February 2025

The Inland Waterways Transport (IWT) Terminal on the Brahmaputra (National Waterway-2) at Jogighopa in Assam was inaugurated on February 18, 2025. The terminal, inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Bhutan’s Minister of Finance, H.E. Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, is a state-of-the-art facility connected to the Multi-Modal Logistics Park.

This terminal is strategically located to serve as an international port of call for Bhutan and Bangladesh, enhancing logistics and cargo movement in Assam and the North East. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the inauguration, highlighting its role in improving infrastructure and promoting inland waterways for progress and prosperity.

The terminal is expected to handle a cargo of 1.1 million tonnes per annum by 2027, significantly boosting trilateral trade between India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The foundation stone for the terminal was laid by Prime Minister Modi in February 2021, and the project was implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at a cost of Rs 82.03 crore.

The eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha achieved significant digital engagement, with over 30 crore views and 1.5 crore engagements on Instagram, along with 3 lakh posts on X. The event adopted a more intimate and conversational format, engaging fewer students, which proved to be a transformational success.

Held on February 10, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with 35 students at Sundar Nursery, discussing exam preparation, handling pressure, and leadership. This was followed by seven episodes featuring Deepika Padukone, MC Mary Kom, and Sadhguru, addressing various student concerns.

The Aadi Mahotsav 2025 is an annual tribal festival celebrating the vibrant and diverse culture of India’s indigenous communities. Held from February 16 to 25, 2025, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, the festival aims to showcase the rich heritage of tribal arts, crafts, cuisine, and traditions.

Inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, this year’s edition features over 1,000 tribal artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs from across the country. The festival provides a platform for them to display their unique products and talents, ranging from intricate handicrafts and handloom weaves to traditional music and dance performances.

Key highlights of Aadi Mahotsav 2025 include:

Art and Craft Stalls: Featuring exquisite tribal jewelry, pottery, textiles, and paintings, these stalls offer visitors the chance to purchase authentic tribal products directly from the artisans.

Cultural Performances: Tribal dance troupes and musical groups perform traditional folk dances and songs, bringing the vibrant rhythms and melodies of India’s tribal regions to life.

Gastronomic Delights: The food stalls serve a variety of traditional tribal dishes, providing visitors with a taste of the diverse and flavorful cuisine of India’s indigenous communities.

Workshops and Demonstrations: Hands-on workshops and live demonstrations by tribal artisans offer visitors an opportunity to learn about traditional crafting techniques and the stories behind the art.

India’s fourth-generation deep-ocean submersible, Matsya-6000, has successfully completed wet testing at the harbour, moving closer to shallow-water trials at 500 meters depth by late 2025.

Before wet testing, Matsya-6000 underwent integrated dry tests and was later transported to Kattupalli Port near Chennai for further trials.

Developed under the Samudrayan Project, the submersible is part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). It features a 2.1-meter spherical hull designed to accommodate three crew members, enhancing India’s deep-sea exploration capabilities.

The sixth edition of Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian between India and Japan will be held at Mount Fuji, Japan, from February 25 to March 9, 2025.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under a UN mandate. It builds on the momentum of the Indian Army Chief’s visit to Japan in October 2024, further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.

On February 13, 2025, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur under Article 356 of the Constitution, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 8. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification stating that the Governor’s report indicated the state government could no longer function as per the Constitution.

Under this proclamation, the President assumes all executive functions, while legislative powers shift to Parliament. Meanwhile, the BJP is engaged in discussions to select a new leader for the legislature party.

Manipur has been facing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities for the past two years, which contributed to the political crisis. The Opposition Congress had planned a no-confidence motion against the BJP government, but the Governor canceled the Assembly session after Biren Singh’s resignation.

President Donald Trump announced a significant military deal with India on February 13, 2025, during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump revealed plans to increase military sales to India by billions of dollars, including the eventual provision of F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Key Points:

Enhanced Defence Ties: The deal marks a major step in strengthening the defence relationship between the United States and India.

F-35 Jets: The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, known for its stealth capabilities, advanced situational awareness, and networked combat capabilities.

Timeline Uncertain: While Trump’s announcement is a significant commitment, the timeline for delivering the F-35 jets remains unclear.

Strategic Partnership: The deal is part of a broader effort to bolster security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, with both nations aiming to counter security threats and ensure stability.