Current Affairs - International

Egypt announced a major natural gas discovery in the Badr-15 area of its Western Desert, tapping into the Lower Bahariya reservoir. The find is expected to add approximately 15 billion cubic feet to Egypt’s gas reserves, with an initial production rate of about 16 million cubic feet per day. This discovery strengthens Egypt’s strategy to boost domestic energy production, reduce reliance on imports, and position itself as a key energy hub in the region. The Western Desert continues to be an important frontier for hydrocarbon exploration, offering significant economic and strategic benefits through expanded reserves and increased energy security.

Japan partnered with the United States to establish a joint framework focused on securing and strengthening the supply chains of critical minerals and rare earth elements essential for advanced technologies such as electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy systems. The agreement emphasises coordinated investment, fair market practices, and resilient bilateral supply chains across the stages of extraction, separation, and processing. Through this collaboration, both countries aim to reduce dependency on single-source suppliers, diversify global mineral resources, and enhance economic and strategic stability in the rapidly evolving clean technology and semiconductor sectors.

Angola is the African nation partnering with India to strengthen cooperation in defence and energy sectors. India is finalising a USD 200 million Line of Credit to assist Angola’s defence modernisation, reflecting growing strategic and developmental ties. The two countries are also expanding their USD 5 billion energy partnership, primarily driven by oil trade, which plays a crucial role in India’s energy security. This collaboration aligns with India’s broader South-South cooperation framework, aimed at fostering sustainable development, capacity building, and mutual growth with partner nations across Africa and the Global South.

China has commissioned its third and most advanced aircraft carrier, Fujian, marking a significant milestone in its naval modernization and maritime power projection. Launched in November 2025 at Sanya Port, Hainan, the Fujian is China’s first flat-deck carrier equipped with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)—a cutting-edge technology previously used only by the U.S. Navy. With a displacement of around 80,000 tonnes and all-electric propulsion, it enables smoother and faster aircraft launches, enhancing strike range and combat readiness. The Fujian joins Liaoning and Shandong in China’s carrier fleet, showcasing Beijing’s growing ambitions in the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region.

The United States conducted the Minuteman III ICBM test (GT-254) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on November 5, 2025. The test involved launching an unarmed missile toward the central Pacific near the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (Kwajalein Atoll) to validate reliability, accuracy, and readiness of the US land-based nuclear deterrent. The launch also verified the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS) using an E-6B aircraft, ensuring redundant command-and-control capability. While the timing drew global attention due to concurrent nuclear policy debates, US officials clarified that it was a routine operational readiness test supporting strategic stability and deterrence credibility.