Current Affairs - International

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.

India and China marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with leaders exchanging congratulatory messages. This milestone reflects the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations, even amidst past tensions such as the Ladakh standoff. The exchange of messages between President Xi Jinping and President Droupadi Murmu, along with Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Modi, underscores efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. This celebration signifies a potential reset and a renewed focus on cooperation and diplomacy between India and China.