Current Affairs - International

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a landmark peace deal at the White House, formally ending decades of conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The agreement, hosted by US President Donald Trump, includes a permanent cessation of hostilities, the reopening of critical transport links such as a new corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, and commitments to expand trade, travel, and diplomatic relations. This US-brokered deal marks a significant geopolitical shift, reducing Russia’s role as the primary mediator in the Caucasus and positioning Washington as a key player in fostering stability and cooperation between the two historically antagonistic nations.

The Republic of Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as its 107th member, further expanding the coalition’s global reach in promoting sustainable solar energy. Launched in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 Climate Summit, the ISA works to mobilise investments, lower technology costs, and facilitate knowledge sharing in the solar sector. Moldova’s entry grants it access to technical expertise, financing opportunities, and international partnerships aimed at boosting its domestic solar capacity. This move underscores Moldova’s commitment to a clean energy transition while strengthening international cooperation in renewable energy development.

India and Russia signed a protocol during the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation, held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi. This agreement reaffirms their strategic partnership and focuses on boosting collaboration in industrial and technological sectors. Organised under the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, the initiative covers trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation. Such measures aim to strengthen bilateral relations, promote technology exchange, and enhance industrial capabilities between the two countries for long-term mutual benefit.

South Africa launched the innovative Rhisotope Project through the University of the Witwatersrand to tackle the persistent issue of rhino poaching. The initiative involves injecting small amounts of radioactive isotopes into rhino horns, making them traceable and less attractive to poachers and smugglers. The project is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and was piloted on five rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The use of radioisotopes not only allows for easier tracking of illicit wildlife trade but also introduces health and legal risks for traffickers, thereby creating a powerful deterrent against poaching.

India is set to host the WHO–IRCH Workshop on Herbal Medicine Safety and Regulations from August 6 to 8, 2025, in Ghaziabad. Organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and supported by the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), the workshop will focus on global safety standards, regulations, and the integration of traditional medicine into public health systems. Delegates from several countries will attend in person and virtually. Key sessions will include hands-on training in herbal drug identification and safety assessments, with special focus on herbs like Ashwagandha and regulatory convergence across nations.