General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - April 2025

Apr 2025

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

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

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