⚓ India & Philippines Conduct First-Ever Naval Exercise in South China Sea

In a historic first, India and the Philippines Navy conducted a two-day joint naval exercise near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a region known for its strategic significance and ongoing maritime disputes.

🌏 Significance:

• This move reflects India’s growing maritime presence in Southeast Asia and commitment to freedom of navigation under international law.
• The drill focused on maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine operations, and communication interoperability between the two navies.
• It comes at a time when the Quad allies and ASEAN countries are reinforcing maritime cooperation in response to China’s assertive behavior in the region.

☢️ Russia Withdraws from 1987 INF Nuclear Treaty

Russia has officially terminated its commitment to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a landmark Cold War-era arms control agreement signed with the U.S. in 1987.

🧨 Background:

• The INF Treaty banned both countries from possessing or testing ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500–5,500 km.
• Russia’s withdrawal signals further erosion of global nuclear disarmament frameworks and could trigger a new arms race, particularly in Europe and Asia.

✈️ India Becomes World’s 5th Largest Aviation Economy

India has officially surpassed the UK to become the 5th largest aviation economy in the world, following rapid growth in domestic air traffic, infrastructure expansion, and fleet modernization.

📊 Key Drivers:

• Massive investment in regional air connectivity (UDAN scheme).
• Surge in low-cost carriers and passenger growth post-COVID.
• Development of new airports including Jewar (Noida International Airport) and Navi Mumbai Airport.
• 🚀 Future Outlook: India is expected to enter the top 3 aviation markets by 2030.

🌿 WHO-IRCH Workshop on Herbal Medicine Safety to be Held in Ghaziabad, UP

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh will host a major World Health Organization – International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (WHO-IRCH) workshop focusing on global safety standards and regulations for herbal medicines.

🧪 Why it matters:

• India, home to traditional systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, is pushing for global standardization of herbal medicine safety.
• The event will gather regulators and scientists from over 30 countries, promoting evidence-based validation and harmonization of herbal practices.

🔬 Army Chief Inaugurates ‘AGNISHODH’ Research Cell at IIT Madras

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi inaugurated the ‘Agnishodh’ Research Cell at IIT Madras, aiming to accelerate indigenous defence innovation under the Agnipath scheme.

🧠 Purpose & Focus:

• Dedicated to frontline military R&D, AI-driven warfare technologies, and soldier-centric innovations.
• Will engage Agniveers and academic experts in co-developing futuristic military solutions, drones, exoskeletons, and cyber-defense tools.
• 🎯 Strategic Vision: It reflects India’s broader mission to create a self-reliant defence ecosystem (Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence).