Recently, tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically as Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, a significant military strike aimed at Iranian nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capabilities. This was in response to a International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) finding, declaring Iran in breach of a 1974 agreement—marking the first such breach since 2006.
Operation Rising Lion was activated by Israel after the IAEA’s report. This strike targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and ballistic missile infrastructure.
Israel also deployed its advanced aerial defense system, ‘Barak Magen’ or 'Lightning Shield', to counter Iranian missile attacks.
In retaliation, Iran launched ‘Operation True Promise 3’, signaling its military response to Israel’s actions.
The United States launched its own military action, “Operation Midnight Hammer”, which involved precision airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites:
Natanz (primary uranium enrichment site),
Isfahan,
Fordow.
The U.S. utilized the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a precision-guided bomb capable of penetrating up to 200 feet below ground before detonation, to target Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
India called for both sides to avoid further escalation and return to diplomatic dialogue.
India also chose not to engage in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussions on the conflict, which condemned Israel’s military strikes.
Barak Magen is a specialized version of the Barak MX missile defense system, primarily designed to protect naval assets from various aerial threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
The system works alongside Israel’s Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems, with future upgrades such as Iron Beam (laser-based defense).
Preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure raise serious concerns about global nuclear non-proliferation norms, particularly the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Iran has already suspended cooperation with the IAEA and is contemplating withdrawing from the NPT, which could accelerate its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Strait of Hormuz: Iran has threatened to close this crucial maritime chokepoint, which is vital for global oil and LNG shipments.
35% of global seaborne oil and 20% of LNG pass through the Strait, and its closure would trigger a surge in global oil prices and shipping costs.
The conflict’s escalation could threaten undersea cables that carry internet and communication traffic between regions.
In 2024, disruptions were seen in the Red Sea, impacting connectivity across Africa, the Gulf, and South Asia.
The weakening of Iran could create a vacuum of influence in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, areas where Iran has considerable sway through its Axis of Resistance.
Iran: India's trade with Iran has drastically dropped from $14 billion (2017) to $1.4 billion (2024), largely due to U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
Israel: Trade with Israel has also seen a decline, from $11 billion (2022) to $3.75 billion (2024), due to regional tensions.
India faces the complex task of balancing its ties with Israel and Iran, which have adversarial relationships.
Israel is vital for India in defense, technology, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Iran is essential for India's energy security and provides strategic access to the Eurasian region.
Projects like the Chabahar port (with Iran) and the International North-South Transport Corridor (linking India to Central Asia) are at risk due to escalating tensions.
For instance, Iran’s missile attacks on Israel's Haifa port have disrupted trade and connectivity routes vital to India.
The collapse of Iran’s influence in the region could push West Asia towards U.S.-led unipolarity, leaving less space for India and other non-Western powers.
The escalating conflict puts India’s nationals in both Israel (around 28,000 people) and Iran (around 10,765 people) at increased risk.
India has launched Operation Sindhu, which aims to evacuate its nationals from conflict zones.
The Israel-Iran conflict, with the involvement of the U.S., poses significant risks not only for the Middle East but also for global security, energy stability, and trade. India, with its delicate balancing act of maintaining relations with both Israel and Iran, faces immense challenges in safeguarding its interests. India’s role as a potential mediator could be crucial in preventing further escalation and steering both parties back to diplomatic negotiations.
In 2025, during the Philippines President's state visit to India, both nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The visit reaffirmed the 1952 Treaty of Friendship and focused on expanding cooperation in areas like defense, trade, maritime security, technology, and people-to-people ties.
Strategic Partnership Declaration:
India and the Philippines officially established a Strategic Partnership, deepening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
Plan of Action (2025-2029):
A detailed roadmap for the next five years was adopted, focusing on critical areas like defense, trade, technology, maritime cooperation, connectivity, and climate change.
Consular & Legal Cooperation:
The Philippines granted visa-free access to Indian tourists.
India introduced gratis e-tourist visas for Filipino nationals for one year starting August 2025.
The two countries signed the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal matters and a Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons, facilitating mutual assistance and prisoner transfers to support social rehabilitation.
Infrastructure and Investment Cooperation:
The Philippines invited India to participate in large infrastructure projects, with India offering the Gatishakti platform for coordinated development.
