UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29th June 2025
Rwanda–DR Congo Peace Deal: Key Highlights and India’s Stand
Why in News?
- Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a peace agreement in Washington D.C. on June 27, 2025. The deal aims to end decades of armed conflict in the Great Lakes region by dismantling rebel groups and improving cross-border security cooperation, with an emphasis on regional economic integration.
Key Highlights
- Neutralisation of Armed Groups:
The agreement calls for the dismantling of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) — an armed group formed by remnants of Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 Rwanda genocide. - Cessation of External Support:
Both countries pledged to halt any state support to armed militias operating across borders, including groups like M23 and FDLR. - Joint Monitoring:
A joint security coordination body will oversee implementation, ceasefire monitoring, and withdrawal of armed groups. - Regional Economic Cooperation:
The deal outlines a plan to create a framework for regional economic integration to address the root causes of resource-based conflicts.
Background
- Great Lakes Conflict Zone:
The eastern DRC has been historically destabilised by ethnic violence and competition for minerals like coltan and cobalt. - FDLR and M23:
- FDLR: Hutu rebel group with roots in post-genocide Rwanda.
- M23: Tutsi rebel group linked to regional proxy conflicts.
- Resource-Fuelled Conflict:
The DRC’s rich mineral reserves have often funded armed groups, demonstrating the “resource curse” concept. - Role of International Mediation:
The deal shows how third-party states and regional bodies facilitate conflict resolution and peace-building.
India’s Diplomatic Stand with Rwanda and DRC
- India–Rwanda Relations:
India and Rwanda share warm bilateral ties. India has provided lines of credit for infrastructure, agriculture, and capacity building, and opened its first resident mission in Kigali in 2017. India supports Rwanda’s national development priorities and upholds Rwanda’s territorial integrity and stability. - India–DRC Relations:
India and the DRC have traditionally friendly relations. India has a significant presence in UN peacekeeping through MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo), making India one of the largest troop contributors to peacekeeping in the DRC. India consistently supports the DRC’s sovereignty, unity, and peaceful resolution of its internal conflicts. - Broader Stand:
In multilateral forums, India supports respect for sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and capacity building for African Union-led peace initiatives. India also advocates for responsible mineral trade practices to curb conflict financing.
Challenges
- Past peace agreements in the Great Lakes region have suffered from weak enforcement and lack of local ownership.
- Armed groups may regroup if root causes like illicit resource trade and local governance issues remain unresolved.
- Ensuring real accountability for human rights violations remains a gap.
Way Forward
- Support effective disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants.
- Strengthen regional frameworks for transparent resource governance.
- Build inclusive peace-building processes with civil society and local communities.
- Leverage India’s peacekeeping experience to share best practices in post-conflict reconstruction and institutional capacity building.
3rd UN conference on landlocked countries
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / 3rd UN conference on landlocked countries Why in News? At the
Issue of soapstone mining in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Issue of soapstone mining in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar Why in News? Unregulated
Groundwater Pollution in India – A Silent Public Health Emergency
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Groundwater Pollution in India – A Silent Public Health Emergency Why
Universal banking- need and impact
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Universal banking- need and impact Why in News? The Reserve Bank
India’s “Goldilocks” Economy: A Critical Appraisal
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / India’s “Goldilocks” Economy: A Critical Appraisal Why in News? The Finance
U.S.-India Trade Dispute: Trump’s 50% Tariffs and India’s Oil Imports from Russia
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / U.S.-India Trade Dispute: Trump’s 50% Tariffs and India’s Oil Imports from
Eco-Friendly Solution to Teak Pest Crisis: KFRI’s HpNPV Technology
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / Eco-Friendly Solution to Teak Pest Crisis: KFRI’s HpNPV Technology Why in
New Species of Non-Venomous Rain Snake Discovered in Mizoram
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / New Species of Non-Venomous Rain Snake Discovered in Mizoram Why in
Economic Implications
For Indian Exporters
- These reforms reduce transaction costs and compliance hurdles
- Encourage a more competitive and efficient export environment
- Promote value addition in key sectors like leather
For Tamil Nadu
- The reforms particularly benefit the state’s leather industry, a major contributor to employment and exports
- Boost the marketability of GI-tagged E.I. leather, enhancing rural and traditional industries
For Trade Policy
- These decisions indicate a shift from regulatory controls to policy facilitation
Reinforce the goals of Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s ambition to become a leading export power
Recently, BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, claimed that India has overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
India’s rank as the world’s largest economy varies by measure—nominal GDP or purchasing power parity (PPP)—each with key implications for economic analysis.
