UPSC Mains Current Affairs for 19 September 2025

Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defence Pact: Strategic Shift in Regional Security

September 19, 2025

Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defence Pact Latest News

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark mutual defence pact, formalising a security partnership rooted since the 1960s.
The agreement declares that “any aggression against either country shall be considered aggression against both.” It aims to deepen defence cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence in the region.
The pact, finalised after Israel’s recent strike in Qatar and amid waning US defence assurances, marks the first major defence agreement between an Arab nation and a nuclear-armed state.
While Saudi Arabia maintains close ties with India as well, this development signals a significant strategic shift in regional security dynamics.

Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defence Pact and India’s Response

During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
The agreement builds on nearly eight decades of partnership, rooted in brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, and strategic defence cooperation.
It aims to strengthen deterrence and promote regional and global security.
The defence pact signals a strategic shift, particularly as Saudi Arabia balances its close ties with both Pakistan and India.
It highlights the evolving security and diplomatic landscape in the region.

India’s Cautious Response to Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact

India reacted carefully to the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan mutual defence agreement, with MEA spokesperson noting that the government was aware of the long-standing arrangement.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it will study its implications for national security and regional stability, reaffirming India’s commitment to protecting its interests.

Deepening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Ties

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a long history of military cooperation, beginning with Pakistani troop deployments in the 1960s and special forces support during the 1979 Mecca Grand Mosque crisis.
Their ties were institutionalised in 1982 through a Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement, enabling training, advisory roles, and arms sales.
Pakistani personnel have played a key role in training the Saudi Air Force, while Saudi Arabia has been a major arms buyer.
Recent meetings have pledged expanded training and exchanges.
The latest defence pact marks Pakistan’s most significant formal commitment in decades, securing Saudi investment during its fiscal crisis and reinforcing its pan-Islamic security role.
Analysts suggest Pakistan may now access U.S. weapons through Saudi funding.
For Riyadh, the pact strengthens defences against Iran, Houthi militias, and instability triggered by Israel’s actions.

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Ties with India

Economic Partnership
- Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trading partner, while India is its second-largest.
- In FY 2023-24, bilateral trade reached USD 42.98 billion, with Indian exports at USD 11.56 billion and imports at USD 31.42 billion.
Political and Strategic Milestones
- Relations deepened with King Abdullah’s 2006 visit, leading to the Delhi Declaration, followed by the Riyadh Declaration in 2010 that elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership.
- In 2016, PM Narendra Modi’s visit saw him receive Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘King Abdulaziz Sash’.
Recent Engagements and Crisis Diplomacy
- High-level exchanges have since continued. During PM Modi’s April 2025 visit, Saudi Arabia swiftly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Its Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also visited during Operation Sindoor.
Balanced Approach on Sensitive Issues
- Saudi Arabia has maintained measured positions during India-Pakistan tensions — condemning terror attacks like Pulwama, but refraining from criticising India’s Article 370 abrogation or the Balakot strikes.
- It has often positioned itself as a mediator, engaging with both neighbours.

Source: IE | TH | TW

Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defence Pact FAQs

Q1: What is the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defence Pact

Ans: The pact declares that any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both, deepening defence cooperation and regional deterrence.

Q2: Why is the pact considered significant?

Ans: It marks the first major defence pact between an Arab nation and a nuclear-armed state, signed amid waning U.S. assurances and regional instability.

Q3: How has India reacted to the pact?

Ans: India responded cautiously, noting awareness of the arrangement and stating it will study implications for national security and regional stability.

Q4: What is the history of Saudi-Pakistan military ties?

Ans: Their cooperation dates back to the 1960s, formalised in 1982, with Pakistani forces training Saudi troops and providing advisory roles.

Q5: How does Saudi Arabia balance ties with India?

Ans: Despite deep defence ties with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia maintains strategic and economic ties with India, being its fifth-largest trade partner.

