On May 26, 2025, India and the world witnessed significant developments across various sectors. In recent developments shaping global and national affairs, India is set to launch the Bharat Forecasting System to boost weather prediction and disaster preparedness, while reaffirming its focus on China as its primary security challenge, as noted in a U.S. intelligence report. On the diplomatic front, the Maldivian Foreign Minister's visit to India aims to strengthen maritime and economic ties. Meanwhile, international trade tensions ease slightly as U.S. President Donald Trump delays tariffs on the European Union, allowing more time for negotiations.

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:

Maldivian Foreign Minister visits India to strengthen maritime partnership 

Source: The Hindu 

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

In News

• Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel is on a three-day visit to India (May 25–27, 2025) to hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. This is Khaleel’s third visit to India this year, signaling growing diplomatic engagement after a period of tension.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• Review of Vision Document: The visit aims to assess the implementation of the India-Maldives Vision Document on Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, signed during President Muizzu’s 2024 India visit.
• High-Level Core Group (HLCG) Meeting: Khaleel will co-chair the second meeting of the HLCG, overseeing cooperation in areas such as economic integration, maritime safety, and regional connectivity.
• Diplomatic Reset: The visit continues the diplomatic reset after President Muizzu’s earlier pro-China tilt and demand for Indian troop withdrawal. Civilian replacements and subsequent engagements indicate mutual willingness to cooperate.

Significance of the Visit

• Strengthening Maritime Diplomacy: Reinforces India’s 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Vision MAHASAGAR' strategies, emphasizing regional maritime security and cooperation.
• Bilateral Economic Engagement: Focuses on trade, development aid, infrastructure, and connectivity projects in the Maldives backed by India.
• Regional Stability: Aims to stabilize India-Maldives ties amidst China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region.

Know more about India's Relations with Neighbouring Countries!

U.S. Threat Report: India prioritizes China as main adversary, Pakistan seen as secondary challenge

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations); GS Paper III (Security)

In News

• The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), in its Worldwide Threat Assessment 2025 Report, states that India now views China as its “primary adversary” in strategic and military terms, while Pakistan is considered an “ancillary security problem to be managed.” The report was presented by DIA Director Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Strategic Realignment: Despite ongoing border tensions with both neighbours, India’s security focus is shifting primarily towards China, especially regarding border disputes and strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Pakistan Deprioritized: While India acknowledges Pakistan’s security challenge, it is increasingly seen as manageable rather than existential.
• India’s Defence Objectives:
  • Project global leadership.
  • Modernize military capabilities.
  • Counterbalance China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defence and Foreign Policy Implications

• Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements: India is strengthening ties with regional partners through increased military exercises, arms deals, and intelligence sharing — especially in the Indian Ocean region.
• Trilateral and Multilateral Forums: India remains active in the Quad, BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN to bolster regional security and balance Chinese influence.
• India-China Border Standoff: Despite partial disengagement agreements like the October 2024 deal, unresolved border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remain volatile and capable of sudden escalation.

Broader Geostrategic Dimensions

• Pakistan-China Military Nexus: The report highlights China’s continued military and technological support to Pakistan, particularly in relation to WMD programs and joint exercises with the PLA.
• India’s Military Modernization:
  • Tests of Agni-I Prime and MIRV-capable Agni-V missiles.
  • Commissioning of INS Arighaat, enhancing India’s nuclear triad.
• Continued Dependence on Russia: India has reduced imports but still depends on Russian spare parts for its legacy platforms (tanks and fighter jets), vital for countering threats from China and Pakistan.

Significance of the Report

• Reflects India’s evolving threat perception amidst shifting global power dynamics.
• Highlights India’s strategic pivot from traditional subcontinental rivalries to a more assertive Indo-Pacific orientation.
• Underscores the importance of defence modernization and diversified strategic partnerships for national security.

Read the article on Terrorism here!

Government to launch Bharat Forecasting System for precision weather and disaster planning

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Disaster Management)

In News

• On May 26, 2025, the Government of India is set to unveil the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) — a next-generation, indigenous weather and environmental forecasting platform. 

• The system is aimed at revolutionizing India’s disaster preparedness, agricultural planning, and public safety infrastructure through accurate, high-resolution forecasts.

Key Features of the Bharat Forecasting System

• Localized Precision Forecasting: Provides hyper-local forecasts at village or ward level with high temporal resolution (hourly to daily), significantly improving planning and early warning capabilities.
• Integration of Advanced Technologies: Utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), big data analytics, and high-performance computing to enhance prediction accuracy.
• Multi-Sectoral Applications:
  • Disaster Risk Reduction: Early warnings for cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and droughts.
  • Agriculture: Customized advisories for farmers to improve yield and reduce crop loss.
  • Water Management: Real-time rainfall and reservoir forecasts to improve irrigation and drinking water planning.
  • Energy Sector: Forecasts for solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy production planning.
  • Health and Urban Planning: Alerts for heat stress and air quality in cities.

Institutional Backing and Technological Infrastructure

• Developed by key agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Likely powered by India's indigenous supercomputers and satellite data from INSAT, Megha-Tropiques, and other earth observation missions.
• Built with extensive sensor networks including automatic weather stations, doppler radars, and remote sensing data.

Significance of the BFS Launch

• Self-Reliance in Critical Infrastructure: Aligns with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat in high-end climate and disaster technologies.
• Climate Resilience: Strengthens India’s capacity to respond to climate change and extreme weather events, contributing to SDGs and Sendai Framework goals.
• Data Democratization: Information to be made accessible via mobile apps, farmer advisories, and disaster warning systems, ensuring inclusive reach.
• Global Standing: Positions India as a leader among Global South countries in climate and weather science innovation.

Know more about Mission Mausam!

Trump delays 50% tariff on EU goods; extends trade deal deadline to July 9

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper II (International Relations)

In News

• U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of a proposed 50% tariff on European Union (EU) imports to July 9, 2025, extending the timeline for ongoing trade negotiations between the two major economies.

• The move follows diplomatic talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Key Developments

• Tariff Postponement: Originally scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2025, the steep tariff has been delayed by over a month.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Trump’s decision came after EU assurances of “serious negotiations” to reach a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
• Negotiation Timeline: The new deadline aligns with the 90-day window Trump set in April 2025 to conclude a trade pact with the EU.

Significance of the Extension

• De-escalation of Trade Tensions: The delay is seen as a temporary reprieve that could prevent a full-scale transatlantic trade war.
• Window for Diplomacy: Offers critical time for both sides to address sticking points in trade, including tariffs, digital services, and regulatory standards.
• Global Economic Impact: A trade conflict between the U.S. and EU — which together account for nearly half of global GDP — would have major implications for global markets and supply chains.

U.S.–EU Trade Relations

• The U.S. and EU are each other’s largest trading partners.
• Key friction points include automobile tariffs, digital services taxation, agriculture subsidies, and WTO reforms.
• Past disputes, such as over Airbus–Boeing subsidies, have tested bilateral relations.

Know more about the India-EU Relations!