Rhesus Macaque

Context: Recently, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), chaired by the Union Environment Minister, has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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• The SC-NBWL’s recommendation follows concerns raised after amendments in 2022, which had downgraded the Rhesus Macaque to Schedule IV, resulting in reduced protection and weaker penalties for offences.
• This recommendation aims to ensure statutory protection, prevent illegal capture, control cruelty, and enable better scientific management of the species.
• Placing the Rhesus Macaque under Schedule II would allow States to handle conflict management and illegal trade effectively under Section 11 of the Act.
• The committee recommended that State governments prepare detailed mitigation plans identifying conflict-prone areas, along with developing rescue and rehabilitation centres to handle cases of conflict and displacement.
• Six states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, supported reinstating the Rhesus Macaque in Schedule II.

About Rhesus Macaque

• Rhesus macaques, scientifically known as “macaca mulatta” and commonly known as rhesus monkeys, are native to mainland Asia.
  • Their native habitats span Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China.
• Rhesus macaques are incredibly adaptable to different environments with the largest native range of any nonhuman primate, giving them the namesake as the most global of the nonhuman primates.
• Rhesus macaques are considered the most despotic and nepotistic of the nonhuman primates.
• The rhesus macaque's global IUCN status is “Least Concern”.

Fujian

Context: Recently, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, into service at a naval base on the southern Chinese island of Hainan.

About Fujian

• The Fujian was launched in 2022 and is the first aircraft carrier designed and built entirely in China.
• The first two carriers, Liaoning (2012) and Shandong (2019), were based on Soviet-era designs, making Fujian a technological leap forward.
• The carrier’s name, Fujian, also corresponds to the Chinese coastal province facing Taiwan, underlining regional strategic importance.

Key Highlights of Fujian

• The Fujian increases China’s ability to project power and assert territorial claims in disputed waters.
• The Fujian is equipped with electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch technology (EMALS) that allows heavier jets to take off with more fuel, a larger payload and a wider range.
• The EMALS system enables the deployment of advanced reconnaissance planes, enhancing operational awareness far from mainland bases.
• Fujian is the 13th carrier currently in service (after 11 American carriers and one French carrier), to use this technology, signalling China is steadily closing the gap to US naval capabilities in the region.
  • It is also only the second carrier after the USS Gerald R Fordto use electromagnetic catapults, as other carriers with EMALS use steam catapults.

UNFCCC CoP30

Context: India thanked Brazil for hosting CoP30 on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and recalled the 33-year legacy of the Rio Summit.  

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• The Leaders’ Summit of the 30th Conference of the Parties (CoP30) to the UNFCCC is being held in Belém, Brazil, from 10th to 21st November 2025.
  • The CoPs are annual meetings where countries, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties discuss global efforts to combat human-induced climate change.
• CoP30 leadership says this year’s conference must be remembered as "the CoP of implementation and adaptation," and organisers are urging countries to commit to more ambitious climate action plans to advance the goals of the Paris Agreement.

India’s Statement

• The statement reaffirmed India’s consistent commitment to climate action based on equity, national circumstances and the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
• The statement described the summit as an opportunity to reflect on global progress in addressing climate change and to uphold the legacy of equity and shared responsibility established at Rio.
• India welcomed Brazil’s initiative to launch the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) and joined as an Observer to support collective global action for conserving tropical forests.

About Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)

• It is a new, innovative, Brazil-led global fund that uses agreed satellite monitoring standards and systems to reward tropical forest countries with a continuing source of funding as long as they preserve their forests.
• It aims to raise $125 billion in total ($25 billion from governments and philanthropists, and $100 billion from private investors).
• The facility mandates that at least 20% of the funds disbursed to a country must be directed to Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), who are key stewards of these forests.

India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

Context: Recently, the fourth round of negotiations on the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded in Auckland and Rotorua.

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• Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to an early, balanced, and comprehensive trade agreement that strengthens bilateral trade, investment, economic cooperation and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
• The discussions covered major areas including trade in goods and services, economic and trade cooperation, investment, and rules of origin.
• Both delegations also discussed cooperation in emerging areas like technology, tourism, and sports to diversify bilateral engagement.

India-New Zealand Bilateral Trade

• The bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a 49% year-on-year growth.
• In the year 2023-24, New Zealand exported USD 0.84 billion of total goods and services to India and imported USD 0.91 billion and a total trade value of USD 1.75 billion.