STATE NEWS

International Youth Conclave Celebrates 50 Years of Sikkim Statehood

• The International Youth Conclave is being held in Sikkim from April 12 to 14, marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood.

• The event kicked off on April 12 at the Yanggang helipad in Namchi district, inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

• Organized by the Yangang Tourism Development Committee and Sikkim Tourism Department, the conclave focuses on the theme: ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Statehood of Sikkim’.

• Discussions will centre on tourism development, its opportunities and challenges in Sikkim, and its commitment to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.

• The event will bring together young leaders, tourism experts, and global delegates from across India, Bhutan, Iran, and Nepal.

• The conclave will explore the future of tourism in Sikkim and its role in shaping the region's growth over the next decades.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Syria and South Korea Establish Formal Diplomatic Relations

• South Korea and Syria officially established diplomatic relations on April 10, marking a significant development for Syria’s transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

• The formalization took place in Damascus, with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani signing the agreement.

• During the ceremony, Cho Tae-yul expressed South Korea’s willingness to assist Syria in overcoming the effects of its 13-year civil war, offering support through business investments and humanitarian aid.

• South Korea also committed to backing efforts to ease international sanctions imposed on Syria.

• In December, opposition forces in Syria ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who had been in power for over 50 years.

• On March 30, President Ahmad al-Sharaa assumed leadership of Syria’s transitional government, following his prominent role in anti-Assad efforts during the civil war.

RANKING AND INDEX

NITI Aayog Report on India’s Automotive Industry

• NITI Aayog released a report titled “Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains”, analyzing India’s automotive sector.

• The report discusses opportunities, challenges, and a strategic plan for India to become a major player in the global automotive market.

• Vice Chairman Suman Bery and CEO BVR Subrahmanyam attended the launch event.

• It proposes fiscal and non-fiscal measures to enhance India’s competitiveness, categorized into four groups based on automotive component complexity.

• Global automobile production reached 94 million units in 2023, with the automotive components market valued at $2 trillion.

• India is now the fourth-largest automobile producer, with annual production close to six million units.

• The country excels in small car and utility vehicle segments, with a strong presence in both domestic and export markets.

• With the Make in India initiative and a cost-effective workforce, India is emerging as an automotive manufacturing hub.

• India’s share in the global auto components market is valued at $70 billion.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Launch of ‘Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk’ to Address Trade Challenges

• The government has launched a dedicated ‘Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk’ to assist stakeholders in navigating emerging trade challenges.

• The Helpdesk will tackle issues like import-export difficulties, sudden surges in imports, and dumping practices.

• It will also address supply chain disruptions, logistics problems, financial concerns, and regulatory compliance issues.

• The Helpdesk will collaborate with various Ministries, Departments, and State Governments to provide effective solutions.

• Exporters and importers can report their concerns through the DGFT website.

• The Commerce Department and DGFT are closely monitoring global trade trends, with a particular focus on tariff changes and trade challenges.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Winners of the Theme Music Competition Announced at WAVES Summit 2025

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has revealed the winners of the Theme Music Competition, part of the WAVES Summit 2025.

• The competition was one of 32 creative challenges featured during the summit, which will take place in Mumbai from May 1 to May 4.

• Six winners were selected from hundreds of nationwide entries, evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges.

• Judging criteria included creativity, musical quality, and relevance to the theme.

• The theme, “India’s vibrant rhythms”, combined classical and modern musical styles.

• The competition aimed to showcase India’s rich and diverse musical talent.

Biannual Naval Commanders' Conference 2025 Concludes in New Delhi

• The first biannual Naval Commanders' Conference of 2025 concluded after a week-long event held in two phases.

• The first phase took place in Karwar, Karnataka, followed by the second phase in New Delhi.

• The conference focused on the Indian Navy’s preparedness and addressing maritime security challenges.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the event in Karwar, where he flagged off IOS Sagar and launched significant infrastructure projects under Project Seabird, including nine marine piers and eight residential buildings.

• The first phase concluded with a review of the Navy’s capabilities and plans for future modernization.

• The second phase, starting on April 7, took place at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi, where several key publications were launched.

• These included the Navy’s Space Vision, Naval Air Publication, Operational Data Framework, and the ‘Navy for Life and Beyond’ guide for veterans.