General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2021

Aug 2021

Feb 03, 2026

Responsible Nations Index 2026 ranks nations by governance and ethics

The 2026 Responsible Nations Index, published January 19, 2026 by the World Intellectual Foundation, ranks 154 countries on governance, responsibility, and ethical leadership rather than purely economic metrics. Singapore leads the index, followed by Switzerland and Denmark, signaling a shift toward values-based international leadership. The report arrives amid rising global tensions and climate concerns, underscoring the importance of transparent institutions, climate governance, and inclusive development. Analysts note the index’s potential to influence foreign policy and investment decisions, especially for countries seeking to balance growth with responsible governance.

Index covers 154 countries; published January 19, 2026.
Singapore, Switzerland, Denmark lead the rankings.
Emphasizes governance and ethical leadership over GDP alone.
Implications for foreign policy and investment.

Feb 01, 2026

India to host 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on January 31, 2026

India will host the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on January 31, 2026, signaling intensified diplomacy with Arab League partners. Foreign ministers from League of Arab States member countries and the LAS Secretary-General will participate in the discussions. The meeting will be preceded by the 4th India-Arab Senior Officials' Meeting, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on January 30, 2026. The LAS, formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945, began with six founding members and now has 22 member states from the Arab world, including North Africa and the Middle East; Syria has been reinstated. The League also lists observer states such as Armenia, Brazil, Chad, Eritrea, Greece, India and Venezuela.

Date and venue: January 31, 2026, New Delhi.
Participants: Foreign ministers from LAS member states and LAS Secretary-General.
Preceding SOM: January 30, 2026, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
LAS background: established March 22, 1945 in Cairo, 22 member states; Syria reinstated.
Observers: Armenia, Brazil, Chad, Eritrea, Greece, India, Venezuela.

Jan 31, 2026

Numbeo 2026 Cost of Living: Swiss cities top list, Indian cities remain affordable

Numbeo's Cost of Living Index 2026 shows Swiss cities leading global rankings, reflecting high living costs in many European capitals. Indian cities feature among the world’s more affordable options, signaling a wide gap in housing, groceries, and services compared with Western counterparts. The index compares typical expenses for a four-member family, including food, transport, utilities, and rent, using New York City as the baseline (100). Cities with scores above 100 are costlier; those below are cheaper. The results illustrate how inflation and currency movements affect urban affordability across regions, including in India.

Global ranking shows Swiss cities at the top
Indian cities among the more affordable globally
Index measures four-member family costs (food, transport, utilities, rent)
New York City is the baseline (100)
Prices influenced by inflation and currency movements

Jan 30, 2026

Taiwan completes underwater trial of indigenous submarine Narwhal

Taiwan announced the successful completion of the first underwater sea trial of its domestically developed submarine Narwhal. The test, conducted near Kaohsiung, is part of a broader plan to modernise Taiwan’s navy and strengthen deterrence amid regional tensions. The Narwhal is the first of eight submarines planned under Taiwan’s indigenous submarine programme, designed to safeguard sea lanes and enable sea denial operations if required. The trial marks a milestone in Taiwan’s defence modernization and its efforts to reduce reliance on foreign‑built platforms.

Underwater trial of Narwhal submarine conducted near Kaohsiung.
Narwhal is the first of eight domestically built submarines.
Part of Taiwan’s effort to strengthen maritime deterrence.
Supports secure sea lanes and potential sea denial operations.
Signifies progress in Taiwan’s indigenous defence program.

Jan 29, 2026

India’s New York Consulate participates in Travel & Adventure Show 2026

India’s Consulate General in New York joined the Travel & Adventure Show 2026 on 24–25 January to promote India’s tourism and culture. The India Pavilion was placed prominently at the convention centre entrance, and Consul General Binaya Pradhan inaugurated it. Officials highlighted that around 20 percent of foreign tourists visiting India come from the United States, with ongoing efforts to boost this share. The event showcased India’s diverse heritage, cuisine, and experiences, aiming to attract more international travelers and strengthen bilateral people-to-people ties through tourism.

Consulate participated in Travel & Adventure Show 2026
India Pavilion inaugurated by Consul General Binaya Pradhan
US accounts for about 20% of foreign visitors to India
Event promotes India's tourism and cultural destinations
Highlights India’s diverse heritage and cuisine

Japan’s last pair of pandas returns to China amid diplomatic strains

Japan's last pair of pandas returned to China, leaving the country without pandas for the first time in decades. Pandas were loaned to Japan starting in 1972 as a symbol of goodwill, with ownership remaining with China. The departure occurs as bilateral relations face tensions over Taiwan. The animals’ cubs and future offspring remain under Chinese ownership. The move underscores how diplomacy and soft power can influence cultural exchanges between nations even during spikes in political friction.

Pandas returned to China; Japan no longer hosts pandas
Post-1972 panda loan as a gesture of goodwill
Ownership remains with China; bears may have cubs abroad
Ties to broader diplomatic strains, notably over Taiwan
Symbolic soft power diplomacy in action

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