1️⃣ India Ranked 85th in the Henley Passport Index 2025

• Released By: Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm.
• Index Basis: Measures global mobility based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
• India’s Rank (2025): 85th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 63 countries.
• Top 3 Countries:
• 🇸🇬 Singapore – 195 destinations
• 🇯🇵 Japan – 193 destinations
• 🇩🇪 Germany – 193 destinations
• Regional Context:
• India’s ranking has improved gradually due to new bilateral travel agreements and digital visa systems.
• Pakistan ranked among the lowest (rank ~104).
• Significance:
• Reflects India’s growing diplomatic and global engagement footprint.
• However, highlights need for stronger reciprocal visa arrangements with developed economies.

2️⃣ Fifth Bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti 2025’ Held in Visakhapatnam

• Exercise Name: Samudra Shakti – V (2025)
• Participants: Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy (TNI AL)
• Venue: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Bay of Bengal)
• Objective:
• To strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability between both navies.
• Focus on anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface operations.
• Background:
• The first edition was held in 2018 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
• Conducted under the framework of India–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Significance:
• Reinforces Indo-Pacific maritime security and freedom of navigation initiatives.
• Enhances regional stability and counter-piracy coordination.

3️⃣ Indian Conservationist Vivek Menon Becomes First Indian Chairperson of IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)

• Appointed By: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Position: Chairperson, Species Survival Commission (SSC)
• About the SSC:
• A global network of over 10,000 scientists and conservationists from 160+ countries.
• Advises on species protection, conservation policies, and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• About Vivek Menon:
• Founder & Executive Director of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
• Known for pioneering work in elephant conservation and wildlife law enforcement.
• Recipient of the Whitley Award (Green Oscar) and UN Environment Award.
• Significance:
• First Indian to hold this prestigious global conservation role.
• Highlights India’s growing leadership in international environmental governance.

4️⃣ India Gifts Prussian Blue Capsules to Indonesia to Combat Cesium-137 Contamination

• Donor: Government of India
• Recipient: Government of Indonesia
• Purpose: To assist in treating exposure to radioactive Cesium-137 contamination.
• About Prussian Blue Capsules:
• An antidote used in medical treatment for people exposed to radioactive isotopes of cesium and thallium.
• It binds to cesium in the body, helping eliminate it through natural excretion.
• Context:
• Indonesia reported cases of Cesium-137 contamination following an industrial radiological incident.
• Significance:
• Reflects India’s commitment to regional health security and nuclear safety cooperation.
• Strengthens India–Indonesia bilateral relations in disaster response and health diplomacy.