Current Affairs - May 4, 2025 Current Affairs

The State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) to provide comprehensive banking services at 26 land ports across 8 Indian border states. This collaboration aims to improve infrastructure for cross-border trade and passenger movement, offering services like forex, insurance, and digital banking. This strategic move supports India’s broader vision of economic development under Viksit Bharat 2047 by increasing trade capacity and ensuring smooth financial operations at border checkpoints connecting with neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been inducted into the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab (PSIL) as part of its renewed initiative launched on April 24, 2025. The PSIL focuses on stimulating private sector investments in key sectors like infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and more within developing economies. Mittal’s inclusion underscores the rising influence of Indian business leaders in shaping global investment strategies aimed at overcoming financial and regulatory barriers. His role will contribute to driving job creation and fostering economic development in emerging markets, aligning with PSIL’s core objective of sustainable growth through private enterprise.

In 2019, only 7.8% of patients in India suffering from carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections received the correct antibiotic treatment. This low percentage underscores a critical gap in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in diagnostic testing, standardized treatment protocols, and antibiotic availability. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, revealed that India fared only slightly better than the average of 6.9% across eight low- and middle-income countries. With nearly a million CRGN cases in India and fewer than one lakh treated appropriately, the result was approximately 3.5 lakh preventable deaths, highlighting an urgent need for improved access to effective antibiotics and robust stewardship programs.

The Emden Deep, also known as the Galathea Deep, is located in the Philippines Trench, a narrow and deep oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The trench is a seismically active region, experiencing frequent earthquakes due to the convergence of tectonic plates. It was first discovered by the German ship Emden in 1927 and later explored in greater detail by the Danish ship Galathea in 1951. The Philippines Trench is a notable geological feature, and the Emden Deep is one of the deepest points in the world.

India has emerged as a key player in the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project by contributing significantly to the completion of its main magnet system, including the cryostat — a massive vacuum-insulated steel chamber critical to the fusion process. As one of the founding members of this global nuclear fusion initiative, India’s efforts underline its expanding influence in high-tech energy research. This contribution not only supports ITER’s goal of achieving carbon-free energy through nuclear fusion but also showcases India’s advanced engineering capabilities and commitment to sustainable scientific advancement on a global scale.

The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland water body and a tectonic lake is facing a drastic decline in water levels due to rising global temperatures. Even with global warming kept below 2°C, it is expected to drop 5–10 meters and could fall by as much as 21 meters by the end of the century. This poses a severe threat to unique species like the endangered Caspian seal and the critically endangered Beluga sturgeon. In addition, ports, hydrocarbon sites, and public health are at risk due to the exposure of contaminated seabeds, mirroring the disastrous consequences observed in the Aral Sea region.

Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari was appointed as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force on May 2, 2025. A veteran officer with over 3600 hours of flying experience and several prestigious awards such as the PVSM, AVSM, and VM, he brings deep operational and strategic expertise to his new role. His career includes key contributions to the Kargil War, leadership in the LCA Tejas program, and diplomatic service as Air Attache in Paris. With a career spanning nearly four decades, his elevation reflects the IAF’s strategic focus on modernization and experienced leadership.

Kapil Dev, the legendary cricketer and captain of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, has been named the brand ambassador for SoBo Mumbai Falcons, a new franchise in the T20 Mumbai League 2025. His appointment aims to enhance the team’s visibility and credibility ahead of the league’s third edition, which will be held from May 26 to June 8 at Wankhede Stadium. Kapil Dev's association brings immense prestige and connects cricket fans with the heritage of Indian cricket, while also supporting the growth of domestic T20 leagues in India through his mentoring and promotional presence.

India is hosting the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time as part of the WAVES 2025 event in Mumbai, underscoring its growing leadership in global media and entertainment diplomacy. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the dialogue includes participation from over 60 nations, including major players like the UK, Japan, and Russia. The event aims to foster international collaboration through policy alignment, content innovation, talent exchange, and the launch of the ‘WAVES Declaration’. It positions India as a key media hub on the global stage.

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, a landmark water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, was brokered by the World Bank. It allocated exclusive rights to India over the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) and granted Pakistan control over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) while allowing India limited non-consumptive use of the western rivers. The treaty remains one of the most enduring water-sharing agreements in the world. Despite tensions between the two countries, the treaty has largely held firm due to its robust legal structure and international backing, with the World Bank playing a crucial role in its formation and continuing oversight.

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide widely used in India since 1977, became the centre of global debate during the 2025 BRS Conventions in Geneva. While many countries supported its inclusion under Annex A of the Stockholm Convention due to its association with serious health risks such as neurological damage, developmental issues, and cancer, India opposed the ban. The country argued that removing Chlorpyrifos without suitable alternatives would jeopardize food security and agricultural output, particularly for key crops like rice, cotton, and sugarcane. This reflects the ongoing global tension between environmental health priorities and national agricultural needs.