R2R NEWSPAPER NOTES

R2R SSB batches starting soon. Referred articles were published in The Hindu.

1. India's Diplomacy Is Measured, Not Muted

• Recent Geopolitical Events & India's Response:
  • Iran-Israel conflict: India expressed concern, urged de-escalation, and called for restraint. It facilitated the return of 21,000 Indian citizens from conflict zones.
  • Hamas attack on Israel (October 7, 2023): India condemned the attack as an act of terrorism.
  • Ukraine conflict: India maintains a measured diplomatic stance, focusing on humanitarian aid and supporting peaceful resolution.
• Strengthening India's Global Standing:
  • India's rising economic stature and demographic dividend contribute to its growing influence.
  • India is strengthening ties with Arab nations, resulting in significant investment and trade.
  • India's strategic autonomy allows it to engage with diverse partners based on its interests.
  • India is seen as a responsible stakeholder in international affairs.
• Challenges to Global Peace:
  • Resurgent geopolitical rivalries leading to increased military spending.
  • Weaponization of new technologies creates instability.
  • Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains a serious threat.
  • Non-state actors and terrorist groups continue to pose challenges to global security.
• India's Diplomatic Approach:
  • India emphasizes dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
  • It promotes multilateralism and advocates for a rules-based international order.
  • India focuses on strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries while maintaining relations with all nations.
  • India's strategic patience and principled stance are crucial for resolving complex global issues.

• The Khelo Bharat Niti (2025 National Sports Policy):
  • Passed by the Union Cabinet on July 1, 2025.
  • Aims to transform the role of sports in building a "Viksit Bharat".
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions India as a leading nation in the global sporting arena within 10 years.
• Five-Pillar Approach for Football Development:
  1. National team's standing: Improve ranking and performance in global football.
  2. Sports for social development: Promote football as a tool for community building.
  3. Economic development: Foster growth through events, manufacturing, and jobs in football.
  4. People's movement: Encourage mass participation in football.
  5. Indian diaspora: Integrate overseas citizens of India (OCI) into national football development.
• Grassroots Development & Talent Identification:
  • AIFF (All India Football Federation) has plans for mandatory football at the grassroots level (up to 10 years old).
  • Age-group football (U7, U10, U12, U15, U17, U18, U20 levels) will see more professional training.
  • The National Education Policy will integrate sports into education, promoting holistic development.
  • Football For Schools (F4S) programme: Over 1,53,000 schools have been covered, with over 9,26,000 footballs distributed.
• OCI Policy and Challenges:
  • There is a significant demand for including OCI cardholders in national teams.
  • Countries like Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Middle Eastern Nations have naturalized players.
  • Under FIFA statutes, an OCI card does not equate to Indian citizenship, creating an obstacle for dual citizens to play.
  • The policy aims to address this to enable talented diaspora players to contribute to Indian football.

• China-Pakistan Military Collaboration:
  • China views Pakistan as its "only iron-clad strategic ally".
  • Extensive military cooperation, including joint exercises like "Shaheen" and "Sea Guardians".
  • Pakistan has received significant Chinese military hardware, including J-10CE fighter jets, JF-17 aircraft, main battle tanks, frigates, and submarines.
  • China has established "one-front reinforced war" capabilities, creating a highly integrated military alliance.
• Dual-Front Threat for India:
  • The China-Pakistan nexus poses a direct military threat to India, particularly in Ladakh.
  • "One-front reinforced" challenge: India faces a coordinated threat from both sides.
  • The report warns against "Pakistani proxies" and "non-state actors" being used in conjunction with Chinese military pressure.
• Space and Cyber Cooperation:
  • China has integrated Pakistan into its Beidou Satellite Navigation System.
  • Pakistan uses Chinese "command and control" (C2) systems and communication networks.
  • China's cyber capabilities, including "offensive cyber operations", are shared with Pakistan.
• Implications for India:
  • India needs to develop a "new normal" of expanded scope for its conventional military capabilities.
  • India's defense spending needs to increase significantly, particularly in R&D and capital expenditure.
  • India must enhance its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to counter the integrated threat.
  • India's diplomacy must be proactive to isolate the China-Pakistan alliance.
  • The need for India to develop alternative forms of military deterrence.
• Future Outlook:
  • The China-Pakistan military collision is not a theoretical concern but a well-planned operation.
  • India needs to be prepared for a "future shaped not by isolated geopolitical moves, but by a China-Pakistan challenge".

NEWS IN SHORTS

1. Earthquake Risk in Nicobar Islands 

An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study predicts a significant probability of a major earthquake in the Nicobar Islands within the next 900-day period. The study, conducted by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) and a private consultant, highlights that the region, having experienced frequent seismic activity, remains highly vulnerable. Experts from IIT Kanpur emphasize the need for robust infrastructure planning to mitigate potential risks and ensure safety given the geological instability.

2. How Computers Are Listening to the Ocean 

Advances in AI, particularly deep learning and neural networks, are transforming oceanography by enabling computers to "listen" to and interpret vast amounts of underwater data. This technology helps scientists understand marine life, climate patterns, and predict extreme weather events. By processing complex datasets from various sensors, AI models can identify subtle patterns and changes, leading to more accurate forecasts and a deeper understanding of the ocean's intricate systems and the impacts of human activity.

3. BRICS Summit Addresses Terrorism and Global Reforms 

The recent BRICS summit declaration strongly reflects India's concerns regarding terrorism and the need for global governance reforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the majority of the world's population is not adequately represented in key global institutions. The leaders condemned terrorism, specifically mentioning the Pahalgaon terror attack, and called for comprehensive conventions on international terrorism and reforms in the United Nations Security Council to ensure more equitable global decision-making.

4. Google's AI Overviews Spark Antitrust Concerns 

Google's new AI Overviews feature, which summarizes search results using generative AI, is facing scrutiny for potential antitrust violations. Competitors and publishers argue that the feature significantly reduces traffic to external websites by providing comprehensive answers directly in search results. Critics claim this practice gives Google an unfair advantage and may constitute "serious irreparable harm" to the digital advertising market, prompting calls for regulatory intervention to ensure fair competition.

5. Two Indigenous Nuclear Reactors Granted Operating License 

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) a five-year operating license for two indigenously developed 700 MWe pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. This significant milestone follows rigorous safety reviews spanning nearly 15 years, affirming India's self-reliance in nuclear technology and boosting NPCIL's plans to expand its nuclear power capacity.

6. UK Team Arrives to Repair RAF Jet in Thiruvananthapuram 

A Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft carrying a team of engineers from the UK has arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to repair a grounded F-35B jet. The fighter aircraft, which experienced an emergency landing on June 14, was towed to an airport hangar for assessment and repair. The RAF team will work with Indian authorities to determine the extent of the damage and coordinate the necessary repairs to make the aircraft airworthy again for its return to the UK.