International Current Affairs MCQs

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The European Union has started implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), affecting steel and aluminium exporters. This adds pressure on Indian metal exporters already facing a 50% duty on exports to the United States. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was introduced by the European Union. It is an import duty on goods produced outside Europe, based on carbon emissions during production. CBAM targets products made using carbon-intensive processes compared to EU climate standards. CBAM is in a transitional phase from 2023 to 2025 and will be fully implemented in 2026. It currently covers steel, aluminium, cement, electricity, fertilisers and selected other products.

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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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India’s External Affairs Minister joined India’s first engagement with the Weimar Triangle alongside France, Poland, and Germany. The Weimar Triangle is a regional political grouping of France, Germany, and Poland. It was formed on 29 August 1991 through a joint declaration at Weimar in Germany. Its aim was to involve France in German–Polish reconciliation using Franco-German experience. It seeks to strengthen political dialogue and cooperation among the three countries.

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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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Narendra Modi congratulated Mia Amor Mottley on her historic third consecutive election victory. Her party, Barbados Labour Party, won all 30 seats in the House of Assembly with a 30–0 mandate. She declared a national bank holiday and a thanksgiving rally at the National Botanical Gardens. India and Barbados share strong ties through Commonwealth membership, English language and cricket. Both countries cooperate in United Nations, Commonwealth and Non-Aligned Movement forums. Barbados supports India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

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The United States of America (USA) conducted its first air transport of a micro nuclear reactor using a C-17 military aircraft. The Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DOD) transported the Ward microreactor developed by Valar Atomics from California to Hill Air Force Base without nuclear fuel. This shows rapid nuclear deployment capability for military and civilian use. The reactor can generate up to 5 megawatts, enough for about 5,000 homes. It will start at 100 kilowatts and gradually scale to full capacity.

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The United States has unveiled Project Vault, an independently governed and operated public-private partnership. The initiative aims to establish a strategic domestic reserve of critical minerals to strengthen supply chain security in the U.S. The partnership is supported by $10 billion in financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), along with an additional $2 billion in private sector funding. Project Vault represents a whole-of-government approach to reduce reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains for essential minerals.

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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.

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South Korea protested Japan’s government-backed “Takeshima Day” (February 22), opposing Tokyo’s renewed sovereignty claim over the disputed islets. South Korea rejects calling it a dispute, while Japan continues diplomatic and symbolic assertions. The Takeshima dispute is a long-standing territorial conflict between Japan and South Korea (Republic of Korea). The islets, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, are located in the Sea of Japan, with South Korea currently controlling them and Japan claiming sovereignty.

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India and Germany launched a Large Grant project worth up to 20 million Euro under the International Climate Initiative. International Climate Initiative is part of Germany’s global climate finance commitment and was established in 2008. It works under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Convention on Biological Diversity frameworks. It supports climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation in developing and emerging countries. It helps countries implement Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.