International Current Affairs MCQs

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China recently launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan named “Justice Mission 2025”. The drills involved warships, destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers, drones and rocket forces. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted live-fire training on maritime targets north and southwest of Taiwan. Taiwan detected 89 Chinese aircraft and drones, with 67 entering its response area. China called the drills a warning against Taiwanese independence and foreign interference. The drills are China’s sixth major war games around Taiwan since 2022.

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The Adani Group has started the 570 megawatt (MW) Wangchhu Hydro Electricity Project in Bhutan. It is a run-of-river hydropower project on the Wangchu River in Chukha district, Bhutan. The Wangchu River, called Raidāk River in India, is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. The project is developed by Wangchhu Hydroelectric Power Limited (WHPL). WHPL is a joint venture of Adani Power Limited (APL) and Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC). DGPC holds 51% stake and APL holds 49%. The ₹6,000 crore project follows the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model.

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The United Nations has declared 2026 as the ‘International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists’. Rangelands cover around half of the Earth’s land surface, including grasslands, savannas, shrublands, deserts, wetlands, and mountain areas. Key examples of rangelands are the steppes of Central Asia, African savanna, Alps and Pyrenees in Europe, Andes in South America, and the Great Plains of the United States. Rangelands preserve unique flora and fauna and provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon storage and water regulation. Pastoralists raise animals, contribute to food security, and carry diverse cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge.

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The United States carried out large-scale airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria under Operation Hawkeye. The strikes followed an ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Operation Hawkeye is a US-led counter-terrorism mission using air and precision strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria. The operation was launched by the United States under President Donald Trump and executed through US Central Command (CENTCOM) in December 2025. Its aims are to avenge the Palmyra attack, degrade ISIS networks, prevent regrouping, protect US and coalition forces, and signal that attacks on US personnel will face direct retaliation.

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The United States announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative to deepen India–United States strategic and trade ties. Pax Silica aims to secure supply chains of silicon, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing. It is a United States–led economic security and technology partnership under the US Department of State, launched with the first summit in December 2025.

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India skipped the BRICS Plus naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” hosted by South Africa, despite holding the BRICS chair in 2026. India stated participation is not automatic or obligatory, as such exercises are ad-hoc initiatives, not institutionalised BRICS activities. BRICS Plus naval exercises are maritime drills involving BRICS members and selected non-BRICS partner countries. They are not mandated under BRICS and are outside official BRICS mechanisms. The 2026 exercise is led by China, with active participation from Russia, Iran, UAE, and South Africa.

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Spain has formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), strengthening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. The Declaration of Accession was handed over by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. Spain announced upgrading relations with India to a strategic association, the highest level of bilateral partnership. It was launched by India in 2019, IPOI promotes a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific with maritime security and cooperation.

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India did not attend the ceremonial launch of the Board of Peace, even though it had received a formal invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Board of Peace is a United States–led intergovernmental initiative announced by President Donald Trump during the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland. The primary mandate of the Board is to oversee post-war reconstruction and governance of the Gaza Strip through a technocratic administrative framework rather than traditional political mechanisms. Its long-term vision includes expanding its role to address and resolve global conflicts in situations where existing international institutions are perceived to have failed.

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Israel joined United States President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. Netanyahu signed Israel’s accession and met Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Board was authorized by a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution in November to help form an international stabilization force in Gaza. It will supervise Gaza’s temporary governance and discuss reconstruction in its first meeting on February 19 in Washington. The Board plans to expand its role to address global conflicts.

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At India AI Impact Summit 2026, India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition with the United States. Pax Silica is a strategic coalition of trusted nations to secure the full “silicon stack” from critical minerals and semiconductor fabrication to advanced Artificial Intelligence systems. It aims to reduce supply chain overdependence, prevent economic coercion and promote democratic control of emerging technologies. United States officials called it a roadmap for economic security and resilient technology partnerships.