Current Affairs - International

India holds the position of having the 4th largest railway network globally, with a vast expanse of over 65,000 km in route length. This extensive network plays a crucial role in transporting billions of passengers and tons of freight annually, serving as the backbone of India’s economic and social infrastructure. It supports industrial growth, enhances regional connectivity, and contributes significantly to national integration. The Indian Railways also contributes to employment and environmental sustainability while aiming to be a global leader in rail-based logistics and mobility by adopting innovations like KAVACH, automatic signalling, and plans for net-zero emissions by 2030.

Bangladesh has assumed the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) for the next two years. BIMSTEC is a regional grouping that includes seven countries from the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. As the new chair, Bangladesh will lead the group's efforts in promoting regional cooperation and development.

Hungary faced its first foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in over 50 years, impacting several farms and thousands of cattle. To prevent the disease from spreading, the Hungarian government took the unusual step of deploying military forces alongside disinfection efforts. This action was specifically targeted near the borders with Slovakia and Austria, where the risk of cross-border transmission was higher. The involvement of the military highlights the severity of the outbreak and the measures Hungary took to safeguard its agricultural sector.

The Perm, a nuclear-powered submarine equipped with the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, was launched from the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia. This submarine belongs to the Yasen-M class and is set to join the Pacific Fleet in 2026. It is the first Yasen-class submarine to carry hypersonic missiles, highlighting Russia's strategic naval advancements. The Zircon missile, capable of reaching Mach 8 speeds and evading modern defence systems, emphasizes Russia's focus on enhancing its military capabilities. This launch marks a significant development in Russia's naval power projection.

India achieved a landmark record of 4,515 child adoptions in FY 2024-25, marking the highest number in 12 years. This milestone was driven by enhanced identification drives, legal reforms, and digital interventions facilitated by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). The introduction of 8,598 newly identified children into the adoption pool, the establishment of 245 new adoption agencies, and nationwide adoption awareness campaigns significantly contributed to this achievement. The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s efforts in foster care and alternate family-based care further supported this growth in adoption numbers.