Current Affairs - International

India was re-elected as the Vice-Chair of the COP10 Bureau under the International Convention against Doping in Sport during the 10th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Representing the Asia-Pacific region, India’s re-election reinforces its leadership in promoting clean sport and ethical governance at the global level. The Indian delegation, led by senior officials from the Sports Ministry and NADA, actively contributed to discussions on anti-doping education, compliance, and policy reform. India’s proposal to integrate the Values Education through Sport (VETS) initiative was also praised for advancing global efforts toward integrity and fair play in sports.

The Sevilla Forum on Debt was launched at UNCTAD16, held in Geneva. This global event, led by Spain with support from UNCTAD and UN DESA, aims to create a permanent and inclusive platform for discussions on sovereign debt challenges faced by nations. The forum’s establishment in Geneva underscores the city’s significance as a hub for international diplomacy and global economic governance. It also represents a major outcome of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), focusing on sustainable financial cooperation and global debt management frameworks.

India has introduced the Online National Drug Licensing System (ONDLS) in response to fatal cases linked to toxic cough syrups. Spearheaded by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), ONDLS allows real-time tracking of high-risk pharmaceutical solvents, ensuring only verified, safe ingredients are used in drug manufacturing. The system provides end-to-end traceability, mandatory batch-wise entries, and compliance audits by state-level controllers. This initiative strengthens India’s pharmaceutical safety framework, prevents contamination, and addresses public health concerns while aligning with international standards for drug quality and regulatory oversight.

New Zealand is preparing to debate a bill that would restrict social media access for children under 16. Introduced by National Party MP Catherine Wedd, the legislation mandates age verification by tech companies before allowing new users to register. The move addresses rising concerns over teen mental health, cyberbullying, misinformation, and online body image pressures. If passed, New Zealand would join a small group of countries adopting strict social media access laws for minors. While proponents emphasise safety, critics warn about privacy risks and the potential ineffectiveness of such bans compared to education and parental guidance.

India secured a kabaddi double at the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain, with both the Under-18 boys’ and girls’ teams winning gold medals. The girls’ team achieved a remarkable 75-21 victory over Iran, the largest margin in a Youth Games kabaddi final since 2013, while the boys’ team narrowly defeated Iran 35-32. This dominant performance highlights India’s continued strength in kabaddi at the youth level and underscores the nation’s growing prominence in the sport on the Asian stage, showcasing skill, teamwork, and strategic excellence.