Current Affairs - International

The 23rd SCO Heads of Government Meeting took place in Islamabad on October 16, 2024, focusing on trade and economic collaboration among SCO member states. This meeting brought together leaders from China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asian countries, with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as chair. India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, represented India, emphasizing the SCO's multilateral agenda. The SCO aims to enhance regional cooperation and stability, founded in 2001. By hosting this meeting, Islamabad played a significant role in promoting economic cooperation and regional stability among SCO member states.

The United States has announced the deployment of the advanced THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) missile defence system to Israel. This strategic decision aims to enhance Israel's defence capabilities, particularly in light of threats from Iran and other regional adversaries. THAAD is designed to intercept and destroy enemy missiles during their terminal phase, making it an essential asset for national security. This move highlights the US's strong commitment to Israel's defence amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the region, reinforcing collaborative efforts in military preparedness and security cooperation.

Abu Dhabi has been crowned the world's richest city due to its substantial sovereign wealth funds, estimated at $1.7 trillion. This significant wealth is primarily attributed to the discovery of oil in the 1950s, making Abu Dhabi one of the world's top energy producers. The city holds 95% of the UAE's oil reserves and 92% of its gas reserves, solidifying its position as a global financial powerhouse. This ranking is based on the city's impressive capital reserves, surpassing other major cities like Oslo, Beijing, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

India withdrew its High Commissioner and senior diplomats from Canada in response to Canadian allegations linking Indian diplomats to the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure. This diplomatic escalation further strained relations between the two countries, with India also expelling six Canadian diplomats. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government made the allegations, which led to a significant diplomatic rift.

India has emerged as the second-largest supplier of restricted critical technologies to Russia, which includes essential components like microchips, circuits, and machine tools. These technologies are crucial for Russia's economy and military, especially amid its ongoing war efforts. India’s exports of these restricted items rose significantly, reaching $95 million in July 2024, an increase from $60 million in prior months. Only China surpasses India in supplying such restricted items to Russia.