Current Affairs - International

Bhutan conferred the rare 'Dasho' title and Red Scarf on Indian educationist Arun Kapur at the 117th National Day celebrations. The honour, usually reserved for senior Bhutanese officials, acknowledges Kapur's significant contributions to education in both India and Bhutan. This recognition highlights his long-standing role in shaping education, including his work in establishing the Royal Academy school in Bhutan and his leadership at Vasant Valley School in Delhi. Arun Kapur's achievements in educational development have earned him this prestigious award from Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel.

Russia is set to launch a groundbreaking mRNA cancer vaccine in 2025, offering it free of charge. This innovative vaccine leverages AI technology to create personalized treatments within an hour, significantly advancing traditional vaccine development processes. Pre-clinical trials have demonstrated the vaccine's effectiveness in suppressing tumours and reducing metastases, representing a milestone in cancer treatment. This initiative underscores Russia's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge science for public health advancements and making transformative medical treatments accessible to all.

Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing the ISA Framework Agreement in New Delhi, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy. Co-founded by India and France during COP21 in 2015, the ISA aims to address challenges in solar energy financing and technology. With Moldova's inclusion, the ISA continues its global expansion, uniting countries to mobilize USD 1,000 billion in solar energy investments by 2030, fostering sustainability and energy security worldwide.

India has established AYUSH Chairs at universities in five countries - Bangladesh, Australia, Mauritius, Latvia, and Malaysia—to promote traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, and Homoeopathy globally. This initiative aims to enhance academic collaboration, research, and public awareness of AYUSH systems while fostering international recognition and market development of AYUSH products and services. It is part of India's broader strategy to increase global engagement with traditional Indian medicine.

Russia will permit Indian tourists to travel visa-free starting in March 2025, as part of bilateral efforts to simplify visa requirements. This decision comes after a notable increase in Indian visitors, with Moscow experiencing a 1.5x rise in Indian travellers in the first half of 2024 and over 60,000 Indian visitors in 2023, reflecting a 26% growth from 2022. The move highlights India's significance as a priority market for Russia and aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.