EU seeks to cut Russia dependence; Hungary, Slovakia have other plans
Background
- The Druzhba pipeline, a major Russian oil route to Eastern and Central Europe, has been halted due to damage from a Russian drone attack, according to Ukraine.
- Hungary and Slovakia allege that Ukraine is delaying repairs for political reasons.
- The stoppage has sparked a dispute that affects EU sanctions on Russia and financial support for Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia’s Dependence on Russian Oil
- Hungary and Slovakia remain heavily reliant on Russian crude, with Russian oil constituting 87% of their imports in 2024.
- Both countries were granted temporary EU exemptions to continue imports post-Ukraine war, intended to be transitional.
- Analysts argue that the reliance is a political choice rather than a necessity, given alternative supply routes and refining capacity.
Alternatives and Feasibility
- Non-Russian oil can be supplied via the Adria pipeline, operated by Croatia’s JANAF, which can meet domestic demand.
- Hungary can also revive the Odesa-Brody pipeline to import crude via the Black Sea.
- Historical disruptions, like the 2019 Druzhba halt, showed that Hungarian refineries could operate without Russian oil.
- Ending Russian oil imports would not necessarily raise fuel prices, as seen in Bulgaria.
Political and Strategic Factors
- Hungarian PM Viktor Orban maintains cordial ties with Russia, using energy dependence as an election issue.
- Slovakia has similarly paused military aid to Ukraine and advocated EU mediation.
- Political alignment with Russia reinforces their continued reliance despite EU efforts to diversify energy sources.
EU’s Progress and Challenges
- The EU has reduced reliance on Russian oil, gas, and coal:
- Russia’s share of petroleum oils in EU imports fell from the largest supplier in 2021 to 1% by Q3 2025.
- Natural gas imports from Russia declined from 48% pre-war to 15% in Q3 2025, with Norway replacing Russia as the largest supplier.
- The Druzhba dispute highlights the political and economic hurdles that remain in achieving EU energy independence from Russia.
A jab well done: On India’s Human Papillomavirus vaccination programme
Background
- India has launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme targeting girls aged 14.
- The initiative comes amid rising global anti-vaccination sentiment and aims to prevent cervical cancer through vaccination and regular screening.
- The vaccine will be administered at designated government health facilities by trained medical officers and health teams, with post-vaccination observation for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).
- A single-dose HPV vaccine schedule, recommended by the World Health Organization, will be used.
Importance of HPV Vaccination
- High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 cause over 80% of cervical cancer cases in India.
- Globally, over 90 countries use single-dose HPV vaccination schedules, showing significant reductions in HPV infection, pre-cancerous lesions, and cervical cancer incidence.
- Cervical cancer is largely preventable and treatable if detected early.
Burden of Cervical Cancer in India
- India contributes over 65% of cervical cancer cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
- It is the second most common cancer among women in India, with 127,526 new cases and 79,906 deaths reported in 2022.
- National screening coverage is very low, with only 1.9% of women aged 30-49 tested.
Past Concerns and Safety Measures
- India faced controversy over HPV vaccine trials in 2009-10, where seven girls died; an ICMR investigation found the deaths were likely unrelated to the vaccine but stressed the need for careful AEFI monitoring.
- The government plans to maintain cold chains, ensure transparency, and report all adverse events meticulously to ensure safety and public confidence.
India-Israel Axis: What Are the IMEC Corridor, I2U2 Grouping Modi Spoke Of?
Why in News
- During his Knesset address in Jerusalem (Feb 25, 2026), PM Narendra Modi highlighted India-Israel collaborations on multilateral projects, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 grouping.
- These initiatives aim to strengthen trade, infrastructure, and strategic cooperation, linking India with the Middle East, Europe, and the US.
IMEC: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
- Announced: September 2023 during G20 summit, New Delhi.
- Purpose: Integrated rail, shipping, ports, and highway corridor connecting India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and Europe.
- Objectives: Facilitate trade and logistics, promote green and sustainable infrastructure, and enhance regional economic integration.
I2U2 Grouping
- Members: India, Israel, UAE, and the United States (established July 2022).
- Dubbed the “West Asian Quad”, it mirrors the Quad in concept.
- Focus Areas: Water, energy, transportation, space, health, food security, and technology.
- Key Projects:
- Food security project in India
- Hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat
- Climate and environmental monitoring using space-based data
Significance of Modi’s Knesset Visit
- Strengthening Bilateral Ties: India is Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner; trade grew from $200 million (1992) to $6.5 billion (2024).
- Strategic Positioning: IMEC and I2U2 connect India and Israel to Middle Eastern hubs like UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Geopolitical Context:
- Amid rising US-Iran tensions and regional volatility.
- The visit emphasizes India’s economic and technological role in emerging trade corridors.
- Projects could enhance regional connectivity, but political differences (e.g., Israel-Palestine, UAE-Saudi competition) may complicate execution.
Key Takeaways
- IMEC and I2U2 showcase India’s multilateral engagement strategy in the Middle East and beyond.
