World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025

♦ Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2025 in New Delhi on 5 March 2025.

♦ The summit themed Partnerships for Accelerating Sustainable Development and Climate Solutions was Organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

♦ The event was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier Mark Phillip, and Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, were present at the event.

♦ Union Minister Yadav noted that in 2020, India successfully reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.93%, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to combating climate change. He also outlined India’s long-term vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat (developed nation) by 2047, with a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

♦ India has already made significant progress, reducing its emission intensity of GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi on 4 March 2025.

♦ The discussions covered a broad spectrum of areas, including trade, investment, technology, defence, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, agriculture, skilling, academic exchanges, and cultural cooperation.

♦ Both sides explored opportunities for expanding collaboration in emerging sectors, aiming to enhance economic resilience and foster innovation-driven growth.

♦ Princess Astrid is leading a high-level Belgian Economic Mission during her visit to India, which runs from March 1 to 8.

The fourth India-Vietnam Policy

♦ The fourth India-Vietnam Policy Planning Dialogue took place in New Delhi on 4 March 2025.

♦ The meeting was co-chaired by Raghuram S, Joint Secretary (Policy Planning and Research), MEA, and Le Dinh Tinh, Director General of the Policy Planning Department, Ministry       of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Vietnam. Discussions covered a broad range of geopolitical issues.

♦ The dialogue provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional and global matters, including developments in the Indo-Pacific region, the functioning of multilateral institutions, and priorities of the Global South.

Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Princess Astrid of Belgium

♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Princess Astrid of Belgium and the Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi on 3 MArch 2025. They discussed the possibility of defence engagements in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in maritime domain. They also discussed ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. 

♦ Both countries agreed to explore an institutionalised defence cooperation mechanism. 

♦ Princess Astrid is leading the Belgian delegation to India from March 1-8 to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties. The delegation includes representatives from 36 Brussels-based companies, with a focus on key industries like pharmaceuticals, logistics, aerospace, and renewable energy.