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September 4th Current Affairs

Home / UPSC / Current affairs / UPSC Current Affairs – September 4th

Table of Contents

CAQM — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR

What is the news?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been in the news for strengthening measures to control air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), including monitoring dust pollution from construction and demolition activities. In August 2026, CAQM expanded enforcement powers against gross violators at smaller C&D sites across NCR.

What is CAQM?

CAQM = Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas

It is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Objective

To provide a coordinated and comprehensive approach to prevention, control and abatement of air pollution in:

  • Delhi-NCR
  • Adjoining areas of Punjab
  • Haryana
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Rajasthan

The Commission can coordinate actions of governments and various pollution-control authorities across the region.

Why was CAQM created?

Air pollution in Delhi-NCR is not confined to Delhi.

Major sources include:

Transport + Industries + Construction dust + Power plants + Biomass/stubble burning + Waste burning

Pollutants can move across administrative boundaries because the NCR functions as a shared airshed.

Therefore, a fragmented approach by individual State Pollution Control Boards is insufficient.

CAQM → Regional approach to a regional air-pollution problem.

Recent expert assessment considered by CAQM identified PM2.5 as a dominant pollutant affecting Delhi’s air quality, with contributions from both local and regional sources.

Major Powers of CAQM

Under the 2021 Act, CAQM has wide-ranging powers.

It can:

  • Coordinate actions of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Formulate programmes for prevention and control of air pollution.
  • Lay down emission-related parameters.
  • Restrict or regulate polluting industries and activities.
  • Inspect premises, plants and equipment.
  • Issue directions to authorities and individuals.
  • Take measures relating to stubble burning.
  • Monitor air-polluting activities.
  • Undertake research and promote awareness.

CAQM and GRAP

One of CAQM’s most important functions is implementation of the:

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

GRAP provides graded restrictions depending upon the severity of air pollution.

For example, progressively stricter measures can include restrictions concerning:

  • Construction and demolition
  • Industrial activities
  • Vehicular movement
  • Entry of certain vehicles
  • Use of certain fuels
  • Other pollution-generating activities

CAQM’s GRAP Sub-Committee monitors air-quality conditions and decides on invoking or revoking different stages. Recent CAQM orders demonstrate that GRAP measures are reviewed according to AQI and meteorological forecasts.

CAQM and Stubble Burning

Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and adjoining regions has historically contributed to seasonal pollution episodes in Delhi-NCR.

CAQM is empowered to:

  • Prepare frameworks for tackling stubble burning.
  • Monitor State-level measures.
  • Coordinate action among concerned authorities.
  • Take steps for prevention and control of air pollution arising from such activities.

In 2026, CAQM approved a draft direction concerning the prevention and control of paddy stubble burning, with a target of eliminating it in NCR States.

CAQM and Construction Dust

Construction and demolition activities are major sources of particulate pollution.

CAQM has issued directions for:

  • Dust mitigation
  • Monitoring of C&D sites
  • Compliance with pollution-control measures
  • Action against gross violators

In August 2026, CAQM expanded the number of Urban Local Bodies empowered to initiate prosecution against gross violators at certain smaller C&D sites.

CAQM vs CPCB vs SPCBs

Institution

Major role

CAQM

Regional coordination and regulation of air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas

CPCB

National-level pollution-control coordination, standards, monitoring and technical functions

SPCBs

Pollution control and enforcement at State level

DPCC

Pollution control in Delhi

GRAP

Emergency/graded response mechanism for deteriorating air quality

India Must Broaden Engagement with Regional Multilateral Groups

Why in News?

An editorial in The Hindu argues that India needs to broaden and deepen its engagement with regional multilateral organisations, particularly in the context of the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek. The argument comes against a changing geopolitical environment involving the U.S., Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asia.

What are Regional Multilateral Groups?

Multilateralism means cooperation among three or more countries through dialogue, institutions and common frameworks.

Regional multilateral groups bring together countries belonging to a particular geographical region or sharing common strategic/economic interests.

Important examples relevant to India

Group

Region/Focus

India’s status

SCO

Eurasia, security & regional cooperation

Full member

ASEAN

Southeast Asia

Dialogue/strategic partner

BIMSTEC

Bay of Bengal region

Member

IORA

Indian Ocean region

Member

BRICS

Emerging economies/global governance

Member

SAARC

South Asia

Member

G20

Global economic cooperation

Member

 

Why is SCO Important for India?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established in 2001.

