DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

Recently, a team of scientists successfully obtained the first-ever 3D images from inside Mexico’s Popocatépetl volcano. This scientific breakthrough is expected to enhance understanding of the volcano’s internal structure and improve volcanic monitoring and hazard assessment.

About Popocatépetl Volcano

Popocatépetl, meaning “Smoking Mountain” in the Aztec Nahuatl language, is one of the most prominent and active volcanoes in Mexico.

Location and Geographical Setting

The volcano is located in central Mexico, approximately 45 miles (72 kilometres) southeast of Mexico City. It lies on the border between the states of México and Puebla.

Popocatépetl is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which has formed due to the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the North American Plate.

Volcanic Activity and Hazard Profile

Popocatépetl is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes, with documented eruptions dating back to 1519. Due to its frequent activity and proximity to densely populated areas, it is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Physical Characteristics

Popocatépetl is a steep-sided stratovolcano with an elevation of 5,452 metres (17,883 feet) above sea level, making it the second-highest peak in Mexico.

What is a Stratovolcano?

A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, steep, cone-shaped volcano formed by alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic materials.

Stratovolcanoes are typically found above subduction zones and are common in large volcanically active regions such as the Pacific Ring of Fire. They account for approximately 60% of the Earth’s individual volcanoes.

The lava associated with stratovolcanoes is highly viscous, which allows gases to build up and leads to explosive eruptions. At their summit, stratovolcanoes usually feature a small crater.

Accumulating scientific evidence over the past two decades indicates that C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of low-grade inflammation, is a better predictor of heart disease risk than cholesterol levels. This finding highlights the growing importance of inflammation in understanding cardiovascular diseases.

What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?

C-reactive protein is a protein produced by the liver. Its levels in the blood increase in response to inflammation occurring anywhere in the body.

Role of Inflammation in the Body

Inflammation is the body’s natural protective response that helps tissues heal following injury, infection, or disease. However, persistent or low-grade inflammation can contribute to chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.

CRP Test and Its Significance

A CRP test measures the amount of C-reactive protein present in the blood. By assessing CRP levels, healthcare providers can determine the extent of inflammation in the body.

Elevated CRP levels indicate the presence of acute or chronic inflammation, though they do not identify the exact cause.

Conditions Associated with High CRP Levels

High CRP levels may be associated with several health conditions, including:

• Bacterial or viral infections

• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

• Autoimmune disorders, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis

• Respiratory conditions, such as asthma

Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and exposure to air pollution or hazardous environmental toxins, can also lead to elevated CRP levels.

Importance of CRP in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Recent research suggests that CRP is a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk, as chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of heart disease. This has expanded the focus of cardiovascular risk assessment beyond traditional markers like cholesterol.

Recently, the Government of India announced relaxations for deep-tech startups to facilitate easier recognition under the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). The decision aims to encourage innovation and strengthen the country’s research and development ecosystem.

About the Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program

The Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program is a research and development initiative of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) under the Government of India. The program seeks to promote industrial research, enhance indigenous technology development, and support innovation-driven enterprises.

Focus Areas of the Program

The program supports research activities across multiple disciplines, including engineering sciences, environmental sciences, natural and applied sciences, agricultural sciences, medical sciences, and social sciences. This wide scope enables multidisciplinary innovation relevant to national development.

Funding and Administrative Authority

The program is funded and administered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Eligibility Criteria for Recognition

To be considered for recognition under the program, the applicant must be a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or 2013. The company becomes eligible only after the completion of three financial years from its incorporation. It must have a regular source of income for at least the last two financial years.

Companies seeking recognition for in-house research and development units must be engaged in manufacturing or production activities. Additionally, the R&D units must be located in non-residential areas.

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Key Facts

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was established in 1985 and operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It serves as the nodal department for promoting industrial research and innovation in the country.

