Current Affairs - International

The Super Garuda Shield is a major military exercise jointly conducted by the United States and Indonesia. It originated in 2007 as a bilateral drill between the two nations’ armies and later expanded into a multinational exercise in 2022, involving numerous Indo-Pacific allies such as Japan, Australia, Singapore, and several others. The 2025 edition is described as the largest ever, highlighting Indonesia’s central role in organizing and hosting the exercise alongside the U.S. This collaboration demonstrates Indonesia’s strategic significance in regional security and its growing involvement in multinational defence cooperation.

Oman has announced its ambitious plan to attract one million Indian tourists annually, building on the 700,000 visitors from India in 2024. This initiative highlights the nation’s strategy to strengthen cultural and economic ties with India while diversifying its economy beyond oil revenues under Vision 2040. Recognising India as a priority market, Oman is focusing on high-value tourism segments such as luxury travel, destination weddings, MICE events, and adventure tourism. To support this, Oman has improved visa policies, enhanced air connectivity with major Indian cities, and launched promotional campaigns like ‘Focus Oman,’ showcasing its natural landscapes and cultural heritage.

India has introduced its first-ever national guidelines for animal blood banks, marking a major milestone in veterinary healthcare. Issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 25 August 2025, the framework establishes standards for donor screening, blood typing, biosafety, and ethical practices in animal blood transfusion. These guidelines address the lack of structured protocols that often led to risks during emergency transfusions. By promoting voluntary donation, establishing state-level blood banks, and creating a digital network for real-time tracking, India is advancing animal welfare. The integration of the One Health approach further strengthens links between human, animal, and environmental health.

India signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the World Food Programme (WFP) on August 25, 2025, to supply fortified rice to crisis-hit regions worldwide. Fortified rice, enriched with vital nutrients such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, plays a crucial role in addressing hidden hunger caused by nutrient deficiencies. India’s agricultural surplus makes it a dependable global supplier, and this step strengthens its humanitarian commitment under the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning "the world is one family." The partnership not only ensures immediate food aid but also enhances long-term global food security, reinforcing India’s leadership role in combating hunger.

India’s Department of Posts announced the suspension of international postal services to the United States of America from August 25, 2025. This decision came after the U.S. government, under Executive Order 14324, revoked the de minimis exemption that previously allowed imports valued up to USD 800 to enter duty-free. The new rules impose customs duties on all shipments, with only gift items up to USD 100 exempt. Airlines handling mail shipments to the U.S. refused carriage due to the lack of operational clarity, forcing India to halt most postal categories. Letters, documents, and low-value gifts remain permitted, but broader services are suspended until systems stabilise.