India Joins Pax Silica
- India formally signed the Pax Silica declaration at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, US Ambassador Sergio Gor, and US Under Secretary Jacob Helberg represented the signing.
- India became the tenth full member of the US-led AI supply chain coalition.
- The move signals a strategic shift in global tech and AI diplomacy, especially after India was initially left out.
What is Pax Silica?
- An economic security coalition focused on the silicon supply chain.
- Launched in Washington on December 12, 2025.
- Covers the entire AI technology stack: rare earth minerals, chip fabrication, data centers, fiber-optic networks, and frontier AI models.
- Name meaning:
- “Pax” = peace and prosperity
- “Silica” = silicon dioxide (key for semiconductors)
- Founding members: Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UK, Israel, Netherlands, UAE, Greece, Qatar.
- Partners: Canada, EU, Taiwan, OECD.
Why Pax Silica Exists: The China Problem
- China controls a large share of rare earth elements (REEs) essential for EVs, smartphones, and other tech.
- Past US-China trade tensions led to REE export suspension, impacting India’s manufacturing.
- India had to comply with Chinese licensing rules to restore supply.
- Pax Silica aims to reduce dependency on China by pooling strengths of trusted partners.
India’s Role and Gains
- India holds 8.52 million tonnes of rare earth reserves, among the largest globally.
- Growing semiconductor design ecosystem: Qualcomm designed a 2-nanometer chip in India.
- Ten semiconductor fabrication plants are established or under development.
- Benefits for India:
- Access to advanced manufacturing equipment
- Knowledge transfer for chip production
- Integration with global leaders like ASML and Micron
Dibang Hydro Project
Court Action
- Gauhati High Court (Itanagar bench) admitted a writ petition seeking Project Affected Family (PAF) status for downstream communities of the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Hydro Project.
- Petition filed by Uttama Bor Abor Sanrakshana Sanrachana (UBSS) on 13 Feb 2026.
Affected Areas & Population
- Targets residents in Lower Dibang Valley (Arunachal Pradesh) and Tinsukia–Sadiya belt (Assam).
- Over 75,000 people potentially affected, including threats to homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.
Allegations & Legal Points
- Downstream residents excluded from resettlement packages despite documented risks up to 63 km downstream.
- 2016 Cumulative Impact Assessment Study allegedly omitted first 45 km downstream (densely populated).
- Missing public hearings in Assam (EIA Notification, 2006) and lack of tribal consent under Forest Rights Act, 2006.
- Delays in seismic-resistant embankments and emergency preparedness in seismically sensitive region.
Evidence & Community Support
- UBSS submitted community resolutions, signatures, and impact documentation: fisheries decline, unseasonal floods, ecological degradation, and loss of fertile land.
- Earlier protests by DMHPDAAC (Aug 2025) over delayed downstream protection works; Rs 154 crore sanctioned but no visible progress.
- Alleged diversion of funds: Rs 215 crore for Compensatory Afforestation and Rs 171 crore for downstream flood mitigation.
Project Background
- Dibang Multipurpose Hydro Project: one of India’s largest planned hydropower projects.
- Faces both support and resistance; legal dispute over downstream recognition and environmental safeguards now continues in Gauhati HC.
India Starts Major Desilting Operations of Chenab at Salal Dam
Background
- Desilting operations on the Chenab River have started after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
- The Salal Power Station in Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, is the key site affected.
- The Salal concrete dam was originally designed with six under-sluice gates for sediment management.
Impact of Indus Waters Treaty
- Under the 1960 IWT and 1978 agreement, the six under-sluice gates were permanently plugged.
- Silt excluder gates operation was prohibited, preventing draw-down flushing and desilting.
- Over decades, sediment accumulated, reducing reservoir efficiency and storage capacity.
Current Desilting Efforts
- Tender floated to reopen six under-sluice gates and improve sediment management.
- Dredging has begun, removing silt to minimize wear and tear on the power station.
- Reservoir storage restored from 9.91 MCM (May 2025) to 14 MCM (Jan 2026).
