11 October 2025

• India announced the upgradation of its Technical Mission in Kabul to the Embassy of India.
• Declared by EAM S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
• India had closed its Kabul Embassy in 2021 after the Taliban’s takeover.

Key Points

• Diplomatic Upgrade: Mission in Kabul to function as a full-fledged embassy.
• Security Cooperation: Shared concern over cross-border terrorism; both sides to coordinate efforts.
• Development Aid: Six new health projects and 20 ambulances announced.
• People-to-People Links: Easier visa processes, more ICCR scholarships for Afghan students.
• Regional Context: Follows Taliban outreach to Russia and China; reflects cautious Indian re- engagement.

Static Linkages

• Article 51(c): India to promote peace, respect for international law.
• Panchsheel Principles: Mutual respect and non-interference.
• Vienna Convention (1961): Governs diplomatic missions.
• Strategic Partnership Agreement (2011): Framework for political, security, and economic cooperation.
• Projects: Salma Dam, Zaranj–Delaram Highway

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Reasserts Indian presence in Afghanistan.
  • Strengthens counterterrorism cooperation.
  • Enhances humanitarian and developmental outreach.
• Concerns:
  • Risk of legitimizing Taliban amid rights concerns.
  • Persistent security threats from IS-K, TTP.
  • Diplomatic balancing with Western partners.

Way Forward

• Maintain calibrated engagement without formal recognition.
• Strengthen regional security dialogues (SCO, Heart of Asia).
• Prioritise humanitarian assistance and people- centric projects.
• Build secure aid corridors via Chabahar Port.

GAZA CEASEFIRE BEGINS AS ISRAEL PULL BACK

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect in Gaza on October 10, 2025, after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal to pause fighting and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
• 48 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• The deal, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., ends nearly two years of war that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks.

Key Points

• Israeli forces have withdrawn to new deployment lines; no major bombardment since the ceasefire began.
• Five border crossings, including Rafah, to reopen for aid delivery.
• Over 67,000 Palestinians killed, ~170,000 injured (Gaza Health Ministry).
• UN has readied 170,000 metric tons of relief supplies for Gaza.
• Israel plans to pursue Gaza’s demilitarisation and Hamas’s disarmament in later phases.

Static Linkages

• Geneva Conventions (1949): Mandate humane treatment of civilians and prisoners during conflicts.
• UN Charter (1945), Article 2(4): Prohibits use of force except in self-defense or under UN mandate.
• India’s Stand: Supports a two-state solution ensuring peace and sovereignty for both Israel and Palestine.
• Oslo Accords (1993): Framework for Israel– Palestine peace and limited Palestinian self- governance.

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Opens path for humanitarian aid and regional stability.
  • Builds temporary trust for dialogue.
  • Reduces risk of wider regional conflict. Cons:
  • Truce fragile; deep mistrust persists.
  • Core issues — borders, Jerusalem, refugees — unresolved.
  • Massive humanitarian crisis, risk of relapse into conflict.

Way Forward

• Ensure uninterrupted aid flow under UN supervision.
• Revive multilateral peace talks on two-state framework.
• Strengthen international monitoring of ceasefire violations.
• Launch Gaza reconstruction plan under UN– World Bank partnership.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS STILL A CORE ISSUE IN BIHAR

• Unemployment remains Bihar’s top political issue; voter concern on jobs rose from 9.1% (2015) to 21% (2020).
• Latest PLFS (Apr–Jun 2025 & 2023–24 annual) data reveal low employment and labour participation despite a low unemployment rate.
• Indicates deep structural weaknesses in Bihar’s economy and governance.

Key Facts

• Unemployment Rate (UR): 5.2% (Q1 2025) & 3% (2023–24 annual) — below national average but misleading.
• WPR: 46.2% (Quarterly) vs national 52%; LFPR: 53.2% (Annual) – among India’s lowest.
• Youth (15–29 yrs): Only 28% employed — worst among low-income large States.
• Female WPR: 30.1%; female youth WPR: 31.2% (vs Jharkhand’s 49.3%).
• Regular salaried jobs: 8.7% – lowest in India; casual labour: 23.8%.
• Comparable States: Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP, Odisha, Rajasthan, UP, WB — Bihar ranks bottom.
• Discouraged Worker Effect: Low LFPR → many not seeking work due to lack of jobs.
• Literacy: 73.2% (PLFS 2023–24), below national average.
• Migration distortion: PLFS excludes out- migrants, underestimating employment stress

Static Linkages

• PLFS: Conducted by NSO (MoSPI) – key employment data source.
• Indicators: WPR, LFPR, UR – core labour metrics.
• Discouraged Worker Effect: Explains low LFPR despite low UR.
• Usual Principal & Subsidiary Status (UPSS): Long-term employment measure.
• Economic Context: Structural & disguised unemployment; weak human capital formation

Critical Analysis

• Positives:
  • Skill & startup policies initiated; some infra improvement.
• Challenges:
  • Lowest WPR & LFPR; poor female and youth participation.
  • 90%+ workforce informal; minimal job security. Poor literacy and governance deficit.
  • Migration-driven economy, not job-led growth.
• Stakeholders:
  • Youth & migrants: lack secure jobs.
  • State govt: claims industrial progress; outcomes limited.

Way Forward

• Strengthen education & skilling (PMKVY, NSQF).
• Promote MSME & agro-based industries.
• Include migration data in PLFS.
• Increase female labour participation via SHGs & flexible work.
• Boost formalisation through EPFO/ESIC.
• Ensure policy stability & investment incentives.

