International

The 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly was held from October 27–30, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with participation from 124 countries and over 40 ministers. Centered on the theme “One Sun, One World, One Grid,” the event focused on strengthening global cooperation for solar energy expansion.

President Droupadi Murmu delivered the first-ever presidential keynote at an ISA Assembly, highlighting India’s leadership in sustainable solar growth. Minister Pralhad Joshi showcased India’s clean energy achievements, including attaining 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources and becoming the third-largest solar power producer globally.

The Assembly reviewed progress on solar financing, technology transfer, and grid integration while launching new initiatives in solar R&D, training, and green hydrogen. As the ISA’s host nation, India reaffirmed its pivotal role in promoting affordable and universal solar access, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making solar energy central to global climate action.

On 27 October 2025, Argentine President Javier Milei led his party La Libertad Avanza to a landslide victory in the midterm elections. The party secured 41% of the vote, winning 13 of 24 Senate seats and 64 of 127 lower-house seats, a major gain from its earlier tally of 7 Senate and 37 lower-house seats.

Milei celebrated the result as a rejection of Argentina’s past economic failures, following two years of his radical spending cuts and free-market reforms.

The 47th ASEAN Summit 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, marked a historic expansion as East Timor (Timor-Leste) became ASEAN’s 11th member. Hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the summit gathered leaders from ASEAN nations along with major partners including the US, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Key discussions focused on regional stability, economic integration, climate action, and digital connectivity. Notably, US President Donald Trump attended in person, while Indian PM Narendra Modi joined virtually, reaffirming India’s commitment to the Act East Policy and maritime cooperation.

Major outcomes included progress in US-China trade dialogue, efforts toward a Thailand–Cambodia peace deal, and commitments to green growth, health security, and maritime safety. The summit also outlined ASEAN’s Vision 2045, emphasizing a resilient, sustainable, and people-centered regional community.

ASEAN Member Countries

As of 2025, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has 11 member countries, after the inclusion of East Timor (Timor-Leste).

Here’s the complete list:

On 21 October 2025, Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female Prime Minister, elected by both Houses of Parliament with narrow majorities. A former TV anchor, Takaichi began her political career in 1993 and joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 1996.

She has previously served in the Cabinet under Shinzo Abe, including as Economic Security Minister (2022–2024). The 64-year-old lawmaker from Nara Prefecture now faces major challenges such as slow economic growth, inflation, and yen depreciation.

Rodrigo Paz, leader of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), won Bolivia’s 2025 presidential election with 54.5% of the vote, defeating former interim President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga (45.5%) in the October 19 runoff. He will assume office on November 8, 2025.

Paz’s victory marks the end of nearly two decades of socialist dominance by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), once led by Evo Morales. A 58-year-old economist educated in the U.S., Paz ran on a centrist and reform-oriented platform, pledging “capitalism for all”—balancing market reforms with social welfare.

Bolivia is currently facing a severe economic crisis with high inflation and fuel shortages, which fueled voter dissatisfaction. Paz now faces the challenge of governing without a legislative majority, requiring alliances to stabilize the economy, rebuild investor trust, and strengthen democracy.

Afghanistan and Pakistan reached an immediate ceasefire on October 18, 2025, after a week of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The truce was brokered in Doha with mediation by Qatar and Turkiye, marking a key step toward easing tensions along the 2,600 km border.

The agreement calls for:

• Immediate end to hostilities
• Monitoring mechanisms for compliance
• Follow-up peace talks for lasting stability

The conflict began on October 11, 2025, when Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika, blaming Afghan-based groups for cross-border attacks—claims denied by Afghanistan.

India Post announced that all international postal services to the U.S. will resume from October 15, 2025. The services were suspended since August 2025 due to new U.S. Customs (CBP) rules.

A new Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) system now allows customs duties to be collected in India before dispatch, ensuring smooth delivery in the U.S. without extra fees. A flat 50% customs duty applies on the declared value.

Postal rates remain unchanged, benefiting MSMEs, artisans, and small exporters. Services like EMS, Air Parcels, Registered and Tracked Packets to the U.S. can now be booked at Post Offices, IBCs, DNKs, or indiapost.gov.in.

Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa is on a four-day state visit to India (October 13–16, 2025) — his first as Head of State — marking the 70th anniversary of India-Mongolia diplomatic ties.

The visit highlights the growing strategic partnership between the two democracies, focusing on energy, mining, defense, education, and cultural cooperation. High-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu aim to strengthen bilateral relations through new MoUs and discussions on regional security and connectivity.

The visit also underscores the “Third Neighbor” policy of Mongolia and India’s engagement with Central Asia, reinforcing shared values of democracy, peace, and development.

The Indian Army will host the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave in New Delhi from 14–16 October 2025, bringing together senior military leaders from 32 nations engaged in UN peacekeeping operations.

The conclave will provide a platform to discuss operational challenges, interoperability, inclusivity, evolving threats, and the role of technology and training in strengthening global peacekeeping. As one of the largest contributors to UN missions, India aims to promote cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and a shared vision for future UN peacekeeping strategies.

Participating nations include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and several others from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. The conclave reaffirms India’s commitment to global peace, stability, and cooperation.

Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India from 9 to 16 October 2025, marking the first Taliban ministerial visit to India since 2021. His week-long trip included stops in New Delhi, Deoband, and Agra, symbolizing a blend of diplomatic, religious, and cultural outreach.

Muttaqi held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval on regional security, counterterrorism, and humanitarian cooperation. His visit to Darul Uloom Deoband represented a gesture of religious solidarity, while his tour of the Taj Mahal in Agra served as an act of cultural diplomacy.

India will upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full Embassy, signaling full diplomatic re-engagement with Afghanistan. Announcing this on 10 October 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, stability, and development.

India pledged continued development aid, including 20 ambulances, medical equipment, vaccines, food supplies, and help in rebuilding earthquake-hit and refugee housing. Six new projects will also be launched.

Jaishankar said India will resume work on infrastructure, water management, and mining cooperation, and expand educational and sports exchanges, especially in cricket. He also stressed joint efforts against cross-border terrorism.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is visiting India after the UN temporarily lifted his travel ban to allow diplomatic talks.

On 9 October 2025, Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of a landmark peace agreement aimed at ending a two-year war that has devastated Gaza and strained regional stability. The deal, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States, includes:

• Release of 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
• Israeli troop withdrawal to a designated line within Gaza
• Humanitarian aid: 400 trucks per day allowed into Gaza for the first five days
• Framework for future negotiations on governance, disarmament, and reconstruction

The agreement was signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and hailed by leaders as a breakthrough. While critical issues remain unresolved, the deal marks a hopeful step toward lasting peace in the region.

From October 8–9, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made his first official visit to India, marking a significant step forward in India–UK bilateral relations. The visit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the Vision 2035 Roadmap, covering areas such as trade, defence, climate, energy, education, and innovation.

Starmer led the UK’s largest-ever trade delegation of over 100 leaders, promoting the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which aims to remove tariffs on 90% of goods and boost trade by £25.5 billion annually. Both leaders also launched the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to collaborate on AI, quantum computing, biotech, and critical minerals.

The US Peace Plan for Gaza, proposed by President Donald Trump in September 2025, aims to end the Israel-Hamas conflict through a 20-point framework.

Key provisions include an immediate ceasefire, hostage exchange, Gaza’s demilitarization, and governance by a technocratic Palestinian committee under international oversight.

Hamas is excluded from future rule, and reconstruction—estimated at $200 billion—will involve global partners like India. An international peacekeeping force will ensure security. Hamas has 3–4 days to accept; rejection may trigger full US support for Israeli military action.