Current Affairs - International

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the National Day celebrations of Mauritius on March 12 as the chief guest. This day marks the independence of Mauritius from British rule, which occurred on March 12, 1968. The Prime Minister is attending the event for the second time as the chief guest since 2015, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.

The United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, has announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs from April 2. This move aims to counter countries that impose high tariffs on American goods, promoting economic nationalism and the "America First" policy. Key trading partners like India, China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil will be affected by this policy.

Nepal’s long-standing ties with India’s education system, particularly during the Rana regime when many Nepalese elites pursued education in Indian cities. The first college in Nepal, Tri-Chandra College, was initially affiliated with Calcutta University and later Patna University. Despite efforts to make education more relevant to Nepal’s national needs, Indian universities remain a key destination for Nepalese students. These connections have shaped the country’s academic landscape and influenced its educational policies.

IndiGo Airlines achieved the milestone of becoming the world’s second-fastest-growing airline in terms of seat capacity, with a 10.1% year-on-year growth, reaching a total of 134.9 million seats in 2024. This growth placed IndiGo just behind Qatar Airways, which registered a slightly higher growth of 10.4%. IndiGo's expansion reflects its aggressive growth strategy, increasing both domestic and international demand. The airline has also experienced significant growth in flight frequency and received a large number of new Airbus aircraft to support future expansion plans.

Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 tropical cyclone, has impacted Australia’s southeast coast, with the cyclone originating in the Coral Sea. It is forecasted to make landfall north of Brisbane, causing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and significant flooding. This cyclone is particularly notable as it is the first one to directly affect Brisbane since Cyclone Nancy in 1990. The cyclone's fluctuation between different categories adds to the potential threat to the region, especially due to the heavy rainfall and strong winds expected.