1️⃣ India-EFTA Trade Deal to Take Effect from October 1
Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced that the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) will come into force on October 1, 2025.
🔹 The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
🔹 This deal is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, particularly in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, and machinery.
🔹 Historic context: This is India’s first major FTA with developed European economies, marking a shift toward strengthening ties beyond the EU.
2️⃣ 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize Awarded to Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede
The United Nations has honored:
- 🇨🇦 Brenda Reynolds (Canada): Recognized for her lifelong commitment to community development and mental health advocacy.
- 🇰🇪 Kennedy Odede (Kenya): Founder of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), lauded for his grassroots work in slums of Nairobi.
📌 The Nelson Mandela Prize is awarded every five years to individuals who have dedicated their lives to service and human rights, reflecting Mandela’s legacy.
3️⃣ Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns Citing Health Reasons
In a surprise development, Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned due to health concerns.
🔹 He took office in August 2022, succeeding M. Venkaiah Naidu.
🔹 A seasoned lawyer and former Governor of West Bengal, Dhankhar was known for his assertive approach in parliamentary proceedings.
➡️ The Vice President of India also serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, and his resignation triggers the constitutional process for electing a successor.
4️⃣ New Indian Naval Base to Begin Operations on Bitra Island, Lakshadweep
India is set to operationalize a new naval base on Bitra Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, enhancing its maritime surveillance and strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean.
🔹 This move comes amid increasing geopolitical competition in the region.
🔹 Bitra, one of the northernmost islands in Lakshadweep, provides a strategic vantage point close to important shipping lanes.
📌 Historical context: India’s Project Mausam and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative aim to strengthen maritime partnerships and secure the Indo-Pacific.
5️⃣ Senegal Declared Trachoma-Free by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared Senegal free from trachoma, a preventable bacterial eye infection that can cause blindness.
🔹 Senegal becomes the fifth African country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, after Morocco, Ghana, Gambia, and Togo.
🔹 The success was achieved through the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement).
📌 Trachoma once affected over 1.5 million Senegalese, mainly in rural areas. This is a major public health milestone for Africa.
6️⃣ India Hosts 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise (Virtual)
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducted the 4th BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise virtually this year.
🔹 BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
🔹 The exercise focused on building regional coordination during natural disasters and climate-related crises.
📌 Context: South and Southeast Asia are some of the most disaster-prone regions globally. Collaborative readiness is key to mitigating cross-border humanitarian emergencies.