26 October 2025

• International: The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, concluded. India committed to enhanced maritime security cooperation.
• Cyclone: Cyclone Montha weakened after landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Coastal Andhra and Odisha received heavy rainfall.
• Governance: PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat on 26 October focused on GST Bachat Utsav and the success of small-business tax compliance.
• Blue Economy: The Deep-Sea Fishing Cooperative Model was highlighted as a vehicle for organised fisheries and fishermen's welfare.
• International: Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed diplomatic dialogue after months of strained relations following Bangladesh's August 2024 political transition.

GS area: International Relations (India-ASEAN, Multilateral)

The 22nd ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.

• ASEAN basics: 10 member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam). Founded 8 August 1967, Bangkok Declaration.
• India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership (2022): upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Geographical importance: India borders Myanmar and Thailand through land; connects to maritime ASEAN via the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
• Act East Policy (2014): India's strategic shift from "Look East" to "Act East." The policy deepens ties with ASEAN through trade, connectivity and defence.
• ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026-2030: adopted at this summit. Key pillars: maritime security, digital connectivity, food security and supply chain resilience.
• Trade: India-ASEAN trade is approximately USD 131 billion (2023-24). India has a trade deficit with ASEAN.
• ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA): signed in 2009 for goods; 2015 for services and investment. A review was agreed at this summit to address India's trade deficit concern.
• East Asia Summit: the wider regional forum in which ASEAN Plus 8 (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, US, Russia) participate. India is a founding member.

Static linkage: India's foreign policy, multilateral institutions, Act East Policy.

GS area: Geography (Disaster Management, Meteorology)

Cyclone Montha made landfall near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, as a Severe Cyclonic Storm.

• Nomenclature: "Montha" is a name from the WMO list provided by Myanmar. The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea cyclone names follow a rotating panel of 13 countries.
• Classification by wind speed (IMD scale):
  • Depression: 31-61 kmph.
  • Cyclonic Storm: 62-88 kmph.
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89-117 kmph.
  • Very Severe: 118-167 kmph.
  • Extremely Severe: 168-221 kmph.
  • Super Cyclone: above 221 kmph.
• IMD's forecast system: colour-coded advisories (Green/Yellow/Orange/Red) issued 3-7 days in advance. IMD's prediction accuracy for cyclone track has improved to 25 km mean error at 24 hours.
• NDRF deployment: National Disaster Response Force, constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005. Headquarters in New Delhi.
• Bay of Bengal: warmer than the Arabian Sea; generates more cyclones. North Indian Ocean cyclone season: April-December, with peak October-November.
• Coastal states affected: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu received Orange-Red alerts.

Static linkage: Disaster management, meteorology, India's coasts.

GS area: International Relations, Security (Nuclear, Arms Control)

Russia disclosed new details about the Burevestnik (NATO codename: SSC-X-9 Skyfall) nuclear-powered cruise missile during October 2025.

• Type: nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile with theoretically unlimited range.
• Propulsion: a small nuclear reactor powers the jet engine, allowing the missile to fly as long as needed without refuelling.
• History: President Putin first announced it in his 2018 State of the Nation address along with five other strategic weapons systems.
• Significance for arms control: the INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, 1987) was abandoned by the US in 2019. The new START Treaty covering long-range nuclear warheads was suspended by Russia in February 2023. Arms control architecture is weakening.
• India's interest: as a non-aligned nuclear weapon state (NPT non-signatory), India monitors US-Russia strategic competition because it affects deterrence stability in Asia.
• India's nuclear doctrine: No-First-Use (NFU) policy; credible minimum deterrence; civilian political control of nuclear forces. India does not seek nuclear parity with the US or Russia.

Static linkage: Nuclear policy, arms control, international security.

GS area: Economy (Blue Economy, Fisheries, Governance)

India's deep-sea fishing cooperative model was highlighted as a mechanism for scaling organised fishing and protecting small fishermen.

• India's fisheries sector: GDP contribution of approximately 1.24 per cent. Second largest fish producer globally. 28 million fishermen.
• PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Rs 20,050 crore investment to develop India's fisheries sector (2020-2025). Focus areas: seawater aquaculture, post-harvest infrastructure and deep-sea fishing vessels.
• Deep-sea fishing cooperative model: the cooperative owns the vessel and employs traditional fishermen as crew, sharing revenue. This removes the exploitative boat-owner middleman.
• Legal framework: Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 2002; Marine Fisheries (Regulation and Management) Act 2023. The 2023 Act replaced a patchwork of state laws with a unified national framework.
• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA): promotes seafood exports; operates under the Ministry of Commerce.
• India's seafood exports: approximately USD 7.38 billion in FY2023-24. Shrimp is the highest-value export.
• Sagar Mitra: roving fishing extension workers posted at marine fishing villages under PMMSY.

Static linkage: Blue economy, cooperatives, fisheries policy.

GS area: International Relations (South Asia)

Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed diplomatic dialogue after months of strained relations following Bangladesh's political transition in August 2024.

• Bangladesh 2024 context: PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on 5 August 2024 after student-led protests. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took office.
• Pakistan's interest: the new Bangladesh government is seen as less India-aligned. Pakistan moved quickly to establish closer ties, offering visa-free travel and exploring trade routes.
• Historical weight: Bangladesh and Pakistan share the trauma of the 1971 Liberation War. Pakistan has never formally apologised. The resumption of talks is diplomatically significant.
• India's concern: a closer Pakistan-Bangladesh axis would create a less favourable neighbourhood for India's northeast.
• Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC): the regional organisation linking South and Southeast Asia. Members: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand. Pakistan is not a member.

Static linkage: South Asia, Bangladesh, India's neighbourhood policy.

• Koyla Shakti Dashboard: Ministry of Coal launched this unified real-time coal monitoring platform, tracking production, transportation and supply analytics. India produced 997 million tonnes of coal in 2023-24, making it the second-largest producer globally after China.
• National Wildlife Week 2025: observed in the first week of October each year (1-7 October) since 1952. Theme for 2025: "Restore, Reconnect, Rewild." Organised by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
• Bongaigaon Workshop: the Indian Railways Bongaigaon Workshop in Assam won the Environment Award for zero liquid discharge and solar energy adoption. India has 18 railway production and maintenance units.