Daily Current Affairs – 17 February, 2025

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for a "coordinated flotilla" to promote stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the report titled ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking’ (2024).

India and the United States strengthen cooperation in Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) with the launch of the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) during the PM Modi visit to the US. 

Recently, Pune in Maharashtra witnessed a resurgence of debate between development and environmental conservation after ‘Chalo Chipko’ protest against the Pune Riverfront Development Project, echoing the spirit of the Chipko Movement of 1970s.

The trend of organised employment has been shifting from the public to private sector — especially post the economic reforms of 1991.

Recent research has uncovered a significant pause in coral reef growth in the Gulf of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba).