Current Affairs - International

In the 2025 Global Peace Index, Singapore has been recognised as Asia’s safest country, securing the 6th position worldwide. Despite dropping one spot from the previous year, Singapore’s overall peace score improved to 1.357, reflecting its strong governance, social stability, and effective safety measures. The Global Peace Index, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, evaluates 163 nations on parameters such as societal safety, conflict levels, and militarisation. Within Asia, Singapore led the rankings ahead of Japan, Malaysia, and Bhutan. Globally, Iceland retained the top spot as the most peaceful nation, while India ranked 115th.

Typhoon Kajiki struck the coastal provinces of Vietnam, causing severe flooding, major crop losses, and multiple deaths. The storm originated over the Philippines, intensified over the South China Sea, and impacted China and Vietnam as a Category 2 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Vietnam, a Southeast Asian country with its capital in Hanoi, is bordered by China, Laos, Cambodia, and the South China Sea. Key rivers like the Mekong and the Red River support its agriculture, while the Annamite Cordillera forms a prominent mountain range. Vietnam’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones makes such natural disasters highly destructive.

India recently held the 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue with the United States to review and enhance their strategic partnership. This dialogue serves as a mid-cycle review of the broader 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which was first launched between India and the US in 2018. The meeting focused on boosting defence production, trade, and energy security while reinforcing cooperation under the US-India COMPACT framework. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, working closely through the Quad along with Japan and Australia. The initiative is particularly significant as India prepares to host the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit.

India and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Thimphu to enhance cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors, reflecting their strong bilateral ties. The agreement was signed by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Thinley Namgyel, Secretary of Bhutan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. Key areas of collaboration include agricultural research, livestock health, post-harvest management, food processing, and climate-resilient practices. A Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) was also formed to oversee implementation and ensure timely results. This MoU strengthens food security, rural development, and South-South cooperation between India and Bhutan.

South Korea has enacted a new law that prohibits the use of mobile phones in classrooms beginning in March 2026. The measure is designed to address rising concerns over youth social media addiction and its negative impact on academic performance and mental well being. With nearly all citizens connected digitally, the country faces increasing challenges related to overexposure among students, including anxiety and sleep disruption. By formalising previously informal rules at a national level, the legislation applies across primary, middle, and high schools, with exceptions only for students with disabilities or educational purposes, marking a major step toward healthier learning environments.