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- The Indian and French Navies are preparing for the 23rd edition of their joint naval exercise, VARUNA 2025.
- About Exercise Varuna:
- Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
- First initiated in 1993, the exercise was named ‘Varuna’ in 2001, and since then, it has become a cornerstone of the India-France strategic partnership.
- VARUNA 2025 marks the 23rd edition of this exercise and will take place in the Arabian Sea.
- The exercise will feature a series of intense naval drills, focusing on joint operations across surface, sub-surface, and aerial domains.
- The Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, will participate along with their fighter jets, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, showcasing the combined strength and operational prowess of both navies.
- One of the main highlights will be advanced air defence exercises and simulated air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K fighter aircraft.
- These drills are designed to improve tactical coordination and enhance combat readiness.
- Furthermore, anti-submarine warfare drills will focus on enhancing underwater domain awareness, while surface warfare exercises will test the ability of both navies to execute coordinated operations and maneuvers.
- A day after the imposition of restrictions due to clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities in Manipur, leaders from both groups recently came together to collaborate in restoring peace in Churachandpur district of the state.
- About the Zomi Tribe:
- The term Zomi refers to an ethnic group also known by various names such as Chin, Mizo, Kuki, or other regional names based on their geographical distribution.
- They belong to the Tibeto-Burman subgroup of the Mongoloid race.
- Distribution:
- The Zomi people are found across northeastern India, northwestern Burma, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
- In northeastern India, they are primarily present in Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Assam.
- Language:
- The Zomi speak languages belonging to the Kukish language group, which is also referred to as Kuki-Chin (or Kuki/Chin), Mizo/Kuki/Chin, or Kuki Naga.
- Religion and Beliefs:
- Historically, the Zomi practiced animism, worshipping nature spirits. However, today, Christianity (mainly Baptist and Presbyterian) is the predominant religion among them.
- The Zomi have typical Tibeto-Burman physical features, characterized by a shorter stature, straight black hair, and dark brown eyes.
- The Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently praised India's growing nuclear sector, describing it as one of the "most dynamic" in Asia and globally.
- About the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
- The IAEA is the leading international intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the field of nuclear energy.
- It works towards ensuring the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.
- An autonomous body within the United Nations system, the IAEA runs programs to maximize the positive contributions of nuclear technology to society while ensuring its peaceful application.
- The IAEA is famously known as the United Nations' "Atoms for Peace and Development" organization.
- It reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
- Statute:
- The IAEA's Statute was adopted on 23 October 1956 during the Conference on the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency, held at the United Nations Headquarters.
- The Statute entered into force on 29 July 1957.
- Headquarters:
- The IAEA's headquarters are located in Vienna, Austria.
- Membership:
- The IAEA currently has 178 member states.
- Structure:
- The General Conference, comprising all member states, meets annually to approve the IAEA’s budget, programs, and to discuss general policies.
- The Board of Governors, consisting of 35 members, convenes around five times a year to carry out statutory functions, approve safeguards agreements, and appoint the Director General.
- The IAEA's day-to-day operations are managed by the Secretariat, led by the Director General.
- Functions of the IAEA:
- The IAEA collaborates with its member states and partners globally to ensure the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
- It applies nuclear safeguards, which include monitoring, inspections, and information analysis, to ensure that nuclear activities remain peaceful and prevent the diversion of nuclear materials for weapons purposes.
- The IAEA enforces comprehensive safeguards agreements, particularly under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to safeguard against nuclear weapons proliferation.
- It supports its member states by promoting the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge and enhancing capacities to respond to nuclear and radiological incidents, which is crucial to reducing their impact.