MAINS Current Affairs includes India and Italy Ties Upgraded to Special Strategic Partnership & NHRC Issues Second Advisory to Ensure Welfare of Transgenders

INTERNATIONAL

1. India and Italy Ties Upgraded to Special Strategic Partnership

Context: India and Italy upgraded their ties to a special strategic partnership.

Major Highlights

• The two sides inked 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including agreements to boost partnerships in critical minerals, agriculture, maritime transport and marine products.
• India and Italy rolled out a defence industrial roadmapfor the co-development and co-production of military hardware and platforms, including helicopters and marine armament.
• They committed to cooperate on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
• Both nations vowed to expand annual trade to Euro 20 billion by 2029, from the current bilateral trade of €14 billion ($15.2 billion).

Brief on India-Italy Bilateral Ties

• Diplomatic relationswith Italy were established in 1947 and were elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2023 as they celebrated the 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.
• Indo-Pacific Region:In 2021, the ‘India-Italy-Japan’ trilateral was launched, with an aim to work towards the security, stability, prosperity and multilateralism of the Indo-Pacific region.
  • It is the second trilateral that India has, in the Indo-Pacific region, involving a European country, after the ‘India-France-Australia’ trilateral.
• Joint Action Plan: Prime Minister and his Italian counterpart unveiled the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 as they met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
  • It is afive-year strategic action plan outlining their vision for collaboration in a range of key sectorse. Defence, Economy, Connectivity, Science and Innovation, Migration and Mobility, Space and Energy transition.
• Global Forums:Italy joined both the significant initiatives, launched on the margins of the G20 Summit, the ‘Global Biofuel Alliance’ and the ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’. 
  • Italy has also joined the‘International Solar Alliance’ (ISA), in 2021, which was the year of the Italian Presidency of G20 and co-Presidency of COP26.
• Economic:Italy is India’s 4th largest trading partner in the EU. In 2025, bilateral trade reached € 14.25 billion with India’s exports at € 8.55 billion and a balance in favour of India of € 2.85 billion.
  • The free trade agreement between the European Union and India paves the way for increased trade and investment in both directions.
• Indian Diaspora: Indian nationals in Italy are thelargest Indian community in the European Union. 
  • They are the seventh largest foreign community in Italy, comprising 3.25% of the foreign nationals residing in Italy.
  • The Migration and Mobility Agreement (MMA) was signed in 2023 to facilitate safe and legal migration of workers.
• Future outlook : Recent developments show that there is a renewed interest in the relationship from both sides.
  • India and Italy can leverage their strategic positions in the Indian Ocean and in the Mediterranean, respectively, to promote connectivity, stability, energy security, freedom of navigation.

Significance of Italy for India

• Strategic and Political Importance: Italy is an important member of the European Union, G7, and NATO, making it a valuable partner for India in engaging with Europe and the wider Western world.
• Trade and Economic Significance:Italy is among India’s major trading partners in Europe. Italian companies are known for advanced manufacturing, luxury goods, fashion, design, and precision engineering, which complement India’s industrial growth.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Italy has expertise in naval systems, aerospace technology, defence manufacturing, and shipbuilding.
  • Defence cooperation can strengthen India’s maritime security and indigenous defence production capabilities.
• Renewable Energy and Climate Cooperation: Italy is an important partner in clean energy transition and climate action. Both countries cooperate in solar energy, green hydrogen, sustainable mobility, and climate-resilient technologies.
• Maritime and Connectivity Importance: Italy’s strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea makes it important for India’s trade access to Europe and North Africa.

Conclusion

• Italy is significant for India as a strategic European partner with strengths in technology, manufacturing, defence, clean energy, and global diplomacy.
• Stronger India–Italy cooperation can help India diversify economic partnerships, enhance technological advancement, strengthen maritime security, and deepen engagement with Europe.

