International Relations Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News: The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) marks 55 years since it came into force on March 5, 1970. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) About Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) It is an international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting the peaceful… Continue reading Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

News: US President Donald Trump has proposed renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal, despite having withdrawn from it in 2018. This move comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the US remain high, with Iran significantly increasing its uranium enrichment levels. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action About Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) The… Continue reading Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

News: Recently, Lithuania withdrew from Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibiting cluster bombs, citing security concerns over Russia. Convention on Cluster Munitions About the Convention on Cluster Munitions Genesis– It is an international treaty of more than 100 states, adopted on 30 May 2008, signed on 3 December 2008 and entered into force on 1 August… Continue reading Convention on Cluster Munitions

News: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sought assistance from India’s Ministry of Law and Justice under the Hague Service Convention to serve summons on billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani in a securities and wire fraud case. About Hague Service Convention It is formally known as the Convention on the… Continue reading Hague Service Convention

News: The US has proposed gaining access to 50% of Ukraine’s mineral resources in return for military support. Trump claims that Ukraine owes the US $500 billion worth of resources in exchange for past military aid. About Ukraine’s Critical Minerals Abundant Reserves: Ukraine possesses 22 of the 50 strategic minerals identified as critical by the… Continue reading Ukraine’s Critical Minerals

News: Meta has announced Project Waterworth which is its most ambitious subsea cable project. About Project Waterworth Aim: The project aims to enhance global internet connectivity using AI and machine learning. Focus: It will focus on better cable deployment and maintenance for a more reliable internet. It will be the world’s longest and highest-capacity subsea… Continue reading Project Waterworth

News: The India-US TRUST Initiative is a recent agreement between India and the United States to work together to secure the supply of critical minerals like lithium and rare earth elements (REEs), essential for advanced technologies, energy, and pharmaceutical production. About TRUST Initiative TRUST stands for: Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology. It is a partnership… Continue reading TRUST Initiative

News: PM Modi co-chaired the AI Action Summit with French President Macron, focusing on open-source AI development, sustainability, and creating job opportunities through skilling. Key Takeaways from PM Modi’s Visit to France  Strengthening Strategic Partnership: India and France reviewed the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap, agreed in 2023, marking 25 years of their strategic partnership (since 1998).… Continue reading Key Takeaways from PM Modi’s Visit to France 

News: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recently come under global scrutiny following its issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.  About International Criminal Court (ICC)  The ICC is a permanent international court that prosecutes individuals for 4 serious crimes- genocide, war crimes, crimes against… Continue reading International Criminal Court (ICC)

News: The Indian government’s plan to amend the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) and the Atomic Energy Act has gained attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit France and the U.S. from February 10-13, 2025. About Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010 The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act,… Continue reading Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA)

News: The issue of illegal migration through ‘dunki routes’ has gained significant attention due to the recent deportation of 104 Indians from the US. About Dunki route The term ‘dunki route’ refers to the unofficial and often dangerous pathways used by migrants to reach their destination countries, particularly the United States, without proper documentation. This… Continue reading Dunki route and its danger

News: The U.S. claimed its government ships could now pass through the Panama Canal for free. About Panama Canal The Panama Canal is a strategic artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) and the Pacific Ocean. It is located in Central America, within Panama. It is one of the most important global… Continue reading Panama Canal

News: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under intense scrutiny and is facing potential shutdown as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restructure and reduce federal government spending. About United States Agency for International Development (USAID) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the primary international humanitarian… Continue reading United States Agency for International Development

News: Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the UAE and upcoming engagements with Greece and Egypt signal India’s renewed push for advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which was stalled due to the Israel-Gaza conflict. About IMEC It is a connectivity project aiming to enhance trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the… Continue reading India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

News: France is hosting a two-day AI Action Summit beginning on February 10. The summit will be co-chaired by Indian Prime Minister along with French President.  About Paris AI Summit   It is the brainchild of French President Emmanuel Macron.  The initiative focuses on the broader agenda of global AI governance, innovation, and on means… Continue reading Paris AI Summit 2025

News: Neutral Expert, appointed by the World Bank under the Indus Water Treaty 1960, has upheld India’s stand after questions were raised in relation to the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.  About Indus Water Treaty   It was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the… Continue reading Indus Water Treaty

News: Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, was once a French colony and now faces political instability, poverty, and growing insecurity. About Burkina Faso Capital– Ouagadougou: The largest city and administrative center Geography: Location: West Africa, landlocked. Bordering countries: Mali (northwest), Niger (northeast), Benin (southeast), Togo and Ghana (south), and Ivory Coast (southwest).… Continue reading Key Facts about Burkina Faso

News: Donald Trump has called the transfer of Panama Canal to Panama as foolish. This has brought Torrijos-Carter Treaties in the news.  About Torrijos-Carter Treaties  They are two treaties which were signed by the United States and Panama in 1977.  Panama Canal Treaty: It provided for joint US-Panama control until December 31, 1999, after which… Continue reading Torrijos-Carter Treaties

News: The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) has reached its two-year milestone. It highlights significant achievement in strengthening bilateral trade ties and promoting mutual growth. About Ind-Aus ECTA It was signed on April 2, 2022 and came into force in December 2022. Aim– To provide an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve… Continue reading India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA)

News: The UN General Assembly recently adopted the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. UN Convention against Cybercrime About UN Convention against Cybercrime It is a landmark global agreement adopted by 193 UN member states. Its goal is to strengthen international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime and protect societies from digital threats. The treaty will… Continue reading UN Convention against Cybercrime

News: UN Secretary General paid tributes to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, who died serving as the Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights.  About UNDOF   It was established in 1974 by the United Nations Security Council following the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and… Continue reading United Nations Disengagement Observation Force

News: In February 2024, the Union Home Ministry had announced the suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Myanmar border. However, the formal notification ending the FMR is yet to be issued. In the meanwhile, new guidelines have been issued to regulate the movement of people along the international border.  About Free Movement… Continue reading Free Movement Regime

News: Recently, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar attended the 20th IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Manama Dialogue Explained. About the Manama Dialogue Manama Dialogue is an annual global security and geopolitical summit held in Bahrain. It was initiated in 2004. The Dialogue is organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in collaboration with… Continue reading Manama Dialogue

News: Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire. The ceasefire proposal draws on the provisions of Resolution 1701 passed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2006. About UNSC Resolution 1701 1. Passed on August 11, 2006, UNSC Resolution 1701 aims to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. 2. It calls for the creation… Continue reading UNSC Resolution 1701

Source: This post on 6th Meeting of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee has been created based on the article “6th meeting of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement Joint Committee held in New Delhi” published in PIB on 25th November 2024. Why in news? Recently, the 6th Meeting of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods… Continue reading 6th Meeting of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee