Current Affairs - International

India is preparing to receive the first Taliban-appointed diplomat since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. This development marks a cautious reopening of diplomatic engagement between the two sides without formal recognition of the Taliban regime. The move follows Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi in October 2025 and aligns with India’s broader strategy of maintaining humanitarian assistance and regional stability. By permitting a limited diplomatic presence, India balances its security concerns, humanitarian commitments, and geopolitical interests while preserving communication channels with Kabul amid evolving regional dynamics.

China has achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing thorium-to-uranium fuel conversion within its Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), making it the first country in the world to do so. This breakthrough, announced on November 3, 2025, represents a major advancement in fourth-generation nuclear technology, offering safer, cleaner, and more efficient energy generation. The reactor converts thorium-232 into fissile uranium-233, enabling a sustainable thorium fuel cycle. With this success, China has demonstrated the viability of molten salt reactors and taken a leading position in the race for advanced nuclear innovation, complementing India’s ongoing thorium-based research initiatives.

The Maldives has made history by enacting the world’s first generational smoking ban, effective from November 1, 2025. This law prohibits anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from purchasing or using tobacco in any form. It applies to both citizens and tourists, covering cigarettes, vaping devices, and e-cigarettes. Retailers who violate the age verification mandate face heavy fines. By enforcing this strict regulation, the Maldives aims to create a completely smoke-free generation, prioritizing youth health and setting a global precedent after New Zealand’s repeal and the UK’s pending legislation on similar tobacco restrictions.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a significant policy change by discontinuing cheque and money order payments for immigration-related filings. Applicants must now use electronic debit through Form G-1650 for all transactions. This shift aims to enhance security, minimise the risk of fraud, and ensure faster, more efficient processing. According to USCIS spokesperson Matthew J. Tragesser, the updated system replaces outdated manual methods, aligning with modern digital standards to improve accuracy, reliability, and overall transparency in immigration service operations within the United States.

Samia Suluhu Hassan was re-elected as the President of Tanzania with an overwhelming 97.66% of the votes and a voter turnout of 87%. Her victory came during a period of significant unrest marked by violent protests and allegations of election irregularities. Opposition groups reported hundreds of deaths, although the United Nations confirmed at least 10 casualties. Despite the controversy surrounding the process, Hassan’s re-election secured her another five-year term, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s prominent female leaders and a key figure in Tanzania’s political landscape.