International Current Affairs MCQs

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The Prime Minister of Thailand gifted a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali language to the Indian Prime Minister during his ongoing visit. Tipitaka, meaning “three baskets,” is a collection of Buddhist scriptures written in the Pali language and is the core of Theravada Buddhism. The Vinaya Pitaka contains rules and guidelines for monks and nuns in the monastic community, called the sangha. The Sutta Pitaka includes the sermons and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The Abhidhamma Pitaka explains deep philosophical ideas about the nature of reality. Theravada Buddhism is the oldest surviving Buddhist tradition followed by those called theravadins, meaning followers of the old teachers or theras.

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Mauritius has become the first African country and the fourth globally to sign a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global platform that promotes solar energy cooperation among member countries. The CPF offers a structured plan for long- and medium-term collaboration on solar projects aligned with Mauritius’s national goals. This agreement aims to speed up clean energy transition through joint solar initiatives. A Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) will be created to suit Mauritius’s energy needs.

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Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who chairs the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reforms, recently stated that India will be a strong contender if the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expanded. Kuwait and Austria currently co-chair the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. All UN member states must comply with UNSC decisions under the UN Charter. The UNSC determines threats to peace, recommends settlement methods, imposes sanctions, and authorizes military actions. It consists of 15 members: 5 permanent members with veto power and 10 elected non-permanent members. The UNSC is headquartered in New York City.

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The Jwaneng Diamond Mine in Botswana is currently the richest diamond mine in the world, with an estimated value of 1 billion euros. It is famously known as the ‘Prince of Mines’ and is located near the edge of the Kalahari Desert. The mine lies in an ancient volcanic crater about 170 kilometers southwest of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. It is operated by Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers, a leading global diamond company, and the Government of Botswana. Jwaneng means “a place of gems” in the Setswana language. The mine sits on a kimberlite pipe, a volcanic formation that brings diamonds from deep inside the Earth to the surface. The site was discovered by De Beers in the 1970s and has been in operation since 1982. The recent highlight of its value and global importance makes it a key player in the international diamond industry.

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The Indian government has recently announced that nationals of Pakistan will not be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). The SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme was launched in 1992 to allow certain dignitaries from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to travel visa-free within the region. Under this scheme, special visa stickers are issued by each member state to eligible persons of their own country. These stickers are usually valid for one year and reviewed regularly by immigration authorities of SAARC nations. The scheme simplifies travel by removing visa, police reporting, and extra form requirements.

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Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is working to convince President Donald Trump’s administration to continue vital funding by emphasizing that a donation would benefit the US vaccine industry. Gavi is an independent public-private partnership created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children in the world’s poorest countries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi unites public and private sectors to ensure equal access to vaccines for all children. It includes governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, vaccine manufacturers, and private philanthropists. Gavi provides financial support, technical expertise, and market-shaping efforts to help lower vaccine costs.

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United Kingdom (UK)-based health charity Encephalitis International has launched a global campaign titled ‘Preventing Future Encephalitis: Climate Change and Infectious Disease’ to raise awareness about encephalitis and promote vaccination. Encephalitis is the inflammation of active brain tissues caused by infections or autoimmune responses, affecting over 1.5 million people globally every year. The campaign highlights how climate change increases encephalitis risk by creating conditions for disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes and ticks to spread. India is among high-burden countries, with 1,548 cases of Japanese encephalitis reported in 2024 from 24 states and union territories.

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On May 2, 2025, Australian boatbuilder Incat launched the world’s largest electric-powered ship, named Hull 096. The ship is a 130-metre-long aluminium catamaran designed for South American ferry operator Buquebus. It can carry 2,100 passengers and up to 225 vehicles across the River Plate between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. Hull 096 is powered by over 250 tonnes of batteries with an Energy Storage System (ESS) providing more than 40 megawatt hours of capacity. It was initially planned to run on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) but was later converted to battery power. The launch highlights a major step towards reducing maritime carbon emissions, which account for about three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This comes after the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted for a global carbon pricing system, with cleaner fuels required by 2028.

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Angola signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and became its 123rd member during President Joao Lourenco’s visit to India. This visit coincided with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and Angola. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a defence Line of Credit of 200 million US dollars to support Angola’s armed forces. India and Angola will work together to develop Angola’s new oil fields and set up onshore and offshore refineries. New cooperation areas include diamond processing, pharmaceuticals, automobile components, and digital infrastructure. Three agreements were signed on ayurveda, agriculture, and culture.

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The Quad countries recently conducted a Tabletop Exercise at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii to advance the launch of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN). The Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) aims to help Quad countries use shared logistics resources to quickly and efficiently respond to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative shows the Quad’s strong commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the importance of working together to face regional challenges. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) includes India, Japan, Australia, and the United States. It was first formed after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to improve disaster relief efforts and was formalised in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.