Current Affairs

North Korea has officially ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia, solidifying a pact signed in June that commits both countries to provide military assistance in the event of an attack. This move comes amidst widespread international criticism over the deepening military cooperation between the two nations, particularly in light of reports that North Korea has deployed tens of thousands of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The treaty, which takes effect upon the exchange of ratification instruments, stipulates immediate military and other assistance using all available means if either side is at war. While the Kremlin denies any communication between Putin and Trump regarding Ukraine, the treaty has been met with alarm by Seoul, Washington, and Kyiv, who claim that North Korean troops have already engaged in combat in Ukraine, resulting in casualties.

Countries gathered in Baku for the annual climate conference, COP29, have finally agreed on a framework for a global carbon market, a crucial step towards implementing the Paris Agreement’s Article 6. This market will allow countries to trade carbon credits, representing certified reductions in emissions, with the goal of incentivizing climate action and directing resources to developing nations. While the agreement addresses concerns about the authenticity and transparency of carbon credits, key issues remain regarding accounting for emissions reductions across borders and the eligibility of various projects for credit generation. The successful implementation of this market is expected to reduce the cost of national climate plans by $250 billion annually, but its effectiveness hinges on the finalization of methodologies and the establishment of a new global climate finance goal, which is also a major focus of COP29.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, in his first address to the legal community after assuming office, has urged lawyers to refrain from making unlisted, out-of-turn oral mentions of their cases in court. He advised lawyers to follow the established practice of requesting urgent listings beforehand through email or written communication to the Supreme Court Registrar, ensuring cases are promptly listed before the appropriate bench. This move aims to streamline court proceedings and address the long-standing issue of oral mentionings, which have historically consumed a significant portion of court time. While previous CJIs have attempted to curb this practice, CJI Khanna’s emphasis on adhering to established procedures underscores his commitment to promoting efficiency and fairness within the judicial system.

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged to return land currently held by state agencies to Tamils, a move aimed at garnering support from the Tamil community ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. He also promised to hold elections for provincial councils and local bodies, empowering Tamils to govern their own areas. While he did not explicitly address the demand for greater power devolution and a political settlement to the ethnic question, he emphasized building a country where all citizens feel equal and ensuring there is no reason for another war. Dissanayake acknowledged his party’s past opposition to Tamil rights and addressed concerns about joblessness and drug use among youth, promising to revive industries, create jobs, and combat drug trafficking. He also pledged to support farmers and fishermen, including cracking down on illegal fishing by Indian trawlers. The President’s promises and the impressive turnout at his rally in Jaffna suggest a shift in support among Tamil voters who were previously skeptical of his leadership.

ISKCON’s decision to hold a chariot parade in Houston, featuring a replica of Lord Jagannath’s chariot but without the deities, has ignited controversy in Odisha. Despite assurances to the Odisha government and Puri’s Gajapati Maharaja that no untimely Rath Yatra would be held outside India, ISKCON proceeded with the event, drawing criticism from devotees and authorities. Puri Govardhan Peeth spokesperson Matru Prasad Mishra condemned the event as a “conspiracy against our religion” and demanded a ban on ISKCON in India. The Odisha government has pledged to support the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s decision on the matter. ISKCON Houston claims the change in plans was due to concerns from the local community, but the incident highlights the tension between honoring ancient traditions and providing access to Lord Jagannath’s darshan for a global audience.

France is considering India’s Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch (MBRL) system as a potential replacement for its aging M270 rocket systems. A senior French Army officer, Brigadier General Stephane Richou, has confirmed that France will be conducting a detailed evaluation of the Pinaka system, along with other contenders, in the coming weeks. This interest stems from France’s need to modernize its rocket systems, particularly after the transfer of six M270 systems to Ukraine during the ongoing war. The Pinaka, developed indigenously in India, has already been exported to Armenia and has garnered interest from several other countries. The system boasts a range of 38 km and is currently undergoing trials for a guided extended range version with a potential range exceeding 75 km. While the procurement process is still in its initial stages, the French Army’s interest in the Pinaka signifies a growing trend of collaboration between India and France in the defense sector. This collaboration extends beyond the Pinaka, with ongoing negotiations for the purchase of Rafale-M fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines, as well as discussions for the co-development of a jet engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The French Army’s visit to India for the 20th Army to Army staff talks further underscores the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries, characterized by cooperation in various domains including capability development, education, training, and equipment sharing.

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov will visit India on November 11-12, 2024, to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two nations. During his visit, he will participate in the Russian-Indian Business Forum in Mumbai, focusing on expanding cooperation in areas like industrial collaboration, logistics, finance, digital technologies, and interregional relations. He will also co-chair the 25th Session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation in New Delhi with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The visit aims to enhance bilateral relations and explore new avenues for collaboration between Russian and Indian businesses.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, 2024, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. The ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan with dignitaries including the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, and other judicial figures in attendance. Justice Khanna’s six-month tenure will be marked by significant challenges, including a high case backlog, the increasing use of technology in court proceedings, and timely judicial appointments. He will also face the task of filling two immediate vacancies on the Supreme Court and addressing pending cases on crucial issues like the government’s use of the Money Bill route for legislation, the constitutional protection of essential religious practices, and the criminalization of non-consensual marital sexual intercourse. Justice Khanna’s legal career began in the Delhi district courts in 1983, and he has extensive experience in various fields of law, including constitutional, tax, and environmental law. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, skipping the traditional path of serving as a Chief Justice of a High Court. His tenure as Chief Justice will be closely watched for his approach to these critical issues and his leadership in guiding the Supreme Court’s future direction.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna assumed the role of India’s 51st Chief Justice on November 11, 2024, emphasizing the judiciary’s commitment to equal treatment, fair justice for all, and unbiased adjudication regardless of status. He highlighted the judiciary’s constitutional duty to ensure accessible justice for all citizens, emphasizing its role as a guardian of fundamental rights and a provider of justice. Chief Justice Khanna outlined his priorities, including making judgments comprehensible, promoting mediation, reforming criminal case management to reduce trial duration, and making litigation less burdensome. He identified case backlogs, affordability, and simplification of legal procedures as key challenges during his six-month tenure. His vision includes a citizen-centric approach, making courts more approachable and user-friendly, and adopting a self-evaluative approach responsive to feedback. The Khanna Collegium faces immediate vacancies in the Supreme Court, including the potential appointment of another woman judge. The Chief Justice will also have to address pending constitutional issues like the government’s use of the Money Bill route and the constitutional protection of essential religious practices. His allocation of cases and choice of benches will be closely watched, as past Chief Justices have faced criticism for these decisions.

Two Indian Navy officers, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A., aboard the INSV Tarini, have successfully completed the first leg of their global circumnavigation expedition, “Navika Sagar Parikrama-II.” After a challenging 39-day voyage covering 4,900 nautical miles from Goa to Fremantle, Australia, the crew arrived at their first port of call on November 9th. The journey saw them navigate various weather conditions, including strong winds and rough seas, showcasing their resilience and expertise. The expedition, which is expected to last 240 days, will cover 23,000 nautical miles across four continents and three oceans, with stopovers for replenishment and maintenance. The second leg of the voyage is scheduled to commence around November 24th, with the crew aiming to reach Lyttleton, New Zealand. This expedition marks a significant milestone for the Indian Navy, highlighting the capabilities and dedication of its officers in challenging maritime endeavors.