General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2015

Aug 2015

Dec 05, 2025

Pakistan appoints Asim Munir as first Chief of Defence Forces

Pakistan formally announced Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a post created following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment, effective for five years, replacing the former CJCSC chair. The government says the CDF will unify command and speed up decision-making in critical situations. Munir was COAS since November 2022, with tenure extended in 2024 to five years. The appointment coincides with the extension of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as Chief of Air Staff to March 19, 2026. Parliament approved the new structure, signaling a major defence reform.

Asim Munir named first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)
Post created after 27th Constitutional Amendment
Five-year term; replaces CJCSC chair

Dec 04, 2025

Putin to Visit India for Annual India–Russia Summit on December 4–5, 2025

New Delhi, 2 December 2025: Indian authorities announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on 4–5 December 2025 for the annual India–Russia summit. The visit will include talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a reception by President Droupadi Murmu. External affairs officials say the discussions will cover bilateral ties, security cooperation, trade, and regional issues. This is Putin’s first state visit to India since early 2022. The summit is expected to showcase potential deals and reaffirm the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Putin to visit India on 4–5 December 2025.
Meetings with Prime Minister Modi and other leaders planned.
Focus on bilateral ties, security, and trade.
First state visit since 2022 for Putin to India.
Signaling strength of India–Russia partnership.

Sudan Allows Russia to Base Naval Forces on African Soil

Khartoum, 2 December 2025: Sudan granted Russia permission to establish its first naval base in Africa, near Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The agreement allows up to 300 personnel and four naval vessels, including nuclear-powered ships, for an initial 25-year term, with automatic extension by 10 years unless either side objects. Talks between Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Ahmed al‑Sharif and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov culminated in the accord. The base strengthens Moscow’s strategic position along key maritime routes and complements other regional facilities amid global power shifts.

Russia to establish first African naval base.
Location near Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Up to 300 personnel and four vessels allowed.
Initial 25-year term, auto-extendable by 10 years.
Strategic position near major trade routes.

Global Forum on Tax Transparency Holds 18th Plenary in New Delhi

New Delhi, 4 December 2025: India hosted the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the session. The Forum, with 172 member jurisdictions, is the world’s largest platform to prevent tax evasion and promote financial transparency. The plenary is the Forum’s main decision-making body, bringing together member countries, major global organisations, and development partners. Debates focused on two standards: Exchange of Information on Request and Automatic Exchange of Information. India has been a Global Forum member since 2009 and has held key roles, including Asia Initiative co-chair in 2023–24.

172 member jurisdictions participate in the Global Forum.
Inauguration conducted by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Theme: Tax Transparency through International Cooperation.
Focus two standards: EOIR and AEOI.
India’s long-standing involvement since 2009.

Dec 03, 2025

India Assumes Chairship of International IDEA, CEC Gyanesh Kumar Represents Country

India invited for the first time to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). On behalf of India, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar assumed the Chairship of International IDEA in Stockholm, Sweden, in December 2025. Over India's chairship, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the entire world knows and acknowledges the successful conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in India. He further said that it is a moment of great pride for all the citizens and election workers of India.
Established in 1995, International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation with a current membership of 37 countries, including the United States and Japan as Observers. International IDEA also held an observer status in the United Nations General Assembly since 2003. India is a founding member of International IDEA and has participated actively in governance processes and collaborated on electoral research, capacity building and training programmes.

U.S. Pauses all Immigration Applications From 19 Non-European Countries including Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on December 2, 2025 said it paused all immigration applications, including green card and U.S. citizenship processing, filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries, citing concerns over national security and public safety.
The pause applies to people from 19 countries that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June, placing further restrictions on immigration — a core feature of U.S. President Donald Trump's political platform.

Dec 02, 2025

India Re-Elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2025-29 Term

India once again secured a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025–2029 term, marking a reaffirmation of its growing global leadership in promoting education, culture, science, and communication through multilateral cooperation. The announcement was made by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, highlighting that India's re-election reflects the global community's confidence in its sustained and meaningful contribution to UNESCO's mandate and its commitment to inclusive and human-centric development.
The Executive Board is one of the three constitutional organs of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). It plays a key role in,
Overseeing the implementation of decisions by the General Conference
Preparing the work programme and budget
Guiding the overall strategy and policy-making process
Comprising 58 member states, the board is responsible for ensuring that UNESCO's decisions are translated into action.

Canada Joins EU Defence Fund as the Country Pivots Away from the US

Canada joined a major European Union defence fund, Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said, as the country looks to diversify its military spending away from the United States.
The plan allows Canadian defence companies access to a 150 billion euro ($170 billion) EU loan program, known as Security Action for Europe, or SAFE. That would allow Canadians firms to secure cheap, EU-backed loans to procure military equipment.

India Re-Elected to IMO Council with Highest Votes

India achieved a major diplomatic and maritime milestone in 2025, as it was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council in Category B, securing 154 out of 169 valid votes — the highest vote tally in its category. This marked India's second consecutive term as the top-voted nation in Category B, solidifying its growing role as a global maritime power. The election took place during the 34^th IMO Assembly held in London, and India's performance reinforces its emergence as a policy influencer in international shipping, backed by the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047.
The IMO Council is the executive arm of the International Maritime Organisation, responsible for supervising the organisation's work between sessions of the IMO Assembly.
The Council is divided into three categories,
Category A: Countries with the largest interest in providing international shipping services
Category B: Countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade
Category C: Countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation
India serves in Category B, alongside major trading powers such as Germany, France, Canada, UAE, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, and Brazil.

Dec 01, 2025

India's Rise: Third Place in Asia Power Index 2025

India secured third ranking in Asia Power Index 2025 while the United States and China occupied the first and second spot respectively, a globally reputed think tank said in its findings.
Lowy Institute, the Australia-based think tank released its annual Asia Power Index in November which assessed the ability of nations, particularly of those in the Asian continent, to influence their external environment.
As per its rankings, India was much ahead of its peers but stayed behind China with a big difference. Both India and China scored better in various metrics and improved their standing than before. Russia improved its overall power in Asia for the first time since 2019.
The seventh edition of the Asia Power Index evaluated the power of 27 countries and territories across Asia, based on 131 indicators across eight thematic measures, including Military Capability and Defence Networks, Economic Capability and Relationships, Diplomatic and Cultural Influence, as well as Resilience and Future Resources.

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