Ukraine Peace Talks – Trump, Zelenskyy, Putin & EU
Leaders (2025)
Why in the News?
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and U.S. President Trump met in Washington with European leaders to explore a peace deal with Russia.
- Aim: Possible trilateral talks (Ukraine–Russia–U.S.) to end the Ukraine war.
Key Outcomes / Proposals
- Security Guarantees for Ukraine
- Trump: Ukraine will get “NATO-like” guarantees, but without U.S. troop deployment.
- European powers (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Finland) may shoulder most of the responsibility.
- This reflects U.S. burden-sharing strategy.
Strategic Implications:
- Possible end to prolonged war → stabilises global energy and food supply chains.
- But territorial concessions may weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty.
- Europe taking the lead reflects U.S. burden-sharing strategy. TheHindu
India–China Relations : Wang Yi’s Visit
Key Developments
- Visit: Chinese FM Wang Yi in Delhi → meets EAM Jaishankar, NSA Doval, and to call on PM Modi (Aug 19).
Focus:
- De-escalation at LAC → Jaishankar stressed troop withdrawal & dismantling of infrastructure (status quo ante April 2020 not yet achieved).
- Preparation for Modi–Xi meeting at SCO Summit (Tianjin, Aug 2025).
- 24th Special Representative talks (Doval–Wang) on boundary dispute.
Positive Steps:
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed (2025).
- India resumed issuing visas to Chinese tourists.
- Talks on river water data sharing & direct flights.
Context
- Background: Relations strained since 2020 Galwan clashes; partial disengagement but standoff continues in some friction points.
- Kazan summit (Oct 2024): Modi–Xi agreed to “normalise ties” after a 4-year military standoff.
- China’s Stand: Ready for “constructive talks” on border delimitation, management, and cross-border cooperation. TheHindu
India’s Space Plans (Lok Sabha)
Key Announcements by Union Minister Jitendra Singh
- Moon Mission 2040: An Indian astronaut will land on the moon by 2040.
Space Milestones:
- 2026 → Vyommitra robot mission (uncrewed).
- 2027 → Gaganyaan human spaceflight.
- 2035 → Bharat Antariksh Station (India’s own space station).
- Space Economy: Grew to $8 billion (after reforms in 2020); target $45 billion in the next decade.
- First Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla visited the ISS (International Space Station).
West Bengal – Shramashree Scheme
Key Highlights
- Launched by: CM Mamata Banerjee.
- Aim: Support migrant workers who return to West Bengal after facing harassment/discrimination in other States.
Benefits:
- ₹5,000 monthly stipend (up to 1 year or till employment).
- Access to ration cards + Swasthya Sathi free healthcare.
- Digital Shramashree card via portal for official recognition.
Scale
- : 22.4 lakh workers eligible; ~10,000 already returned recently.
- Many Bengali-speaking migrants in other States faced harassment, detention, or were wrongly accused as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
- TMC is projecting this as part of a “language movement” to protect Bengali identity. TheHindu