On June 15th, 2025, India witnessed significant developments across various sectors. Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, India has urged de-escalation while notably stepping back from discussions on a joint statement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a strategic three-nation international tour, commencing with a visit to Cyprus to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

India's Wind Energy Capacity Growth

Source: PIB

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that India's wind energy capacity has increased by over 10.5 to reach 51.5 GW.
• This significant rise underscores the nation's accelerating efforts in renewable energy generation and its commitment to sustainable development goals.

India's Wind Energy

• Current Capacity: India's total installed wind energy capacity now stands at 51.5 Gigawatts (GW).
• Growth Rate: This represents an increase of over 10.5 in the recent period, indicating robust expansion in the sector.

Significance of Wind Energy for India

• Renewable Energy Targets: A crucial component in achieving India's ambitious renewable energy targets (e.g., 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030).
• Energy Security: Reduces reliance on fossil fuel imports, enhancing the nation's energy independence.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions, aligning with India's commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Job Creation: The wind energy sector offers substantial potential for green job creation across manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.
• Economic Development: Attracts domestic and foreign investment, fostering technological advancements and industrial growth.

Government Initiatives Supporting Wind Energy

• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy: Promotes the integration of wind and solar power to optimize land and transmission infrastructure.
• Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges waiver: Encourages renewable energy projects by reducing transmission costs.
• Auctions and Bidding Mechanisms: Facilitating competitive bidding processes for wind power projects.
• Manufacturing Incentives: Policies to boost domestic manufacturing of wind turbine components.

Challenges

Despite growth, challenges remain, including land acquisition, grid integration issues, intermittency of wind, and infrastructure development.

PM Modi's Strategic Three-Nation Tour to Deepen Global Footprint

Source: AIR

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a strategic three-nation international tour, beginning with Cyprus, and scheduled to include Canada and Croatia. 

• This high-level diplomatic initiative is set to deepen India’s global footprint by strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for cooperation with key partners across different geographical regions.

Tour Destinations

The tour encompasses three distinct nations:

• Cyprus: The first leg of the visit, focusing on Eastern Mediterranean engagement.
• Canada: A key partner in North America, with significant economic and diaspora ties.
• Croatia: An important country in Central Europe, offering opportunities for new partnerships.

Know more on India's Relations with Neighbouring Countries!

Overarching Objectives of the Tour

Such high-level diplomatic visits are designed to achieve multiple strategic goals:

• Strengthening Bilateral Relations: Deepening existing ties and forging new partnerships based on mutual interests.
• Economic Cooperation: Promoting trade, investment, and collaboration in emerging technologies and sectors.
• Regional and Global Issues: Discussing shared challenges and opportunities, including climate change, counter-terrorism, and multilateral reforms.
• People-to-People Connect: Fostering cultural understanding, educational exchanges, and engaging with the Indian diaspora in these countries.

Diplomatic Significance

• Enhanced Global Footprint: The tour is a proactive step in expanding India's diplomatic reach and influence across diverse geopolitical landscapes.
• Diversifying Partnerships: Engaging with countries in different regions helps India diversify its strategic partnerships and reduce dependencies.
• Projecting Soft Power: Showcasing India's growing economic prowess, technological advancements, and cultural heritage on the global stage.
• Multilateral Alignment: Opportunities to align positions on key global issues within various multilateral forums.

Expected Outcomes

While specific outcomes will vary by country, the tour is expected to result in new agreements, increased trade, enhanced defence cooperation, and stronger cultural ties.

India Calls for De-escalation Amid Israel-Iran Tensions; Skips SCO Statement Discussions

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

IN NEWS

• Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, India has reiterated its strong call for de-escalation of the situation. 

• Significantly, India opted to skip discussions on a joint statement regarding the conflict at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, signaling a nuanced diplomatic stance on the matter.

Read the article on India-Middle East Relations!

India's Stance on Israel-Iran Tensions

• Call for De-escalation: India has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution and urged both Israel and Iran to de-escalate tensions. This aligns with India's long-standing foreign policy principle of promoting dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation.
• Concerns: The rising tensions in the Middle East are a significant concern for India due to:
  • Energy Security: The region is a vital source of crude oil and natural gas for India. Any disruption can impact global energy prices and India's economy.
  • Indian Diaspora: A large Indian diaspora resides in the Middle East, and their safety and well-being are paramount.
  • Trade Routes: The region's stability is crucial for the unhindered flow of international trade through critical sea lanes.
• Nuanced Diplomatic Position: India's decision to skip discussions on a joint statement regarding the conflict at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting highlights a deliberate and nuanced diplomatic approach.
  • Avoiding Alignment: This move allows India to maintain its strategic autonomy and avoid taking an overt side in a highly complex and sensitive regional conflict.
  • Bilateral Relations: India maintains good relations with both Israel and Iran, and its actions reflect an effort to balance these relationships.
  • Focus on Core Issues: India might prefer to address such geopolitical flashpoints through bilateral channels or broader international forums rather than regional groupings where a consensus might be difficult or lead to oversimplification.