General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2025

Mar 2025

May 21, 2026

PM Modi Receives FAO Agricola Medal in Rome

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the FAO Agricola Medal on 20 May 2026 at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu presented the award during Modi's visit to the FAO Plenary Hall. The Agricola Medal is among FAO's highest honours and recognises leadership in agricultural transformation, food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. The FAO highlighted India's efforts in financial inclusion for farmers, direct income support to more than 110 million farmers, and a large food‑based social safety net reaching about 800 million people. It also noted India's promotion of millets under the 2023 International Year of Millets as part of inclusive farming policies.

Award presented on 20 May 2026 at FAO Headquarters, Rome.
Agricola Medal is one of FAO's top honours for agricultural leadership.
FAO cited farmer finance, income support to 110+ million farmers, and an 800‑million-person safety net.
Millet promotion highlighted as part of India's policy framework.

PM Modi and Meloni Discuss IMEC and Regional Connectivity in Rome

During a joint press conference in Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a key connectivity project linking Europe, the Middle East, and India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the discussions, with both leaders highlighting enhancements in infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity. The dialogue reflects a shared commitment to strengthen trade, investment, and supply-chain resilience in the region. Observers see IMEC as a platform to diversify multipolar economic ties and support growth in participating countries, alongside ongoing cultural and educational exchanges between India and Italy.

Meloni highlighted IMEC as a major connectivity corridor.
Modi and Meloni discussed infrastructure, energy, and digital links.
IMEC aims to boost trade, investment, and resilience in supply chains.
Cultural and educational ties also feature in the bilateral dialogue.

May 20, 2026

G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2026 to be hosted by US in Miami

The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled for 14-15 December 2026 in Miami, Florida, with President Donald Trump set to host the event at Trump National Doral. The G20 comprises 19 nations and the European Union, reflecting a wide range of economies and policies. The Miami summit follows the Foreign Ministers’ Meet in Atlanta and serves as the main decision-making gathering for global economic policy, trade, investment and development priorities. The schedule highlights the continuing evolution of the G20 from a finance-focused forum to a broader leaders’ platform for international cooperation.

G20 Leaders’ Summit on 14-15 December 2026 in Miami.
Hosted by President Donald Trump at Trump National Doral.
G20 includes 19 countries and the EU.
Summit consolidates global economic policy and cooperation.
Follows the October Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta.

US to host G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta

The United States will host the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on 30-31 October 2026. The gathering will bring foreign ministers from the G20, a forum of major economies including the United States, India, China, Russia, Japan, Germany, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and others, plus the European Union. The meeting precedes the broader G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for 14-15 December 2026 in Miami. The event underscores the United States’ role as a convenor of key international discussions and provides a platform to discuss regional security, trade and development priorities ahead of year-end negotiations.

G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 30-31 October 2026 in Atlanta.
G20 includes 19 countries and the European Union.
Precedes the Leaders’ Summit on 14-15 December 2026 in Miami.
Highlights US leadership in international diplomacy.
Meeting focuses on security, trade and development issues.

May 19, 2026

PM Modi, Norway Leaders Discuss TEPA; Target 100 Billion USD Investment and 1 Million Jobs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Norwegian Prime Minister spoke at the India-Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo on 18 May 2026. They discussed strengthening bilateral trade and investments under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). Modi highlighted India’s growth, demographic dividend, and a regulatory climate favorable to investors, urging Norwegian firms to invest in blue economy, shipbuilding, renewable energy, health-tech, and other sectors. The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation under a Green Strategic Partnership, with a focus on sustainable, inclusive growth and job creation in India. The summit drew CEOs and researchers from both nations.

Event date: 18 May 2026
Location: Oslo, Norway
Investment target: US$100 billion under TEPA
Job target: 1 million new jobs in India
Sectors highlighted: blue economy, shipbuilding, renewables, health-tech

Union Health Minister Nadda Attends 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda arrived in Switzerland to participate in the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The six-day event began with discussions on reshaping global health as a shared responsibility. Nadda highlighted India’s health strategies and collaboration with global partners to improve universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness. Ministers, dignitaries and public health experts from more than 165 countries gathered to discuss policy, funding and resilience in health systems. The assembly aims to strengthen international cooperation for better health outcomes and equitable access to medicines and vaccines.

Event: 79th World Health Assembly
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Date: 19–24 May 2026 (approximate window)
Theme: Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility
Participants: Ministers and health experts from 165+ countries

May 18, 2026

WHO declares Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026. The outbreak is centered in eastern Ituri province, DRC, with confirmed cases in Kampala, Uganda. PHEIC is a formal IHR 2005 mechanism for situations with international risk requiring coordinated response. The Bundibugyo virus is among the species causing the current cases. Since 1976, the DRC has recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks. As of mid-May 2026, there are more than 246 suspected cases and over 80 suspected deaths in Ituri, with Uganda reporting two cases and one death.

PHEIC invoked on 17 May 2026 under IHR 2005.
Regions affected: Ituri (DRC) and Kampala (Uganda).
Virus: Bundibugyo ebolavirus species.
Cases: 246+ suspected; 80+ suspected deaths in Ituri; Uganda reports two cases.
Significance: triggers international coordination for outbreak response.

PM Modi congratulates Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi on appointment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on becoming Prime Minister of Iraq on 16 May 2026 after his swearing-in on 14 May 2026. Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic; the Prime Minister is the head of government. Following a partial cabinet approval on 14 May, negotiations for remaining portfolios continued under the Coordination Framework, which nominated Al-Zaidi in April 2026. Modi’s note underlines growing diplomatic engagement with Iraq amid coalition-building and regional security considerations, as Iraq seeks political and economic stability and stronger ties with India in areas such as energy, trade, and governance.

Date of congratulations: 16 May 2026; Al-Zaidi became PM after swearing-in on 14 May.
Iraq's system: federal parliamentary republic; PM as head of government.
Cabinet formation: partial cabinet approved 14 May; remaining portfolios in process.
Coordination Framework alliance involved in negotiations.
Diplomatic significance: India-Iraq ties and regional security considerations.

PM Modi receives Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star and elevates India-Sweden ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, on 17 May 2026 in Gothenburg during his visit to Sweden. The honour, Sweden’s highest award for a foreign head of government, was conferred by Crown Princess Victoria. In parallel talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, India and Sweden elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, guided by four pillars: stability and security, next-generation economic partnership, emerging technologies and trusted connectivity, and people-to-people ties under the joint action plan 2026–2030. In 2025, bilateral trade stood at USD 7.75 billion, reflecting growing economic links.

Polar Star order conferred on 17 May 2026; Modi awarded Commander Grand Cross.
Ceremony held in Gothenburg; princely presentation by Crown Princess Victoria.
India-Sweden upgraded to a Strategic Partnership with four pillars.
Joint Action Plan 2026–2030 to guide cooperation in multiple domains.
Bilateral trade reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

May 16, 2026

Australia bans National Socialist Network under new anti-hate law

Australia banned the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN) on 15 May 2026 under new anti-hate legislation. The ban took effect at midnight and makes support, funding, training, recruitment, membership and direction of the group a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The NSN has also used aliases such as White Australia and the European Australian Movement. The legislation follows a December 2025 antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney and aims to curb extremist activities by banning listed groups and associations.

Date of ban: 15 May 2026; enforcement midnight.
NSN aliases: White Australia, European Australian Movement.
Penalties: Up to 15 years in prison for listed activities.
Context: Response to antisemitic attack in Bondi Beach (Dec 2025).
Law: Anti-hate legislation enabling ban of extremist groups.

BRICS foreign ministers meet in New Delhi on maritime security and sanctions

BRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi on 14 May 2026 to discuss global governance and energy security. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stressed the importance of safe, unimpeded maritime flows through international waters, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. He urged BRICS members to resist unilateral coercive measures and sanctions. The talks focused on trade, regional stability and rules-based order, with an emphasis on inclusive reform in multilateral institutions. The discussions occurred ahead of broader BRICS engagements and reflected India’s push for greater representation in global decision-making.

Event: BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi (14 May 2026).
Key message: Safe maritime flows through Hormuz and Red Sea.
Position: Opposition to unilateral sanctions; call for inclusive reform.
Focus: Trade, regional stability, rules-based order.
Context: Precursor to broader BRICS engagements.

India-UAE sign pacts on LPG and strategic petroleum reserves during Modi visit

India and the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 15 May 2026 for cooperation in strategic petroleum reserves and increased LPG supplies, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi. The UAE is a major LPG supplier to India and participates in crude oil trade. The agreements cover storage arrangements that could see up to 30 million barrels of crude in India’s SPR and long-term LPG supply arrangements. The accord builds on prior energy collaborations and aims to bolster energy security amid market volatility and maritime risks in the Gulf region.

Date: 15 May 2026; occasion: Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi.
Agreements: Strategic petroleum reserves and LPG supply.
Capacities: Up to 30 million barrels in India’s SPR envisioned.
Context: Strengthens energy security amid Gulf tensions.
Significance: Deepens UAE-India energy cooperation.

Modi visit to UAE yields defence and energy accords; ADNOC and LPG talks advance

During Prime Minister Modi's UAE visit on 15 May 2026, India and the United Arab Emirates announced a framework for strategic defence collaboration and expanded energy cooperation. Officials described deepening defence industrial ties, joint training and maritime security work, alongside discussions on long-term LPG supplies and strategic oil storage. ADNOC signaled interest in enhancing crude trading with Indian partners, while both sides explored logistics and storage options to bolster energy security amid regional volatility. The agreements underscore a broader strategic partnership between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi.

Event: Modi's UAE visit; date 15 May 2026.
Focus: Defence partnership, energy cooperation, LPG supplies.
Energy: Possible ADNOC collaboration on crude trading and storage.
Security: Enhanced maritime security and defence collaboration.
Overall context: Deepening India-UAE strategic partnership.

UN reform remains a focus as India presses BRICS for change

At the BRICS gathering in New Delhi on 15 May 2026, India argued that United Nations reform remains essential because the existing structure reflects an earlier era. The discussion highlighted calls for broader Security Council representation and more effective decision-making to address climate, health and development needs. Indian officials said BRICS should play a constructive role in shaping global governance while pursuing inclusive multilateral reform. The comments aligned with ongoing debates about UN governance and the importance of adapting international institutions to 21st-century challenges.

Date: 15 May 2026; setting: BRICS meeting in New Delhi.
Main theme: UN reform and broader Security Council representation.
Objectives: Improve decision-making on climate, health, development.
Position: BRICS to contribute to inclusive global governance.
Context: Part of wider discussions on 21st-century multilateralism.

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