{"id":155453,"date":"2025-02-14T19:15:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T13:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=155453"},"modified":"2025-02-14T19:15:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T13:45:46","slug":"news-in-shorts-14-february-2025","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/news-in-shorts-14-february-2025","title":{"rendered":"News in Shorts: 14 February 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>4th India-EU Urban Forum on Smart &#038; Sustainable Urbanisation<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> 4th India-EU Urban Forum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was held in New Delhi, focusin<\/span><b>g on sustainable urban development.<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About 4th India-EU Urban Forum<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is Based on <\/span><b>the 2017 Joint Declaration on Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between<\/span><b> India and the European Union (EU).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Main Goal: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To strengthen India-EU collaboration for<\/span><b> sustainable urban growth.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Key Themes Discussed:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Urban Alliance and Integrated Approaches: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoting <\/span><b>coordinated urban development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><b>Indian cities.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Innovation and Circularity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encouraging<\/span><b> sustainable practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the city level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Inclusive Urban Mobility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhancing public transportation as a tool for <\/span><b>social inclusion.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Importance of India-EU Collaboration<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Urban Impact:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Urban areas account for two-thirds of global energy use, emissions, and pollution.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The collaboration targets these critical issues, promoting sustainable urban development.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Achievements Since 2017:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promoted sustainable city models and climate action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Involved over <\/span><b>40 Indian municipalities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in climate-smart development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supported urban mobility, waste management, and disaster risk reduction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Support for Government Programs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The collaboration aligns with the<\/span><b> Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs'( MoHUA\u2019s)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> initiatives for smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governor of Tamil Nadu flagged off the first batch of delegates at Dr. MGR Central Railway Station, Chennai.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 is a 10-day event from 15th to 24th February 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is part of the government\u2019s \u2018Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programme.\u2019<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Objective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Aimed at celebrating <\/span><b>the historical and cultural links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facilitate<\/span><b> knowledge exchange <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">among scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists, and other participants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote <\/span><b>cultural unity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and enhance the understanding of<\/span><b> Indian Knowledge Systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in line with<\/span><b> New Education policy 2020.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Organized by: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, with support from other ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>IIT Madras<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><b>the sender institution <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>Banaras Hindu University<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><b>BHU)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><b>the receiving institution.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Historical Background<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Kashi Tamil Sangamam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has been organized twice before: <\/span><b>2022<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Around 4000 delegates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Tamil Nadu participated in the earlier editions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Central Theme<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The theme for this edition is <\/span><b>Maharishi Agasthyar and Mahakumbh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with <\/span><b>Shri Ayodhya Dham<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as the backdrop.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aims to bring <\/span><b>Tamil Nadu and Kashi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> closer, highlighting their cultural and civilizational bonds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>India\u2019s Palm Oil Imports Plunge<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> India\u2019s palm oil imports dropped 65% year-on-year in January 2025, reaching a 13-year low.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About Palm Oil<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-155441 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1412-67af382cf251a.webp\" alt=\"Palm Oil\" width=\"351\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1412-67af382cf251a.webp 520w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1412-67af382cf251a-300x275.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Palm Oil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is extracted from the fruit of the <\/span><b>African oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the <\/span><b>most widely used vegetable oils<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Types of Palm Oil<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Crude Palm Oil (CPO)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Extracted from the <\/span><b>fruit pulp<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; Used mainly for <\/span><b>cooking and food processing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Palm Kernel Oil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Extracted from the <\/span><b>seed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; Used in <\/span><b>cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both are <\/span><b>colorless, odorless, and relatively tasteless<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Global Production<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Indonesia &#038; Malaysia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> account for <\/span><b>85% of global production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other producers: <\/span><b>Thailand, Colombia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Palm Oil Production in India<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Major Producing States<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala (<\/span><b>98% of total production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>India relies heavily on imports<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to meet domestic demand.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>National Mission on Edible Oils \u2013 Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Launched in<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2021<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Goal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Promote domestic oil palm cultivation and reduce dependence on imports.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Target<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Increase oil palm cultivation area from 3.70 to 10.00 lakh hectares by 2025-26. