General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2024

Sep 2024

Nov 11, 2026

ADB Approves $98 Million Loan for Sri Lanka Digital Transformation

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $98 million loan for Sri Lanka under the Advancing Digital Transformation Project. The loan aims to build a more inclusive, secure and resilient digital economy by expanding high‑quality broadband connectivity and strengthening government data infrastructure. It will improve access to digital public services for citizens and businesses, with a focus on women and underserved communities. The project aligns with Sri Lanka’s digital development agenda and supports enhanced service delivery, better governance and increased digital inclusion across public and private sectors. Implementation will involve government agencies, telecom players and local communities over the loan's timeframe.

Loan amount: $98 million under Advancing Digital Transformation Project
Goals: inclusive, secure, resilient digital economy; broadband expansion
Strengthening government data infrastructure and digital public services
Emphasis on women and underserved communities
Partnership between Sri Lankan authorities and ADB for delivery

India–France Dialogue Highlights Space and Security Cooperation in Paris

In Paris on 10 November 2026, India and France advanced space and security cooperation. The India‑France Strategic Space Dialogue reviewed ISRO–CNES collaboration and explored pathways for greater commercial space activity. Separately, the inaugural India‑France Economic Security and Critical Technologies Dialogue examined supply chain resilience and joint development in emerging tech sectors. The discussions occurred during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit and contributed to strengthening the broader Special Global Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Officials indicated progress in multilateral space matters and ongoing efforts to expand bilateral ties in science, technology and economic security.

Event: India–France Strategic Space Dialogue; Economic Security Dialogue
Date: 10 November 2026; location: Paris
Leaders: Vikram Misri and French counterparts
Focus: space cooperation; emerging technologies; supply chains
Outcome: enhanced bilateral collaboration within the Special Global Strategic Partnership

India–France Hold Economic Security and Critical Technologies Dialogue in Paris

India and France held their inaugural Economic Security and Critical Technologies Dialogue in Paris during November 2026, alongside the third India–France Strategic Space Dialogue. Co‑chairs Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and French Secretary General Martin Briens led discussions on economic security and emerging technologies, aiming to strengthen resilient supply chains and joint development in strategic areas. The talks also reviewed bilateral space cooperation between ISRO and CNES and examined broader aspects of security, technology transfer and regional stability. This dialogue follows earlier high‑level exchanges and aligns with ongoing efforts to deepen the Special Global Strategic Partnership.

Event: inaugural Economic Security and Critical Technologies Dialogue
Location/date: Paris, November 2026
Leaders: Vikram Misri and Martin Briens
Focus: economic security, emerging technologies, supply chains
Space cooperation: ISRO–CNES reviewed

USA Skips UN Human Rights Review, First Such Move

The United States became the first country to completely skip the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process by refusing to send a delegation. The review, established in 2006 to assess each member state's human rights record, was originally scheduled for November 2025 but was postponed. The UPR covers all 193 UN member states approximately every four to five years. The U.S. decision to abstain from participation has drawn international comment and raises questions about future engagement with the council, even as other nations continue to participate in the UPR cycle. Details of the postponement were not immediately clarified.

UPR is a biennial UN human rights review mechanism
U.S. did not send a delegation to the review
Original schedule was November 2025; postponed
UPR evaluates all 193 UN member states
Reaction and implications for international accountability discussed

Nov 09, 2026

France Re-elected as Co-President of International Solar Alliance

France was re-elected as Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in November 2026, while India retained its Presidency for a third consecutive term during the ninth ISA Assembly held in New Delhi. The ISA, launched by India and France in 2015 at COP21 in Paris, promotes global solar energy adoption. Its headquarters are in Gurugram, Haryana. The assembly emphasised expanding solar energy investment, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting sustainable energy development. This leadership arrangement positions France and India to drive regional and international solar initiatives, including projects across Africa and the Indo-Pacific. The event reflects India’s ongoing role in ISA policy and programme development.

ISA leadership: France Co-President; India Presidency continues.
Event: Ninth ISA Assembly, New Delhi, November 2026.
Origin: ISA founded in 2015 at COP21; headquarters in Gurugram.
Focus: expanding solar investment and cooperation.
Implication: joint influence on global solar projects.

BOB-NOR Launched in Kochi, Kerala

BOB-NOR (Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries) was launched in November 2026 at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kochi, Kerala. The initiative brings together India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives to strengthen regional cooperation in ocean research, fisheries management and climate change studies. Coordinated by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), the network aims to improve sustainable fisheries management through joint scientific research and regular ocean observations. Official communications identify 3 November 2026 as the launch date, though some documents mention 5 November. The network will support collaborative surveys, data sharing, and capacity building among member states to advance marine science and governance.