Its original members were:

  • China
  • Russia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan

India and Pakistan became full members in 2017, while Iran became a full member in 2023.

Importance for India

  1. Central Asia

SCO provides India with an institutional platform to engage with the Central Asian Republics.

  1. Security

Counter-terrorism, extremism and separatism are major areas of SCO cooperation.

  1. Connectivity

India has strategic interests in alternative routes to Central Asia because of its limited direct land connectivity.

  1. Energy

Central Asia and Russia are important for India’s long-term energy security.

  1. Critical minerals

Engagement with Central Asian countries can help India explore cooperation in critical minerals and strategic resources.

The Bishkek SCO Summit

The recent SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan provided India with an opportunity to articulate its concerns and priorities.

India’s major emphasis:

Counter-terrorism

India called for dismantling the ecosystem of:

Terrorist financing → recruitment → radicalisation → safe havens

India also opposed double standards in dealing with terrorism.

The SCO declaration included strong language against all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, which was welcomed by India.

Why Central Asia Matters to India?

India’s engagement with Central Asia has considerable strategic importance.

Geopolitical significance

Central Asia lies at the intersection of:

  • Russia
  • China
  • Afghanistan
  • Iran
  • Caspian region

Therefore, developments in Central Asia directly affect India’s:

Security + Connectivity + Energy + Trade

India is also seeking greater cooperation in:

  • Trade
  • Tourism
  • Critical minerals
  • Connectivity
  • Energy

The recent engagement with Central Asian leaders has been viewed as an effort to revive these areas.

Changing Geopolitical Environment

The editorial highlights several developments that are changing India’s strategic environment.

  1. U.S. tariffs

Increasing trade restrictions and tariffs can affect global economic security and supply chains.

  1. Russia-related sanctions

Sanctions against Russia have implications for:

  • Energy
  • Trade
  • Payments
  • Connectivity
  1. Iran conflict

Instability involving Iran can affect energy security and transportation routes.

  1. Strait of Hormuz

The Hormuz region is strategically important because of its role in global energy transportation.

Any disruption can affect:

Oil prices → India’s import bill → inflation → energy security

  1. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach

Pakistan’s growing engagement with countries such as the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Türkiye creates another dimension to India’s regional diplomacy.

Why India Should Broaden Engagement?

The key argument is that India should not depend excessively on one particular multilateral grouping.

Instead, India needs multi-alignment.

India’s approach:

SCO + BRICS + QUAD + ASEAN + BIMSTEC + IORA + G20

This allows India to pursue different interests through different platforms.

For example:

  • SCO → Eurasia & security
  • QUAD → Indo-Pacific
  • BIMSTEC → Bay of Bengal
  • IORA → Indian Ocean
  • BRICS → Global South & global governance
  • G20 → Global economic governanceIndia’s Strategic Approach: Multi-Alignment

India’s foreign policy increasingly reflects strategic autonomy and multi-alignment rather than rigid bloc politics.

India simultaneously maintains relationships with:

USA + Russia + Europe + Iran + Israel + ASEAN + Central Asia

This allows India to protect its interests despite geopolitical rivalries.

Example

India can cooperate with:

  • USA → technology, defence, Indo-Pacific
  • Russia → defence, energy
  • Iran → connectivity and Chabahar
  • Central Asia → minerals, energy and trade
  • ASEAN → Indo-Pacific and economic engagement

Thus, multilateral organisations become instruments of issue-based cooperation.

Challenges for India

  1. China factor

China’s growing influence in Central Asia and within organisations such as SCO creates strategic challenges.

  1. Pakistan factor

India and Pakistan’s conflicting interests can constrain cooperation within SCO.

  1. Divergent interests

Members of multilateral organisations often have different geopolitical priorities.

  1. Limited economic connectivity

India’s geographical constraints make direct connectivity with Central Asia difficult.

  1. Geopolitical fragmentation

U.S.-Russia tensions, China-U.S. rivalry and conflicts in West Asia complicate India’s diplomatic calculations.

