CURRENT AFFAIRS

Recently, Iran-linked media platforms floated the idea of imposing charges and “protection payments” on operators of undersea cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. 

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share a historically, culturally, economically, and strategically significant relationship.

Relations between India and Turkey have remained complex and unpredictable, largely influenced by third-party issues, especially Pakistan.

The European Union (EU)-Mercosur trade agreement officially came into provisional effect on May 1, 2026.

India and Vietnam have decided to further strengthen their bilateral relations, elevating them to the level of an "Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

In April 2026, India announced the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for June-August.

A major and unusual development has occurred in the global energy system, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) formally announcing its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+.

A recent report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has projected that inflation in developing economies of the Asia-Pacific region is likely to rise to 4.6% in 2026 from 3.5% in 2025, indicating growing macroeconomic pressures.

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card scheme has recently gained prominence in the context of India’s engagement with the Indian-origin community in Sri Lanka.

The United States has initiated a Section 301 investigation against several major trading partners, including India, citing concerns related to unfair trade practices, forced labour issues, and structural excess manufacturing capacity.