Current Affairs - International

The 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was hosted by Brazil in its capital Brasilia on 4–5 June 2025, bringing together parliamentary delegations from all 10 member nations, including India. The Indian delegation, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, participated in discussions on global cooperation. Notably, India was announced as the next host for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in 2026, continuing the group's tradition of rotational leadership. This forum strengthens parliamentary diplomacy among emerging economies, addressing shared challenges in governance and development.

The World Expo 2025 is being hosted in Osaka, Japan, where the India Pavilion has gained significant recognition by securing a spot among the top five pavilions. The pavilion highlights India’s cultural heritage, advancements in Ayurveda, space technology (ISRO), and sustainable development initiatives. Organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, it reflects India’s global soft power and innovation. The Expo serves as a platform for nations to showcase their achievements, and India’s strong presence underscores its growing influence in areas of tradition, science, and sustainability on the world stage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the G-7 Summit in 2025, which will be hosted in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. The invitation was extended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Modi’s acceptance marks a pivotal moment in improving India-Canada relations. This will be Modi’s first visit to Canada since 2015, coming after years of diplomatic tensions over issues like the Khalistan separatist movement and the Nijjar case. The summit and Modi's participation are expected to pave the way for renewed diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people engagement between the two nations.

India has recently enforced a new Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Kyrgyzstan, replacing the earlier agreement that had been in place since May 12, 2000. The treaty is designed to provide a stable and transparent framework to promote and protect investments by investors from both countries. By ensuring legal safeguards and continuity in investment protection, the agreement aims to enhance economic cooperation and mutual confidence between India and Kyrgyzstan, encouraging more robust bilateral trade and financial engagement in the years to come.

India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the media and entertainment sector as part of their ongoing strategic partnership. The two nations share a longstanding diplomatic relationship that reached its 50th anniversary in 2022. In 2016, the bilateral ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting mutual trust and growing collaboration across various domains. This recent initiative in media and entertainment is a reflection of the deepening engagement and shared cultural interests between the two countries, promoting people-to-people connections and economic opportunities in the creative industries.