Newborn Care in India — “Hospital Plus Home” Approach

What is the news?

An opinion article titled “For newborns, the answer is hospital plus home” highlights a paradox in India’s healthcare progress. Institutional deliveries have increased substantially, but overcrowding, inadequate staffing, infrastructure failures and safety risks in neonatal units have emerged as serious concerns. The article argues for combining facility-based neonatal care with Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) rather than treating hospital and home care as alternatives.

The Basic Problem

India has made considerable progress in ensuring that women deliver in health facilities.

Institutional deliveries

39% in 2005–06 → around 90% in 2023–24

At the same time, admissions to public Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) increased from 11.3 lakh in 2021–22 to 14.45 lakh in 2023–24, a rise of about 28%.

Thus:

More institutional deliveries + more high-risk newborns referred to hospitals

⬇️

Greater pressure on SNCUs

⬇️

Overcrowding + staffing/equipment pressure

What is an SNCU?

Special Newborn Care Unit — SNCU

An SNCU is a facility-based unit for the care of sick newborns, generally located at district hospitals and other appropriate government health facilities.

It caters to newborns requiring specialised care but not necessarily the highest level of intensive care available in a tertiary NICU.

Why are SNCUs important?

They provide care for newborns with conditions such as:

  • Prematurity
  • Low birth weight
  • Neonatal infections
  • Respiratory problems
  • Other complications requiring specialised monitoring

The emerging problem

Overcrowding can lead to:

  • Increased infection risk
  • Inadequate nurse-to-baby ratios
  • Overburdened equipment
  • Reduced individual attention
  • Greater pressure on oxygen and electricity systems

Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

Neonatal units are particularly vulnerable because newborns may depend continuously on:

  • Incubators
  • Radiant warmers
  • Ventilators
  • Oxygen systems
  • Monitoring equipment
  • Reliable electricity

Therefore, fire, electrical and oxygen-system failures can have catastrophic consequences.

The article refers to incidents including the 2017 Gorakhpur oxygen crisis and fires at hospitals in Bhandara, Bhopal, Jhansi and Amravati as examples of systemic vulnerabilities.

The Gadchiroli Model

The Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health (SEARCH) conducted a field trial in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.

It demonstrated that trained community health workers (CHWs) could provide effective Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC).

The intervention included:

  • Identification of neonatal infections
  • Support for breastfeeding
  • Maintaining warmth
  • Care of appropriate low-birth-weight babies
  • Care of selected preterm babies
  • Timely identification and referral of serious cases

The field trial reported a 62.2% reduction in neonatal mortality in the rural study area.

What is Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC)?

HBNC involves trained community health workers visiting newborns at home and providing essential newborn care, identifying danger signs and facilitating referral when required.

In India’s public-health system, ASHA workers play an important role in delivering HBNC.

The principles of the Gadchiroli model have been incorporated into India’s public-health system, with around 8 lakh ASHAs trained in HBNC according to the article.

Key idea

Not every newborn requiring care requires a hospital bed.

Stable newborns can receive appropriate care at home, while critically ill newborns must be referred to appropriate health facilities.

Home Care ≠ Replacement for Hospital Care

HBNC is not a substitute for neonatal intensive care.

Newborns with conditions such as:

  • Severe prematurity
  • Respiratory distress
  • Shock
  • Severe sepsis
  • Serious birth asphyxia
  • Other major danger signs

require immediate facility-based treatment.

Therefore:

Home care for stable/appropriate newborns + specialised hospital care for complicated cases

 

The “Hospital Plus Home” Model

The article proposes a three-part strategy.

① Decongest neonatal units

Strengthen HBNC through adequately trained and supervised ASHAs.

⬇️

Stable and appropriate newborns can receive care at home.

⬇️

Reduce unnecessary pressure on SNCUs.

② Strengthen hospital-based neonatal care

Government facilities need:

  • Adequate doctors
  • Adequate nurses
  • Appropriate nurse-to-baby ratios
  • Functional equipment
  • Reliable oxygen supply
  • Reliable electricity
  • Backup systems
  • Strong infection-control measures

③ Make neonatal units intrinsically safe

Hospitals should have:

  • Fire detection systems
  • Fire suppression systems
  • Electrical safety mechanisms
  • Oxygen-system safety
  • Emergency evacuation drills
  • Independent safety audits

Institutional Delivery — Success but Not the End

Programmes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) have contributed to increasing institutional deliveries.

