India–Indonesia Strategic Partnership: Brah Mos, Critical Minerals & Sabang Port BHEL–thyssenkrupp Partnership for Green Hydrogen India–Australia Relations: Beyond the Three Cs Mission Drishti and OptoSAR Technology IIM Bangalore Campus in Indonesia

1.India–Indonesia Strategic Partnership: BrahMos, Critical Minerals & Sabang Port

Source: The HinduSubject: International Relations | Bilateral Relations

Why in News?

• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta, India and Indonesia signed several strategic agreements covering defence, critical minerals, maritime security, space cooperation, education and cultural heritage.
• India will supply two batteries of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Indonesia in a deal worth approximately US$200 million.
• Indonesia also welcomed India’s participation in the development of Sabang Port, while both countries expanded cooperation on critical minerals and supply chain resilience.
• Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Bintang Adipurna, Indonesia’s highest civilian honour.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• India and Indonesia expanded their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2018.
• Defence cooperation includes:
  • Export of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
  • Cooperation on air-to-air missile systems.
  • Defence technology transfer and capacity building.
• Signed agreements on critical minerals, rare earths, and resilient supply chains to support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
• Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime safety, maritime domain awareness, naval cooperation and freedom of navigation.
• Indonesia welcomed India’s interest in developing Sabang Port, enhancing connectivity with India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Other agreements include:
  • Establishment of an IIM Bangalore campus in Indonesia.
  • Cooperation in space technology.
  • Conservation of the Prambanan Temple and cultural heritage.

Strategic Significance

• Sabang Port, located at the entrance of the Strait of Malacca, is strategically important for securing one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
• The Strait of Malacca carries nearly one-third of global maritime trade and a substantial share of global energy shipments, making it vital for India’s energy security and Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Indonesia possesses nearly 21% of the world’s nickel reserves and is an important supplier of critical minerals and rare earths, essential for electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors and renewable energy technologies.
• The BrahMos export marks another milestone in India’s growing defence exports under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthens strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia.
• The agreements reinforce the shared commitment to a Free, Open, Inclusive and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific, respecting international law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
• The visit strengthens India’s Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and engagement with ASEAN.

About India–Indonesia Relations

The Diplomatic relations established in 1950.Indonesia is India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partner (2018) and a key member of ASEAN.Both countries cooperate through:East Asia Summit (EAS)ASEAN-IndiaIndian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)G20Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)Maritime cooperation is particularly important due to their proximity near the Andaman Sea and Strait of Malacca.Defence cooperation has expanded through bilateral naval exercises, coordinated patrols (CORPAT), logistics cooperation and defence industrial collaboration

Challenges & Way Forward

• Fast-track implementation of defence and infrastructure agreements, particularly Sabang Port.
• Deepen cooperation in critical mineral processing, resilient supply chains and emerging technologies.
• Expand maritime cooperation to address piracy, illegal fishing, maritime terrorism and disaster response.
• Strengthen economic integration through trade, connectivity, education and digital partnerships.
• Continue coordinating on regional issues through ASEAN, IORA and the Indo-Pacific framework to promote regional stability.

UPSC Prelims MCQQ. With reference to India–Indonesia relations, consider the following statements:Sabang Port is located near the entrance of the Strait of Malacca.Indonesia possesses one of the world’s largest reserves of nickel, a critical mineral.BrahMos is a jointly developed supersonic cruise missile by India and Russia.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (dUPSC Mains Question (15 Marks)“India’s growing strategic partnership with Indonesia reflects the convergence of defence, maritime security and critical mineral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.” Discuss the significance of recent India–Indonesia agreements for India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.

2.BHEL–thyssenkrupp Partnership for Green Hydrogen

Source: The HinduSubject: Science & Technology | Energy

Why in News?

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has partnered with thyssenkrupp nucera India, the Indian subsidiary of Germany’s thyssenkrupp nucera, for the indigenisation and local manufacturing of alkaline electrolyser systems.
• The partnership aims to strengthen India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) by developing indigenous electrolyser manufacturing capabilities.

Key Developments

• It focuses on the phased indigenisation of alkaline electrolyser technology in India.
• It promotes local manufacturing of electrolysers required for green hydrogen production.
• It aims to reduce dependence on imported clean-energy technologies.
• It strengthens the domestic green hydrogen value chain under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• It supports India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy through indigenous manufacturing.

Significance

• Electrolysers are the core technology used to produce green hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable energy.
• It enhances energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and critical technologies.
• It lowers the long-term cost of green hydrogen through domestic manufacturing and economies of scale.
• It promotes technology transfer, innovation, employment generation, and MSME participation in the clean energy sector.
• It supports the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilisers, refineries, shipping, and heavy transport.
• It contributes towards India’s Net Zero by 2070 commitment and climate goals.

National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

• Launched: January 2023
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Financial Outlay: ₹19,744 crore

Objectives

• It aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilisation, and export.
• It targets production of at least 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
• It aims to add nearly 125 GW of renewable energy capacity.
• It seeks to mobilise over ₹8 lakh crore in investments.
• It aims to create over 6 lakh jobs.
• It targets a reduction of nearly 50 MMT of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
• It promotes domestic electrolyser manufacturing through the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme.