Mandate and Functions of DSIR

The DSIR is mandated to promote the development, utilization, and transfer of indigenous technologies. It focuses on strengthening industrial research by fostering collaboration among industries, academic institutions, research organizations, and government agencies. Through these efforts, DSIR aims to build a strong, innovation-led industrial ecosystem in India.

Recently, hundreds of tourists were stranded on Socotra Island after flights were grounded due to clashes on the Yemeni mainland. The incident has once again drawn attention to the island’s geopolitical sensitivity and strategic location.

Location and Geographical Setting

Socotra Island is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 340 kilometres southeast of Yemen, to which it politically belongs. It is the largest island in a small archipelago that extends eastward from the Horn of Africa and covers an area of about 3,600 square kilometres.

Physical Features

The island’s interior is dominated by the Hajhir Mountains, while narrow coastal plains lie along the northern coast and a broader plain extends along the southern coast.

To the southwest and west of Socotra lie smaller islands—Sam?ah and Darzah, collectively known as al-Ikhw?n (“the Brothers”), and ?Abd al-K?r?—all of which are also part of Yemen.

Population and Infrastructure

Socotra has a population of around 70,000 people, most of whom speak the Socotri language, a distinct Semitic language. Apart from the main town of Hadibo, the island has very limited infrastructure, contributing to its relative isolation.

Geological History

Socotra separated from the Arabian Peninsula approximately 80 million years ago due to tectonic movements. This long geological isolation has played a crucial role in shaping its unique biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Ecological Importance

Socotra is often referred to as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean” because of its exceptional level of endemism. A significant proportion of its plant and animal species are found nowhere else on Earth.

Notably:

• 37% of the island’s 825 plant species are endemic

• 90% of reptile species are unique to Socotra

• 95% of land snail species are endemic

This extraordinary biodiversity makes Socotra one of the most important ecological hotspots in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Status

In recognition of its outstanding universal value and ecological significance, Socotra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

The Prime Minister of India’s visits to Ethiopia, Namibia, and Ghana in 2025 have renewed attention on India–Africa economic relations. In the 21st century, this partnership is evolving from one based primarily on historical solidarity to a strategic, economy-driven engagement, shaped by Africa’s demographic expansion and India’s global economic ambitions.

Overview of India–Africa Relations

Africa is emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, with its population projected to reach 1.7 billion and consumer spending estimated at USD 6.7 trillion by 2030. In this context, India’s engagement with Africa has become strategic, multidimensional, and future-oriented.

India and Africa share a unique partnership rooted in shared historical experiences, common developmental aspirations, and demographic dynamism, which continues to shape their evolving cooperation.

Economic Ties Between India and Africa

India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade nearing USD 100 billion, reflecting a 17% year-on-year growth. In FY 2023–24, India exported goods worth USD 38.17 billion, mainly to Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.

India’s key exports include petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, rice, and textiles. However, India faces strong competition from China, whose trade with Africa exceeds USD 200 billion, accounting for 21% of Africa’s total imports in 2024.

From Commodity Trade to Strategic Engagement

Historically, India–Africa trade was characterized by Africa’s exports of raw materials and India’s exports of pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles. Both sides are now seeking to move beyond this commodity-driven relationship toward strategic engagement in manufacturing, digital services, and skill development.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), launched in 2021, provides a strong institutional framework to deepen this integration by boosting intra-African trade and opening new avenues for Indian investment and industrial collaboration.

India’s Development Partnership with Africa

Capacity Building

India has trained over 40,000 African professionals and students through Lines of Credit (LoCs) and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

Digital Outreach

The e-Vidya Bharti and e-Arogya Bharti initiatives have benefited 15,000 learners across 22 African countries, strengthening digital education and healthcare access.

Agriculture

Indian investments in irrigation, food processing, and agricultural technologies have supported productivity enhancement and food security across Africa.

Healthcare

India has established pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, and supplied vaccines and medical equipment to 32 African countries, reinforcing its image as a reliable health partner.