India will also support the Philippines in building its Sovereign Data Cloud infrastructure and invited the country to join the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for enhanced maritime cooperation.
Political & Diplomatic Engagement:
Diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines were established in 1949. The Philippines is the ASEAN-India Dialogue Coordinator for 2024–27, signaling trust and alignment in regional cooperation.
Economic & Trade Cooperation:
Bilateral trade has grown from USD 2.03 billion (2020–21) to USD 3.53 billion (2023–24). India maintains a trade surplus with the Philippines, exporting pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, rice, and auto parts, while importing semiconductors, copper, and food-related inputs.
India is a key pharma supplier, contributing 12% of the Philippines’ pharmaceutical imports.
Defense Cooperation:
A Defense MoU in 2006 led to the formation of a Joint Defense Cooperation Committee.
In 2022, India supplied BrahMos missiles to the Philippine Navy, marking India’s first major defense export to Southeast Asia.
In July 2025, India and the Philippines conducted their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea.
Support at International Forums:
The Philippines has supported India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat and its non-permanent membership bids, while India has reciprocated by backing the Philippines’ candidature for 2027–28.
Strategic Alignment:
The Philippines is strategically located in the South China Sea, a region vital for Indo-Pacific security and global trade.
India views the Philippines as a key partner in maintaining a free, open, and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the face of China's growing influence.
ASEAN Engagement:
As an influential member of ASEAN, deepening ties with the Philippines enhances India’s role and influence in Southeast Asia.
Economic Potential:
India offers the Philippines access to its large market and investment opportunities in sectors like IT, pharma, and fintech.
India's support for the Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud infrastructure boosts the country's digital autonomy and cyber capabilities.
Special Technologies and Products:
The Philippines’ seaweed cultivation expertise offers potential collaboration with India, especially for nutritional purposes.
China’s Sensitivities and Regional Tensions:
India’s growing naval ties with the Philippines in the South China Sea could provoke China, which sees such moves as a challenge to its territorial claims in the region. This increases the risk of geopolitical friction.
Limited Economic Integration:
While bilateral trade is growing, it remains underwhelming due to slow Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations, limited investment, and inadequate connectivity between the two nations.
Implementation Gaps in Cooperation:
While agreements on digital, maritime, and infrastructure cooperation have been made, slow progress due to capacity gaps and regional instability could hinder long-term cooperation.
Prioritize Defense Capacity-Building:
Expand the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program and pursue joint development of naval assets suited to Philippine needs, fostering strategic interdependence.
Accelerate PTA Negotiations:
Fast-track the PTA focusing on pharma, electronics, digital services, and processed food to unlock economic potential.
Expand People-to-People Links:
Increase university scholarships, especially in STEM and medicine, where India’s soft power can provide advantages for the Philippines.
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia with 7,641 islands, bordered by the Philippine Sea (east), South China Sea (west), and Celebes Sea (south).
Luzon and Mindanao are the largest islands, with Manila as the capital.
Mount Apo, the highest peak at 2,954 meters, is located on Mindanao, and the country is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, with a tropical climate and rich biodiversity.
India and the Philippines are positioned to strengthen their strategic partnership significantly, particularly in the context of defense, trade, and maritime cooperation. Both countries, sharing concerns over China’s actions in the South China Sea, must work together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. The partnership, if leveraged well, could also play a key role in India’s Act East Policy, helping to enhance India’s influence and presence in Southeast Asia while mitigating regional challenges posed by China’s dominance. Sustained engagement with a focus on economic integration, defense cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges will be crucial in advancing their bilateral relations.
India participated as an Outreach Country in the 51st G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada in 2025.
Kananaskis Wildfire Charter:
A "whole of society" approach was adopted to tackle wildfires, incorporating Indigenous knowledge, sustainable forest management, and awareness campaigns. India endorsed this approach, reflecting its commitment to climate resilience.
G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan:
The G7 committed to securing sustainable and resilient supply chains for critical minerals, which are crucial for technological advancements and renewable energy infrastructure.
Key Initiatives on Artificial Intelligence (AI):
The G7 launched the GovAI Grand Challenge and created a shared G7 AI Network (GAIN) to foster collaboration in AI development, with a focus on ethical AI, transparency, data protection, and cybersecurity.
