Current Affairs - International

Bhutan is the international destination included in the Bharat Gaurav Mystic Mountain Tour organised by IRCTC. The 14-day journey begins in India and covers several northeastern destinations before crossing into Bhutan via the Phuentsholing border. The tour highlights important cultural and natural attractions in Bhutan, including Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. This initiative reflects efforts to promote regional tourism and strengthen cross-border connectivity. By offering an all-inclusive travel experience, the program enhances accessibility to Himalayan destinations while encouraging cultural exchange and boosting tourism infrastructure between neighboring countries.

The UAE decided to exit OPEC as part of a strategic shift in its energy policy, aiming to increase its oil production capacity independently. The move allows the country to bypass production quotas imposed by the organisation and align output with its long-term economic goals. This decision comes amid global energy market volatility and regional geopolitical tensions affecting oil supply routes. By investing heavily in oil, gas, and renewable sectors, the country seeks to strengthen its position in global energy markets. The withdrawal also reflects evolving priorities toward flexibility, sustainability, and maximising national economic interests.

The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is a crucial platform for fostering strong diplomatic and economic relations between India and African nations. It focuses on cooperation in sectors such as technology, innovation, trade, and sustainable development. The summit facilitates dialogue between leaders and officials, helping to address shared challenges and opportunities. Over time, it has strengthened strategic partnerships and promoted inclusive growth. By aligning with global initiatives and encouraging development collaboration, this partnership plays a significant role in enhancing international cooperation and advancing mutual interests on the global stage.

India signed a customs cooperation agreement with Kenya on April 27, 2026, during the 10th India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting held in Nairobi. The agreement was executed between India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). It focuses on enhancing trade efficiency by enabling pre-arrival information exchange for faster customs clearance and better risk management. The pact also supports collaboration in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and manufacturing, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations and economic cooperation between the two nations.

In the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), headquartered there, undertook the initiative to add 33,000 missing Indian soldiers to a digital memorial. These soldiers had previously been excluded from proper recognition and were only commemorated numerically. The update is linked to the Basra Memorial in Iraq and relates to casualties from the Mesopotamia Campaign during World War I. This effort corrects historical inequalities by individually naming the soldiers and integrating them into the broader record of over 46,000 Commonwealth personnel remembered for their service.