SC Guidelines vs Adani Gag Order: Free Speech and Defamation Cases

September 19, 2025

Adani Gag Order Latest News

Recently, a lower court issued a sweeping ex-parte gag order restraining several journalists, including Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, from publishing allegedly defamatory content against Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).
The order also directed removal of numerous articles and social media posts.
Following this, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued takedown notices, resulting in the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts — some being satire or indirect references to Adani.

SC Guidelines on Defamation Injunctions

The Bonnard Standard
- The Supreme Court follows the Bonnard principle (1891, Bonnard vs Perryman).
- It states that a court can grant an injunction only when it is satisfied that the defendant may not be able to justify the defamation, and not merely when it suspects defamation.
SC’s Bloomberg Ruling (2024)
- In 2024, the SC applied this principle while overturning an ex parte injunction ordering Bloomberg to take down an article on Zee Entertainment.
- The Court stressed that pre-trial injunctions should be rare, granted only when withholding them would cause “greater injustice.”
Supreme Court’s Caution on Ex Parte Orders
- The SC has held that ex parte injunctions in free speech cases must only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and only when content is “malicious” or “palpably false.”
- Otherwise, they risk stifling public debate and undermining the public’s right to know.

The September 6 Adani Gag Order

A Delhi court issued a blanket gag order restraining Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and others from publishing content about Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), while also authorising takedown of existing material within 36 hours.
This judgement had serious lacunas:
- No judicial examination of the allegedly defamatory content was carried out.
- The order effectively allowed AEL to curate public information about itself.
- Journalists were restrained from publishing “unverified or defamatory” reports, amounting to prior restraint — unconstitutional under Article 19(1)(a).

Why Prior Restraint is Problematic

Restrictions on speech are valid only under Article 19(2), covering grounds like sovereignty, security, public order, morality, and defamation.
But prior restraint carries a heavy burden of proof and is rarely justified.
Journalists must be heard since truth and fair comment are lawful defences in defamation cases.

Delhi Court Quashes Gag Order in Adani Defamation Case

Later, District Judge of Delhi Court quashed the gag order for four journalists — Ravi Nair, Abir Dasgupta, Ayaskant Das, and Ayush Joshi — stating the order was unsustainable.
The court emphasised that the journalists had not been given an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
It noted that declaring articles defamatory and ordering their removal without defence could lead to irreversible consequences.
- If later found non-defamatory, restoring removed content would be infeasible.

Key Highlights of the Judgement

The gag order was quashed for being ex-parte and unsustainable.
- An ex parte order is a court ruling made at the request of one party without the other being present or notified.
- It is granted only in urgent situations for temporary relief, such as restraining orders, to prevent harm until a full hearing with both parties ensures fairness and due process.
The court reaffirmed that defendants must be given a chance to present their defence before sweeping takedown orders.
Judge warned against irreversible harm from premature content removal.
The ruling narrowed the scope but left other related appeals and the main defamation trial pending.

Source: IE | TH | B&B

Adani Gag Order FAQs

Q1: What is the Bonnard standard in defamation cases?

Ans: It states injunctions can be granted only if the defendant clearly cannot justify defamation, not merely on suspicion of defamation.

Q2: How did the SC apply this in 2024?

Ans: The SC overturned an ex parte injunction against Bloomberg, warning pre-trial gag orders must be rare and justified only to prevent greater injustice.

Q3: What did the September 6 Adani gag order state?

Ans: It restrained journalists from publishing content on AEL, ordered content takedowns within 36 hours, and imposed broad prior restraint.

Q4: Why was the gag order quashed?

Ans: The Delhi court ruled it violated natural justice, as journalists weren’t heard, and premature content removal could cause irreversible harm.

Q5: Why is prior restraint considered unconstitutional?

Ans: Because restrictions on free speech must fall under Article 19(2). Prior restraint without hearing the defence undermines lawful safeguards like truth and fair comment.

