Chabahar Port

Source:  HT Subject:  International Relations Context: Iran has reaffirmed its support for the Chabahar Port project and deeper cooperation with India despite uncertainty arising from renewed U.S. sanctions and the possible expiry of the sanctions waiver. About Chabahar Port: What it is? Chabahar Port is Iran’s only oceanic deep-sea port, developed as a multipurpose commercial …

Rafah Border Crossing

Source:  NIE Subject:  International Relations Context: The Rafah Border Crossing was reopened, after being largely shut for nearly two years following Israeli military control. Its reopening is a key component of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan, aimed at enabling civilian movement and humanitarian aid. About Rafah Border Crossing: What it is? The Rafah Border Crossing …

Blue Line along the Lebanon–Israel frontier

Source:  UN Subject:  International Relations/Mapping Context: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) temporarily suspended patrols along parts of the Blue Line after Israel announced the release of a chemical substance near the frontier. About Blue Line along the Lebanon–Israel frontier: What is the Blue Line? The Blue Line is a UN-identified line of …

Project Vault

Source:  BS Subject:  International Relations Context: The United States has launched Project Vault, a $12 billion critical minerals stockpiling initiative, announced by Donald Trump to protect American industries from global supply disruptions. About Project Vault: What is Project Vault? Project Vault is a public–private stockpiling programme designed to purchase, store, and manage critical minerals and …

New START nuclear treaty

Source:  DD News Subject:  International Relations Context: The New START nuclear treaty, the last remaining arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, is set to expire on 5 February 2026, with no successor treaty in place. About New START nuclear treaty: What is the New START nuclear treaty? The New Strategic Arms Reduction …

Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law

Source:  TH Subject:  International Relations Context: China has proposed a draft Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law, submitted for first reading to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee in December 2025. About Antarctic Activities and Environmental Protection Law: What it is? A comprehensive domestic law to regulate all China-linked activities in Antarctica, aligning national practice …

Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

Source:  NIE Subject:  International Relations Context: Spain has formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), with its Foreign Minister handing over the Declaration of Accession to S. Jaishankar. About Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI): What it is? The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) is a non-treaty, voluntary, cooperative framework for practical maritime collaboration among like-minded …

Gaza Peace Board

Source:  TN Subject:  International  Relations Context: India has received an invitation to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Gaza Peace Board”, a new international body intended to oversee ceasefire implementation, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza. About Gaza Peace Board: What it is? The Gaza Peace Board (also referred to as the Board of Peace) is …

BRICS Plus naval exercise

Source:  RT Subject:  International Relations Context: India’s decision to skip the BRICS Plus naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” has drawn attention as New Delhi clarified that such drills are not institutionalised BRICS activities and reflected a considered political choice amid evolving geopolitics. About BRICS Plus Naval Exercises: What it is? The BRICS Plus naval …

Pax Silica Initiative

Source:  IE Subject:  International Relations Context: The United States has announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative next month as part of efforts to stabilise and deepen India-US strategic and trade ties. Pax Silica aims to secure silicon, semiconductors and AI-critical supply chains amid rising geopolitical and technology competition. …

Operation Hawkeye

Source: HT Subject: International Relations Context: The United States carried out large-scale airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria under Operation Hawkeye after an ISIS ambush in Palmyra killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. About Operation Hawkeye: What it is? Operation Hawkeye is a US-led military counter-terrorism operation involving air and precision strikes against …

India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996)

Source: TOI Subject: International Relations Context: Senior officials from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry visited Farakka Barrage as the India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996) is set to expire in December 2026, ahead of renewal talks. About India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Sharing Treaty (1996): What it is? A bilateral treaty governing the sharing of Ganga (Ganges) …

Monroe Doctrine

Source:  HT Subject:  International Relations Context: The U.S. action against Venezuela and the capture of its president has been justified by Donald Trump by invoking the Monroe Doctrine, a 19th-century U.S. policy. About Monroe Doctrine: What it is? The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. foreign policy principle asserting that the Western Hemisphere is the exclusive …

Justice Mission 2025

Source:  TH Subject:  International Relations,  Miscellaneous Context: China conducted large-scale live-fire military drills named “Justice Mission 2025” around Taiwan, including missile launches, fighter jet sorties, and naval deployments. About Justice Mission 2025: What it is? Justice Mission 2025 is a high-intensity, two-day PLA (People’s Liberation Army) military exercise involving live-fire missile launches, air and naval …

The Unit – a Pilot Gold-Backed Digital Trade Currency

Source:  TN Subject:  International Organisation Context: Several reports and expert circles are speculating that BRICS may unveil a pilot gold-backed digital trade currency called “The Unit”, though no official announcement has been made yet. About The Unit – a Pilot Gold-Backed Digital Trade Currency: What it is? A digital, blockchain-based settlement currency designed for cross-border …

World Summit on Disaster Management (WSDM) 2025

Source:  PIB Subject:  Miscellaneous Context: At the World Summit on Disaster Management (WSDM) 2025 in Dehradun, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced major upgrades to Uttarakhand’s early-warning systems, including six weather radars, 33 observatories, and 142 AWS stations. About World Summit on Disaster Management (WSDM) 2025: What it is? WSDM 2025 is a global platform on disaster …

50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention

Source:  MEA Subject:  International Relations Context: India hosted the international conference “50 Years of BWC: Strengthening Biosecurity for the Global South” in New Delhi to mark the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention’s entry into force. About 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention: What the BWC is? The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) is …