General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2025

Jan 2025

Dec 09, 2025

Saudi Arabia, Qatar Signs High-speed Rail Deal to Link Capitals

Saudi Arabia and Qatar signed an agreement in December 2025 to build a high-speed electric passenger railway connecting the Saudi capital Riyadh with Doha, the capital of Qatar. According to the official Saudi press, the project will also include the Saudi cities of Al-Hofuf and Dammam on the network. The rail link is seen as a major step in strengthening connectivity between the two Gulf neighbours. It also marks a significant improvement in bilateral relations between countries that were once deeply at odds.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign deal for high-speed electric rail link.
Railway to connect Riyadh with Doha, Qatar's capital.
Al-Hofuf and Dammam in Saudi Arabia to be part of the network.
Project reflects improved ties and deeper regional connectivity in the Gulf.

Australian Universities Expand Indian Campuses; UWA to Open Mumbai, Chennai Campuses

Australian universities are expanding their footprint in India, with proposals to open campuses in Mumbai and Chennai by August 2026. Universities such as the University of Western Australia (UWA) and UNSW are pursuing joint ventures and student recruitment plans under Indian government frameworks and SPARC funding. These efforts aim to broaden international collaboration, enhance research partnerships, and provide Indian students with globally recognised degrees on home soil. The moves reflect a trend toward international higher education partnerships as India grows its higher-education capacity and global ties.

Australian universities plan Mumbai and Chennai campuses by Aug 2026.
UWA and UNSW cited; SPARC funding supports collaborations.
Goal: expand international partnerships and Indian student access.
Part of broader India-Australia higher-education ties.

UNSW Bengaluru Campus: Australia-India Education Ties Strengthened

Australia’s UNSW announced opening a Bengaluru campus in 2026, strengthening Australia-India educational ties. The institution will offer programs mirroring its global degrees and is aligned with India’s emphasis on expanding high-quality higher education within the country. The campus will host business, data science, computer science, and cybersecurity courses, with governance and accreditation coordinated with Indian authorities. This move forms part of broader collaborations under Australia-India education initiatives and SPARC funding, signaling deeper academic partnerships and potential research collaborations between the two nations.

UNSW to open Bengaluru campus in 2026; strengthens Australia-India ties.
Programs include business, data science, CS, and cybersecurity.
Aligned with National Education Policy 2020 goals and SPARC.
Part of wider India-Australia higher-education collaborations.

Dec 08, 2025

Roman Gofman Named Next Mossad Chief

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Major General Roman Gofman as the next director of Mossad, who will assume the role in June 2026. The appointment signals a strategic shift, placing a career military officer without a traditional intelligence background at the agency’s helm. Gofman previously served as military secretary to Netanyahu, a role that positioned him at the centre of security and policy deliberations. The transition comes as Israel faces regional security challenges and ongoing threats, requiring experienced leadership for intelligence gathering, covert operations, and national security planning. The selection underscores continuity and adaptation within Israel’s intelligence establishment.

Roman Gofman named Mossad chief-designate; takes over June 2026.
First-time appointment of a career military officer as Mossad head.
Former military secretary to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Appointment occurs amid regional security challenges.
Signifies continuity and adaptation in Israeli intelligence leadership.

India Opens New Shanghai Consulate After 32 Years

India inaugurated a new state-of-the-art Consulate building in Shanghai, its first relocation in 32 years in China’s largest commercial hub. The Chancery at the Dawning Centre, Changning District, covers 1,436.63 square metres, more than double the size of the previous facility. Indian Ambassador Pradeep Kumar Rawat inaugurated the building, underscoring Shanghai’s importance for India’s eastern business community. The opening coincides with the 75th anniversary of India‑China diplomatic ties. The expanded consulate is expected to enhance consular services, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges, supporting ongoing efforts to expand bilateral economic and cultural ties.

