Current Affairs - International

On July 3, 2025, Russia officially recognised the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group's return to power in 2021. The Russian Foreign Ministry removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations and formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador. This move is significant not only because Russia is a major global power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also because it may influence other countries’ foreign policies towards Afghanistan. The decision reflects a strategic choice to engage with the current power structure in Afghanistan based on realpolitik considerations.

Ghana has launched a climate-resilient wheat initiative in collaboration with India, specifically through Arima Farms and the CSIR-Crops Research Institute. This strategic move is part of Ghana’s broader goal to reduce its heavy reliance on wheat imports, which currently amount to over $400 million annually. By enhancing local agricultural productivity with resilient wheat varieties, Ghana aims to promote food security and self-sufficiency. The partnership is also a key example of South-South cooperation, highlighting how countries in the Global South are leveraging joint innovation and technology to tackle shared challenges in food and agriculture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ghana's national honour, 'Officer of the Order of the Star,' by President John Mahama during his visit to the country.

Sri Lanka, through General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Colombo, initiated a Hindi Language Learning Programme in partnership with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), which operates under the Indian High Commission. This course is part of an effort to enhance cultural and educational ties between India and Sri Lanka. Offered as an undergraduate elective, it is accessible to both military and civilian students. The initiative reflects the deepening of cultural diplomacy between the two nations and recognizes the significance of Hindi as a bridge for mutual understanding, regional integration, and people-to-people connections in South Asia.

India has entered into a strategic partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance cooperation in green steel and high-grade aluminium production. This collaboration is part of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and focuses on sustainable metallurgy, clean energy integration, and supply chain resilience. Key public sector enterprises such as SAIL, NMDC, and MECON are involved in facilitating trade, engineering, and material sourcing, with operational offices already established in Dubai. The UAE’s clean energy infrastructure and strategic trade location make it an ideal partner for India’s ambition to scale sustainable industrial growth and meet its 2030 steel production targets.

The revised version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, released by the U.S. Senate, proposes a reduction in the foreign remittance tax to 1%. Initially, the law aimed to impose a broader tax on all outgoing foreign remittances, but under the new draft, the rate has been scaled down significantly. Moreover, remittances made using U.S.-issued bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards are now exempt from this tax. This adjustment reflects a more moderate approach toward regulating and taxing international money transfers, likely in response to concerns over the impact on immigrants and foreign workers in the U.S.