of Infectious Diseases:
o    Diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and typhoid are more difficult to treat due to AMR, which worsens the public health burden.
3.    Unregulated Antibiotic Market:
o    Misuse and self-prescription of antibiotics are widespread due to

an unregulated market, fueling AMR.
4.    Lack of Surveillance and Monitoring:
o    Inadequate systems to track AMR spread and resistant strains hinder timely interventions.
5.    Inadequate Infection Control:
o    Poor infection control measures in healthcare settings further spread resistant infections.
6.    Limited Research and Innovation:
o    India lacks sufficient research in developing new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines, limiting the tools to combat AMR.

Measures to Address AMR Global Efforts:
•    Collaborative Action Plans: Global partnerships, especially with organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), are critical to coordinating research, surveillance, and interventions against AMR.

Prelims Question
With reference to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), consider the following statements:
1.    AMR occurs only due to the overuse of antibiotics in humans.
2.    AMR can undermine progress in infectious disease treatment and cancer care.
3.    Lack of clean water and sanitation is a significant driver of AMR.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only
 

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Mains Question
Discuss the public health implications of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and suggest effective measures that India can adopt to address this growing challenge.

3. Hezbollah and Recent Explosions in Lebanon
Why in News?
•    A coordinated series of explosions involving pagers used by Hezbollah in Lebanon resulted in at least nine deaths and 2,800 injuries. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attack, though Israel has not yet responded.

What is Hezbollah?
•    Hezbollah (Party of God): A Shia Islamist militant group and political party based in Lebanon. It is considered the most heavily armed non-state actor globally, with a significant arsenal including rockets and missiles.
•    Formation: Hezbollah was formed during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), with direct support from Iran. The group has since grown in influence both politically and militarily.
•    Role: Hezbollah opposes Israel and Western influence in the region. It has also been a key ally of Syria's President

Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian Civil War.
•    Political Role: The group holds seats in the Lebanese Parliament and maintains significant influence over the country’s political landscape.
•    Support: Hezbollah is heavily supported by Iran, particularly through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

What is a Pager?
•    Pagers (or beepers): Devices used to receive short messages or alerts via radio frequencies. They were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s for their reliability in areas with poor cellular coverage, particularly in healthcare and emergency services.
•    Types:
o    Numeric Pagers: Display numbers, often for phone calls.
o    Alphanumeric Pagers: Display both letters and numbers for more detailed messages.
Lebanon Attacks and Hezbollah’s Blame on Israel
•    Simultaneous detonations of Hezbollah's pagers across Lebanon have raised suspicion of a coordinated attack.
•    Hezbollah blames Israel for the incident, linking it to rising tensions in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Israel-Hezbollah Conflict
 

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•    Background: Hezbollah and Israel have fought multiple wars, including the 2006 Lebanon War.
•    Recent Developments: Hezbollah’s involvement has intensified after Hamas initiated attacks on Israel, leading to escalating violence in southern Lebanon.
•    Regional Dynamics: Hezbollah, backed by Iran, plays a significant role in the Axis of Resistance, a coalition of groups opposing Israeli and Western influence in the Middle East.

Prelims Question
With reference to Hezbollah, consider the following statements:
1.    Hezbollah originated during the Syrian Civil War.
2.    Hezbollah receives support primarily from the United States.
3.    Hezbollah has seats in the Lebanese Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 only
B)    3 only
C)    1 and 2 only
D)    2 and 3 only
Answer: B) 3 only

Mains Question
Discuss the role of Hezbollah in Lebanon’s political and military landscape. How has its involvement in the region affected its relations with Israel?

4.    India’s Trade Deficit with Top Trading Partners
About Trade Deficit

•    Trade Deficit: Occurs when the value of imports exceeds the value of exports, affecting both goods and services.
Current Status of India’s Trade Deficit
•    India’s trade deficit in FY 2023-24 narrowed to USD 238.3 billion, compared to USD 264.9 billion in FY 2021-22.
•    Top Trading Partners: India’s trade deficit with China, Russia, South Korea, and Hong Kong increased, while it narrowed with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia, and Iraq.
•    China is now India’s largest trading partner with $118.4 billion of trade in 2023-24, surpassing the US.
•    Trade Surplus: India had a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the US, and also with UK, Belgium, Italy, France, and Bangladesh.
•    India has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with four top trading partners: Singapore, UAE, South Korea, and Indonesia.
Reasons Behind India’s Trade Deficit
1.    Reliance on Energy Imports:
o    India imports over 85% of its crude oil, making it vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations, significantly impacting the trade deficit.
2.    Dependence on Key Inputs:
o    Industries like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors heavily rely on imports, especially Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from China, which increases the import bill.
Impact of Trade Deficit on the Indian Economy Benefits:
•    Increased availability of goods and services, enhancing living standards.
 

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•    Encourages domestic innovation and competition in sectors like logistics and export-oriented industries.
Challenges:
•    Over-reliance on imports can stifle domestic production and limit economic growth.
•    A large trade deficit can put pressure on the Indian rupee, making imports more expensive and affecting export competitiveness.
•    Job losses in certain sectors, such as textiles, due to cheaper imports from countries like Bangladesh.
•    Increasing external debt to finance the deficit, which can reduce foreign

Prelims Question
Consider the following statements regarding India’s trade deficit:
1.    India has a trade surplus with the United States.
2.    India's largest trading partner in 2023-24 was China.
3.    India has signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with all of its top trading partners.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 2 only

investment and deplete foreign exchange         

reserves.
Measures to Address the Trade Deficit
1.    Promoting Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):
o    Negotiating FTAs with key trading partners can reduce tariffs and boost exports.
o    Example: The India-UAE CEPA reduces tariffs on over 80% of bilateral trade, benefiting sectors like textiles and pharmaceuticals.
2.    Import Substitution:
o    Encourage domestic production of key goods, reducing dependency on imports, particularly in critical sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals.
3.    Improving Export Infrastructure:
o    Invest in modernizing ports, roads, and logistics networks to streamline exports and reduce costs, making Indian goods more competitive globally.

Mains Question
Discuss the factors contributing to India’s trade deficit with its major trading partners. What measures can be adopted to reduce this deficit while promoting economic growth and self- reliance?

5. Nipah Virus (NiV) Overview:
About:
•    Zoonotic Virus: Transmitted from animals to humans.
•    Causative Agent: An RNA virus from the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, closely related to Hendra Virus (HeV).
•    First Outbreak: Occurred in Malaysia and Singapore (1998-1999), initially affecting domestic pigs and later found in other domestic animals like dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.
Transmission:
•    Spread through fruit bats or flying foxes
(genus Pteropus), the natural reservoirs.
 

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•    The virus is present in bat urine, faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids.

Symptoms:
•    Presents as an encephalitic syndrome
with:
o    Fever, headache
o    Drowsiness, disorientation
o    Mental confusion
o    Can lead to coma and potentially
death.

2.    The virus has a natural reservoir in fruit bats of the genus Pteropus.
3.    Vaccines are available to prevent Nipah virus infection in humans.
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3 Answer: B) 2 only

Mains Question
Discuss the challenges posed by the Nipah Virus outbreaks and suggest measures to strengthen the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in India.

Prevention:
•    No vaccines are currently available for either humans or animals.
•    Treatment is focused on intensive supportive care for those infected.

Prelims Question
Which of the following statements about Nipah Virus (NiV) is correct?
1. Nipah Virus is primarily transmitted through mosquitoes.