General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - July 2023

Jul 2023

Dec 17, 2025

Prime Minister Modi receives Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred Ethiopia’s highest national honour, The Great Nishan of Ethiopia, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to India–Africa relations. The award, presented during a ceremony in Addis Ababa, marks a historic moment as Modi becomes the first global head of state to receive the honour. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali presented the award, highlighting strengthening bilateral ties and shared strategic interests. The honour underscores growing partnership and collaboration between India and Africa across trade, development, and regional security initiatives.

Modi awarded The Great Nishan of Ethiopia.
Ceremony held in Addis Ababa; presented by PM Abiy Ahmed Ali.
Modi first global head of state to receive the honour.
Recognises leadership and India–Africa partnership.
Significance for bilateral diplomacy and strategic ties.

India signs 27 agreements to combat drug trafficking; MoU with 19 countries

India has signed bilateral agreements with 27 countries and a memorandum of understanding with 19 countries to strengthen cooperation against illicit trafficking of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the government coordinates with international bodies such as BRICS, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and SCO to share information and intelligence. The Narcotics Control Bureau will lead joint operations, study best practices, and enhance cross-border enforcement. The agreements underscore India’s commitment to reducing trafficking, protecting public health, and supporting regional and global security through better information exchange and coordinated action.

27 bilateral agreements and 19 MoUs on drug trafficking cooperation.
NCB coordinates with BRICS, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and SCO.
Aims: information sharing, joint operations, and enforcement.
Focus on reducing illicit trafficking and protecting public health.
Strengthens India’s role in regional security cooperation.

Ukraine signals willingness to drop NATO bid in exchange for security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated willingness to drop Ukraine’s bid to join NATO if Western allies provide stronger security guarantees. Speaking during talks with United States and European envoys, Zelenskyy said security assurances could bolster deterrence against Russia while he stressed that Ukraine would not concede territory. The comments come amid ongoing negotiations and international diplomacy aimed at ending the war. The discussion highlights the balancing act between alliance membership and tangible security commitments from Western partners.

Zelenskyy open to pausing NATO bid for guarantees.
Conditions discussed with US and European envoys.
Ukraine seeks stronger security assurances, not territory concessions.
Significant moment in ongoing diplomacy over NATO membership.
Implications for future security architecture in Europe.

Dec 15, 2025

Chile elects José Antonio Kast as President in sharp rightward shift

Chile elected José Antonio Kast as president in a runoff, securing 58 percent of the vote against leftist candidate Jeannette Jara who obtained 42 percent. Kast's victory marks the sharpest rightward shift since Chile’s return to democracy in 1990, driven by concerns over crime and migration. The government‑backed candidate conceded defeat swiftly. Kast’s administration is expected to pursue stricter security measures and business‑friendly policies, with potential regional implications for Latin America and its relations with major trading partners. The outcome adds a new axis to the global political landscape ahead of 2026 elections.

José Antonio Kast wins Chile presidency with 58%
Leftist Jeannette Jara concedes (42%)
Significant rightward shift since 1990
Focus on crime control and migration

Dec 14, 2025

EU Reaches Provisional Deal on Screening Foreign Investment

The European Union reached a provisional agreement on new rules to require all its members to screen foreign investment into the bloc in sensitive sectors such as defence, AI or critical minerals and determine if they threaten economic security.
Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council, the grouping of EU governments, reached an agreement on a text to revise its existing FDI screening regulations. Both bodies will still have to approve the text.
The revision will require all EU countries to screen and possibly block investments if they pose a security risk. Screening will also extend to investments within the EU if the investor is controlled by a foreign company.

Dec 13, 2025

Thailand Prime Minister Gets Royal Approval to Dissolve Parliament

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received royal permission to dissolve Parliament, setting up general elections early next year.
The election for the House of Representatives would be held 45 to 60 days after the Royal Decree, a period while Mr. Anutin will head a caretaker government with limited powers and cannot approve a new budget.
Mr. Anutin has been Prime Minister for just three months, succeeding Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who served only a year in office.

Dec 12, 2025

Supreme Court hosts ceremonial welcome for Sri Lankan Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena

India’s Supreme Court hosted a ceremonial welcome for Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena during her official visit. Chief Justice Suryakant led the ceremony and was joined by other senior judges. The visit underscores deep judicial and diplomatic links between India and Sri Lanka, with discussions potentially covering regional legal cooperation, cross-border issues, and mutual interests in South Asia. The ceremonial sitting showcased the long-standing tradition of judicial diplomacy and reinforces bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Ceremonial welcome for Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena at Supreme Court, India.
Led by Chief Justice of India Suryakant with senior judges present.
Signifies ongoing judicial diplomacy between India and Sri Lanka.
Potential discussions on regional legal cooperation and cross-border matters.

Bridge Summit 2025 concludes at Abu Dhabi Centre

Bridge Summit 2025, described as the world’s largest debut media event, concluded at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre after a three-day program. The gathering attracted tens of thousands of participants from 132 countries and featured hundreds of speakers and exhibitors across media, technology, and creative industries. The summit showcased a broad range of sessions, including workshops with global speakers and industry panels on the creator economy, music, gaming, and visual storytelling. Organizers highlighted extensive collaboration opportunities and the potential for cross-border media partnerships in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Bridge Summit 2025 ends at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Three-day event with participants from 132 countries and 400+ speakers.
Focus on media, technology, and the creator economy; gaming and music also featured.
Over 300 sessions and 430 global speakers planned across events.
Emphasizes cross-border media collaborations and partnerships.

Trump unveils $1 million Gold Card citizenship path

US President Donald Trump announced a new immigration program called the Gold Card, a costly path toward permanent residency and eventual citizenship for foreign nationals and companies willing to invest. The plan replaces the traditional EB-5 investor visa and seeks to attract highly skilled talent and investment to the United States. Proponents say the program could boost economic growth and job creation, while critics warn about potential inequities and security concerns. The rollout comes amid ongoing debates on immigration policy and border security in the United States.

Trump unveils the Gold Card immigration path with high investment threshold.
Path offers permanent residency and eventual citizenship for selected investors.
Marketed as a successor to the EB-5 visa program.
Debates focus on economic benefits versus social equity and security.
Signals ongoing shifts in U.S. immigration policy.

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