But:

Institutional delivery

≠

Complete newborn healthcare

The next challenge is ensuring:

Safe delivery → quality neonatal care → postnatal care → home-based follow-up

Thus, India’s health policy must move from simply increasing access to improving quality, safety and continuity of care.

Right to Education — Quality Teachers Are Central to the Fundamental Right

Why in News?

The Supreme Court has recently emphasised that the constitutional guarantee of free and compulsory elementary education cannot be meaningfully fulfilled without quality teachers and effective teacher education. The Court has also recognised teacher-education institutions and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) as important duty-bearers in ensuring the right to education.

Constitutional Foundation of Right to Education

The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 brought education within the Fundamental Rights framework.

It inserted:

Article 21A

The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between 6 and 14 years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine.

Thus:

6–14 years → Fundamental Right

This was operationalised through the:

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009

The Act came into force on 1 April 2010.

What did the 86th Amendment change?

The amendment made three important constitutional changes:

① Article 21A — Fundamental Right

Education for children aged 6–14 years became a Fundamental Right.

② Article 45 — DPSP

Article 45 was modified to focus on:

Early childhood care and education → children below 6 years

③ Article 51A(k) — Fundamental Duty

A duty was placed on parents/guardians to provide opportunities for education to their children/wards between 6 and 14 years.

RTE Act, 2009

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 gives statutory effect to Article 21A.

Key provisions

Free education

No child should be required to pay fees or expenses that prevent completion of elementary education.

Compulsory education

It places an obligation on the appropriate government and local authorities to ensure admission, attendance and completion of elementary education.

Age group

6–14 years

Elementary education

Generally refers to education from Class I to Class VIII.

25% Reservation in Private Schools

One of the most important provisions for Prelims is:

Section 12(1)(c)

Certain specified private unaided schools are required to admit at least 25% of Class I strength from:

  • Weaker sections
  • Disadvantaged groups

and provide them free elementary education.

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of this provision.

Important distinction

25% reservation ≠ reservation in all private schools

It applies to categories of schools specified under the RTE framework.

The Current Issue: Is Access Enough?

The Supreme Court’s recent observations shift attention from merely providing access to schools towards ensuring quality education.

The argument is:

Right to education

↓

Access to school

↓

Qualified teacher

↓

Effective teaching

↓

Learning outcomes

Therefore:

A child may technically have access to a school, but the right to education is substantively weakened if the education provided is of poor quality.

The Court has emphasised the importance of elementary-school teachers in nation-building and has treated teacher-education institutions and NCTE as important actors in fulfilling the constitutional promise.

Why are Teachers Important to Article 21A?

Education is not simply about:

School building + textbooks + enrolment

It also requires:

  • Qualified teachers
  • Adequate teacher–student ratio
  • Teacher training
  • Pedagogical skills
  • Regular assessment
  • Inclusive classrooms
  • Learning outcomes

Hence:

Quality of teachers → Quality of education → Meaningful Right to Education

Role of NCTE

NCTE — National Council for Teacher Education

It is the statutory body responsible for regulating and maintaining standards in teacher education.

It deals with areas such as:

  • Teacher education institutions
  • Norms and standards
  • Teacher qualifications
  • Teacher-training programmes
  • Quality of teacher education

Why is NCTE relevant to the case?

The Supreme Court’s recent decision involved a challenge to an NCTE-related notice requiring teacher-education institutions to submit Performance Appraisal Reports.

The Court upheld the validity of the notice and recognised the regulatory role of NCTE and its Executive Committee.

Right to Education: Evolution Through the Judiciary

Before Article 21A was inserted, the Supreme Court had already interpreted education as connected with Article 21.

Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka — 1992

The Supreme Court linked the right to education with the Right to Life under Article 21.

Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh — 1993

The Court recognised the fundamental right to education, particularly for children up to 14 years, providing an important constitutional basis for the later 86th Amendment.

Then:

Judicial interpretation

⬇️

86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002

⬇️

Article 21A

⬇️

RTE Act, 2009

RTE and Inclusive Education

The RTE framework aims to reduce educational inequalities.

