Current Affairs - International

Italy hosted the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, where significant discussions took place between India and Italy regarding their Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with her Italian counterpart Giancarlo Giorgetti to explore deeper cooperation in digital innovation, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and climate sustainability. With bilateral trade exceeding $14.5 billion in FY2023–24, both nations emphasized strengthening multilateral ties and leveraging their technological capabilities for mutual growth. This meeting marked a continued effort to implement structured economic collaboration under the Joint Strategic Action Plan and reinforce shared global commitments.

India will take a leading role in the 2025 World Bank Land Conference, presenting key initiatives like the SVAMITVA Scheme and the Gram Manchitra platform. The SVAMITVA Scheme, a central government initiative under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, was launched across the nation on April 24, 2021, following a successful pilot phase in nine states. This leadership role underscores India's commitment to innovative land governance, mapping, and transparency in rural property ownership. India's participation emphasizes its growing influence and proactive policy-making in global discussions on land management and development.

Anthony Albanese has been re-elected as the Prime Minister of Australia, securing a second consecutive three-year term. This marks a significant political milestone, being the first back-to-back win for a Prime Minister in over two decades. His opponent, Peter Dutton, not only conceded defeat but also lost his seat in Queensland, underscoring the public's rejection of his aggressive campaign strategy and rhetoric, which many likened to American-style politics. Albanese’s victory is seen as a strong mandate from the Australian electorate for continued leadership and a repudiation of divisive political tactics.

The Emden Deep, also known as the Galathea Deep, is located in the Philippines Trench, a narrow and deep oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The trench is a seismically active region, experiencing frequent earthquakes due to the convergence of tectonic plates. It was first discovered by the German ship Emden in 1927 and later explored in greater detail by the Danish ship Galathea in 1951. The Philippines Trench is a notable geological feature, and the Emden Deep is one of the deepest points in the world.

India is hosting the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time as part of the WAVES 2025 event in Mumbai, underscoring its growing leadership in global media and entertainment diplomacy. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the dialogue includes participation from over 60 nations, including major players like the UK, Japan, and Russia. The event aims to foster international collaboration through policy alignment, content innovation, talent exchange, and the launch of the ‘WAVES Declaration’. It positions India as a key media hub on the global stage.