Global Technology Summit (GTS)

♦ The 9th edition of the Global Technology Summit (GTS) started in New Delhi on 10 April 2025.

♦ This year’s theme is "Sambhavna”—meaning possibilities—and the summit will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships.

♦ The summit concludes on 12 April 2025. This was co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Carnegie India.

♦ GTS-2025 featured over 40 public sessions, including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic conversations.

♦ More than 150 speakers from over 40 countries- including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, UAE, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the European Union- joined discussions on the most pressing tech challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

Droupadi Murmu

♦ President Droupadi Murmu met Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava on 9 April 2025.

♦ Both leaders agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

♦ The meeting marked the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years.

♦ The two Presidents held productive discussions, reviewing various aspects of the India–Slovakia relationship and expressing a shared commitment to expand the bilateral partnership. 

♦ As part of the visit, both leaders witnessed the exchange of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

♦ One MoU was signed between the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) of India and the Slovak Business Agency for cooperation in the field of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

♦ The other MoU was signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, focusing on bilateral cooperation in diplomatic training and exchanges.

India andUAE

♦ Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 8 April 2025.

♦ They discussed Strategic Partnership - especially in the areas of trade, investments, defence, energy, technology, education, sports and people-to-people ties - in the meeting. 

♦ India and the UAE share a longstanding relationship built on deep cultural, economic, and strategic ties.

♦ Dubai serves as a vital hub for Indian businesses and hosts a large Indian diaspora—around 4.3 million strong—many of whom reside in Dubai.

Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on 5 April 2025.

♦ The two leaders discussed various bilateral issues, including regional stability, energy cooperation, and developmental partnerships.

♦ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka was signed during Modi's visit, and it will remain in force for five years.

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, jointly inaugurated and flagged off key India-backed railway projects in Anuradhapura, marking a significant milestone in the growing bilateral infrastructure cooperation between the two nations.

♦ As a gesture of goodwill, President Dissanayake conferred upon him the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan, one of Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honours, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two countries. 

6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in Bankok on 4 April 2025.

♦ He proposed linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the payment systems of BIMSTEC member nations to strengthen trade, industry, and tourism in the region. 

♦ Additionally, Modi recommended establishing a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to facilitate cooperation in disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation.

♦ The BIMSTEC Summit adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030, reaffirming the shared commitment to prosperity, security, and inclusivity in the Bay of Bengal region.  

♦ The BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand, is being attended by leaders from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

6th BIMSTEC summit.

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 3 April 2025.
♦ On this occation, India and Thailand signed six agreements for cooperation in various fields including IT, maritime, MSME, handicraft and handloom sectors.

♦ Both sides reviewed the progress of the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed ways to add greater momentum to the India- Thailand bilateral partnership and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.

♦ Modi arrived Thailand on a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC summit.