Members: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives.
Lead body: BOBP-IGO; co-ordination for regional ocean research.
Launch location: CMFRI, Kochi.
Official launch date: widely cited as 3 November 2026; some sources cite 5 November.
Activities: joint surveys, data sharing, capacity building.

Nov 06, 2026

Four Countries Launch Bay of Bengal Network for Fisheries Research

Four Bay of Bengal littoral nations — India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives — jointly launched the Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries (BOB-NOR) in Kochi during November 2026. The network aims to strengthen regional cooperation in fisheries management by integrating ocean observations, climate research and shared scientific data. It will support joint research projects, harmonize data collection methods and build capacity among member institutions. By coordinating efforts on monitoring, forecasting and stock assessments, BOB-NOR seeks to promote sustainable fisheries and protect marine ecosystems amid climate-related shifts in fish stocks. Thailand was not among the founding countries.

BOB-NOR launched in Kochi in November 2026 by India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives
Aims to integrate ocean observations, climate research and data sharing
Supports joint research, standardized data practices and capacity building
Targets sustainable fisheries and resilient marine ecosystems
Thailand is not a founding member

Nov 04, 2026

India re‑elected as ISA President for a third term

India has been re‑elected as President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a third consecutive term during its ninth session on 3 November 2026. France is re‑elected as Co‑President. The ISA, formed in 2015 by India and France and headquartered in Gurugram, has 130 signatories. Its vision is 'One Sun One World One Grid' and it focuses on accelerating solar energy deployment worldwide. The re‑election underlines broad international support for India's leadership in renewable energy cooperation and policy harmonization among member countries.

India re‑elected ISA President for a third term
France remains Co‑President
ISA formed in 2015; headquartered in Gurugram
130 signatories; 'One Sun One World One Grid'
reinforces India’s leadership in solar energy cooperation

Jaishankar highlights India's digital public infrastructure at CHOGM 2026

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar addressed CHOGM 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, emphasising the value of Digital Public Infrastructure for governance and financial responsibility. He noted how DPI has democratized access to services and expanded opportunities, and he referenced India’s recent Free Trade Agreements and ongoing negotiations as part of a broader strategy for predictable trade and resilient supply chains. Jaishankar's comments, shared on social media, reflect India’s proactive role in digital governance and its push for inclusive development within the Commonwealth and beyond.

Jaishankar at CHOGM 2026 highlights DPI
DPI accelerates governance and inclusion
references India’s FTAs and ongoing talks
emphasis on predictable trade and resilient supply chains
showcases India’s leadership in digital governance

Bhutan dedicates Stupa 76 to Narendra Modi as Project 108 advances

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck consecrated Stupa No. 76 in Gelephu Mindfulness City on 1 November 2026, dedicating it to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremony underscored close India-Bhutan cultural and spiritual ties. India’s Kiren Rijiju represented New Delhi at the event. Project 108 envisions 108 Buddhist stupas along an 11.7‑kilometre spiritual corridor near the Aie (Mau) River, close to the Assam border. Around 40,000 volunteers and craftsmen helped build the structures, each about 15 metres tall and spaced 108 metres apart. The gesture illustrates ongoing collaboration in faith, heritage and regional development.

Stupa No. 76 consecrated on 1 November 2026
dedication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Gelephu Mindfulness City; 11.7 km corridor
40,000 volunteers; 15 m tall stupas; 108 m spacing
project reflects India‑Bhutan spiritual and cultural ties
location near Bhutan’s border with Assam, India

Nov 03, 2026

UNMINURSO ends Western Sahara peacekeeping mission after 35 years

The United Nations announced that MINURSO, the long‑running peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, will end after 35 years as the Security Council did not renew its mandate. UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres said liquidation would begin on 1 November, with assets returned to troop‑contributing countries. Morocco welcomed the decision; Algeria‑backed Polisario Front expressed concern. MINURSO, established after a 1991 ceasefire, also carried the task of organizing a referendum that never took place due to voter‑eligibility disputes. The move follows a US‑backed resolution endorsing Rabat’s autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty, a stance opposed by Algeria. Russia’s vetoes and reversals left MINURSO without a new mandate.

MINURSO mandate not renewed; liquidation starts 1 November.
Morocco welcomes, Polisario Front concerned.
MINURSO established after 1991 ceasefire; referendum未 realized.
US-backed resolution supported Rabat autonomy plan.
Russia vetoes impacted Security Council actions.

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