General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - April 2025

Apr 2025

Apr 13, 2026

BRICS Talks Hosted by India Amid Iran-UAE Tensions

India, as BRICS chair in 2026, hosted talks amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. The expansion of BRICS membership to include Gulf nations such as Iran and the United Arab Emirates adds new regional dynamics. The discussions sought to build consensus among member states and Gulf partners on regional security and energy considerations, ahead of the BRICS summit later this year. The talks reflect India’s use of BRICS as a platform for diplomacy during a volatile regional period and signal a push to engage a broader set of partners within the group’s evolving framework.

Context: BRICS chair year 2026; talks held in light of West Asia tensions.
Membership: Gulf nations such as Iran and UAE involved in BRICS discussions.
Purpose: build consensus on regional security and energy issues.
Significance: demonstrates BRICS diplomacy amid regional volatility.
Outlook: groundwork for BRICS summit later in 2026.

Apr 11, 2026

UAE and Bahrain sign AED 20 billion currency swap pact

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed a currency swap agreement worth AED 20 billion for five years to deepen monetary cooperation and regional trade. Signed on 8 April 2026 by the central banks of the UAE and Bahrain, the pact allows exchange of domestic currencies—the UAE Dirham and the Bahraini Dinar—up to a fixed limit to facilitate cross-border settlements. The arrangement aims to improve liquidity, reduce settlement risks, and support bilateral trade flows while potentially lowering dependence on global reserve currencies. The five-year tenor signals a medium-term commitment to financial coordination between the Gulf neighbours, reinforcing regional financial integration.

AED 20 billion currency swap signed on 8 April 2026; five-year tenor.
Exchanges of UAE Dirham and Bahraini Dinar up to fixed limits.
Aims to smooth cross-border settlements and improve liquidity.
Reduces reliance on global reserve currencies in bilateral trade.
Strengthens monetary coordination between UAE and Bahrain.

Apr 09, 2026

INS Sunayna reaches Malé under IOS SAGAR mission

Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna arrived in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on 6 April 2026 as part of the IOS SAGAR maritime cooperation mission. The visit underscores India’s commitment to friendship, security, and regional collaboration in the Indian Ocean, with a multinational crew drawn from 16 friendly countries. Two members of the Maldives National Defence Force also joined the ship, highlighting bilateral trust. During the voyage, the crew conducted seamanship drills, small arms exercises, and damage-control simulations to boost operational readiness. On arrival, India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, G. Balasubramanian, met the crew and lauded their efforts, emphasizing strengthened diplomatic ties.

INS Sunayna arrived in Malé on 6 April 2026 for IOS SAGAR mission.
Mission demonstrates India–Maldives maritime cooperation.
Crew includes personnel from 16 allied countries; MNDF members aboard.
Training included seamanship, small arms, and damage-control drills.
High Commissioner Balasubramanian welcomed the ship and affirmed ties.

Apr 07, 2026

India sends humanitarian aid to flood-hit Afghanistan

India has dispatched humanitarian assistance and disaster relief materials to Afghanistan in response to recent floods and earthquakes. The aid package includes shelter, food, and essential medical supplies aimed at addressing urgent needs of affected communities. The move underscores India's commitment to regional humanitarian partnership despite geopolitical complexities. Afghanistan, a landlocked mountainous country, shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China, and a small boundary with India in the northeast. The assistance reflects ongoing cooperation and readiness to support disaster-affected populations in South Asia, complementing international relief efforts and stabilizing vulnerable regions facing natural disasters.

Assistance includes shelter, food, and medical supplies.
Part of India's regional humanitarian efforts despite geopolitical complexities.
Afghanistan borders and regional context noted.
Demonstrates ongoing cooperation for disaster relief.

Apr 05, 2026

WTO MC-14 concludes; India advocates reforms, fisheries subsidies and agriculture focus

The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC‑14) of the World Trade Organization concluded on 30 March 2026 in Yaounde, Cameroon, with India leading discussions on reforms, fisheries subsidies, e‑commerce, and agriculture. Indian delegates, led by Piyush Goyal, pressed for a fair, development‑oriented trading system and argued against coercive or consentless terms. The discussions highlighted a shared aspiration for inclusive growth among developing and least‑developed nations. India stressed that decision‑making should be consensus‑based, and called for careful consideration of fisheries subsidies to balance livelihoods with sustainable practices.

MC‑14 dates: concluded 30 March 2026.
Location: Yaounde, Cameroon.
Indian lead: Piyush Goyal.
Key topics: reforms, fisheries subsidies, e‑commerce, agriculture.
India’s stance: consensus‑based decision making; people‑centric approach.

U.S. destroys major bridge in Karaj, Iran; Trump threatens further action

On 2 April 2026, United States forces reportedly destroyed the B1 bridge in Karaj, about 20 miles (35 kilometres) southwest of Tehran, amid hostilities with Iran. President Donald Trump had hours earlier threatened to bomb Iran 'back to the Stone Ages' if it did not engage to end the five‑week conflict. The B1 bridge, still under construction, was described by Iranian media as West Asia's tallest, with a 136‑metre (447‑foot) column. Witness accounts noted smoke rising from the site. The strike signals intensified measures by the United States in a war that has drawn regional attention and raised concerns about civilian and strategic impacts.

Date of incident: 2 April 2026.
Location: B1 bridge, Karaj, near Tehran (35 km southwest).
Bridge reportedly the tallest in West Asia per Iranian media.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued threats prior to or after the strike.
War described as continuing for five weeks at the time of reporting.

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