🚢 1) QUAD Countries Launch First-Ever ‘At-Sea Observer Mission’
In a historic maritime move, the QUAD countries — India, USA, Japan, and Australia — have jointly launched their first at-sea observer mission.
📍 Location: Southeast Asia
🛰️ Goal: Boost real-time maritime domain awareness, counter illegal fishing, and ensure freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.
🧭 Context:
The QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) has evolved significantly since its re-emergence in 2017. This observer mission signifies growing naval synergy and maritime diplomacy among these nations, countering regional threats and asserting a rules-based maritime order — particularly amid China’s increasing presence in the South China Sea.
🛳️ 2) First-Ever ASEAN–India Cruise Dialogue Sets Sail in Chennai
📍 Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
📅 Date: July 2025
India hosted the 1st ASEAN–India Cruise Tourism Dialogue, promoting stronger ties through sustainable blue economy strategies and expanding cruise connectivity across Southeast Asia.
🔍 Why It Matters:
This dialogue is a major step in India’s Act East Policy, connecting 10 ASEAN nations (like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) through sea tourism and business corridors. Chennai was a symbolic choice — a historic port city with ancient maritime connections with Southeast Asia dating back to the Chola dynasty.
🌿💻 3) India’s First Green Data Centre Gets Greenlight in Ghaziabad, UP
🚧 Foundation Stone Laid for the country’s first environmentally sustainable data centre in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
⚡ Features:
- Runs on 100% renewable energy
- Uses advanced cooling and water-saving systems
- Aims to support India’s push for digital sovereignty and reduce carbon footprints of data storage
📜 Context:
As India becomes one of the largest data consumers globally, green infrastructure is vital. This aligns with the goals of the National Digital Communications Policy (2018) and India's commitments to net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
📊 4) 8th Anniversary of the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
🗓️ July 1, 2025 marked 8 years since the implementation of the GST regime — one of India’s biggest economic reforms since independence.
🔍 Flashback:
- Launched on 1st July 2017
- Unified 17+ indirect taxes into a single tax structure
- Created ‘One Nation, One Tax’, simplifying logistics and promoting ease of doing business
📉 Challenges:
Initial confusion, tech glitches, and compliance burden for small businesses.
📈 Successes:
Rise in formalization, increase in tax revenue, and digitization of India’s tax base.
🏆 5) World Super Kabaddi League Debuts in Dubai!
📍 Location: Dubai, UAE
🏟️ Inaugural Edition of the World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL) to be hosted soon, taking India’s ancient sport to a global stage.
🌍 Why It’s Big:
- First international franchise-based kabaddi league
- Participation from teams representing various countries
- Strong diaspora and youth audience expected to boost popularity
🕉️ Historical Roots:
Kabaddi dates back over 4,000 years, with roots in ancient Indian warfare training and village competitions. Its transformation from rural fields to stadiums and now to an international league reflects India’s soft power in global sports.
