Current Affair Category: International Relations

Why in News? On 8 September 2026, the United Kingdom announced restrictions on trade involving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The measures cover agricultural, processed and manufactured goods produced in Israeli settlements. UK companies will also face restrictions on certain services linked to settlement expansion, including construction, financing and real estate activities. The move […]

Why in News? The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is expected to discuss mechanisms for making cross-border payments faster, cheaper and more efficient. Discussions include linking national payment systems and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). What are Cross-Border Payments? Cross-border payments are financial transactions between people, businesses or banks located in different countries. For example, when an Indian company […]

Why in News? Tommy Koh, Singaporean lawyer, diplomat and legal scholar, was among the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2026 recipients. He played a pivotal role in the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) and helped steer more than 150 countries towards the adoption of UNCLOS in 1982. Tommy Koh’s Contribution: Born: 1937, Singapore. Background: Lawyer, legal scholar and diplomat. […]

Why in News? The 26th Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 31 August to 1 September 2026. The summit was hosted by Kyrgyzstan under its 2025–26 rotating chairmanship. The summit marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO, making it important for assessing the organisation’s evolution and future direction. Prime Minister Narendra […]

Why in News? PM Narendra Modi is visiting Uzbekistan (August 29–30, 2026) for a bilateral visit. He will then visit the Kyrgyz Republic (August 31–September 1) to attend the 26th SCO Summit. The visits highlight the growing importance of Central Asia in India’s strategic, economic and security interests. Why is Central Asia Important for India? Strategic Location: Central Asia connects Europe, Russia, China, […]

Why in News? The first India–Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting was held in New Delhi. It follows the Defence Cooperation MoU signed during PM Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in military training, exercises, military medicine, staff talks, defence industry and R&D. Historical Relations: Ancient & Pre-Independence Links: India and Kuwait have had centuries-old commercial […]

Why in News? On 18 August 2026, Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Dignity was hit by an unknown projectile while exiting the Strait of Hormuz. The attack killed the ship’s chief engineer and damaged the engine room. The incident highlighted the growing importance of United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) in regional maritime security. UKMTO provides verified security information, warnings and coordination support to commercial shipping. […]

Why in news? BRICS countries are exploring the possibility of linking their Fast Payment Systems and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) to make cross-border payments cheaper, faster, and more efficient, with RBI suggesting CBDC connectivity for the 2026 BRICS Summit. What is CBDC? CBDC stands for Central Bank Digital Currency. CBDC is the digital form […]

Why in News?: Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed India’s sovereign credit rating at ‘BBB-’ with a Stable Outlook. India has retained this rating continuously since 2006. This marks the twentieth consecutive year at the same rating. BBB- is the lowest investment-grade rating in Fitch’s scale. What is a Sovereign Credit Rating? A sovereign credit rating is […]

Why in news?: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin has proposed creating an alternative overland railway corridor to the Indian Ocean—traversing Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan—to bypass strategically vulnerable maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bosphorus, driven by ongoing Middle East conflicts, Western sanctions, and domestic fuel pressures. Key Factors and Drivers: […]