News In Shorts 17 September 2026: Naval Collision, World Ozone Day, Sohar Port & More

India–Pakistan Naval Collision

Context: India summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires after Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) Hunain collided with an Indian Navy vessel in international waters.

• India alleged that the incident violated Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Maneuvers, and Troop Movements.

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About the 1991 Agreement

• The 1991 Agreement was signed to prevent crises arising from misinterpretations of military activities. 
  • This was signed as part of confidence-building measures (CBMs) amid nuclearisation and regional security concerns after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979). 
  • The 1991 treaty came after a specific incident — Brass Tacks IV, a massive military exercise India carried out in January 1987 in Punjab and Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border.
• Key Provisions:
  • Coverage: Applies to the Army, Navy, and Air Force of both countries.
  • Military Exercises: Large-scale exercises near the other country’s territory are regulated through prior notification and specified procedures.
  • Naval Exercises: Major naval exercises involve six or more destroyer/frigate-sized ships or larger vessels and crossing into the other country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • Naval Safety: Article 10 requires naval ships and submarines to maintain a minimum distance of 3 nautical miles in international waters.
  • Aircraft: Combat aircraft must generally maintain 10 km separation from the other country’s airspace and Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ); 5 km applies in specified cases involving designated air bases.
  • Advance Notification: Military activities require 15–90 days’ advance notice, depending on their scale and nature.
  • Clarification Mechanism: Either side can seek information on the assembly, direction, extent, and duration of military exercises.

Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) Declared Terrorist Organisation

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated SBN as a terrorist organisation under Section 35(1)(a) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, adding it as Entry 46 in the First Schedule.

About Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)

• It is a Pakistan-based terror syndicate allegedly involved in cross-border smuggling, recruitment, radicalisation and terrorist activities in India. 

About the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

• The UAPA, 1967, is India’s key legislation to deal with unlawful activities and terrorism.
  • Initially focused on anti-national and secessionist activities, it was expanded to cover terrorist activities through amendments.
• Grounds for Declaration: The Central Government can declare an association unlawful for engaging in activities that threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Duration: The declaration can remain in force for 5 years.
• Individual Designation: Since 2019, individuals can also be designated as terrorists under the Act.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Context: Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, recognising his over five-decade contribution to Indian cinema.

About Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honour in the field of cinema and recognises outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
• Origin: The Government of India instituted the award in 1969 to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema.
  • The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, ceremonial shawl and ₹10 lakh cash prize.
• First Awardee: Devika Rani was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969.
• Contribution of Dadasaheb Phalke: Dadasaheb Phalke directed Raja Harishchandra (1913), regarded as India’s first full-length feature film, marking a foundational milestone in Indian cinema.
• Recent Phalke Award Recipients: Anant Nag (2024), Mohanlal (2023), Mithun Chakraborty (2022), Waheeda Rehman (2021), Asha Parekh (2020)

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About Anant Nag 

• Anant Nag was selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, which will be presented at the 72nd National Film Awards Ceremony on September 22, 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat.
• He debuted with the Kannada film Sankalpa (1973) and has acted in 300+ films across mainstream and parallel cinema over five decades.
• More than 250 of his performances have been in Kannada cinema, making his recognition particularly significant for Kannada cinema.
• He has also received five Karnataka State Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement honour.
• Dr. Rajkumar was first from Kannada cinema to receive the award in 1995, while Anant Nag became the second artist.
  • V.K. Murthy, also from Karnataka, received it in 2008 for his contribution to Hindi cinema.

World Ozone Day

Context: India observed the 32nd World Ozone Day in Mumbai on September 16, 2026, highlighting its progress under the Montreal Protocol and sustainable cooling initiatives.

About World Ozone Day

• World Ozone Day, officially the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, raises awareness about protecting the stratospheric ozone layer.
• Origin: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed the day in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on September 16, 1987.
• 2026 Theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet” to celebrate ten years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
• 2026 Initiatives: India launched the Net Zero Portal and National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) Dashboard to track climate commitments and progress across national climate missions.

Montreal Protocol

• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international environmental treaty adopted in 1987 to control and phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• Objective: It aims to phase out nearly 100 ODS, including CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride and HCFCs, through legally binding production and consumption controls.
• Kigali Amendment: Adopted in 2016, the Kigali Amendment added the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because of their high global-warming potential.
  • India ratified it in September 2021, and it entered into force for India on 26 December 2021.

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India’s Commitments Towards Ozone Protection

• Montreal Protocol Compliance: India has been a party to the Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol (1987) since 1992 and has met its scheduled commitments for different ODS.
  • CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and halons have already been phased out for controlled applications.
• HCFC Phase-Out: India is implementing the accelerated HCFC phase-out schedule and has already achieved its 2015, 2020 and 2025 targets.
  • Currently India is implementing HCFC Phase-out Management Plan Stage III (2025–2030)
• HFC Phase-Down: Under the Kigali Amendment, India will reduce HFC production and consumption in four stages: 10% by 2032, 20% by 2037, 30% by 2042 and 85% by 2047 against the baseline.

Sohar Port and Freezone

Context: Oman has invited Indian investment in Sohar Port as geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz increase the need for alternative Gulf access.

About Sohar Port

• Introduction: Sohar Port and Freezone is a deep-sea port and integrated industrial zone that has operated since 2004 and attracted over $30 billion in investments.
• Location: It is located on Oman’s Gulf of Oman coast, in Al Batinah North Governorate, outside the Strait of Hormuz and close to energy infrastructure in the UAE and eastern Saudi Arabia.
• Developed by: The port is developed through Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), a 50:50 joint venture between Oman’s ASYAD Group and the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
• Key Features
• • Deep-Sea Infrastructure: The port has deep-water facilities capable of handling large vessels and has an annual cargo-handling capacity of around 72 million tonnes.
  • Integrated Industrial Ecosystem The adjacent Sohar Freezone integrates port logistics with metals, petrochemicals and logistics industries and provides investment incentives, including 100% foreign ownership.
  • Multimodal Connectivity: Sohar provides maritime and road connectivity to GCC markets, while the planned Oman-UAE railway is expected to strengthen cross-border freight movement.

Strategic Significance

• Alternative Gulf Gateway: Its location on the Gulf of Oman provides an alternative maritime gateway to Gulf markets without requiring direct passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
• India’s Energy and Trade Security: Its proximity to energy infrastructure in the UAE and eastern Saudi Arabia can support India’s efforts to diversify energy and trade routes.
• Regional Supply Chains: The port can strengthen India-Oman commercial ties and facilitate integration with regional and global supply chains

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