Current Affairs - National

India has set its sights on managing the Mongla Port in Bangladesh as part of its strategy to expand overseas port operations and enhance regional connectivity. This move aims to counter China's influence in the region and strengthen India's commercial and security interests, similar to its endeavours at Chabahar in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar. The initiative underscores India's proactive approach to securing vital maritime routes and fostering strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh.

Visakhapatnam Port achieved the 19th position in the Container Port Performance Index 2023, surpassing Mundra Port. Managed by J M Baxi Ports & Logistics, the port's efficiency in vessel time and operational metrics contributed to its high ranking. This recognition underscores Visakhapatnam Port's role as a key player in India's maritime sector, highlighting its operational excellence and adherence to global standards in container handling.

IIT Kanpur has partnered with the Centre of Excellence for UAVs and DFI to introduce the UDAAN initiative, a drone startup acceleration program. This collaborative effort aims to support emerging drone ventures by providing them with access to resources such as state-of-the-art facilities, mentorship, financial assistance, and tailored business development guidance, fostering rapid growth in the drone industry.

The Netherlands became India's third-largest export destination in 2023-24, following the US and UAE. Despite a slight decline in India's overall merchandise shipments, the trade surplus with the Netherlands increased significantly, reaching USD 17.4 billion in the last fiscal year, up from USD 13 billion in 2022-23.

The overall voter turnout in the General Elections 2024 was 65.79% at the polling stations, as reported by the Election Commission. This percentage indicates the proportion of votes polled in electronic voting machines across the country during the election period, which spanned seven phases from April 26 to June 1.