India–Canada CEPA – Trade Target, Strategic Significance & GS 2 Analysis

Objective

• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
• Target: Double trade by 2030

Trade Numbers

• Trade in 2024: $30+ billion
• Target: $50–70 billion by 2030

Areas of Cooperation

• Energy
• Clean technology
• Defence
• AI & advanced tech
• Nuclear energy (uranium supply)

Trilateral Partnership

Australia–Canada–India framework (G20 2025)

• Critical minerals
• AI
• Supply chain resilience
• Net-zero cooperation

Strategic angle: Diversification away from China-centric supply chains.

Iran–Israel War – Causes, Nuclear Trigger & Regional Impact | UPSC GS 2

Core Thesis

The Iran–Israel war is not sudden. It is the culmination of decades of ideological hostility, proxy conflict, failed nuclear diplomacy and recent regional destabilisation.

Historical Evolution

• Pre-1979: Iran (Shah era) had working ties with Israel and the U.S.
• 1979 Islamic Revolution: Iran became ideologically anti-Israel and anti-U.S.
• Israel began treating Iran as a long-term existential threat.

Proxy War Phase

For decades, confrontation remained indirect:

Iran:

• Built regional network (Hezbollah, Hamas, allied militias)
• Used proxies to pressure Israel

Israel:

• Airstrikes in Syria
• Targeted Iranian assets
• Prevented Iranian entrenchment near borders

Nuclear Trigger

• Iran expanded uranium enrichment
• 2015 nuclear deal collapsed after U.S. withdrawal
• Israel considers nuclear-capable Iran unacceptable

Immediate Escalation (2025–26)

• Gaza war reshaped Israeli security thinking
• Syrian instability exposed Iranian networks
• Oman mediation failed
• Israel launched pre-emptive strikes
• Iran retaliated with direct missile attacks

Shift: Proxy war → Open confrontation

Strategic Objectives

Israel:

• Degrade nuclear capability
• Dismantle militia infrastructure
• Restore deterrence

Iran:

• Preserve regime
• Maintain regional influence
• Avoid strategic humiliation

Wider Implications

• Strait of Hormuz risk
• U.S. involvement deepening
• Gulf states cautious
• Long-term regional instability