Current Affairs - International

Israel announced its decision to withdraw from seven United Nations agencies after conducting an internal review of its multilateral engagements. The move was driven by concerns over alleged political bias, repeated hostile positions, and bureaucratic inefficiency within certain UN bodies. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in January 2026 and reflects a shift toward more selective participation in international forums. Israel had already disengaged from some agencies earlier, including UN Women and offices linked to armed conflict issues, and plans to reassess or exit additional UN-affiliated organisations in the future.

Germany partnered with India by signing 19 strategic agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across defence manufacturing, advanced technology, semiconductors, critical minerals, and trade. These agreements were finalized following high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The partnership focuses on co-development and co-production in defence, strengthening supply chains, and boosting innovation-led economic growth. Additional areas include digitalisation, telecommunications, health, and the bio-economy. The collaboration also reflects deepening trust between the two nations, supported by strong trade ties, growing industrial presence, and enhanced people-to-people mobility.

The 16th ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counter Terrorism is being co-chaired by India and Malaysia, highlighting strong defence cooperation between the two nations. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from January 14 to 16, 2026, and will involve ASEAN member states along with dialogue partner countries. Discussions during the event will focus on reviewing ongoing initiatives and planning future activities aimed at strengthening multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation. As part of the agreed roadmap, Malaysia will host a Table Top Exercise in 2026, followed by a Field Training Exercise hosted by India in 2027.

India is placed at the 75th position in the Henley Passport Index 2026, which evaluates passport strength based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa. Indian passport holders currently have visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa access to 55 destinations, reflecting a modest improvement compared to the previous year. Despite this progress, significant travel restrictions remain for regions such as Europe and North America. The ranking highlights disparities in global mobility, especially within South Asia, and underscores the influence of diplomatic relations, stability, and international agreements on travel freedom.

India has officially launched the logo and dedicated website for its BRICS Presidency 2026, marking the beginning of preparations for assuming the chairship. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who highlighted the presidency’s focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The initiative reflects a people-centric and inclusive vision aimed at strengthening collaboration among emerging economies. With BRICS completing 20 years in 2026, India’s leadership seeks to promote shared development, enhance digital engagement through a central platform, and position the grouping as a key forum for addressing global challenges faced by the Global South.