CURRENT AFFAIRS

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.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions in maritime trade routes, China has urged Iran to ensure the safety and uninterrupted freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.

The United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iran, particularly targeting maritime activity around the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of diplomatic negotiations.

High-level negotiations between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad collapsed after nearly 21 hours of continuous discussions, failing to produce a ceasefire or de-escalation agreement.

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations has recently signed an MoU with Doordarshan to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content.