Current Affairs - International

The UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2024 highlights India's rise to 185 billionaires, marking a 20% increase from 153 in 2023. This positions India third globally in billionaire count, following the US and China. The growth reflects India's thriving family-owned businesses and emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals, edtech, and fintech. Over the past decade, billionaire wealth in India has surged by 263%, underlining the nation's economic dynamism.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema visited India to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors. Key discussions included the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, advancing economic and investment cooperation, and enhancing cross-border connectivity. Notable progress in the hydropower sector was also reviewed, including the near completion of Punatsangchhu-II and plans for future projects. The visit reflects Bhutan and India’s enduring partnership amidst evolving regional dynamics, showcasing shared commitments to development and strategic collaboration. Bhutan’s engagement with Indian private entities, like the Adani Group, further emphasizes this partnership.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and democracy, awarded India’s Prime Minister its second-highest national honour, marking a significant step in their diplomatic and cultural relationship. This move underscores Nigeria's strategic partnership with India, including cooperation in defence, economic, and developmental arenas. Despite competition from other global players like China, Nigeria continues to value its collaboration with India. Their shared leadership roles in the Global South further highlight the importance of these ties. This recognition symbolizes Nigeria’s acknowledgement of the growing bilateral relationship and mutual efforts toward collective progress for developing nations.

India has been selected to chair the 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the first time. Shambhu Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, has assumed this significant role. The CND is a crucial policy-making body tasked with monitoring global drug trends and assisting Member States in formulating balanced and effective drug-related policies, highlighting India's leadership in international policymaking on critical issues.

IndiGo Airlines ranked 103rd out of 109 in the 2024 AirHelp Score report, placing it among the worst-performing airlines globally. The ranking considers factors like customer claims, on-time performance, and passenger feedback. However, IndiGo has disputed the findings, citing concerns about the report's methodology and transparency, particularly regarding the sample size from India. Despite this ranking, the airline maintains its strong reputation for punctuality and customer satisfaction, as supported by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reports.