- Strengthened cooperation supports trade, technology, infrastructure, and energy security.
- Modi’s speech underscores India’s central role in emerging West Asia-Europe-Asia connectivity corridors.
Census 2027: Over 3.2 Million Enumerators to Use Handheld Devices in a Fully Digital System
Why in News
- The 2027 Census of India will be the first fully digital decennial census, leveraging the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS).
- 3.2 million enumerators and supervisors will use handheld devices and geo-tagging for accurate data collection, replacing paper-based methods.
- Citizens will have the option for self-enumeration, marking a transformative shift in census methodology.
Digital Infrastructure: CMMS and Mapping Tools
- CMMS Portal: Centralised web platform for end-to-end census operations, including:
- User creation at different administrative levels
- Training module management
- Allocation of Houselisting Blocks (HLBs) and supervisory circles
- Generation of enumerator and supervisor IDs/appointment letters
- Geo-Tagging & Web Mapping: HLBs and enumeration blocks (EBs) will be digitally mapped to reduce overlaps and omissions, improving data integrity.
- Digital Archive: Spatial data collected will aid planning, disaster management, and infrastructure development long after the census.
Scale and Budget
- Enumerators/Supervisors: 3.2 million field functionaries.
- Budget Approved: ₹11,718 crore, including the first-ever caste enumeration.
- Phases of Census:
- House-listing and housing census: April–September 2026
- Population enumeration (PE): February 2027
Operational Details
- Houselisting Blocks (HLBs): Smallest administrative units, typically covering 700–800 people; 300+ census houses in sparsely populated areas.
- Enumeration Blocks (EBs): Sub-units of HLBs for population enumeration.
- Data Management: CMMS ensures near-real-time monitoring, aggregation, validation, and error correction.
Significance
- Marks a digital transformation of India’s census, enhancing accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
- Provides a digital spatial archive of households and settlements for governance, planning, and research.
- Offers a modern, scalable model for large-scale demographic data collection, reducing human error and reliance on paper records.
AI4Agri Summit 2026: Investing in India’s AI Agriculture Future
Why in News
- The AI4Agri Summit 2026, held in Mumbai, showcased India’s push to integrate Artificial Intelligence into agriculture.
- The event focused on connecting AI technology with small-scale farmers’ needs to boost productivity, credit access, and inclusive growth.
- Maharashtra unveiled its ‘MahaAgri-AI Policy’ as a model for national agricultural innovation aligned with India’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.
AI and Investment in Agriculture
- National agricultural credit is projected to exceed INR 31.5 lakh crore by FY26, reflecting growing financial flows into the sector.
- Experts estimate the AI agriculture market in India could reach nearly USD 5 billion by 2030.
- AI tools are being used to decode agricultural risks and enhance creditworthiness for farmers by leveraging verifiable data from over 70,000 primary societies, as highlighted by NABARD Chairman Dr. Shaji Krishnan V.
Inclusive and Sustainable Approach
- The FAO emphasized that AI adoption should empower women, pastoralists, and coastal communities, marking 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
- The summit emphasized building an ‘investor-ready’ ecosystem that is socially inclusive, ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders in agriculture.
Blended Finance and Digital Infrastructure
- World Bank and IFAD representatives highlighted ‘Blended Finance,’ combining public and multilateral funds with private investment to mitigate early-stage risks.
- Digital platforms like AgriStack and Krishi.DSS are providing the infrastructure to unify fragmented landholdings into scalable, market-ready systems.
Impact on Smallholder Farmers
- India has around 140 million smallholder farmers who are the primary beneficiaries of AI and investment interventions.
- Success will be measured by tangible gains for farmers rather than only by profits, emphasizing increased efficiency, productivity, and income.
- The summit reinforced the narrative that technology and capital can drive the next wave of agricultural transformation in India’s rural heartland.
Chungthang-Lachen Road and Taram Chu Bridge in North Sikkim
Why in News
- Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated the 28-km Chungthang–Lachen road and the 400-ft Bailey Suspension Taram Chu Bridge in North Sikkim.
- The projects were restored by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) as part of post-disaster recovery efforts.
Background
- The infrastructure reconstruction followed cloudbursts in May–June 2025, Cyclone Remal in June 2024, and a glacial lake outburst flood in October 2023.
- BRO cleared 96 landslides, built four major bridges, repaired two others, and completed eight kilometres of fresh road formation cutting.
- Multiple diversions were created to bypass unstable slopes and sinking zones under Project Swastik.
- The works followed the earlier opening of the 7.5-km Naga–Toong stretch in October 2025.
Significance of the Projects
- The road and bridge improve connectivity and mobility for local residents and security agencies in North Sikkim.
- They support economic activity and facilitate access in difficult terrain.
- The projects align with the “Atmanirbhar Sikkim–Viksit Bharat” vision of the state government.
- Minister Seth praised the BRO for sustained efforts in challenging conditions.