International Relations Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News: New beetle species discovered in Northeast by ZSI scientists. About Clinidium lalitae It is a new species of beetle belonging to the subfamily Rhysodinae. It has been discovered in the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. The species has been named to honor Lalita Ray Chaudhury, who dedicated her career to the study… Continue reading Clinidium lalitae

News: Israel seizes key Gaza corridor ‘Morag Axis’ as pressure mounts for ceasefire talks with Hamas. Morag Axis. About Morag Axis This area consists mainly of agricultural land located between Khan Younis and Rafah, stretching from east to west across the Gaza Strip. The name “Morag” refers to an illegal Israeli settlement that was established… Continue reading Morag Axis

News: The Beijing India Report, 2024 was submitted on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), highlighting the achievements and future course to be taken by India to achieve gender equality. Beijing India Report 2024. About Beijing India Report 2024 It is a bilateral analysis conducted by Chinese think tanks,… Continue reading Beijing India Report 2024

News: 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana was recently extradited to India from the USA under the bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries. Framework for Extradition in India. About Framework for Extradition in India Extradition: It is the formal process of one country surrendering an individual to another country for prosecution or punishment for crimes committed… Continue reading Framework for Extradition in India

News: The 6th Summit of the member States of BIMSTEC was held 04 April 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. BIMSTEC Summit, 2025. Key Takeaways from the BIMSTEC Summit, 2025 Theme: “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open” Vision Document: The Summit adopted the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 document which lays out the road map for the collective prosperity… Continue reading BIMSTEC Summit, 2025

News: The NATO members Finland, Poland and the Baltic countries plan to quit the 1997 Ottawa convention due to threats posed by neighbouring Russia. Ottawa Convention, 1997. About Ottawa Convention, 1997 It is also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. It is a binding international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer… Continue reading Ottawa Convention, 1997

News: The Rajya Sabha passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025. The Bill seeks to give legal effect to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (also known as Cape Town Convention of 2001) and Protocol to this Convention in their application to India. About Cape Town Convention, 2001 It is… Continue reading Cape Town Convention, 2001

News: The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) has completed 50 years recently. About Biological Weapons Convention It was the first multilateral treaty categorically banning a class of weapon of mass destruction (WMD). Aim: It effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. Signed: 10 April 1972 Entered into force:… Continue reading Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

News– The tensions have risen in the Arctic region, following the comments made by the US President about annexing Greenland and Canada (including their dispute on the status of the Northwest Passage) added with impacts of climate change and resource competition in the region. Arctic Council. About Arctic Council It is an intergovernmental forum promoting… Continue reading Arctic Council

News- After a devastating earthquake ravaged Myanmar recently, India initiated its relief and rescue efforts in the country under the banner ‘Operation Brahma. About Operation Brahma India launched this humanitarian mission after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The mission includes rescue teams, medical aid, and essential supplies. An 80-member NDRF… Continue reading Operation Brahma- Myanmar

News– The Prime Minister recently expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. It emphasizes the shared commitment of both nations to regional peace and stability. Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). About Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) Genesis: India introduced the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in November 2019 during the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit… Continue reading Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

News– The fourth Conference of Global Intelligence and Security Chiefs in New Delhi was recently hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It was was organized by Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), along with the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). 4th Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs About Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs It… Continue reading 4th Conference of Intelligence and Security Chiefs

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