General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2025

Mar 2025

May 07, 2026

India to host International Big Cat Alliance Summit in New Delhi on 1-2 June 2026

India will host the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi on 1-2 June 2026. The inter-governmental body, headquartered in India, focuses on conservation of seven big cat species. As of 28 April 2026, IBCA has 24 member countries with Kazakhstan, Namibia and Thailand as observers. The Delhi summit will feature Heads of State or Government, policymakers, scientists and conservationists, and will adopt the Delhi Declaration on big cat conservation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the event, with awards at the Global Big Cats Photography Competition announced on 2 June 2026.

Summit dates: 1-2 June 2026; venue: New Delhi.
IBCA focuses on seven big cat species; governance and collaboration.
As of 28 April 2026: 24 member countries; observers include Kazakhstan, Namibia, Thailand.
Delhi Declaration to set shared conservation priorities.
Prime Minister Modi expected to inaugurate the summit.

May 06, 2026

India and Africa Seek Deeper Cooperation Ahead of IAFS

India and Africa are seeking stronger cooperation ahead of the India‑Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), a multilateral platform for dialogue between India and African states. The first IAFS was held in 2008 in New Delhi and the format has been used to discuss trade, investment, development, and regional cooperation. Areas of cooperation include agriculture, health, education and digital technology. India has extended lines of credit, grants and training programmes to several African countries. The African Union, a 55‑member body, coordinates Africa‑wide efforts and the partnership spans the Indian Ocean and the African continent, strengthening political and economic ties.

IAFS established in 2008 in New Delhi
Topics: trade, investment, development, regional cooperation
Areas: agriculture, health, education, digital tech
India provides lines of credit and grants
African Union coordinates 55 member states

May 05, 2026

Canada becomes first non-European country to attend EPC summit in Yerevan

Canada participated as the first non-European country at the European Political Community (EPC) summit held in Yerevan, Armenia, on 4 May 2026. Prime Minister Mark Carney joined nearly 50 heads of state and government at the gathering, which includes EU member states and other European nations for strategic dialogue. The Canadian delegation had earlier held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on 3 May 2026, amid Armenia’s efforts to diversify its alliances. Ottawa stated it is not pursuing EU membership, underscoring the EPC’s role as a forum for broad European dialogues rather than a membership body.

Canada attends EPC summit as first non-European participant
Summit held in Yerevan, Armenia on 4 May 2026
Approximately 50 heads of state attended
Canada- Armenia discussions occurred on 3 May 2026
Ottawa clarifies it is not seeking EU membership

Singapore and New Zealand sign critical goods supply chain pact

Singapore and New Zealand signed a legally binding supply chain resilience pact on 4 May 2026 to safeguard critical goods such as food, fuel, healthcare products, chemicals, and construction materials. The agreement commits both countries not to impose unnecessary export restrictions during crises and will be integrated into their 2001 Agreement on a Closer Economic Partnership, following the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2025. With New Zealand importing about one-third of its refined fuel from Singapore, energy linkages underpin the deal. The pact enhances trade security and resilience in the Asia-Pacific region and complements existing bilateral frameworks.

Pact signed on 4 May 2026 between Singapore and New Zealand
Covers essential goods: food, fuel, healthcare products, chemicals, construction materials
No unnecessary export restrictions during crises
Pact linked to CEPA and 2025 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Energy linkage: NZ imports roughly one-third of refined fuel from Singapore

European Political Community: Yerevan Summit 2026 overview

The European Political Community (EPC) summit in Yerevan marked its 8th edition, co-chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and European Council President Antonio Costa, with nearly 50 leaders in attendance. Canada joined as an observer, following an invitation extended by Costa on 28 April 2026. The EPC addresses politics, security, and infrastructure in Europe and nearby regions, operating outside the EU membership framework. Discussions focused on resilience, regional cooperation, and the role of non-EU states in European security and economic ties. The summit reflected evolving dialogue between EU and non-EU European partners in a changing geopolitical landscape.

EPC summit in Yerevan, 8th edition, with ~50 leaders
Canada attends as observer; invitation extended 28 April 2026
Co-chaired by Nikol Pashinyan and Antonio Costa
Forum covers politics, security, infrastructure; not an EU body
Emphasis on broader European dialogue and cooperation

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

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