Challenges and Concerns in India–Africa Relations

Economic and Trade Challenges

India–Africa trade remains commodity-heavy, with limited value addition. Indian firms face intense competition from China’s scale, financing capacity, and infrastructure presence, along with the absence of wide-ranging Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with African blocs.

Financial and MSME Constraints

Indian MSMEs encounter several barriers, including:

• Limited access to affordable trade finance

• High political and commercial risks

• Inadequate insurance and credit guarantee mechanisms

Connectivity and Logistics Issues

High freight and logistics costs persist due to underdeveloped ports, weak hinterland connectivity, and the absence of dedicated India–Africa maritime corridors.

Security Concerns

Maritime insecurity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)—including piracy, terrorism, and illegal resource exploitation—poses serious risks. Recent Red Sea disruptions caused by Houthi attacks led to a 90% decline in container traffic, significantly increasing freight costs and affecting Indian exports.

Way Forward for India’s Africa Strategy

Trade Facilitation and Market Access

India needs to negotiate Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with African regional blocs and key economies. Removing tariff and non-tariff barriers will be essential for expanding market access and trade efficiency.

Transition to Value-Added Manufacturing

India must shift from a commodity-centric engagement to value-added manufacturing, joint ventures, and cross-border industrial cooperation. Establishing manufacturing bases in Africa would allow Indian firms to access US preferential tariffs and tap into Africa’s expanding consumer markets. Stronger engagement with AfCFTA can unlock significant opportunities.

Empowering MSMEs and Expanding Trade Finance

Africa offers significant growth potential for Indian MSMEs. Scaling up Lines of Credit, promoting local currency trade, and creating a joint insurance pool can help mitigate political and commercial risks.

Reducing Logistics and Connectivity Costs

Investments in port modernization, hinterland connectivity, and India–Africa maritime corridors are critical to lowering freight costs and improving supply chain efficiency.

Scaling Services and Digital Partnerships

India should leverage its strengths in information technology, healthcare, education, and skill development. Digital cooperation and people-to-people ties can act as force multipliers for economic integration.

Securing Maritime Routes and Supply Chains

To address security threats in the IOR, India has expanded its maritime cooperation under the SAGAR vision, now broadened into MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). Key initiatives include:

• AIKEYME 2025, a multilateral naval exercise in Dar-es-Salaam focusing on interoperability and anti-piracy operations

• IOS SAGAR deployments, involving Indian Navy missions to East African ports to enhance maritime security and cooperation

India and Oman have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a major milestone in India’s trade diplomacy in the Gulf region. This agreement represents Oman’s first bilateral trade agreement since 2006 and India’s second CEPA within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), following the India–UAE CEPA signed in 2022.

During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Order of Oman by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening India–Oman bilateral relations. The award, instituted in 1970 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, is among Oman’s highest civilian honours.

Overview and Strategic Significance of India–Oman CEPA

The India–Oman CEPA significantly strengthens India’s economic and strategic footprint in the Gulf region. It provides near-universal duty-free access for Indian exports, ambitious services sector liberalisation, enhanced professional mobility, and new opportunities in investment, AYUSH, and MSME-led growth.

While the agreement improves trade facilitation and regional connectivity, challenges such as structural trade deficits, under-utilisation of services potential, and regional geopolitical risks remain, necessitating sustained policy focus and diversification.

Key Features of the India–Oman CEPA

Near-Universal Duty-Free Market Access

Under the agreement, Oman has granted zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India’s exports by value. Immediate tariff elimination on nearly 98% of lines ensures rapid and tangible benefits for Indian exporters, particularly in the Gulf market.

Boost to Labour-Intensive Sectors

The CEPA provides full tariff elimination for key labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, plastics, furniture, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and automobiles. This is expected to generate employment and strengthen MSMEs, artisans, and women-led enterprises.

Balanced Tariff Concessions by India

India has offered tariff liberalisation on 77.79% of its tariff lines, covering 94.81% of imports from Oman. Sensitive sectors are safeguarded through exclusion lists and Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs), particularly in agriculture, bullion and jewellery, select labour-intensive goods, and base metal scrap, ensuring a calibrated and balanced trade framework.

