International Current Affairs

India and the United Nations have launched a joint capacity-building initiative called the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” on September 24, 2023. The objective of this initiative is to share India’s development experiences, best practices, and expertise with partner countries in the Global South through capacity building and training programs.

1. The announcement of this initiative took place at the India-UN for the Global South event in New York.
2. This initiative complements the existing “India-UN Development Partnership Fund,” which has executed 75 development projects in 61 countries over the past six years.
3. The UN India team and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will collaborate as part of this initiative to utilize India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation platform. A Joint Declaration of Intent has been exchanged between the UN Resident Coordinator in India and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
4. Additionally, this initiative will work towards achieving the development-related goals of India’s G20 Presidency. These goals include the G20 Action Plan for Accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), technological transformation, and the establishment of Digital Public Infrastructure.

Q.: What is the primary objective of the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” launched on September 24, 2023?

a) To share India’s recipes with partner countries
b) To promote tourism in India
c) To develop new technology
d) To share India’s development experiences and expertise with Global South countries

Answer: d) To share India’s development experiences and expertise with Global South countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a two-day International Lawyers Conference in New Delhi.

1. The conference’s theme is “Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System.”
2. The Bar Council of India is organizing this conference for the first time.
3. Key topics for discussion include emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology, and environmental law.
4. The conference aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue and discussion on legal topics of national and international significance.
5. It seeks to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences and enhance international cooperation and understanding on legal issues.

Q.: Which organized the International Lawyers Conference in New Delhi ?

a) United Nations
b) International Court of Justice
c) Bar Council of India
d) American Bar Association

Answer : c) Bar Council of India

Recent India-Canada relations marked by tensions and diplomatic expulsions. Recently, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in response, and Canada expelled an Indian diplomat.

1. Tensions escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at a link between the Indian government and the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
2. The tensions are centered around the Sikh independence movement, known as the Khalistan movement.
3. India has accused Canada of sheltering Khalistani activists.
4. The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on June 18, 2023., who supported the demand for a Sikh homeland in India’s northern state of Punjab, further strained relations between the two countries.

Q.: What was the trigger for the escalation in tensions between India and Canada?

a) A trade dispute
b) The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
c) A diplomatic visit
d) A cultural exchange program

Ans : b) The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) is scheduled to take place from the 26th to 27th September 2023 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The conference will bring together army chiefs from 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Its primary focus is on discussions related to security cooperation and collective strategies in the Indo-Pacific region.

1. This event is the 13th biennial IPACC and is being hosted by both the Indian Army and the US Army Pacific.
2. General James C McConville, the Chief-of-Staff of the US Army, will co-host the conference alongside General Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Indian Army Staff.
3. Two other conferences, the Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF), will also be held separately at the Manekshaw Centre to promote multilateral security partnerships in the region.
4. During a Curtain Raiser Press conference, Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar, the Vice Chief of Army Staff, highlighted India’s historical contributions to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
5. Key topics to be discussed during the conference include the role of military diplomacy in crisis mitigation, enhancing collaboration and interoperability, and the importance of self-reliance for modern armies.
6. The Indo-Pacific region is noted for its significance, as it encompasses 64 percent of the world’s population, contributes 63 percent of the global GDP, and accounts for 46 percent of world merchandise trade.

Q.: Who will co-host the IPACC alongside Chief of Indian Army Staff General Manoj Pande?

a) The Chief of Air Staff
b) The Chief of Naval Staff
c) Chief-of-Staff of the US Army General James C McConville
d) The Chief of the Indian Coast Guard

Ans : c) Chief-of-Staff of the US Army General James C McConville

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, on 11 September in New Delhi. The leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral ties and ways to enhance the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership.

1. The economic corridor is expected to boost economic growth and digital connectivity across Asia, West Asia, and Europe.
2. Both leaders co-chaired the first Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) and signed the minutes of the meeting.
3. The visit of the Crown Prince is part of a three-day state visit to India, during which he attended the 18th G20 Summit.
4. India and Saudi Arabia have strong economic and socio-cultural ties, with India being the second-largest trade partner for Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia the fourth-largest trading partner for India.
5. Bilateral trade between the two countries during the Financial Year 2022-23 was valued at over $52 billion, and Saudi direct investments in India exceeded $3 billion.
6. Energy cooperation is a significant aspect of their relationship, with Saudi Arabia playing a crucial role in ensuring India’s energy security. It remained India’s third-largest source for crude and petroleum products during the Financial Year 2022-23.

