Current Affairs - International

Chile achieved a major public health milestone by becoming the first country in the Americas and the fourth globally to receive official verification from the World Health Organisation for eliminating leprosy as a public health problem. This recognition was granted after the country maintained a prevalence rate of less than one case per 10,000 people at the national level for several consecutive years. The achievement reflects decades of consistent government commitment, strong integration of leprosy services into the public health system, and effective strategies such as early detection, multidrug therapy treatment coverage, surveillance, and contact tracing. High treatment completion rates and a very low proportion of cases among children further demonstrated successful control of disease transmission.

Japan renewed its $75 billion bilateral currency swap agreement with India for another three years beginning March 4, 2026. The arrangement was formalised through an exchange of letters between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ). This financial mechanism allows either country to access the other’s currency—Japanese yen or Indian rupee—during times of balance-of-payments pressure or liquidity shortages. The agreement, originally established in 2018 and renewed earlier in 2023, strengthens financial cooperation between the two nations and serves as a safeguard to maintain macroeconomic stability and enhance investor confidence during global economic uncertainties.

India has surpassed the United States to become the country with the second-highest number of children affected by obesity globally, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026 released by the World Obesity Federation. The report indicates that around 41 million Indian children had a high Body Mass Index (BMI) by 2025, including about 14 million living with obesity. Projections suggest that by 2040, nearly 20 million children in India may be living with obesity, and around 56 million could be overweight or obese. Rising consumption of sugary beverages, low physical activity among adolescents, and limited access to nutritious food are among the key factors contributing to this growing public health challenge.

Scotland became the first country in the United Kingdom to legalise water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis. This method is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation and burial because it produces significantly lower carbon emissions. The process involves placing the body in a pressurized chamber with water and potassium hydroxide, which breaks down soft tissues while leaving bones that are later returned to families as powdered remains. The reform represents one of the most significant changes to cremation laws since 1902, and the first water cremations are expected to begin by summer 2026 after necessary approvals.

Canada entered into a Strategic Energy Partnership with India as part of a broader roadmap to reset bilateral relations. The partnership covers cooperation in clean energy, conventional energy, civil nuclear power, and critical minerals. A major highlight was a CAD 2.6 billion uranium supply agreement between Cameco and India’s Department of Atomic Energy, strengthening India’s nuclear energy capacity. Both nations also relaunched ministerial energy dialogues and initiated negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030, reinforcing long-term economic and strategic collaboration.