New Shanghai Consulate inaugurated after 32 years.
Chancery located at Dawning Centre, Changning District (1,436.63 sqm).
Inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Pradeep Rawat.
Aligns with 75th anniversary of India‑China ties.
Aims to strengthen consular, trade, and cultural links.

Dec 05, 2025

Pakistan appoints Asim Munir as first Chief of Defence Forces

Pakistan formally announced Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a post created following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment, effective for five years, replacing the former CJCSC chair. The government says the CDF will unify command and speed up decision-making in critical situations. Munir was COAS since November 2022, with tenure extended in 2024 to five years. The appointment coincides with the extension of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as Chief of Air Staff to March 19, 2026. Parliament approved the new structure, signaling a major defence reform.

Asim Munir named first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)
Post created after 27th Constitutional Amendment
Five-year term; replaces CJCSC chair

Dec 04, 2025

Putin to Visit India for Annual India–Russia Summit on December 4–5, 2025

New Delhi, 2 December 2025: Indian authorities announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on 4–5 December 2025 for the annual India–Russia summit. The visit will include talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a reception by President Droupadi Murmu. External affairs officials say the discussions will cover bilateral ties, security cooperation, trade, and regional issues. This is Putin’s first state visit to India since early 2022. The summit is expected to showcase potential deals and reaffirm the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Putin to visit India on 4–5 December 2025.
Meetings with Prime Minister Modi and other leaders planned.
Focus on bilateral ties, security, and trade.
First state visit since 2022 for Putin to India.
Signaling strength of India–Russia partnership.

Sudan Allows Russia to Base Naval Forces on African Soil

Khartoum, 2 December 2025: Sudan granted Russia permission to establish its first naval base in Africa, near Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The agreement allows up to 300 personnel and four naval vessels, including nuclear-powered ships, for an initial 25-year term, with automatic extension by 10 years unless either side objects. Talks between Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Ahmed al‑Sharif and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov culminated in the accord. The base strengthens Moscow’s strategic position along key maritime routes and complements other regional facilities amid global power shifts.

Russia to establish first African naval base.
Location near Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Up to 300 personnel and four vessels allowed.
Initial 25-year term, auto-extendable by 10 years.
Strategic position near major trade routes.

Global Forum on Tax Transparency Holds 18th Plenary in New Delhi

New Delhi, 4 December 2025: India hosted the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the session. The Forum, with 172 member jurisdictions, is the world’s largest platform to prevent tax evasion and promote financial transparency. The plenary is the Forum’s main decision-making body, bringing together member countries, major global organisations, and development partners. Debates focused on two standards: Exchange of Information on Request and Automatic Exchange of Information. India has been a Global Forum member since 2009 and has held key roles, including Asia Initiative co-chair in 2023–24.

172 member jurisdictions participate in the Global Forum.
Inauguration conducted by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Theme: Tax Transparency through International Cooperation.
Focus two standards: EOIR and AEOI.
India’s long-standing involvement since 2009.

Dec 03, 2025

India Assumes Chairship of International IDEA, CEC Gyanesh Kumar Represents Country

India invited for the first time to chair the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). On behalf of India, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar assumed the Chairship of International IDEA in Stockholm, Sweden, in December 2025. Over India's chairship, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the entire world knows and acknowledges the successful conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in India. He further said that it is a moment of great pride for all the citizens and election workers of India.
Established in 1995, International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation with a current membership of 37 countries, including the United States and Japan as Observers. International IDEA also held an observer status in the United Nations General Assembly since 2003. India is a founding member of International IDEA and has participated actively in governance processes and collaborated on electoral research, capacity building and training programmes.

U.S. Pauses all Immigration Applications From 19 Non-European Countries including Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on December 2, 2025 said it paused all immigration applications, including green card and U.S. citizenship processing, filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries, citing concerns over national security and public safety.
The pause applies to people from 19 countries that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June, placing further restrictions on immigration — a core feature of U.S. President Donald Trump's political platform.

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