It seeks to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not excluded because of:

  • Poverty
  • Social disadvantage
  • Disability
  • Gender
  • Other barriers

Thus, RTE is connected with:

Equality + Social Justice + Human Capital Development

Major Challenges in Implementing RTE

  1. Teacher shortage

Some schools continue to face inadequate teacher availability.

  1. Quality of learning

School enrolment ≠ learning outcome.

  1. Infrastructure gaps

Schools may lack:

  • Functional toilets
  • Electricity
  • Digital infrastructure
  • Laboratories
  • Adequate classrooms
  1. Teacher quality

Uneven teacher training affects learning outcomes.

  1. RTE reimbursement

Private schools admitting children under Section 12(1)(c) are entitled to reimbursement from the State according to the statutory framework.

Delays in reimbursement have generated litigation; the Bombay High Court recently highlighted the need for a time-bound reimbursement mechanism.

RTE and NEP 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 takes a broader approach to education.

It proposes the:

5+3+3+4 curricular structure

covering children from 3 to 18 years.

This is broader than Article 21A’s constitutional guarantee of 6–14 years.

Important Constitutional Articles

Article 14

Equality before law and equal protection of laws.

Article 15

Prohibition of discrimination and enabling provisions for disadvantaged groups.

Article 21

Right to life and personal liberty.

Article 21A

Free and compulsory education for 6–14 years.

Article 24

Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines or hazardous employment.

Article 39(e) & (f)

Protection of children against exploitation and promotion of healthy development.

Article 45

Early childhood care and education for children below six years.

Article 51A(k)

Fundamental duty of parents/guardians regarding education of children 6–14 years.

India–Belgium Relations: From Trade to Strategic Partnership

Why in News?

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is on an official visit to India from 2–4 September 2026, his first visit to India since becoming Prime Minister in February 2025. India and Belgium have agreed to significantly deepen cooperation in defence, trade, critical minerals, semiconductors, clean energy, maritime security and technology. Both sides have also set an objective of doubling bilateral trade within five years.

What happened in the case?

Belgium is a relatively small European country, but it has considerable strategic and economic importance for India.

Key reasons:

Belgium → European Union

Belgium is an EU member, and Brussels hosts major EU institutions.

Therefore, stronger India–Belgium relations can also facilitate India’s engagement with the European Union.

Belgium is important in:

  • Trade and investment
  • Defence technology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Chemicals
  • Semiconductors
  • Critical minerals
  • Ports and logistics
  • Renewable energy
  • Diamonds
  • Research and higher education

India and Belgium have also emphasised that their bilateral relationship is anchored in the broader India–EU Strategic Partnership.

India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue

A major recent development is the launch of the India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue.

First session:

15 July 2026 – Brussels

It provides a regular mechanism for discussions on:

  • Trade and investment
  • Green transition
  • Technology
  • Connectivity
  • Defence
  • Security
  • People-to-people relations

India–EU Free Trade Agreement

Belgium is particularly important because of its role within the European Union.

India and the EU successfully concluded negotiations for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026.

The agreement is expected to:

  • Increase market access
  • Promote investment
  • Diversify supply chains
  • Expand bilateral trade
  • Strengthen India–EU economic relations

The Investment Protection Agreement and Geographical Indications Agreement negotiations are separate processes that the two sides want to conclude.

Trade and Investment

India and Belgium have decided to work towards:

Doubling bilateral trade in the next five years

Priority sectors include:

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Life sciences
  • Chemicals
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Defence
  • Aerospace
  • Space
  • Logistics
  • Ports
  • Clean technology
  • Digital technology
  • Renewable energy

The two countries have also launched an:

India–Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism

Its purpose is to:

Facilitate investment → remove bottlenecks → support businesses → encourage long-term investment.

The Antwerp–Mumbai–Surat Diamond Link

Belgium’s Antwerp is one of the world’s major diamond-trading centres.

India’s major diamond-processing centres include:

  • Surat
  • Mumbai

Therefore:

Antwerp ↔ Mumbai ↔ Surat

forms an important commercial link in the global diamond industry.

India and Belgium have agreed to strengthen this historic diamond partnership while diversifying economic relations into newer sectors.

