General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

Apr 27, 2026

India‑New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to be signed on 27 April 2026

India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement on 27 April 2026, signaling a major step in bilateral economic ties. The pact grants Indian exporters 100 percent duty‑free access to the New Zealand market, while tariffs on about 95 percent of imports from New Zealand will be removed or significantly reduced. Talks began in March 2025 and concluded by December 2025, reflecting a rapid negotiation. The FTA is expected to boost exports, diversify supply chains, and deepen cooperation across textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, and agricultural products, setting a model for future agreements.

FTA signing scheduled for 27 April 2026
100% duty‑free access for Indian exporters to NZ
Tariffs removed/reduced on 95% of NZ imports
Talks commenced March 2025; concluded December 2025
Aims to expand textiles, pharma, engineering, gems, and agri trade

Apr 26, 2026

France visa-free transit for Indian travellers becomes operational from 10 April 2026

India welcomed France’s decision to operationalise visa-free transit for Indian nationals transiting through French airports by air. The agreement was finalised after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai in February 2026 and announced by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The policy, effective 10 April 2026, allows Indian travellers to transit through mainland France without a transit visa, easing travel and strengthening people-to-people ties. It underscores the deepening India-France partnership and is part of the Special Global Strategic Partnership. The arrangement covers air transit and does not confer entry into France for stay for travellers.

Visa-free transit for Indian travellers via France announced
Effective from 10 April 2026
Linked to Modi-M Macron talks in Mumbai
Part of India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership
Covers air transit only; not for entry or stay
Aims to ease travel and boost people-to-people ties

Apr 25, 2026

India-Japan Data Pact for AI Smart Cities Signed During AI Dialogue

India and Japan broadened AI and urban-planning cooperation through a data partnership between India’s DataKaveri Systems and Japan’s ONESTRUCTION Inc. The agreement, signed during the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue, aims to improve the use of construction data in smart city planning and digital governance. Under the openBIM framework, ONESTRUCTION’s openBIM platform will be integrated with DataKaveri’s Intelligent Universal Data Exchange (IUDX). IUDX is active in 55 Indian smart cities and supports mobility, utilities, environmental monitoring, and public services. The agreement emphasizes trusted data systems and a technology partnership to improve how construction data is used in planning and governance.

Parties: India’s DataKaveri Systems and Japan’s ONESTRUCTION Inc.
MOU signed during the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue.
Technology: openBIM platform integrated with DataKaveri’s IUDX.
IUDX scope: active in 55 Indian smart cities, supporting mobility, utilities, environment monitoring, public services.
Objective: trusted data systems and interoperable data exchange for urban planning and governance.

Apr 24, 2026

INS Nireekshak deployed to Colombo for IN-SLN DIVEX 2026

The Indian Navy's Dive Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel INS Nireekshak has arrived in Colombo to participate in the fourth India–Sri Lanka Diving Exercise (DIVEX 2026). The bilateral drills, part of the MAHASAGAR framework for regional security, run from 21 to 27 April 2026. The exercise aims to enhance search-and-rescue capabilities, maritime security and humanitarian assistance in the Indian Ocean region. Sri Lankan units are also taking part. DIVEX 2026 is seen as strengthening interoperability and defense cooperation, contributing to regional stability and mutual confidence between the two nations.

INS Nireekshak deployed to Colombo for DIVEX 2026
DIVEX 2026 runs 21–27 April 2026
Part of MAHASAGAR regional security framework
Aims: search-and-rescue, maritime security, humanitarian assistance
Sri Lankan naval units also participating

Türkiye tightens social media access for under-15s

Türkiye's Parliament passed a new bill restricting social media access for users under 15 years of age. The draft law requires platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to implement age verification and provide parental controls. Companies must also respond swiftly to harmful content affecting minors. The bill follows a deadly school shooting in Kahramanmaras, which intensified debate on online safety and the impact of digital platforms on youth. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan supported the legislation, stating that it would protect children's privacy and safety in the digital age while balancing freedom of expression with safety.

Bill restricts under-15 social media use
Requires age verification and parental controls on major platforms
Platforms must respond quickly to harmful content
Passed after Kahramanmaras school shooting
Erdoğan says it protects children’s privacy and safety

Apr 23, 2026

Tashkent to host 2027 World Para Athletics Championships

World Para Athletics has announced that Tashkent will host the 13th World Para Athletics Championships in June 2027. The event marks the first time Central Asia hosts the prestigious competition. It will be staged at the Olympic City Main Stadium in Tashkent, a modern facility built to meet international standards for track and field. Organisers expect athletes with disabilities from around the world to compete across several disciplines, including sprints, distance events, and field events. The decision highlights Uzbekistan’s growing sports infrastructure and its commitment to inclusive sport. The championship is expected to boost regional tourism and raise the profile of disability athletics in the region.

13th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships
Tournament scheduled for June 2027 in Tashkent
First host nation in Central Asia
Venue: Olympic City Main Stadium, Tashkent
Focus on inclusivity and global participation
Potential boosts to tourism and infrastructure

Logo, theme and website of the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit unveiled

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled the logo, theme, and website for the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi on 22 April 2026. He said Africa remains central to India's foreign policy, guided by equality, mutual respect and shared progress. The theme ‘IA SPIRIT – India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation’ signals a relationship beyond transactions. India has expanded its diplomatic footprint with 17 new missions in Africa, bringing the total to 46. Defence, security and maritime cooperation are important pillars under Vision MAHASAGAR to safeguard sea lanes and support UN peacekeeping. The forum aims to shape a more ambitious partnership.

Jaishankar unveiled IAFS-IV logo, theme and website on 22 April 2026.
Theme: IA SPIRIT focuses on innovation, resilience and inclusive transformation.
Africa central to India's foreign policy; 46 missions in Africa (17 new).
Defence, security and maritime cooperation are key pillars (Vision MAHASAGAR).
Forum aims for a more ambitious and inclusive partnership.

China selects Pakistani astronauts for Tiangong mission

China’s Manned Space Agency announced two Pakistani astronauts, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, as candidates for future Tiangong missions. Both cleared multiple selection rounds and will soon travel to China for advanced astronaut training. If missions proceed, one astronaut could become the first foreigner to orbit Earth aboard a Chinese crewed mission. The development reflects growing space cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad and signals wider collaboration in the space sector for the region. The candidates will undergo specialised training programs to prepare for potential payload specialist duties on a future Tiangong crewed flight.

Pakistan’s Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud selected
Candidates head to China for astronaut training
Possible first Pakistani to orbit Earth on Tiangong
Represents deeper China-Pakistan space cooperation
Specialised training for payload specialist roles
Part of broader regional space collaboration

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