General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - June 2017

Jun 2017

Jan 20, 2025

Brazil Announces Nigeria's Acceptance as BRICS Partner Country

Nigeria was admitted as a "partner country" of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, according to Brazil, the group's chair.
Last year (2024), the bloc added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia was invited to join. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become members, and a few others have expressed interest.
Nigeria became the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

Jan 19, 2025

India's Textile Sector at Heimtextil 2025

Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, inaugurated the India Pavilion at Heimtextil 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany. This event marked India's largest participation in the prestigious global home textiles fair, underscoring the nation's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and international partnerships.
Minister Singh addressed international home textile exporters, importers, and manufacturers, emphasising India's growing competitiveness and the importance of collaboration for sustainable growth. He invited global investors to explore opportunities in India's thriving textile ecosystem.
Minister Singh extended an invitation to all participating countries to attend Bharat Tex 2025, scheduled to take place in Delhi from February 14-17, 2025. This event aims to further explore investment opportunities and showcase India's expanding textile industry.

Jan 18, 2025

In a First, 7 Indian Space Start-ups Picked for Indo-US Defence Programme

Seven Indian privately-held start-ups were chosen for a first-of-its-kind India-U.S. space and defence collaboration programme, potentially unlocking a lucrative and strategic market for Indian firms.
The companies include space imaging company KaleidEO, rocket makers EtherealX and AI-driven company Shyam VNL. They will participate in a programme for defence and dual-use technology and explore opportunities to work with the U.S. Defence Innovation Unit, the Department of Defence and other government agencies on satellite observation and emerging space and defence technologies.
The start-ups will get access to the world's biggest defence and space market and potentially work with U.S. defence industry leaders like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and RTX.

Jan 17, 2025

US Removes Indian Entities, Adds Chinese Firms to Entity List

The United States Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) updated its Entity List, removing three Indian organisations and adding eleven Chinese firms due to national security concerns.
The entities removed are: Indian Rare Earths, Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center (IGCAR) and Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC).
This decision follows an interagency review aimed at reducing barriers to advanced energy cooperation, including joint research and development, to achieve shared energy security goals.
The removal of these Indian entities is expected to:
Facilitate US-India energy collaboration
Enhance joint research and development efforts
Strengthen science and technology cooperation

Kazakhstan President Attends Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan delivered the opening address at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025, becoming the first world leader to speak at the prestigious global forum.
In his address, President Tokayev outlined the pressing challenges facing the world today, including climate change, desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and food security, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global supply chains.

Jan 16, 2025

India-Spain Declare 2026 as 'Dual Year' for Culture, Tourism, and AI

In a significant diplomatic development, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India and Spain will commemorate 2026 as a 'dual year' focusing on culture, tourism, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative aims to strengthen bilateral ties and promote mutual understanding between the two nations.
The year will feature extensive cultural programs, including art exhibitions, music and dance performances, literature festivals, and architectural collaborations. Both countries plan to showcase their rich cultural heritages through various events and exhibitions.
Efforts will be made to boost tourism by promoting reciprocal visits, establishing direct flight connections, and highlighting each other's tourist attractions. This includes joint marketing campaigns and tourism fairs to attract visitors.
Recognising the transformative potential of AI, both nations intend to collaborate on AI research, development, and implementation across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and industry. This will involve joint workshops, seminars, and the establishment of AI research centres.

NPCI and Magnati Partner to Boost UPI Use in UAE

NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the international arm of India's National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with UAE-based fintech firm Magnati to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions for Indian travelers in the UAE. This collaboration aims to integrate UPI into the UAE's payment ecosystem, allowing Indian visitors to use their preferred payment method seamlessly.

Hindenburg Research Shuts Down

Hindenburg Research, the influential activist short-selling firm founded by Nate Anderson in 2017, has announced its closure. Renowned for exposing corporate fraud and mismanagement, the firm has significantly impacted companies like Nikola Corp., Icahn Enterprises, and the Adani Group. Anderson cited personal reasons for the shutdown, expressing a desire to spend more time with family and pursue other interests.

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