Genesis:
Established in 1975 in response to the energy crisis and global economic instability. The G7 was initially formed as a platform for industrialized democracies to discuss economic and financial cooperation.
Member Countries:
The G7 includes France, Germany, Italy, UK, Japan, US, and Canada.
Russia was a member from 1998 to 2014, but was suspended after its annexation of Crimea in 2014, resulting in the G7 being reduced to the current seven countries.
Purpose and Agenda:
The G7 meets annually to discuss global economic governance, international security, energy policies, and other critical issues impacting the global order.
Global Security and Conflict Response:
Ukraine Crisis: The G7 has played a crucial role in coordinating sanctions against Russia and providing financial aid to Ukraine through frozen Russian assets.
China Policy: In 2025, the G7 strongly condemned China's coercion toward Taiwan, marking a significant shift by dropping reference to the One China policy. Additionally, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) was launched to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Influence on Global Institutions:
The G7 influences key global institutions like the UN, IMF, and World Bank, and supports initiatives like the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework to ensure fair global tax rules and to curb money laundering through the FATF (Financial Action Task Force).
Sustainability and Digital Governance:
The G7 promotes sustainable development through initiatives like the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which focuses on ethical AI and data protection. It also promotes global cooperation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through the G7 Climate Club.
Engagement with the Global South:
The G7 actively engages with non-member nations such as India, South Africa, Brazil, and other emerging powers to better represent the Global South in its agenda-setting.
A “Club of Democracies”:
The G7 is often seen as a core alliance championing a rules-based international order, human rights, and democratic norms, providing a counterbalance to authoritarian regimes like China and Russia.
Declining Economic Dominance:
The G7’s share of global GDP has dropped from around 70% in the 1980s to approximately 44% in 2021. Meanwhile, emerging economies, particularly China and India, now drive much of the global economic growth.
Consensus-Based Decision-Making:
The G7's decision-making process, based on consensus, often leads to slow or ineffective actions. For instance, the 51st G7 was unable to issue a strong statement on the Ukraine war due to differing views among member states.
Lack of Legal Authority:
As an informal forum, the G7 lacks binding legal authority, meaning that decisions, like the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, depend on voluntary compliance, limiting its ability to enforce change effectively.
Underrepresentation of the Global South:
Key emerging powers like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, as well as organizations like the African Union, are not full members, leading to a lack of diversity in G7 deliberations.
Competition from Alternative Blocs:
The rise of blocs like BRICS Plus offers an alternative to the G7, with better representation of the Global South and growing influence, especially with nations like India and Brazil playing leading roles.
Balancing the West and the Global South:
India positions itself as a bridge between the industrialized West (G7) and the emerging Global South, advocating for inclusive global governance.
Economic & Technological Cooperation:
India is a strong proponent of initiatives like the PGII, which aims to boost infrastructure investment in developing countries and counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Democratic Credentials & Strategic Weight:
India’s status as the world’s fourth-largest economy and its commitment to democratic norms make its voice crucial in G7 discussions on global governance.
Platform for Bilateral Talks:
The G7 serves as a valuable platform for India to reset bilateral ties, like the meeting between Indian PM and Canadian PM to improve relations after recent tensions.
The G7 remains a key player in shaping global economic, security, and environmental policies. However, its lack of legitimacy, representation, and economic dominance are hurdles to its future relevance. For India, the G7 offers a platform to advocate for fairer, more inclusive decision-making while bridging the gap between the Global South and industrialized nations.
India commemorates 8th August every year as Quit India Movement Day (also known as August Kranti Diwas) to honor the historic movement that demanded the immediate end of British colonial rule in India. It remains a defining moment in India's journey towards independence.
Launch and Purpose:
The Quit India Movement (QIM) was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8th August 1942 during the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay (now Mumbai).
The movement called for the immediate end of British rule in India following the failure of the Cripps Mission (1942), which had failed to meet India's demands for full independence.
Gandhi's Call:
Gandhi delivered his iconic "Do or Die" call at Gowalia Tank Maidan (now August Kranti Maidan) in Bombay, urging Indians to unite for the cause of complete independence from British rule.
Slogan and Symbolism:
The slogan "Quit India" was coined by Yusuf Meherally, a socialist and trade unionist. He had earlier created the slogan "Simon Go Back" during the Simon Commission protests.
