General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2017

Jul 2017

Mar 28, 2025

India Becomes the World's Second-Largest Tea Exporter in 2024

The Indian tea industry, which has been facing numerous challenges over the years, finally has a reason to celebrate. Recent data released by the Tea Board of India indicates that India has emerged as the second-largest tea exporter in the world in 2024, surpassing Sri Lanka and trailing behind Kenya, which retained the top position.
India exported 254 million kilograms (Mkg) of tea in 2024, marking a significant jump from its 231 Mkg exports in 2023. In comparison, Sri Lanka's tea exports remained at a similar level as in 2023, allowing India to secure the second spot.
Kenya, which remains the world's largest tea exporter, shipped over 500 Mkg of tea in 2024.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sworn in as Namibia's First Female President

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history in March 2025, by becoming Namibia's first female president. Her inauguration coincided with Namibia's 35th Independence Day. A veteran of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), she won the November 2024 elections with 58% of the vote.
The outgoing president, Nangolo Mbumba, handed over power during a ceremony attended by several African leaders. Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that while Namibia has progressed since its independence in 1990, many challenges remain. Her administration will focus on tackling unemployment, especially among the youth, with a goal of creating 500,000 jobs over the next five years through investments in agriculture, fishing, and the creative sectors.
She previously served as vice president and won 58 percent of the vote. Nandi-Ndaitwah's inauguration came a day after the Namibian parliament elected its first female speaker, former Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

The 10th BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue Focuses on Global Issues and BRICS Expansion

The 10^th BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue took place in March 2025 in Brasilia, bringing together policy planners from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, along with senior representatives from the expanded BRICS membership.
It provided a platform for discussions on a broad spectrum of global geopolitical and regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The Indian delegation was led by Raghuram S, Joint Secretary (Policy Planning & Research), MEA. Key topics of discussion included global health cooperation, international trade, financial issues, climate action, artificial intelligence governance, and reforms in multilateral peace and security frameworks.
The Dialogue also focused on the institutional growth of BRICS, reflecting the bloc's recent expansion. As the current BRICS President, Brazil hosted the event as part of preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit later this year.

Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra Sails Through No-Confidence Vote in Parliament

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, defeating a challenge from opposition parties which accused her of being a puppet of her father, billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
After a two-day debate in which the opposition attacked 38-year-old Paetongtarn's management of the economy and national security, as well as her inexperience, MPs voted down the no-confidence motion by 319 votes to 162 on Wednesday, with seven abstentions.

Mar 27, 2025

Niger Coup Leader Sworn in as President for Five Years

Niger's military ruler was sworn in as the country's President for a transitional period of five years.
Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani has led the country since 2023, after he deposed Niger's elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
Gen Tchiani took the presidential office under a new charter that replaces the West African country's Constitution.

Indian-Origin Jay Bhattacharya Confirmed As Head of US Health Agency

The US Senate confirmed the appointment of Indian-origin Jay Bhattacharya, a professor at Stanford School of Medicine, as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
According to the official website of the US Senate, Bhattacharya won the vote 53-47 during the first session of the roll call vote in the 119th Congress.

Mar 25, 2025

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Joins Global Maritime Leaders at Singapore Maritime Week (SMW)

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal joined Global Maritime Leaders at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) to discuss, deliberate and devise strategies based on the shared vision for a secure, sustainable and prosperous maritime future. The Minister highlighted the challenges and India's vision to channel growth of the maritime sector around that. Sonowal also argued for strengthening maritime connectivity and supply chains while the need for collective effort towards a green sustainable maritime future.
The theme for the Singapore Maritime Week being held from March 24 to 28, 2025, 'Actions Meet Ambition', is a show of collective desire for actions to push for higher ambition in decarbonisation and digitalisation in the maritime sector.

Mar 23, 2025

The14th Meeting of ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism Concludes

The 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) concluded in New Delhi. Delegations from ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN countries (Lao PDR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam), ADMM-Plus member states (China, USA, Russia, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea) participated in the meeting.
During 14th ADMM-Plus EWG on CT, the co-chairs, India and Malaysia conveyed work plan for the activities planned for the cycle 2024-2027. It announced the conduct of Table-Top Exercise for EWG on CT in Malaysia in 2026 and Field Training Exercise in India in 2027.
During the two-day meet, discussions were held to focus on evolving a robust and comprehensive strategy to tackle the evolving threat of terrorism and extremism. The meeting was aimed to share the on-ground experience of the Defence Forces of ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners. The meeting laid a foundation for the activities/exercises/meetings/ workshops planned for the current cycle.
Earlier, Myanmar and Russia, co-chairs for EWG on CT during the previous cycle for 2021-2024, handed over the co-chairmanship to India and Malaysia for the present cycle (2024-2027). India is hosting the maiden EWG meeting for the current cycle.

Mar 22, 2025

Trump Signs Order Aimed at Dismantling US Department of Education

Flanked by students and educators, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to essentially dismantle the federal Department of Education, making good on a longstanding campaign promise to conservatives.
The order is designed to leave school policy almost entirely in the hands of states and local boards, a prospect that alarms liberal education advocates.

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