International Current Affairs MCQs

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During Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to India from July 30 to August 1, 2024, the Indian government announced $300 million in loans to strengthen Vietnam’s maritime security. Nine agreements were signed, including Vietnam joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and a plan to develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The visit marked a significant step in deepening India-Vietnam ties.

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Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been appointed chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid protests. Yunus, born in 1940, is an economist known for pioneering microcredit through Grameen Bank, founded in 1983. The bank has loaned over $34 billion to nearly 10 million people, with a 97% repayment rate, inspiring global microfinance initiatives. Yunus’s appointment aims to address unrest over government job quotas.

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, became Thailand’s youngest prime minister after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family, after her father and aunt, to hold the position. Paetongtarn won 319 votes in the parliamentary vote, showing strong legislative support. Despite her family’s political influence, she faces challenges like a struggling economy and political competition. Her party, Pheu Thai, is also under pressure with a pending $14.25 billion cash handout program.

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Pakistan successfully tested its Shaheen-II surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Shaheen-II is a medium-range, solid-fueled missile with an estimated range of 1,500–2,000 km. It is 17.2 m long, weighs 23,600 kg at launch, and can carry conventional or nuclear payloads. The missile’s accuracy is estimated at 350 m circular error probable (CEP), with a separating warhead designed to improve precision. It is transported and launched by a 6-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL). Ballistic missiles follow a rocket-powered, then unpowered, trajectory to deliver payloads, including conventional or nuclear munitions.

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi on August 21, 2024.
The three-day event, running from August 20-22, 2024, includes senior officials and business leaders from Africa and India. The conclave aims to boost trade and investment, encourage Indian investment in Africa, and explore business opportunities. This year’s focus includes agriculture, food processing, defence, healthcare, digital partnerships, power, energy, financial partnerships, infrastructure, and skill development. The theme of the conclave is “Creating One Future.”

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The 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea is conducting a major military training exercise. This exercise is integrated with Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, an annual joint exercise between the U.S. and South Korea. The combined exercise began on August 19, 2024, and continue until August 23, 2024. The aim is to enhance military preparedness and readiness to respond to potential threats.

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India and the US have signed two key defence agreements: the Security of Supplies Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Liaison Officers to boost defence cooperation. SOSA aims to enhance industry collaboration by ensuring priority support for defence goods and services between the two nations. Under SOSA, both countries can request faster delivery for defence contracts from each other’s companies, helping manage supply-chain issues. The US will offer India assurances through its Defense Priorities and Allocations System, while India will set up a code of conduct for prioritizing US defence needs. India is now the 18th country to sign SOSA with the US, joining nations like Australia, Israel, Japan, and the UK.

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South Africa announced a new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), focusing on India and China. The scheme will start in January next year and aims to reform the visa system. It is expected to boost tourism jobs and help South Africa become a preferred destination for tourists from two of the world’s largest economies. The TTOS will remove barriers to attracting more tourists. Currently, Indian tourists make up only 3.9% of South Africa’s international visitors.

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The 5th Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives was held in New Delhi on September 6, 2024. Discussions included bilateral military exercises, marking the first defence dialogue after recent tensions between the two nations. Earlier, the Maldives President, as part of his “India Out” campaign, had Indian military personnel withdraw and leaned towards pro-China policies. Recent cooperation between the two countries has improved following India’s External Affairs Minister’s visit to the Maldives and the Maldives President attending India’s Prime Minister’s oath ceremony.

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The Defence Secretary co-chaired the 5th India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in Manila. This meeting is significant as it coincides with 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines and 10 years of India’s Act East Policy. Diplomatic relations began in 1949, and ties strengthened with India’s Look East Policy in 1992 and Act East Policy in 2014. Recent developments include a $374.9 million contract for BrahMos missiles, an MoU on Defence Industry cooperation, and growing bilateral trade. In 2022, an agreement on customs cooperation was signed, and in 2023, a MoU on financial technology partnership was established.