Defence Cooperation — A New Dimension

Defence cooperation is becoming an increasingly important component of India–Belgium relations.

The two countries signed a Letter of Intent establishing a framework for:

  • Regular defence exchanges
  • Staff talks
  • Education and training
  • Research cooperation
  • Defence-industrial partnerships

They are also expanding cooperation in:

  • Maritime security
  • Emerging technologies
  • Military exchanges
  • Indo-Pacific security
  • Defence manufacturing
  • Co-development
  • Co-production

Why important for India?

It supports India’s objective of:

Defence technology cooperation + domestic manufacturing + technology transfer + strategic partnerships

Maritime Security and Ports

Belgium has significant expertise in:

Port management + dredging + maritime infrastructure

Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges is an important European maritime hub.

India and Belgium are exploring cooperation in:

  • Port development
  • Logistics
  • Connectivity
  • Dredging
  • Offshore wind infrastructure
  • Maritime training

Belgian dredging expertise has already contributed to Indian port infrastructure.

Clean Energy and Green Hydrogen

India and Belgium have renewed their MoU on Renewable Energy Cooperation.

Areas include:

  • Green hydrogen
  • Solar energy
  • Energy storage
  • Offshore wind
  • Bio-energy
  • Small hydropower
  • Pumped-storage plants

The two countries are also interested in strengthening the green hydrogen value chain:

Production → Transportation → Storage → End-use

Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are becoming an important part of India–Belgium cooperation.

The two countries have identified opportunities in:

Critical mineral refining and recycling

Why important?

Critical minerals are essential for:

  • Electric vehicles
  • Batteries
  • Renewable energy
  • Semiconductors
  • Defence systems
  • Advanced electronics

Therefore:

Critical minerals → Strategic autonomy + clean energy + technological security

Semiconductor Cooperation

India and Belgium are also expanding cooperation in semiconductors and advanced technologies.

This is significant because Belgium has strong capabilities in advanced research and technology ecosystems.

India seeks to develop:

Design → Manufacturing → Packaging → Research → Resilient supply chains

This fits into India’s broader:

India Semiconductor Mission

and efforts to reduce dependence on concentrated global semiconductor supply chains.

Science, Astronomy and Space Cooperation

India and Belgium have a long history of scientific collaboration.

An important institution is:

Belgo-Indian Network for Astronomy and Astrophysics (BINA)

Areas include:

  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics
  • Space technology
  • Scientific research

Belgian institutions have contributed to astronomical facilities in India, including:

  • Devasthal Optical Telescope
  • Devasthal International Liquid Mirror Telescope
  • Mount Abu Telescope
  • Multi-Application Solar Telescope at Udaipur

Counter-Terrorism and Cybercrime

Security cooperation is also expanding.

The two countries agreed to explore a:

Belgium–India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism

They also signed an MoU between:

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India

and

Federal Police of Belgium

for cooperation against:

  • Transnational organised crime
  • Cybercrime
  • Fugitive tracking
  • Information-sharing
  • Capacity building

India and Belgium at the UN

Belgium has supported India’s aspiration for:

Permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council

Both countries have also agreed to support each other’s candidature for non-permanent membership of the UNSC in their respective terms.

India’s broader demand:

UNSC reform → Greater representation → Reflect contemporary global realities

This is directly relevant to GS Paper II – International Relations.

Historical Connection

India and Belgium established diplomatic relations in September 1947.

An important historical connection is India’s contribution during the:

First World War

More than 9,000 Indian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in Flanders Fields in Belgium.

The two countries continue to commemorate this shared historical legacy.

India–Belgium: Important Areas at a Glance

Area

Significance

Trade

Aim to double bilateral trade in 5 years

Investment

Investment Fast-Track Mechanism

Defence

Training, R&D, defence industry

Maritime

Ports, logistics, dredging

Critical minerals

Refining and recycling

Semiconductors

Technology and supply chains

Green energy

Hydrogen, solar, offshore wind

Diamonds

Antwerp–Mumbai–Surat link

Science

Astronomy and astrophysics

Counter-terrorism

Information sharing and cooperation

Cybercrime

CBI–Belgian Federal Police cooperation

UNSC

Belgium supports India’s permanent membership

 

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