Challenges

• It has a high production cost compared to conventional grey hydrogen.
• It depends heavily on imported electrolyser technology and critical minerals, limiting technological self-reliance.
• It requires large-scale renewable energy capacity, storage facilities, and hydrogen transport infrastructure for commercial deployment.
• It faces technological and manufacturing gaps in indigenous electrolyser development.
• It has limited domestic demand across sectors such as steel, fertilisers, refineries, and heavy mobility.

Way Forward

• It requires strengthening indigenous R&D and domestic manufacturing of electrolysers.
• It requires greater collaboration between industry, academia, and global technology partners for technology transfer.
• It requires expanding domestic demand through policy support for green steel, green ammonia, refineries, and the transport sector.
• It requires reducing production costs through economies of scale and affordable renewable energy.
• It requires developing a robust green hydrogen ecosystem comprising production, storage, transport, and refuelling infrastructure.

UPSC Prelims MCQQ. With reference to the National Green Hydrogen Mission, consider the following statements:Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to achieve at least 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen production annually by 2030. Electrolysers are used for storing hydrogen after its production. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (a)UPSC Mains Question (15 Marks)“The National Green Hydrogen Mission is central to India’s energy transition and industrial decarbonisation.” Discuss the role of indigenous electrolyser manufacturing in achieving India’s green hydrogen ambitions and long-term energy security.

3.India–Australia Relations: Beyond the Three Cs

Source: The HinduSubject: International Relations | Bilateral Relations

Why in News?

• India and Australia are expanding their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) beyond the traditional Three Cs—Cricket, Curry and Commonwealth into a technology-driven, strategic and economic partnership.
• Both countries aim to achieve US$100 billion bilateral trade by 2030, strengthen defence cooperation, expand clean energy collaboration and promote a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Key Areas of Cooperation

• It has elevated bilateral ties through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020), building upon the Strategic Partnership established in 2009.
• It has strengthened trade relations through the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), 2022, providing duty-free access for Indian exports and preferential access for Australian goods.
• It aims to increase bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030, while cumulative two-way investments are approaching US$50 billion.
• It has expanded defence cooperation through regular ministerial dialogues, 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, and joint military exercises such as AUSINDEX, Malabar and Talisman Sabre.
• It has deepened cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, drones, quantum technologies, semiconductors and digital infrastructure.
• It has strengthened energy partnership through the India–Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (2024) focusing on solar energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals and uranium cooperation.
• It has enhanced education and people-to-people ties, with over 1 lakh Indian students studying in Australia and Australian universities establishing campuses in India.
• It has expanded multilateral cooperation through the Quad, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) and the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership.

Significance

• It strengthens India’s Indo-Pacific strategy by promoting a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order.
• It diversifies India’s supply chains through cooperation in critical minerals, rare earths and advanced technologies, reducing dependence on single-country sources.
• It enhances defence interoperability and maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region.
• It supports India’s clean energy transition through collaboration in green hydrogen, solar energy and civil nuclear cooperation.
• It promotes technology partnerships in advanced computing, healthcare, defence, space and digital infrastructure.
• It strengthens economic resilience by expanding trade, investment and industrial collaboration.
• It benefits from the Indian diaspora, with over 10 lakh people of Indian origin acting as a strong bridge between both countries.

Challenges

• It has relatively low bilateral trade despite strong complementarities between the two economies.
• It requires early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to unlock the full trade potential.
• It faces logistical and geographical constraints that increase transportation costs.
• It requires greater private-sector participation in technology, manufacturing and innovation partnerships.
• It faces strategic uncertainties arising from China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Way Forward

• It requires early finalisation of CECA to deepen economic integration.
• It requires greater collaboration in defence manufacturing, maritime security and critical technologies.
• It requires expansion of cooperation in critical minerals, green hydrogen, renewable energy and semiconductor supply chains.
• It requires strengthening research and innovation partnerships among universities, industries and startups.
• It requires leveraging platforms such as the Quad, IORA and SCRI to promote regional stability and resilient supply chains.
• It requires deeper people-to-people engagement through education, skill development and mobility partnerships.

UPSC Prelims MCQQ. With reference to India–Australia relations, consider the following statements:The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) entered into force in 2022. AUSINDEX is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Australia. Both India and Australia are members of the Quad. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (d)UPSC Mains Question (15 Marks)“India–Australia relations have evolved beyond traditional engagement into a comprehensive strategic partnership driven by trade, technology, defence and the Indo-Pacific.” Discuss

4.Mission Drishti and OptoSAR Technology

Source: The HinduSubject: Science & Technology | Space Technology

Why in News?

• Bengaluru-based space startup GalaxEye lost contact with Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite and India’s largest privately developed Earth Observation satellite.
• The satellite encountered an anomaly during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), likely caused by a geomagnetic solar storm, leading to loss of communication.

