International Current Affairs MCQs

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India recently hosted the first BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in New Delhi amidst significant developments in Myanmar. BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organization established in 1997 to promote shared growth among countries in the Bay of Bengal region. Initially founded as BIST-EC, it evolved into BIMSTEC with the inclusion of Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan by 2004.

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the long-standing friendly relations between India and the Marshall Islands during the MoU signing for Four Community Development Projects. He highlighted India’s responsibility to support Pacific Islands in sustainable development, addressing climate change, natural disasters, poverty alleviation, and healthcare. Dr. Jaishankar affirmed that the Pacific Islands are significant ocean countries and valued India’s partnership with them.

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Relations between Turkey and India have deteriorated, leading Turkey to ban military equipment exports to India, a major arms purchaser. This decision follows India’s cancellation of a shipbuilding contract with a Turkish company. Although not publicly announced, the ban was revealed during a closed Foreign Affairs Committee debate in the Turkish Parliament on July 10, 2024, by Mustafa Murat Seker, Vice President of Turkey’s top arms procurement agency, SSB.

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South Africa has enacted its first Climate Change Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, aligning its efforts with the Paris Climate Agreement. The law mandates emission limits for major polluters and requires local strategies to address climate change. A primary goal is to reduce emissions from coal, South Africa’s main energy source, making it one of the top carbon dioxide emitters. The Act establishes emissions targets for key sectors like agriculture, transportation, and industry, with ministries responsible for implementation. It introduces a carbon budget system, where large emitters face extra carbon taxes if they exceed set limits.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Tokyo’s Edogawa ward, emphasizing Gandhi’s global legacy of peace and non-violence. The ceremony, part of Jaishankar’s visit for a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting, was attended by Edogawa ward’s mayor and Japan’s parliamentary vice minister of foreign affairs. The event highlights the continued relevance of Gandhi’s teachings in the modern world.

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Singapore and the United States have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement, called the 123 Agreement. This deal will allow Singapore to access detailed information and expertise on U.S. nuclear energy technologies, which are typically under export control. The agreement aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear energy and strengthen ties between the two countries in this field.

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During Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to India from July 30 to August 1, 2024, the Indian government announced $300 million in loans to strengthen Vietnam’s maritime security. Nine agreements were signed, including Vietnam joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and a plan to develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The visit marked a significant step in deepening India-Vietnam ties.

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China conducted its largest unmanned cargo aircraft flight, designed for civilian use, with a 2-ton payload capacity. The twin-engine aircraft’s inaugural flight lasted about 20 minutes in Sichuan province. China aims to expand its low-altitude economy, targeting a 2-trillion-yuan industry by 2030. The aircraft, developed by Tengden, has a wingspan of 16.1 meters and is slightly larger than the Cessna 172.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi on August 21, 2024.
The three-day event, running from August 20-22, 2024, includes senior officials and business leaders from Africa and India. The conclave aims to boost trade and investment, encourage Indian investment in Africa, and explore business opportunities. This year’s focus includes agriculture, food processing, defence, healthcare, digital partnerships, power, energy, financial partnerships, infrastructure, and skill development. The theme of the conclave is “Creating One Future.”

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India and the US have signed two key defence agreements: the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Liaison Officers to boost defence cooperation. SOSA aims to enhance industry collaboration by ensuring priority support for defence goods and services between the two nations. Under SOSA, both countries can request faster delivery for defence contracts from each other’s companies, helping manage supply-chain issues. The US will offer India assurances through its Defense Priorities and Allocations System, while India will set up a code of conduct for prioritizing US defence needs. India is now the 18th country to sign SOSA with the US, joining nations like Australia, Israel, Japan, and the UK.