General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2025

Jan 2025

Oct 28, 2025

Argentina's Midterm Election Hands Decisive Win to Milei's Libertarian Overhaul

Argentine President Javier Milei's party cruised to victory in midterm legislative elections as voters handed him a mandate to keep pushing through his radical overhaul of the economy despite widespread discontent with his deep austerity measures.

Oct 27, 2025

East Timor Becomes ASEAN's 11th Member

Asia's youngest nation East Timor became the 11^th member of the Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN.
Also known as Timor-Leste, it became the 11^th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the 47^th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur.
The ASEAN was established in Thailand's Bangkok in 1967, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.
Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN, hosted the 47^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' in Kuala Lumpur from October 26-28.

Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in Historic First

For the first time in the Church of England's 491-year history, a woman was appointed to lead it.
Downing Street announced that Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally would be the successor to Justin Welby who resigned in January over his handling of a child sex abuse scandal.
Currently known as the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, she will legally become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at her confirmation of election at St Paul's Cathedral in January 2026, with a service of installation taking place at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.
Mullally has been Bishop of London since 2018, the first woman appointed to that role too. Prior to her ordination in 2001, she was chief nursing officer for England — the youngest person ever to be appointed to that role at the age of 37 — having previously specialised as a cancer nurse.

Oct 25, 2025

Saudi Arabia Abolishes Kafala System

In a historic reform, Saudi Arabia abolished the kafala system, a long-criticised labour framework that governed millions of foreign workers, including a large Indian diaspora. The kafala system often compared to modern-day slavery, restricted workers' mobility, job flexibility, and legal protection. This move, announced in June 2025 and implemented in October, is a major milestone in the Kingdom's push under Vision 2030 to modernise its economy and human rights record. For Indian workers, who make up a significant portion of Saudi Arabia's migrant labour force, this change offers long-overdue dignity, freedom, and protection from systemic abuse.
The kafala (sponsorship) system was introduced in the 1950s across most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It allowed employers (kafeels) to exercise near-total control over foreign workers, particularly those in domestic work, construction, hospitality, and sanitation.

Oct 23, 2025

Iran Joins UN Treaty against Terror Financing To Ease Sanctions Pressure

Iran ratified a law joining a United Nations convention against terror financing, in hopes it will lead to access to global banking, an easing of trade and relieving pressure on its sanctions-hit economy.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was elected last year (2024) on a promise to ease relations with the West and secure the lifting of sanctions that are hurting the economy.

PM Modi Likely To Skip ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to travel to Malaysia to participate in the meetings related to the ASEAN summit beginning October 26 due to scheduling issues.
It is learnt that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the meetings.
The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

Oct 22, 2025

Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan's First Woman Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi was elected as Japan's first female Prime Minister, shattering one of the world's most enduring political glass ceilings. She secured 237 votes in the 465-seat Lower House of Parliament, becoming Japan's 104th Prime Minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned following electoral setbacks.
Takaichi's rise not only represents a symbolic victory for gender representation but also signals a sharp ideological pivot to the right in Japanese politics, aligning closely with the legacy of her mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
A known conservative and a long-time member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Takaichi has modelled much of her political outlook on Margaret Thatcher and Shinzo Abe. She has consistently advocated for,
Stricter immigration policies
Traditional family values
A tougher national security stance
Reinterpretation of Japan's pacifist constitution

Rodrigo Paz Wins Bolivian Presidency

Bolivia elected a centrist senator, Rodrigo Paz, as its next President, bringing an end to nearly 20 years of continuous rule by the Movement for Socialism (Mas) party.
Paz, of the Christian Democratic Party, defeated right-wing candidate Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga in run-off election with a share of 54.6%.
A severe economic crisis and infighting within Mas, which has dominated Bolivian politics since 2006, saw many voters wanting change.
Paz said that he will end fuel shortages and address Bolivia's wider economic problems. In his victory speech, he said he would open up Bolivia to wider international investment and stimulate private-sector growth.

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary Leads Knowledge Exchange Mission to Philippines

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, led a high-level Knowledge Exchange Mission to the Philippines from October 20–22, 2025, facilitated by the World Bank.
The Indian delegation included senior officers from the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and representatives from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana.
The mission featured strategic engagements with key Philippine institutions such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The visit is aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and sharing best practices in areas related to skills development, labour mobility, and data-driven policy frameworks.

Trump, Albanese Sign Critical Minerals Deal to Counter China

In a move to bolster Western supply chain resilience and curb China's dominance in critical minerals, U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a wide-ranging critical minerals agreement at their first formal summit in the White House. The agreement establishes a new $8.5 billion mineral supply pipeline, with both nations pledging $1 billion each over the next six months toward mining and processing infrastructure for key minerals like lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, vital for defence, technology, and clean energy sectors.
The partnership outlines,
Minimum price floors for critical minerals to stabilise the market
Permitting reforms to speed up mining and processing projects
Joint efforts on geological mapping, mineral recycling, and security-based asset protection
Provisions to prevent foreign (especially Chinese) acquisitions of critical mineral assets on national security grounds

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