The movement saw key symbols of defiance, with Aruna Asaf Ali famously hoisting the Indian flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan, becoming a symbol of the struggle for freedom.
Rise of New Leaders:
The Quit India Movement saw new leaders such as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan emerge as prominent figures. Matangini Hazra and Sucheta Kripalani also became iconic for their leadership and sacrifices.
Matangini Hazra is remembered for dying with the Tricolour in hand during a protest.
Sucheta Kripalani, who later became India's first female Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, was a key leader in the movement.
Nature of the Movement:
Unlike earlier movements such as Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience, the Quit India Movement called for an all-out struggle for immediate British withdrawal.
While Gandhi remained committed to non-violence, the movement allowed for violence in self-defense. It was marked by spontaneous acts of sabotage and guerrilla attacks.
Students and youth were at the forefront, particularly in urban centers, leading strikes, protests, and acts of civil disobedience.
Exclusion of the Muslim Community:
The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, largely stayed away from the movement, emphasizing its stance for a separate Muslim state (which would later lead to the creation of Pakistan in 1947).
This exclusion highlighted the growing communal divide between Congress and the Muslim League.
Legacy:
The Quit India Movement marked the beginning of the end of British colonial rule in India.
Gandhi's speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan declared that power would belong to the people of India, laying the groundwork for India’s freedom struggle to become truly “of the people”.
Impact of World War II (1939-1945):
The British government’s decision to involve India in World War II without consulting Indian leaders caused widespread anger.
The Indian National Congress demanded full independence in exchange for support in the war, but Britain rejected the demand, fueling resentment.
Failure of the Cripps Mission (March 1942):
The British sent Stafford Cripps to India in 1942 to secure India’s support for the war. The Cripps Mission offered a proposal for post-war dominion status, which failed to meet Indian aspirations.
Gandhi famously rejected the proposal as a “post-dated cheque on a crashing bank”, as it fell short of offering immediate independence and perpetuated division among provinces.
Nationalist Sentiment and Economic Hardships:
Widespread frustration was brewing due to economic exploitation, wartime hardships, and the Bengal famine of 1943, which worsened the suffering of the Indian population. The famine, largely a result of British policies, led to widespread food scarcity.
Fall of Burma (1942):
The Japanese invasion of Burma brought the war to India's borders, leading to fears of invasion and the urgency for British withdrawal from India.
The formation of the Indian National Army by Subhas Chandra Bose intensified the pressure on the British government to leave India.
Gandhi’s Leadership:
Gandhi, in response to growing demands for independence, called for the Quit India Movement. He declared, "We shall either free India or die in the attempt".
On 8th August 1942, the All-India Congress Committee passed the Quit India Resolution, urging non-violent mass resistance.
British Repression:
The British government responded with harsh repression: Congress leaders were arrested, and widespread violence was met with brutal force.
The movement temporarily disrupted British authority in several regions, showcasing the public's readiness for a struggle against colonialism.
Emergence of Parallel Governments:
In places like Ballia (Uttar Pradesh), Tamluk (West Bengal), and Satara (Maharashtra), local parallel governments were set up by freedom fighters to challenge British rule. These regions represented a deep desire for self-rule and autonomy.
Increased National Unity:
The movement helped unify Indians across regions, classes, and communities. It was a mass uprising that strengthened the resolve for complete independence from British colonial rule.
Divisions Within Indian Politics:
The Quit India Movement exposed the growing division between Congress and the Muslim League, with the latter staying largely absent from the protests, further solidifying the communal divide. The Muslim League began pushing for a separate Muslim state (Pakistan).
Path to Independence:
While the movement did not immediately end British rule, it signaled that the British hold over India was weakening. The widespread discontent, combined with global geopolitical changes after WWII, ultimately led to India’s independence in 1947.
The Quit India Movement was a watershed moment in India’s struggle for independence. It was a bold, defiant call for the immediate end of British rule, encapsulating the spirit of millions of Indians who were ready to sacrifice their lives for their country's freedom. Although it did not immediately lead to independence, it mobilized the masses, highlighted India's resolve, and exposed the cracks in British control over India. It paved the way for the final push toward freedom, marking the beginning of the end of British colonialism in India.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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