Q.: What was the main focus of the discussion between Prime Minister Modi and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia?

a) Cultural exchanges
b) Economic corridor with Europe
c) Sports partnerships
d) Environmental cooperation

Ans : b) Economic corridor with Europe

The following points provide an overview of the key events and highlights from the 18th G20 Summit held on 9th and 10th September 2023in New Delhi.

1. The 18th G20 Summit concluded in New Delhi on September 10, 2023, with India passing the Presidency to Brazil.
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the ceremonial gavel to President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva of Brazil during the closing ceremony.
3. President Lula Da Silva appreciated India’s leadership and welcomed the African Union as a full member of the G20.
4. During the third session, Prime Minister Modi addressed various global issues, including UN Security Council reforms, the mandate of Multilateral Development Banks, and the regulation of cryptocurrencies.
5. India took several significant initiatives during the Summit, including including the African Union in the G20, launching the Global Biofuel Alliance, and promoting economic integration through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
6. The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration was adopted unanimously.

Q.: Who assumed the G20 Presidency from India at the 18th G20 Summit held in New Delhi?”

a) Narendra Modi
b) Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva
c) Xi Jinping
d) Vladimir Putin

Ans : b) Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched on September 9, 2023, at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

1. It is a collaborative initiative involving India, the European Union, and six other countries.
2. The primary goal of IMEC is to improve connectivity and economic integration among Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.
3. This will be achieved through the establishment of a railway network that connects various ports in the region.
4. The project involves multiple countries, including the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
5. IMEC is expected to have a positive impact by boosting economic development, facilitating trade and investment, and encouraging regional cooperation among the participating nations.

Q.: How does India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) plan to achieve its connectivity goals?

A) By launching a space exploration program
B) By building an extensive highway network
C) By establishing a railway network linked through ports
D) By developing underwater tunnels

Answer: C) By establishing a railway network linked through ports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 7, 2023.

1. Modi announced the opening of an Indian Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste, during the summit.
2. The theme of the ASEAN Summit was ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.’
3. Modi underscored the importance of multilateralism and a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
4. He presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-ASEAN cooperation, covering various aspects, including connectivity, digital transformation, trade, and addressing global challenges.
5. The Prime Minister called for collective action on issues facing the Global South.
6. He invited ASEAN countries to join the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine and cooperate on disaster resilience and maritime safety.

Question: What was the theme of the ASEAN Summit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended in 2023?

A) “Asia’s Century: Building a Rule-Based World Order”
B) “ASEAN-India Partnership: A Decade of Progress”
C) “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”
D) “Global South Unite: Addressing Shared Challenges”

Answer: C) “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”

The G-20 Summit is an annual meeting of leaders from 19 countries and the European Union, accounting for a significant portion of global GDP and trade. The 18th G-20 Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, on September 9-10, 2023.

1. Attendees at the summit include the heads of state and government of G-20 member states, along with invited guests like Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand and President Joe Biden of the United States.
2. China’s President Xi Jinping will not attend the G-20 Summit in India, and Premier Li Qiang will represent China.
3. Extensive preparations are underway in New Delhi to host the G-20 Summit, involving government agencies, civic bodies, and security establishments.
4. Special arrangements are being made at the airport for G-20 delegates, with around 160 domestic flights expected to be canceled during the event.
5. Indira Gandhi International Airport is preparing for a red carpet welcome for G-20 delegates, with dedicated lounges and information displays about the summit.

Q. : What is the G-20 Summit?

a) A meeting of 20 countries to discuss global trade
b) An annual gathering of leaders from 19 countries and the European Union
c) A financial conference for world leaders
d) A summit to address climate change issues

Ans : b) An annual gathering of leaders from 19 countries and the European Union

The ASEAN summit is a meeting of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional organization of 10 Southeast Asian and Pacific Rim countries. The summit is held twice a year to discuss various issues of common interest and cooperation. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are the member countries of ASEAN.

The 43rd ASEAN summit will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 5 to 7, 2023. It will be attended by the heads of state and government of the ASEAN member states, as well as other invited guests such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

Q: Which of the following countries is not a member of ASEAN?

A) Vietnam
B) Cambodia
C) Taiwan
D) Laos

Answer: C) Taiwan