General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - September 2025

Sep 2025

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.

May 14, 2026

Kevin Warsh poised to lead US Federal Reserve as next Chair

Kevin Warsh is on track to become the next chair of the United States Federal Reserve, contingent on a final confirmation vote. After a 51-45 Senate confirmation to a 14-year term on the Fed's Board of Governors, Warsh would assume the chair role currently held by Jerome Powell when the term ends. The confirmation expands the board with Warsh's long experience dating back to the 2008 financial crisis. Powell's chair term is due to end in the coming months, and a separate vote remains to appoint Warsh as chair. The development comes amid inflation concerns and political pressure on monetary policy.

Warsh confirmed to a 14-year term on the Fed Board (51-45).
A separate Senate vote is needed to name him Fed Chair.
If confirmed, he would succeed Jerome Powell as Chair.
Powell's current term ends in the coming months.
Global markets watch the move given inflation and policy sensitivities.

May 13, 2026

Kimberley Process Intersessional Meeting 2026 Held in Mumbai

India hosted the Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting 2026 in Mumbai from 11 to 14 May, focusing on ethical diamond trade. The four-day gathering brought together government representatives, industry bodies, and civil society to strengthen monitoring, compliance, and consumer confidence in the natural diamond value chain amid evolving global challenges. KP Chair 2026 Suchindra Misra highlighted the format’s role in peace-building and livelihoods. Delegates discussed enhancements to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), artisanal and alluvial production, data systems, and steps to reinforce trust in ethically sourced natural diamonds. The meeting features ongoing working groups and committees.

KP Intersessional Meeting 2026 held in Mumbai (11–14 May)
Focus on ethical diamond trade and compliance
KP Chair 2026 Suchindra Misra emphasized certification trust
Discussions on KPCS improvements and data systems
Participation from governments, industry, and civil society

India-Oman CEPA to Come Into Force on 1 June 2026

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman is expected to come into force on 1 June 2026. The pact was signed in December 2025 and Oman ratified it by Royal decree in February 2026. CEPA covers goods, services, investment, and economic cooperation. India will gain duty-free access for 98% of its exports to Oman, including textiles, agricultural products, and leather. Tariffs on Omani products such as dates, marbles, and petrochemicals will be reduced. Bilateral trade stood at about USD 10.61 billion in FY 2024-25. On 12 May 2026, discussions in New Delhi focused on economic cooperation and trade facilitation under CEPA.

CEPA signed December 2025; Oman ratified February 2026
Effective from 1 June 2026
India gains duty-free access for 98% of exports to Oman
Tariff reductions on dates, marbles, petrochemicals for Oman
Bilateral trade approx. USD 10.61 billion in FY2024-25
Focus on goods, services, investment under CEPA

May 12, 2026

India to host Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit in Delhi, May 2026

India will host the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi from 28 May to 31 May 2026, in partnership with the African Union Commission. The theme is 'IA SPIRIT: India-Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation.' The programme includes a Senior Officials Meeting on 28 May and the India-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 29 May. The summit will cover trade, investment, digital transformation, sustainability, inclusive development, agriculture, health, education, climate action, defence, space technology, energy, and critical minerals. A declaration with a roadmap for cooperation is expected to align India’s 2047 vision with Africa’s Agenda 2063.

IAFS-IV to be held in New Delhi from 28–31 May 2026.
Theme highlights strategic partnership and innovation.
Senior Officials Meeting on 28 May; Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 29 May.
Agenda includes trade, digital transformation, climate action, and more.
Roadmap aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063.

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