Current Affairs - International

Microsoft, a major global tech company, officially shut down its operations in Pakistan on July 3, 2025, ending a 25-year presence in the country. The closure was part of a broader global strategy to focus more on cloud services and streamline operations, including cutting approximately 9,100 jobs worldwide. Microsoft had only maintained liaison offices in Pakistan, with most functions already transitioned to local partners and handled from regional hubs like Ireland. This decision raised concerns among business and political leaders, who view the exit as a signal of Pakistan’s increasingly difficult environment for foreign tech firms.

India hosted the 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), reaffirming its commitment to chemical disarmament and non-proliferation. India is not only an original signatory to the CWC but also implements it through its National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), as per the Chemical Weapons Convention Act of 2000. India’s leadership role is further reflected in the recognition of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC), which became the first industry body in the world to receive the prestigious OPCW-The Hague Award in 2024. This demonstrates India's proactive role in global chemical safety governance.

The 23rd Asia Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties was hosted in New Delhi by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in collaboration with India’s National Authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC). This gathering brought together representatives from Asian member states to enhance cooperation and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which came into effect in 1997. OPCW, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, plays a critical role in global chemical weapons disarmament. Hosting the event in New Delhi highlights India's commitment to international peace and non-proliferation efforts.

In July 2025, Pakistan assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a position that rotates monthly among the 15 member states. As president, Pakistan committed to leading with transparency, inclusivity, and a focus on peace and multilateral cooperation. The country, currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Council, announced plans to host high-level meetings addressing global peace, the Palestine issue, and collaboration with organisations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Pakistan’s leadership in the UNSC during this month underscores its diplomatic engagement and commitment to upholding the principles of the UN Charter.

On July 3, 2025, Russia officially recognised the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group's return to power in 2021. The Russian Foreign Ministry removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations and formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador. This move is significant not only because Russia is a major global power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also because it may influence other countries’ foreign policies towards Afghanistan. The decision reflects a strategic choice to engage with the current power structure in Afghanistan based on realpolitik considerations.