- So far, 1.7 lakh MT of sediment dredged, with 68,490 MT disposed.
Objectives & Benefits
- Improve operational efficiency of Salal Power Station.
- Reduce wear and tear on turbines and equipment.
- Long-term plan includes flushing and improved sediment management.
- Enhances reservoir capacity and ensures sustainable hydropower generation.
Smooth-Coated Otter Spotted for the First Time in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary
Key Sighting
- Smooth‑coated otters have been officially recorded in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, for the first time.
- Presence confirmed via camera traps and forest patrol documentation.
- Indicates clean rivers and healthy freshwater habitats in the sanctuary.
Species Information
- The otter is a semi-aquatic mammal and listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- Relies on pristine freshwater ecosystems with abundant fish, amphibians, and aquatic prey.
- Acts as a bio-indicator, reflecting overall ecosystem health.
Conservation Significance
- Return highlights resilient ecosystems in the Terai-Bhabar landscape.
- Indicates effective habitat protection and pollution control measures by sanctuary authorities.
- Benefits extend to other aquatic and riparian species dependent on healthy waterways.
Habitat & Ecosystem
- Nandhaur acts as an ecological corridor connecting forests, grasslands, and riverine habitats.
- Supports wildlife movement and biodiversity continuity across seasons.
- Otters’ presence emphasizes the importance of protecting riparian corridors and clean water sources.
Conservation Call
- Continued vigilance needed against pollution, encroachment, and hydrological disruption.
- Local communities and visitors play a role in maintaining river health and habitat connectivity.
- Otters symbolize ecological rejuvenation and the success of sustained conservation efforts.
Iran-US Tensions: Strait of Hormuz and Global Energy Security
Key Issue
- Rising Iran-US tensions have put the Strait of Hormuz in focus, a vital chokepoint for global oil and LNG supplies.
- Any blockade threatens nearly 20% of global oil and LNG trade.
- Even brief disruption could push oil prices above $100/barrel, fuel inflation, and impact energy-dependent economies, especially in Asia.
Strait of Hormuz: Geography and Importance
- Lies between Iran (north) and Oman & UAE (south), linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea.
- Width: 50 km at entrance/exit, narrowing to 33 km at its tightest point.
- Main export route for Gulf producers; vital for energy-hungry economies.
Energy Flow
- ~20 million barrels of oil/day passed through in 2024 (~$500bn trade).
- Major exporters: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
- ~20% of global LNG trade transits the strait, with Qatar contributing most.
Key Dependents
- Asia is the main destination: 84% of crude and 83% of LNG flows through Hormuz headed east.
- Major countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea → together account for 69% of crude flows.
- Gulf countries like Kuwait and UAE import LNG via the same channel from outside sources.
Iran’s Leverage
- Coastal sovereignty extends 12 nautical miles; Hormuz lanes lie within Iranian and Omani waters.
- ~3,000 vessels/month cross the strait.
- Iran could disrupt traffic using naval mines, fast attack boats, submarines, or other asymmetric warfare tactics.
- Parliament approved potential closure; final decision rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Wider Regional Risks
- Houthi attacks in Bab al-Mandab Strait (Yemen) also threaten shipping.
- Simultaneous pressure on both chokepoints would amplify strain on shipping and insurance markets.
Impact on Oil Prices
- Short-term or partial closure → sharp rise in oil prices.
- Gulf OPEC+ countries hold ~70% of spare production capacity.
- Saudi Arabia: ~5.5 million barrels/day through Hormuz; Iran: ~1.7 million barrels/day.
- Alternative routes (Red Sea pipelines, storage) provide limited relief.
- Major disruption could push oil prices well above $100/barrel.
Economic Implications
- Higher oil and gas prices → rise in transport, electricity, and manufacturing costs.
- India: ~50% of crude imports, 60% of gas supply pass through Hormuz.
- South Korea: ~60% crude via Hormuz; Japan: ~75% of oil imports.
- Global economy is highly sensitive to even brief disruptions.