General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2024

Oct 2024

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

Jan 28, 2026

India and EU sign new security and defence partnership

India and the European Union signed a fresh security and defence partnership to boost maritime cooperation and Indo-Pacific engagements. An India–EU Defence Industry Forum will involve observers and select EU member states to strengthen supply chains for trusted defence ecosystems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged joint efforts to leverage India’s defence industry in Europe’s ReArm initiative. The pact also aims to broaden collaboration across technology, manufacturing and strategic research, with continued dialogue between India and EU leadership to diversify suppliers and reduce risk in defence supply chains.

New India-EU security and defence partnership signed.
India-EU Defence Industry Forum to be established.
Rajnath Singh calls for stronger industry collaboration.
Focus on diversified supply chains and joint capability development.

U.S. announces multi-day military exercise in West Asia amid regional tensions

The United States on January 27, 2026 announced a multi-day air force exercise in West Asia, following the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the region. The drills come amid ongoing tensions with Iran and regional partners. The exercises aim to demonstrate U.S. readiness and to reassure allies, while signaling a continued American strategic footprint in the area. Details on participating units and timelines were not fully disclosed, but officials emphasised the exercises would occur alongside ongoing regional security operations.

U.S. announces multi-day West Asia air force exercise (Jan 27, 2026).
Linked to Abraham Lincoln strike group deployment.
Aimed at deterrence, readiness and regional reassurance.
Details on participants remain limited.

RBI and ESMA sign MoU on central counterparty cooperation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on central counterparties (CCPs). The MoU enables ESMA to rely on RBI’s supervisory framework for cross-border clearing and facilitates access for EU members to Indian CCPs via mutual recognition. RBI and ESMA emphasised shared goals of safer, more resilient, and open financial markets. Discussions continue with India’s SEBI and IFSCA to extend similar arrangements, reflecting ongoing international coordination in post-trade infrastructure.

MoU signed between RBI and ESMA on CCP cooperation.
ESMA may rely on RBI supervision for cross-border clearing.
Aims to restore EU access to Indian CCPs under regulation.
Further talks with SEBI and IFSCA ongoing.

Jan 27, 2026

India-EU Security and Defence Partnership to deepen ties at 16th Summit

India and the European Union plan to elevate their strategic engagement through a Security and Defence Partnership announced at the 16th India-EU Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct restricted and delegation-level talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, with a parallel India-EU Business Forum. Discussions are expected to cover trade, defence and security cooperation, climate action, critical technologies, and reinforcing the rules-based order. Officials anticipate an expanded free trade agreement framework, a defence framework pact, and a refined strategic agenda, building on the virtual 2020 summit foundation.

16th India-EU Summit themes: trade, defence, security
Defence framework pact and strategic agenda anticipated
PM Modi to meet Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa
Business Forum aligned with broader cooperation
Summit follows prior 2020 virtual meeting

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