News in Shorts: 14 February 2026

Mangrove Clam

Context: The ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has achieved a major scientific milestone by successfully inducing breeding of the mangrove clam in captive conditions.

About Mangrove Clams (Geloina erosa)

• Mangrove clams, also known as mud clams, are ecologically and economically significant bivalves found in tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems.
• These clams are filter feeders, primarily active during periods of immersion (high tide or inundation), helping filter water and process organic matter.
• Scientific Name: Geloina erosa.
• Common Names: Mangrove clam, mud clam; in northern Kerala (India), locally called “Kandal Kakka”.
• Preferred Habitat: Organic-rich muddy substrates in intertidal zones of mangrove forests, estuaries, and sometimes larger rivers or swamps.
• Geographic Range: South and Southeast Asia, including India (especially Kerala and east coast), Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and parts of China.
• Ecological Role: Vital in mangrove ecosystems.
  • They recycle nutrients, stabilize sediments, improve soil quality, and support overall biodiversity.
  • As benthic organisms, they also serve as indicators of coastal pollution and environmental health.
• Causes of Decline: Wild stocks have declined due to overharvesting, habitat degradation, pollution, and lack of regulation, making hatchery technology crucial for recovery.

Induced Breeding of Mangrove Clam

• Complete Hatchery Cycle: Scientists at ICAR-CMFRI completed the entire embryonic and larval development cycle in controlled conditions, with successful spat settlement from the 18th day after spawning.
• First-of-its-Kind Milestone: One of the very few documented global instances of induced spawning, larval rearing, and spat production of mangrove clam in hatchery systems.
• Conservation Linkage: Hatchery-produced seeds can support ranching in degraded mangroves, aiding stock enhancement and mangrove ecosystem restoration.
• Sustainable Aquaculture Model: Breakthrough enables development of community-managed, low-input estuarine aquaculture, integrated with mangrove conservation.

Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)

• ICAR-CMFRI is a premier government marine fisheries research institute in India.
• It was established in February 1947 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• In 1967, it became part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the apex body for agricultural and allied research in India.
• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

Context: Natco Pharma’s Chennai API facility received a Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) classification from the U.S. FDA following a recent regulatory inspection.

About the Inspection Report

• VAI Classification: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Establishment Inspection Report categorising the facility under Voluntary Action Indicated, implying observations without immediate regulatory action.
• Form 483 Observations: The regulator earlier issued seven observations under Form 483, highlighting procedural concerns requiring corrective compliance measures.
• Regulatory Significance: A VAI status allows continued operations while mandating improvements under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) standards.

About APIs

• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are the biologically active substances in medicines responsible for therapeutic effects.
• Pharmaceutical Role: Finished drugs combine APIs with excipients such as fillers or binders to ensure safe delivery and efficacy.
• Types of APIs
  • Chemical-Synthesis APIs: Produced through multi-step chemical reactions involving crystallization and purification.
    • They are low molecular weight, high-purity compounds like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and metformin.
  • Fermentation-Based APIs: Generated by cultivating microorganisms in controlled environments. These complex biologics include antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins.
  • Semi-Synthetic APIs: Derived from natural or fermentation-based molecules and chemically modified for enhanced efficacy.
    • Examples include ceftriaxone and cefdinir.
  • Natural/Extraction APIs: Isolated directly from plants or animals through extraction and purification processes.
    • Examples include morphine and quinine.

API Status in India

• Global Position: India is the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines and produces over 500 APIs across 60 therapeutic categories.
• Import Dependence: Despite capacity, India imports nearly 70% of APIs from China, with high dependence in critical fermentation and chemical-synthesis segments.
• Policy Initiatives: The Department of Pharmaceuticals prioritised 56 key APIs under Make in India, supported by technology surveys and industry–academia collaboration to reduce import reliance.
  • The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (FY 2022-23 to FY 2028-29) with a budgetary outlay of ₹6,940 crore aims to boost domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates (DIs), and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to reduce import dependence

Strengthening domestic API manufacturing through technological innovation and regulatory compliance is essential for India’s pharmaceutical self-reliance and global supply chain resilience.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

Context: Recently, the Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 at Manama, Bahrain, reinforcing India’s role in multinational maritime security cooperation.

About Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

• The Combined Maritime Forces is a 47-nation multinational maritime partnership headquartered in Manama, Bahrain and commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral
  • India Joined CMF in 2022 During India US (2+ 2) Dialogue.
• Core Purpose: CMF upholds the International Rules-Based Order by countering illicit non-state actors and promoting maritime security, stability, and freedom of navigation.
• Operational Area: It operates across nearly 3.2 million square miles, covering vital sea lanes in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and adjoining regions.
• Primary Mandate: Its focus areas include counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, counter-piracy, maritime interdiction, and strengthening regional maritime capabilities through cooperative engagement.
• Training Exercises: CMF conducts Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) and exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness to enhance interoperability and capacity building.
• Task Force Structure: CMF functions through five Combined Task Forces:
  • CTF 150 (Maritime Security outside Arabian Gulf)
  • CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy),
  • CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf Security)
  • CTF 153 (Red Sea Security)
  • CTF 154 (Maritime Security Training)
• CTF 154 Role: Established in 2023, CTF 154 strengthens maritime domain awareness, law of the sea compliance, interdiction operations, rescue coordination, and leadership development.
• Flexible Composition: Member nations participate voluntarily without a fixed political or military mandate, enabling flexible, consensus-based maritime cooperation.

Significance

India’s command of CTF 154 strengthens its Indo-Pacific maritime profile, enhances defence diplomacy, and reinforces commitment to a free, open, and secure maritime order.

India–Thailand Air Exercise

Context: Recently, the Indian Air Force conducted a bilateral in-situ air combat exercise with Thailand in the Indian Ocean Region

About the India–Thailand Air Exercise

• It is a bilateral drill aimed to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and improve operational synergy between the two friendly air forces.
• Participating Forces: Indian Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force, deploying frontline multirole fighter aircraft.
• Aircraft Deployed: India fielded Su-30MKI fighters supported by IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, while Thailand deployed SAAB Gripen jets with Ground Control Interception support.
• Operational Venue: IAF aircraft operated from bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, demonstrating strategic reach into the Indian Ocean Region, while Thai jets flew from domestic airfields.
• Focus Areas: The exercise emphasized air combat manoeuvres, maritime domain operations, surveillance coordination, aerial refuelling, and exchange of best practices in aerospace operations.
• Strategic Significance: The engagement reinforced India’s Act East policy, strengthened Indo-Pacific security cooperation, enhanced long-range deployment capabilities, and deepened mutual trust in strategically vital maritime airspace.

6th India–ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD)

Context: Recently, India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul to advance their Special Strategic Partnership.

About India–ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD)

• The Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue is a high-level institutional mechanism for comprehensive discussions on political, security, and strategic issues between India and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
• Origin Framework: The FPSD operates under the India–ROK Special Strategic Partnership, aimed at strengthening coordination on bilateral, regional, and global matters.
  • The first Korea–India Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue was held in New Delhi in 2005, involving foreign and defence ministries.
• Institutional Purpose: The dialogue seeks to enhance defence cooperation, economic security, technological collaboration, and policy coordination in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Key Highlights of 6th FPSD

• Leadership Participation: The dialogue was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), and Park Yoon-joo, First Vice Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea.
• Comprehensive Agenda: Discussions covered political ties, defence and security cooperation, trade and investment, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
• Emerging Technologies: Both sides explored partnerships in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green hydrogen, critical minerals, and resilient supply chains.
• Regional Coordination: The dialogue included exchanges on developments in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region, and cooperation in multilateral forums.

The dialogue strengthens India–ROK strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific, enhances economic security collaboration, and reinforces sustained high-level diplomatic engagement.

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