Recent Current Affairs related to Jaishankar

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) was held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA, presided over by Khalilur Rahman, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.

The session was held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”, with the Indian delegation led by Union Minister S Jaishankar.

The assembly unanimously adopted its first-ever declaration on rising sea-levels to provide assurances to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal countries. During the session, the UN Women launched a new digital, innovation, and AI hub focused on gender equality.

Union Minister S Jaishankar signed the UN Convention against Cybercrime, which serves as the first comprehensive international treaty focused on cybercrime. It is to be noted that India has been officially placed on the “Strategic Partner Stream” in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

Furthermore, India and Liberia jointly launched a new international initiative named “The Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoFonS4)” to focus on the safety and security of commercial shipping and maritime personnel.

Union Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Bhutan at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Bhutan DN Dhungyel to review bilateral cooperation. During the visit, he held high-level meetings with the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and PM Tshering Tobgay.

He launched 5 developmental initiatives in the fields of healthcare, connectivity, agriculture, clean mobility, and energy. Both nations reviewed the progress of the Punatsangchhu-I (1,200 MW) and Punatsangchhu-II (1,020 MW) Hydroelectric Projects under the ‘Joint Vision on Energy Partnership’ (March 2024).

India has extended a concessional Line of Credit (LoC) worth ₹4,000 crore to Bhutan for projects in the energy sector to enhance infrastructure and hydropower development.

India and Vietnam have designated 2027 as the ‘Year of India-Vietnam Friendship’ to commemorate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The announcement was made during the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New Delhi.

Both nations have committed to achieving a bilateral trade target of $25 billion by 2030.

Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, visited India at the invitation of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.

The visit reinforced the India-Tanzania Strategic Partnership, focusing on bilateral trade, investment, and capacity building.

Mwinyi met Union Minister S Jaishankar to review development partnerships, including the IIT Madras Zanzibar, which serves as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for higher education in Africa.

During the visit, he attended the 63rd convocation of IIT Madras and unveiled the master plan for the 200-acre IIT Madras Zanzibar campus at Fumba Peninsula.

It is to be noted that this is the first international IIT campus of India.

Union Minister S Jaishankar has launched India's campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term at the UN Headquarters in New York. The campaign is themed "SHANTI: Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity".

It is to be noted that the UNSC comprises 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, UK, and USA) and 10 non-permanent members. India has served as a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times.

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi visited India to participate in the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi. Both leaders held a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

During the summit, both countries announced 16 key outcomes to expand bilateral cooperation. The leaders also attended the Japan-India Joint Economic Forum, hosted by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in New Delhi. The forum witnessed the inauguration of the 4th vehicle manufacturing facility of Maruti Suzuki in Kharkhoda, Haryana.

Passport Seva Divas

Day – June 24

Observed by – Ministry of External Affairs

Observed since – 2013

Commemorating – The enactment of the Passports Act, 1967

Union Minister S Jaishankar has co-chaired the 9th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with the Foreign Minister of Suriname, Melvin Bouva. During the visit, he also met with the President of Suriname, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, and the National Assembly Chairman Ashwin Adhin.

During the trip, India handed over a passion fruit processing facility completed under Indian grant assistance and offered soft loans to Suriname for infrastructure and strategic sectors.

Additionally, During his visit to Trinidad & Tobago, Union Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with the PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, to discuss bilateral collaboration. A total of 8 MoUs were signed between India and T&T to strengthen cooperation across various sectors.