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Indian-Origin cow sets Guinness World Record<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Viatina-19, an Ongole breed cow, recently set a world record by selling for $4.82 million (~\u20b941 crore) in Brazil, surpassing Japan\u2019s Wagyu and India\u2019s Brahman breeds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About Ongole Cattle Breed<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Native Breed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Ongole cattle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are a <\/span><b>Bos Indicus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> breed native to India, known for their <\/span><b>strength<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>disease resistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>heat tolerance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Historical Use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Traditionally used for <\/span><b>agriculture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>dairy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>breeding purposes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, contributing significantly to livestock economies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alternative Name<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Also known as the <\/span><b>Nellore breed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to its historical association with the Nellore district.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Geographical Distribution<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Native Region<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Originates from the <\/span><b>Prakasam district<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (formerly part of Nellore district)of <\/span><b>Andhra Pradesh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Villages around <\/span><b>Guntur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Vinukonda<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Narasaraopet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>Ongole<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Kandukur<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Areas along the <\/span><b>Gundlakamma<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Alluru rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Physical Traits<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Hump<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Distinct and well-developed hump in males.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Special Features<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heat Resistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Can withstand <\/span><b>harsh tropical climates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it ideal for <\/span><b>drought-prone areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Disease Resistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Strong immune system with resistance to <\/span><b>foot and mouth disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>mad cow disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Genetic Purity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Known for maintaining <\/span><b>genetic purity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and adaptability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A2 Milk Production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Produces <\/span><b>A2 milk<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is rich in the <\/span><b>A2 allele of Beta-Casein<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and considered healthier than A1 milk.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Cultural and Economic Significance<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mascot of 2002 National Games<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>Veera<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an Ongole bull, was the mascot of the <\/span><b>2002 National Games of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Global Demand<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Used extensively for <\/span><b>crossbreeding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in countries like Brazil, USA, and Australia to improve local cattle breeds.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Example: <\/span><b>Viatina-19<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a Brazilian Ongole cow, set a record as the <\/span><b>world\u2019s most expensive cow<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The state government&#8217;s move to build a village for tribals in the buffer zone of <\/span><b>Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary raised objections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><b>Buffer zone<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buffer Zone is a designated <\/span><b>area around a wildlife sanctuary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that helps protect the sanctuary&#8217;s <\/span><b>biodiversity and ecosystem.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It lies in the core of Western Ghats in Kodagu district (Karnataka).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sanctuary gets its <\/span><b>name from its Highest point (Brahmagiri Peak)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which is 1607 m in height.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rivers: Lakshmana Tirtha River <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">originates in the sanctuary and is a <\/span><b>tributary of the Cauvery River.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flora:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Primary vegetation of the sanctuary includes<\/span><b> evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, shoal forest <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">patches in grasslands, and bamboos.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Surrounded by:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Coffee and cardamom plantations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Fauna:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Home of the <\/span><b>lion-tailed macaque<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><b>endangered<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the IUCN Red List).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>BRAHMOS-NG<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Context: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next-generation BrahMos missile, known as BrahMos NG, is approaching its first flight test, slated for <\/span><b>2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with production set to commence in<\/span><b> 2027-28.<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>About Next Generation BrahMos Missile (BrahMos NG)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><b>BrahMos NG (Next Generation)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> missile system is in <\/span><b>advanced stages of development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Collaboration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Developed under the <\/span><b>India-Russia Joint Venture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Key Features of BrahMos NG<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Design<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Compact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Designed to be compatible with smaller delivery systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Performance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Range<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>290 km<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (same as the older version).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Speed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Up to <\/span><b>Mach 3.5<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (supersonic speed).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Radar Cross-Section<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reduced compared to the older version.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Seeker<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Equipped with a <\/span><b>homemade Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compatibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Can be fitted on <\/span><b>Sukhoi-30MKI<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fighter aircraft and <\/span><b>Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Strategic Importance<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Defense Modernization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Enhances India\u2019s <\/span><b>supersonic cruise missile capabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthens <\/span><b>air defense<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>precision strike capabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Export Potential<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Philippines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Already supplied <\/span><b>three BrahMos missile batteries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under a <\/span><b>$375 million deal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2022).<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First foreign buyer of BrahMos missiles<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Indonesia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: In advanced talks for a <\/span><b>$450 million deal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interest from <\/span><b>African<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>West Asian countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Indigenous Development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Reflects India\u2019s growing <\/span><b>defense manufacturing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>export capabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span 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