Onion Sector in India – Price Distress and Policy Challenges

September 19, 2025

Onion Sector Latest News

Maharashtra’s onion farmers are protesting after prices crashed below production costs, demanding compensation, stable export policies, and procurement support.

Onion Production in India

India is the world’s second-largest producer of onions, after China, with annual production averaging 25–30 million tonnes.
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Rajasthan are the leading producers.
The country grows three onion crops, Kharif, Late Kharif, and Rabi, with Rabi onions having higher storage potential and accounting for nearly 60% of annual output.
Maharashtra dominates production due to a favourable climate and large-scale cultivation in districts like Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, and Solapur. However, despite its massive output, the sector faces persistent problems.

Challenges Faced by the Onion Sector

Price volatility: Onions often witness extreme price fluctuations due to excess production, poor storage, and sudden export restrictions.
Storage losses: A significant portion of Rabi onions deteriorates due to poor storage infrastructure, leading to wastage and distress sales.
Export policy flip-flops: Frequent bans and restrictions undermine India’s credibility in global onion markets, leading to competitors like China and Pakistan capturing India’s lost share.
High production costs: Fertilisers, seeds, storage, and labour raise production costs to Rs. 2,200-Rs. 2,500 per quintal, but farmers often receive far less in the market.

News Summary

Farmers in Maharashtra began agitating on September 12, 2025, after onion prices fell sharply.
Currently, they are receiving only Rs. 800-Rs. 1,000 per quintal, less than half the cost of production.
The crisis worsened because Rabi onions stored in anticipation of higher prices began deteriorating, forcing distress sales.
Adding to the distress, the government released buffer stocks into the market through the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
While the buffer stock policy aims to stabilise consumer prices, it further dragged down wholesale rates, aggravating farmers’ losses.
Farmers’ Demands
- A compensation of Rs. 1,500 per quintal for the losses.
- Immediate halt to the sale of NCCF and NAFED buffer stocks in cities.
- A uniform and stable export policy to restore trust among importing nations.
- Discussions with key buyers like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which were once major markets for Indian onions.
Impact of Export Policy
- India exported 25.25 lakh tonnes of onions in 2022–23, but exports fell drastically to 11.47 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
- This sharp fall eroded India’s competitiveness, with buyers shifting to China and Pakistan.
- Experts argue that inconsistent export policies have damaged India’s reputation in global markets.
Alternative Solutions Suggested
- Farmers and exporters have urged the government to incentivise exports to regain India’s lost market share.
- Replicating Andhra Pradesh’s procurement model, where onions are purchased at Rs. 1,200 per quintal, is being suggested for Maharashtra to ensure a minimum support price.
- Long-term measures such as cold storage expansion and farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) for collective bargaining have been emphasised.

Conclusion

The onion crisis in Maharashtra reflects the deep-rooted systemic flaws in India’s agricultural pricing and export policies.
While buffer stock release and price stabilisation policies aim to protect consumers, they often end up hurting farmers.
The current protests underline the urgent need for structural reforms, from stable export strategies to better procurement models and infrastructure upgrades.
Without these, India’s onion farmers will remain at the mercy of volatile markets, recurring protests, and policy inconsistencies.

Source: TH

Onion Sector FAQs

Q1: Why are onion farmers in Maharashtra protesting?

Ans: Farmers are protesting due to a price crash that has left them earning less than half their production costs.

Q2: What price are farmers demanding as compensation?

Ans: They are demanding government aid of Rs. 1,500 per quintal.

Q3: How is the buffer stock policy affecting onion farmers?

Ans: Releasing NCCF and NAFED buffer stocks has further depressed market prices, worsening farmers’ losses.

Q4: Why have India’s onion exports declined sharply?

Ans: Inconsistent export policies have caused credibility issues, leading countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to turn to competitors.

Q5: What solution is suggested as a model for Maharashtra?

Ans: Experts suggest emulating Andhra Pradesh’s model of procuring onions at ₹1,200 per quintal to safeguard farmer incomes.