Ambitious Services Liberalisation

Oman has committed to liberalisation across 127 services sub-sectors, including information technology, business and professional services, research and development, education, healthcare, and audio-visual services. These commitments are expected to unlock high-value opportunities and significantly expand India’s services exports.

Enhanced Mobility of Indian Professionals

For the first time, Oman has made wide-ranging Mode 4 commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). These include increasing the Intra-Corporate Transferees quota from 20% to 50% and extending the stay of Contractual Service Suppliers from 90 days to two years, with further extensions possible. This will substantially ease professional mobility for Indian service providers.

100% Foreign Direct Investment in Services

The CEPA permits 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by Indian companies in major services sectors in Oman through commercial presence. This enables Indian firms to expand operations and establish a long-term footprint in the Gulf region.

Landmark Provision on Traditional Medicine

The agreement includes the world’s first comprehensive commitment on Traditional Medicine across all modes of supply. This provision opens new avenues for India’s AYUSH and wellness sectors and promotes medical value travel.

Trade Facilitation and Regulatory Cooperation

The CEPA addresses non-tariff barriers through measures such as fast-tracking pharmaceutical approvals, mutual acceptance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection documents, recognition of Halal certification, acceptance of India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) certification, and enhanced cooperation in standards and conformity assessment.

Oman: Country Profile

Oman, with Muscat as its capital, is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and is regarded as the oldest independent state in the Arab world. It is bordered by Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and has extensive maritime boundaries along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Geographically, Oman features the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) desert, the Hajar and Dhofar mountain ranges, and is rich in natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, copper, limestone, and asbestos.

Significance of the India–Oman CEPA

Oman serves as a gateway to the GCC, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. The CEPA strengthens India’s economic footprint in West Asia and complements India’s broader Free Trade Agreement (FTA) strategy. It enhances trade facilitation, supply chain resilience, and investment confidence, aligning with India’s vision of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Current State of India–Oman Relations

Strategic and Political Relations

India and Oman share warm and historic ties, elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2008. Oman is India’s oldest strategic partner in the Gulf and a key interlocutor within the GCC, Arab League, and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Defence and Maritime Cooperation

Oman is the first Gulf country to conduct tri-service military exercises with India, including Al Najah (Army), Eastern Bridge (Air Force), and Naseem Al Bahr (Navy). These exercises reflect strong cooperation in Indian Ocean maritime security.

Economic and Trade Relations

Bilateral trade crossed USD 10.6 billion in FY 2024–25. Oman was India’s 29th largest export destination, 25th largest import source, and 28th largest overall trading partner. India ranks as Oman’s 4th largest source of non-oil imports and 3rd largest market for non-oil exports.

Trade Profile

India’s exports to Oman include petroleum products, aluminium oxide, rice, machinery, aircraft, electronics, plastics, and steel. India imports crude oil, LNG, fertilisers, ammonia, chemicals, sulphur, and iron ore from Oman.

People-to-People and Cultural Links

With an Indian diaspora of approximately 6.7 lakh, centuries-old cultural interactions, and strong institutional frameworks, people-to-people ties remain a cornerstone of India–Oman relations.

Challenges Constraining India–Oman Relations

Despite strong ties, several challenges persist. India’s share in Oman’s USD 12.52 billion services import market is only 5.31%, indicating under-utilisation of India’s strengths in IT, education, healthcare, and professional services.

Bilateral trade remains energy- and mineral-dominated, resulting in a structural trade deficit for India. In FY 2024–25, India recorded a trade deficit of approximately USD 2.5 billion.

Additionally, regional geopolitical instability, maritime disruptions, and Oman’s workforce nationalisation policy (Omanisation) create periodic uncertainties for Indian professionals and businesses.

Measures to Strengthen India–Oman Relations

India must deepen services engagement by fully utilising CEPA commitments in IT, healthcare, education, and R&D. Trade diversification toward manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and agri-value chains is essential to reduce trade imbalances.

