Current Affairs - International

Nepal and China have strengthened their bilateral relations by signing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Framework during Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's visit to China. The agreement aims to expedite the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, and telecommunications, to transform Nepal into a land-linked country. It reflects Nepal's growing reliance on China for economic development and highlights the collaborative efforts of both nations in pursuing ambitious connectivity and development goals.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government was removed through a no-confidence vote, marking it as the shortest-serving administration in the history of the French Fifth Republic. The vote was initiated by far-left and far-right opposition parties in response to Barnier’s use of special powers to pass budget measures. This political crisis highlights concerns about France’s political stability and its increasing budget deficit, underscoring challenges in governance.

India and Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) aimed at enhancing bilateral ties. The JCC will include new Joint Working Groups in areas such as trade, investment, education, and technology, while also overseeing existing groups focusing on hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters. This collaboration signifies a strengthening of relations between India and Kuwait, a key partner in the Gulf region.

China opened its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica, the Zhongshan National Atmospheric Background Station, located in East Antarctica’s Larsmann Hills. The station will monitor climate changes and support global climate action by observing atmospheric component concentration changes. This marks a significant step in China’s scientific research and environmental monitoring efforts in the region. India also has stations in Antarctica, including Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati, which contribute to climate-related research.

South Korea recently witnessed a significant political event when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, citing “anti-state behaviour” and “pro-North” sympathies within the opposition Democratic Party. The decree faced strong opposition, with 190 out of 300 lawmakers voting to overturn it. This led to the president’s cabinet reversing the decree within hours, showcasing the robust democratic framework and the role of parliamentary oversight in South Korea.