Current Affairs - International

The 3rd round of trilateral consultations involving India, Iran, and Armenia was held in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation with a special emphasis on connectivity projects, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Armenia’s Crossroads of Peace initiative. These talks also touched upon expanding economic ties, enhancing trade, and exploring broader areas of mutual interest. The trilateral platform reflects a shared vision for better connectivity and stability in the region. The next round of consultations is scheduled to take place in Armenia, continuing the momentum of this important dialogue.

India has committed to funding the construction of a modern Accident & Emergency Unit in Mannar, Sri Lanka, with a grant of LKR 600 million. The MoU for this project was signed by Indian envoy Santosh Jha and Sri Lankan Health Secretary Anil Jasinghe. The facility will be a two-storey unit equipped with advanced medical infrastructure, aimed at strengthening emergency care services and easing overcrowding in hospitals. This initiative is part of India’s broader healthcare support to Sri Lanka, which also includes contributions to the Suwa Seriya 1990 ambulance service and multiple hospital upgrade projects, reflecting strong bilateral cooperation in public health.

India signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement with Israel in September 2025 to strengthen economic cooperation and boost mutual investments. The agreement provides legal certainty to investors, ensures safeguards against expropriation, guarantees transparent regulations, and establishes an independent arbitration mechanism for dispute resolution. Currently, bilateral investments stand at around USD 800 million, but the new pact is expected to significantly increase capital flows, especially in cybersecurity, defence technologies, fintech, and high-tech innovation. The partnership reflects both nations’ shared vision of economic resilience, technological advancement, and long-term collaboration, reinforcing India’s global position in innovation-driven growth.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has been re-elected as the President of Guyana with a decisive mandate. His party secured more than double the votes of its nearest rival, marking a stronger position than in the 2020 elections. Guyana, situated on the northern Atlantic coast of South America, has its capital at Georgetown and its Prime Minister as Mark Phillips. Ali’s re-election reflects continued public confidence in his leadership and the PPP’s governance, further shaping Guyana’s political stability and regional influence in South America.

David Lammy, who was serving as the UK’s Foreign Secretary, has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister following Angela Rayner’s resignation due to a tax scandal involving underpaid stamp duty. Rayner stepped down from both her Deputy PM role and position as Labour’s deputy leader, creating a significant shift within the party’s leadership structure. In the subsequent reshuffle led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Yvette Cooper was moved to the role of Foreign Secretary, while Shabana Mahmood became the new Home Secretary. Lammy’s elevation reflects his rising influence within the government and the Labour Party.