• Announced on 15 Aug 2025 to monitor undocumented immigration from Bangladesh.
• Experts call for a broader demographic mission addressing India’s internal population dynamics.
• India, now world’s most populous nation, faces opportunities (youth bulge) and challenges (ageing, regional disparities).

Key Points

• Original Objective: Monitor cross-border migration; need for holistic demographic analysis.
• Demographic Components: Fertility, mortality, migration; regional age-sex and household distribution.
• Migration Issues:
  • Internal migration ~37% of population (Census 2011).
  • Migrants face disenfranchisement in home and host regions.
• Education & Skills: Infrastructure uneven; affects youth potential and middle-class aspirations.
• Longevity: Life expectancy ↑ 59.7 → 70.8 yrs (1990–2022); ageing population to reach 20% by 2050.
• Social Security: Need reforms; extend financial and pension planning beyond state responsibility.
• Policy Implication: Demographic composition should guide planning, budgeting, and monitoring.

Static Linkages

• Article 19(1)(d) & (e) – Freedom of movement/residence.
• National Population Policy 2000 – stable population by 2045.
• Census Act 1948 – Population enumeration.
• Dependency ratio, labour supply, demographic dividend (Economic Survey, UNFPA).

Critical Analysis

• Pros:
  • Enables data-driven policy, regional planning.
  • Supports inclusive growth, migrant rights, skill development.
• Cons/Challenges:
  • Risk of politicisation and targeting of communities.
  • Data gaps (Census delays).
• Constitutional and administrative coordination issues.

Way Forward

• Establish National Demographic Commission. 
• Digitise and utilise Census 2021 data.
• Align demographic data with Skill India, Aspirational Districts.
• Reform social security, pensions, and financial literacy.
• Ensure constitutional protection of migrant rights.

RELOOKING AT KABUL

Context

• Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India on 10 Oct 2025; met EAM S. Jaishankar.
• India announced re-establishment of its mission in Kabul, upgrading the technical team (since June 2022) to formal diplomatic setup.
• Visit reflects pragmatic engagement with Taliban without formal recognition.
• Regional context:
  •  US promotes Pakistan’s role in India’s western neighbourhood.
  • China expanding influence in Pakistan, Iran, Arabian Peninsula.
  • Russia recognizes Taliban and maintains strong ties with Iran.

Key Points

• India appoints chargé d’affaires; engagement without diplomatic recognition.
• Taliban controls entire Afghanistan since 2021; India engages de facto.
• India avoids human rights discourse, focusing on pragmatic cooperation.
• Areas of collaboration: food, healthcare, education, training, stalled infrastructure projects.
• Taliban seeks Indian investment in mining & economy to reduce reliance on China.
• Security cooperation focuses on cross-border terrorism, implicitly aligning against Pakistan backed threats.

Static Linkages

• Historical India-Afghanistan ties (ancient trade, post-2001 cooperation).
• Diplomatic norms: chargés d’affaires, Vienna Convention.
• Cross-border terrorism: TTP, LeT, ISI influence.
• Afghanistan’s mineral resources and economic potential.
• Geopolitics: balance of power, strategic autonomy

Critical Analysis

• Pros
  • Strengthens strategic presence and developmental cooperation.
  • Enables security coordination against cross-border terrorism.
  • Maintains diplomatic balance, avoiding premature recognition.

Cons/Challenges:

• Taliban’s human rights violations remain unaddressed.
• Risk of Pakistan-China backlash.
• Managing investment & influence to avoid Chinese overdependence.
• Perception of engaging a non- recognized regime.

Way Forward

• Maintain cautious diplomatic engagement.
• Expand developmental & humanitarian projects.
• Facilitate educational and medical exchanges with security checks.
• Diversify economic ties; avoid reliance on a single power.
• Coordinate with US, Russia, Gulf states to maintain regional balance.

IN ARUNACHAL,INDIA’S STORY

Context & Background

• PM Modi recently visited Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting its cultural heritage, sustainable development, and economic potential.
• The visit showcased initiatives under UDAN, Digital India, Jan Dhan, and women-led entrepreneurship in the region.
• Events like the Ziro Music Festival demonstrate the fusion of tradition and modernity.

Key Points

• Connectivity: UDAN scheme expanded Northeast airports from 9 to 17; 4 new airports in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Cultural Promotion: Ziro Music Festival integrates indigenous and global music, eco- friendly setups, and local artisan participation.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Apatani tribe’s paddy- fish cultivation system recognized by UNESCO.
• Women Entrepreneurship: Naara Aaba winery, India’s first kiwi-based women-led enterprise, promotes local produce globally.
• Digital Empowerment: Cashless payments, e- Marketplace, and digital promotion of local crafts.

Static Linkages

• Economic growth through regional infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
• Preservation of cultural heritage.
• Sustainable farming integrating traditional knowledge.

Critical Analysis

• Pros: Improved connectivity, tourism growth, environmental sustainability, women empowerment.
• Cons: Risk of environmental degradation, cultural commercialization, economic dependence on tourism.
• Stakeholder Perspectives:
  • Locals benefit from jobs and digital inclusion.
  • Government promotes inclusive development.
  • Entrepreneurs gain market access.
  • Environmentalists emphasize sustainable growth.

Way Forward

• Ensure eco-friendly infrastructure and tourism development.
• Support women-led enterprises and skill development.
• Integrate traditional agricultural practices with modern technology.
• Diversify economy to reduce reliance on tourism.