G20 Summit Concludes in Johannesburg with Focus on Global Cooperation
The G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, concluded with a strong emphasis on multilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges. The summit saw the adoption of the Johannesburg Declaration, which affirmed multilateralism and prioritized the concerns of the Global South. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the summit, engaged in several bilateral meetings, including with Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. During his engagements, PM Modi called for a global compact to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence and advocated for critical technologies to be human-centric rather than finance-centric. He also proposed a global Critical Minerals Initiative aimed at boosting supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on key minerals. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also addressed the summit, urging broader global cooperation to tackle challenges like climate change, green energy, and food security.
A significant outcome of the summit was a joint initiative announced by India and Italy to cooperate in combating the financing of terrorism. This effort is expected to strengthen the global fight against terrorism and its support networks.
India and France Bolster Defence Technology Collaboration
In a move to strengthen long-term strategic partnership, the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) of India and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) of France signed a technical agreement. This pact aims to enhance collaboration in defence research, innovation, and advanced technology development. The agreement will establish a structured framework for joint research, training programs, testing activities, and information exchange, supporting the India–France Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap.
COP30 Climate Negotiations See India's Firm Stance
At the COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, India asserted that developed nations should not impose their climate agenda on the world. India also cautioned against attempts to overturn the Paris Agreement, highlighting its commitment to addressing climate change while safeguarding national interests.
Nigerian School Kidnapping: Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
A distressing incident unfolded in Nigeria where gunmen kidnapped over 300 children and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Niger state. While 50 of the abducted children have reportedly escaped, a large number remain in captivity, underscoring ongoing security challenges in the region.
India Unveils First Indigenous Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease
In a major scientific advancement, India launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy, named 'BIRSA 101,' for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This therapy, developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), is a significant step towards a Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047 and supports the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in healthcare technologies.
Other Notable International Developments
South Korea and Malaysia signed an agreement to cooperate on supplying critical minerals from Malaysia's reserves and to boost cooperation in the defense industry. Furthermore, the French Navy dismissed claims by Pakistani media regarding Rafale losses as "misinformation." Israel's intelligence agency Mossad also claimed to have uncovered evidence of Hamas cells planning attacks across Europe targeting Jewish and Israeli interests.