Current Affairs - International

Venezuela formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia on the instructions of Interim President Delcy Rodríguez. The Venezuelan government cited concerns over the ICC's alleged geographical bias and questioned its impartiality. Under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the withdrawal will take effect one year after notification and will not affect investigations already underway. Therefore, the ICC's ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela, initiated in 2021, will continue despite the country's withdrawal.

Nepal eased its regulations on July 26, 2026, by allowing Indian and Nepalese nationals to carry Indian currency notes of ₹200 and ₹500 denominations across the India–Nepal border. The revised rules permit individuals to carry Indian currency up to a maximum value of ₹25,000 per person, provided the ₹200 and ₹500 notes were issued on or after November 9, 2016. However, pre-November 9, 2016, ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes remain prohibited. The clarification was issued by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Nepal's central bank, to facilitate smoother cross-border transactions while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Panama and India held bilateral talks on July 22, 2026, to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, logistics, maritime education, and digital transformation. The discussions included collaboration between India's Directorate General of Shipping and the Panama Maritime Authority, along with initiatives in Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart port logistics, maritime single-window systems, and resilient supply chains. Both countries also agreed to work together on green ship recycling, port modernisation, and warehousing. Recognised as a strategic gateway to Central America, Latin America, and the Caribbean through the Panama Canal, Panama plays a vital role in global maritime trade. India also invited Panama to participate in India Maritime Week 2026 in New Delhi.

China successfully launched the Gravity-1 commercial rocket from a vessel in the East China Sea on July 22, 2026, placing nine satellites into their designated orbit. Developed by the private aerospace company ORIENSPACE, the mission marked the world's first far-sea launch of a privately developed commercial rocket. The launch demonstrated the capability to conduct rocket missions under complex offshore conditions. Gravity-1 is the world's first medium-lift launch vehicle using all-solid-propellant strap-on boosters and can carry payloads to both Low-Earth Orbit and Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The satellites will support remote sensing, land mapping, AI-powered Earth observation, disaster response, and advanced satellite technology testing.

Kenya received 4.5 tonnes of life-saving medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) from India on July 24, 2026, under India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework. The relief package included PPE, emergency fluid management kits, and infection prevention supplies to enhance preparedness against Ebola and other infectious disease outbreaks. The assistance was coordinated through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian High Commission in Nairobi. The initiative also strengthens India's ongoing cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reinforcing healthcare resilience, regional disease surveillance, and India's commitment to supporting global public health and humanitarian efforts.