Mission Drishti

• It was launched on 3 May 2026 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg, California.
• It was the world’s first satellite to integrate Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors into a single operational platform.
• It was developed by GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space startup.
• It aimed to provide all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation through fused EO and SAR imagery.
• It demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in the private space sector despite the mission setback.

OptoSAR Technology

• OptoSAR combines Electro-Optical (EO) imaging and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on a single satellite platform.
• It provides high-resolution imaging irrespective of cloud cover, rainfall, smoke or darkness.
• It produces synchronised and fused datasets, reducing temporal gaps and improving analytical accuracy.
• It enhances applications in disaster management, agriculture, border surveillance, urban planning, environmental monitoring and defence.
• It supports Artificial Intelligence (AI) and geospatial analytics through high-quality integrated datasets.

Significance

• It marks a major technological innovation in Earth Observation (EO) satellites.
• It strengthens India’s commercial space ecosystem and promotes indigenous space technology under IN-SPACe and Space Sector Reforms.
• It expands dual-use capabilities for both civilian and strategic applications.
• It improves disaster response through real-time, all-weather monitoring.
• It demonstrates the increasing role of private startups in advancing India’s space ambitions.

Challenges

• It remains vulnerable to space weather events such as geomagnetic solar storms and radiation exposure.
• It faces significant technical risks during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
• It requires highly reliable radiation-hardened onboard electronics and communication systems.
• It involves high development costs and complex integration of multiple advanced sensors.
• It requires continuous investment in testing, quality assurance and mission resilience.

Way Forward

• It requires strengthening radiation protection and fault-tolerant satellite systems.
• It requires expanding indigenous capabilities in advanced Earth Observation technologies.
• It requires greater investment in private space startups, research and innovation.
• It requires enhanced space weather forecasting and mission planning to minimise operational risks.

UPSC Prelims MCQQ. With reference to OptoSAR technology, consider the following statements:It combines Electro-Optical (EO) imaging and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) on a single satellite. Synthetic Aperture Radar can capture images even during cloud cover and at night. OptoSAR technology is useful for disaster management and border surveillance. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (d)UPSC Mains Question (15 Marks)“Advanced Earth Observation technologies are transforming disaster management, strategic surveillance and resource governance.” Discuss the significance of OptoSAR technology for India’s space programme and geospatial capabilities.

5.IIM Bangalore Campus in Indonesia

Source: The HinduSubject: International Relations | Education

Why in News?

• During his visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the first international campus of IIM Bangalore (IIM-B) at the Singhasari Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Malang, East Java.
• The initiative aims to strengthen India–Indonesia educational cooperation and serve students across the ASEAN region.

Key Highlights

• It will be the first overseas campus of IIM Bangalore and the second international campus of an Indian Institute of Management after IIM Ahmedabad, Dubai.
• It will be established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIM Bangalore and PT Intelegensia Grahatama, the managing entity of the Singhasari SEZ.
• It will introduce Executive Education Programmes in the first phase, followed by full-fledged postgraduate management degree programmes.
• It will focus on emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Transformation, Global Supply Chains, Climate & Sustainability, Healthcare Management, and Leadership.
• It will serve as a regional management education hub for Indonesia and ASEAN countries.

Significance

• It strengthens the India–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through education and capacity building.
• It promotes the internationalisation of Indian higher education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• It enhances India’s education diplomacy and strengthens its soft power in the Indo-Pacific.
• It promotes academic collaboration, faculty exchange, joint research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• It supports human resource development and skill enhancement across the ASEAN region.
• It positions India as a global knowledge and education hub.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• It encourages top Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to establish campuses abroad.
• It aims to make India a global destination for quality education.
• It promotes internationalisation through academic collaborations, research partnerships and student mobility.
• It encourages global recognition of Indian institutions and enhances India’s educational soft power.

Challenges

• It requires maintaining the academic quality and global reputation of Indian institutions abroad.
• It faces regulatory and administrative challenges in foreign jurisdictions.
• It requires sustained financial investment and institutional support.
• It requires attracting international faculty and students in a competitive global education market.
• It requires aligning curricula with both Indian academic standards and local industry requirements.

Way Forward

• It requires expanding overseas campuses of premier Indian institutions under NEP 2020.
• It requires strengthening academic partnerships with ASEAN universities and industries.
• It requires promoting collaborative research in emerging technologies and sustainable development.
• It requires enhancing student and faculty mobility through scholarships and exchange programmes.
• It requires leveraging education as a key pillar of India’s diplomacy and Indo-Pacific engagement.

UPSC Prelims MCQQ. With reference to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, consider the following statements:It encourages top Indian Higher Educational Institutions to establish campuses abroad. It aims to promote the internationalisation of Indian higher education. It prohibits foreign universities from establishing campuses in India. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a) 1 and 2 only(b) 2 and 3 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (a)UPSC Mains Question (15 Marks)“The internationalisation of higher education has emerged as an important instrument of India’s soft power and diplomatic outreach.” Discuss with reference to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the establishment of overseas campuses by Indian institutions.