Current Affairs - International

Fiji has introduced its first National Child Safeguarding Policy, establishing a comprehensive framework to protect children across all sectors. The policy mandates that services involving children be safe, respectful, and child-friendly, aiming to prevent harm and promote well-being. This initiative addresses growing regional concerns about child safety in the Pacific and sets a national benchmark for other countries to follow. By creating clear guidelines and accountability mechanisms, Fiji strengthens its commitment to child protection, ensuring that all children have access to secure environments where their rights, dignity, and development are prioritised.

India and the United Kingdom released a comprehensive Joint Statement on October 9, 2025, during UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to India. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in multiple sectors including defence, technology, climate action, and education. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the early ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and launched several joint initiatives like the India–UK Climate Finance Initiative and the Connectivity and Innovation Centre. The visit strengthened bilateral ties and underscored the shared vision for sustainable growth, innovation, and global strategic cooperation between India and the UK.

A remarkable archaeological discovery was made in southeastern Turkiye, where a 12,000-year-old T-shaped pillar featuring a carved human face was unearthed at the Karahantepe site in Şanlıurfa Province. This finding represents the earliest known depiction of a human face carved directly onto a pillar, offering significant insights into Neolithic art and symbolism. The discovery sheds light on early human self-expression and religious or cultural practices, contributing valuable knowledge to the study of ancient civilizations and their development of artistic and symbolic representation during the Neolithic era.

Shivalik, India’s third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), was constructed in South Korea, a nation known for its advanced shipbuilding technology and maritime engineering expertise. With a storage capacity of 82,000 cubic metres, Shivalik features state-of-the-art safety, temperature control, and operational systems, ensuring efficient gas transportation. The vessel has been inducted into the Shipping Corporation of India Limited’s (SCI) fleet, joining its predecessors Sahyadri and Anandamayi. This addition strengthens India’s maritime capabilities and supports the nation’s growing energy logistics infrastructure for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport.

India will launch its first national Red List of Endangered Species at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This initiative highlights species at risk within India and strengthens national conservation priorities. As one of the 17 mega-diverse countries, India hosts over 45,000 plant species and nearly 100,000 animal species across unique ecosystems like the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and Sundarbans. The Red List will provide critical scientific data to guide conservation decisions, address habitat loss, and support global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity, reinforcing India’s commitment to preserving its rich natural heritage.