Encouraging Indian investment in Oman as a manufacturing and logistics hub for the Gulf and Africa—particularly in renewables, green hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing—will further strengthen ties.

India and Oman should also forge a strategic maritime and Blue Economy partnership, leveraging Oman’s geostrategic location to enhance maritime security, energy supply chains, sustainable fisheries, marine research, and climate resilience.

Conclusion

The India–Oman CEPA represents a balanced, ambitious, and future-oriented trade agreement that significantly strengthens India’s strategic presence in the Gulf region. By aligning trade, investment, services, and people-to-people cooperation, the agreement advances India’s broader objectives of inclusive growth, employment generation, and resilient global economic engagement.

On 19th December, the Union Home Minister of India paid tribute to Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh on their Balidaan Diwas, commemorating their supreme sacrifice in the Kakori Train Action. Their martyrdom is remembered as a defining moment in India’s revolutionary struggle against British colonial rule.

Overview of the Kakori Train Action

The Kakori Train Action, carried out on 9th August 1925, was a landmark revolutionary act by members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). The objective of the action was to procure funds for the freedom struggle and to openly challenge British authority, marking a decisive shift towards armed resistance within the Indian national movement.

Historical Background

The event occurred in the backdrop of growing disillusionment among Indian youth following the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) and the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. These developments convinced many nationalists that constitutional and non-violent methods were insufficient, leading to the formation of the Hindustan Republican Association in 1924 to pursue revolutionary methods.

Execution of the Kakori Train Action

The action was led by Ram Prasad Bismil, with key participants including Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajendra Lahiri. The revolutionaries stopped the 8-down train travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow near Kakori railway station and looted the government treasury chest carried in the train.

Importantly, the revolutionaries took care to avoid harming passengers, underscoring their moral commitment to the cause. Other members involved included Sachindranath Bakshi, Mukundi Lal, Banwari Lal, and Manmathnath Gupta.

British Crackdown and Kakori Conspiracy Case

Following the incident, the British government launched a massive crackdown, leading to the arrest of most HRA members. The incident culminated in the Kakori Conspiracy Case (1925).

After an 18-month-long trial, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh were sentenced to death and hanged on 19th December 1927, while several others were given life imprisonment.

Significance and Legacy of the Kakori Action

The Kakori Train Action symbolised a strategic shift from passive resistance to armed revolution. It also stood out as a powerful example of Hindu–Muslim unity, particularly reflected in the camaraderie between Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan.

The sacrifice of the Kakori martyrs inspired the reorganisation of the HRA into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928, which went on to influence a new generation of revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh.

Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)

Formation and Leadership

The Hindustan Republican Association was founded in October 1924 in Kanpur by revolutionaries such as Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and Shiv Verma. The organisation advocated the violent overthrow of British rule through organised armed struggle.

Ideology and Objectives

The HRA’s ideological framework was articulated in its manifesto “The Revolutionary” (1925), authored by Sachindra Nath Sanyal. It envisioned the establishment of a federal republic of India through revolution and was deeply influenced by socialist ideas and global revolutionary movements, particularly the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Reorganisation into Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

In 1928, under the leadership of Chandrashekhar Azad, the HRA was reorganised and renamed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Socialism was formally adopted as its guiding ideology.

Prominent members of the HSRA included Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Bejoy Kumar Sinha, and Shiv Verma.

Major Revolutionary Actions of the HSRA

The HSRA carried out several high-profile revolutionary acts, including:

• The assassination of J.P. Saunders (1928) to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai

• The Central Legislative Assembly bombing (1929) by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt

• The attempted bombing of Viceroy Lord Irwin’s train (1929)

Conclusion

The Kakori Train Action and the sacrifice of its martyrs occupy a central place in India’s freedom struggle. Their courage, ideological commitment, and unity across religious lines continue to inspire generations and remain a powerful symbol of revolutionary nationalism and patriotic sacrifice.