SOCIAL ISSUES

2. NHRC Issues Second Advisory to Ensure Welfare of Transgenders

Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a second advisory to Secretaries of 11 Ministries, the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner and the Chief Secretaries of all the states and union territories to ensure  the welfare of transgender persons. 

About

• Based on NHRC’s continued engagements, the Commission has identified a range of persistent and emerging challenges affecting transgender persons.
• The key recommendations are as follows:
  • Inclusion of distinct categoriessuch as ‘Intersex’, ‘Transmen’ and ‘Transwomen’ in the upcoming Census of India;
  • Review of laws,including the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Juvenile Justice Act and succession laws, to ensure recognition of self-identified gender and protection of the rights of transgender;
  • Ensuring equal inheritance, succession, housing and property rightsfor transgender and intersex persons;
  • Admission of transgender students in educational institutions based on self-identified gender without requiring medical proof;
  • Developing standardised and ethical medical protocolsfor gender-affirming healthcare, and regulation of Sex Reassignment Surgery costs;
  • Promoting inclusive workplacesthrough gender-neutral facilities, inclusive Human Resource policies, workplace grievance mechanisms and mandatory diversity disclosures; and
  • Simplifying the documentation processand enabling self-identification-based enrolment for elderly transgender persons in welfare schemes and establishing transgender-inclusive old-age homes.

India’s Position on LGBTQIA+ Rights

• As per census 2011, there were 4.87 lakhs persons in India who opted for “other” in gender category.
• Transgender Rights: NALSA v. Union of India (2014) recognised the right to self-identify gender.
  • It recognisestransgender as the “third gender” upholding their fundamental rights.
• Decriminalisation:Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) decriminalised consensual homosexual acts (Section 377 partially struck down).
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 14 Right to equality, Article 15 No discrimination on grounds of sex and Article 21 Right to life and personal liberty.
• Legislation: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 provides legal recognition of transgender identity.

Challenges Faced by the Transgenders 

• Societal Issues:Trans persons face deep-rooted societal prejudices, leading to ostracisation from families and communities.
• Lack of Access to Education: High school dropout rates due to bullying, harassment, and gender-based violence.
• Barriers in Employment: Trans persons face widespread discrimination in hiring and the workplace.
  • Often forced into informal, unsafe, and exploitative sectors, like begging or sex work, due to lack of opportunities.
• Healthcare Exclusion: They face lack of gender-affirmative healthcare, discrimination by medical staff, and unavailability of hormonal and surgical services in public hospitals. They bear a high mental health burden due to social rejection and isolation.
• Violence and Abuse: Prone to verbal, physical, and sexual violence both in public and private spaces.
• Political Underrepresentation: Low political visibility and representation in mainstream parties and institutions. Lack of policy-making participation hinders the articulation of their needs.

Government Initiatives

• The National Portal for Transgender Persons, launched in 2020, enables online applications for identity certificates and access to benefits.
• The SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme,introduced in 2022, provides livelihood, skill training, and shelter support through Garima Greh centres and Ayushman Bharat TG Plus health coverage.
• The Department of Social Justice & Empowermenthas issued “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons” to ensure that the Transgender community has equal access to employment opportunities etc.
• National Council for Transgender Persons:It serves as a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to safeguard and promote the rights of transgender persons in India.
  • The council also has five representatives of transgender community, representatives of NHRC and NCW, representatives of State Governments and UTs and experts representing NGOs.
• Transgender Protection Cells and National Portal Integration: Setting up district-level cells under District Magistrates to monitor offenses, ensure timely FIR registration, and conduct sensitisation programs, reinforcing legal protections.

Conclusion

• Recent years have witnessed significant legal and policy reforms for the transgender community in India.
• As India advances toward a more equitable future, ensuring that transgender persons live with dignity, autonomy, and opportunity remains central to its democratic and human rights commitments.

Download Pdf | Study Material | Downloads | Daily Quiz  | FREE Youtube Videos