Current Affairs - International

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.

India is the leading source of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, with over 80,000 Indian tourists visiting in the first two months of 2025. During this period, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 492,000 tourists, marking a strong start to the year, just behind 2019. The country is aiming for a target of 3 million visitors in 2025, having already achieved 16% of this goal in the initial months. This highlights India's significant role in Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

The declaration of English as the national language was made by the United States. This decision was implemented through an executive order, aiming to streamline communication and enhance national unity. The order allows federal agencies to decide on providing multilingual services, reflecting the country's recognition of its linguistic diversity. While millions of residents speak other languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic, the order focuses on promoting English as the primary language for official use.