General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - October 2024

Oct 2024

May 01, 2026

India to host Vietnam President To Lam for state visit, May 5–7, 2026

India will host Vietnam’s President To Lam on a state visit from 5 May 2026 to 7 May 2026, signalling a deepening bilateral relationship. To Lam, who also serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, arrives with a high‑level delegation. This will be his first state visit to India since assuming office in April 2026. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold wide‑ranging discussions on defence, trade, energy, and regional security, with President Droupadi Murmu expected to meet him during the visit. The trip coincides with the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016). Bodh Gaya and Mumbai will feature in the itinerary to showcase culture and economic ties.

State visit dates: 5–7 May 2026
To Lam also General Secretary of Vietnam’s Communist Party
Discuss defence, trade, energy, regional security
Murmu to meet To Lam; Modi to hold talks
10th anniversary of India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016)
Itinerary includes Bodh Gaya and Mumbai

Bangladesh nears electricity generation at Rooppur Plant as fuel loads

Bangladesh has entered the final stage before nuclear power generation as uranium fuel loading began at Unit‑1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Officials expect around 300 megawatts of electricity to be supplied to the national grid on a trial basis by August 2026. The two‑unit plant, built with Russian support from Rosatom, has a total installed capacity of 2,400 megawatts. The project strengthens Bangladesh’s energy security and aims to reduce fossil fuel use while expanding clean electricity. Rooppur stands as Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure project to date, underscoring broader regional energy collaboration.

Fuel loading started at Rooppur Unit‑1
Target trial generation: ~300 MW by August 2026
Total plant capacity: 2,400 MW (two units)
Russian Rosatom providing support
Aims: energy security, reduced fossil fuel use
Largest infrastructure project in Bangladesh history

Apr 29, 2026

Dinesh Trivedi appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh

Former Union Minister Dinesh Trivedi has been appointed as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs announced. The appointment comes at a sensitive time as Dhaka navigates political transitions and regional security concerns. Trivedi is a veteran parliamentarian who has served as Union Railway Minister and a Rajya Sabha member. In Dhaka, he is expected to pursue border management, trade and connectivity, and people‑to‑people ties, while reinforcing bilateral trust. The government says the appointment reflects its emphasis on sustained engagement with Bangladesh and regional stability.

Dinesh Trivedi named High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member
Appointment signals focus on Bangladesh ties
Areas include border management, trade, connectivity
Measures to rebuild trust amid regional tensions

Apr 27, 2026

India‑New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to be signed on 27 April 2026

India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement on 27 April 2026, signaling a major step in bilateral economic ties. The pact grants Indian exporters 100 percent duty‑free access to the New Zealand market, while tariffs on about 95 percent of imports from New Zealand will be removed or significantly reduced. Talks began in March 2025 and concluded by December 2025, reflecting a rapid negotiation. The FTA is expected to boost exports, diversify supply chains, and deepen cooperation across textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, gems and jewellery, and agricultural products, setting a model for future agreements.

FTA signing scheduled for 27 April 2026
100% duty‑free access for Indian exporters to NZ
Tariffs removed/reduced on 95% of NZ imports
Talks commenced March 2025; concluded December 2025
Aims to expand textiles, pharma, engineering, gems, and agri trade

Apr 26, 2026

France visa-free transit for Indian travellers becomes operational from 10 April 2026

India welcomed France’s decision to operationalise visa-free transit for Indian nationals transiting through French airports by air. The agreement was finalised after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai in February 2026 and announced by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The policy, effective 10 April 2026, allows Indian travellers to transit through mainland France without a transit visa, easing travel and strengthening people-to-people ties. It underscores the deepening India-France partnership and is part of the Special Global Strategic Partnership. The arrangement covers air transit and does not confer entry into France for stay for travellers.

Visa-free transit for Indian travellers via France announced
Effective from 10 April 2026
Linked to Modi-M Macron talks in Mumbai
Part of India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership
Covers air transit only; not for entry or stay
Aims to ease travel and boost people-to-people ties

Apr 25, 2026

India-Japan Data Pact for AI Smart Cities Signed During AI Dialogue

India and Japan broadened AI and urban-planning cooperation through a data partnership between India’s DataKaveri Systems and Japan’s ONESTRUCTION Inc. The agreement, signed during the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue, aims to improve the use of construction data in smart city planning and digital governance. Under the openBIM framework, ONESTRUCTION’s openBIM platform will be integrated with DataKaveri’s Intelligent Universal Data Exchange (IUDX). IUDX is active in 55 Indian smart cities and supports mobility, utilities, environmental monitoring, and public services. The agreement emphasizes trusted data systems and a technology partnership to improve how construction data is used in planning and governance.

Parties: India’s DataKaveri Systems and Japan’s ONESTRUCTION Inc.
MOU signed during the inaugural Japan-India AI Strategic Dialogue.
Technology: openBIM platform integrated with DataKaveri’s IUDX.
IUDX scope: active in 55 Indian smart cities, supporting mobility, utilities, environment monitoring, public services.
Objective: trusted data systems and interoperable data exchange for urban planning and governance.

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