1 PM Modi and French President Macron jointly inaugurate the first Indian Consulate in Marseille
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the first Indian Consulate in the historic French city of Marseille. Earlier in the day, the two leaders interacted with the Indian diaspora in the city. They also paid homage to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I and World War II at the Mazargues War Cemetery. After his successful visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington DC early Thursday morning on the second leg of his two-nation visit.
PM Modi ‘s visit to France has strengthened India-France relations . 10 MoUs were finalised, including on AI cooperation, nuclear energy and innovation . The two countries launched the India-France Innovation Year 2026 and further strengthened cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Underlining their commitment to take bilateral economic ties to new heights, especially in the fields of technology, nuclear energy and innovation, India and France signed 10 MoUs during PM Modi’s historic visit. The MoUs signed include the India-France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI), launch of logo for India-France Innovation Year 2026 and establishment of India-France Centre for Digital Sciences. According to a PMO statement, an agreement was signed to host 10 Indian startups at the French startup incubator ‘Station F’, known as the world’s largest startup facility. Other MoUs include Declaration of Intent on Establishment of Partnership on Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors; Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India and CAE, France regarding cooperation with the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) and an Agreement between DAE of India and CEA of France regarding cooperation between GCNEP India and the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN) France.
India is hosting the annual conference of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the first time . The conference, titled IIAS-DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) India Conference 2025, is being held in New Delhi from 10-14 February 2025. The conference will provide a platform for experts from over 55 countries to explore innovations in public administration, governance and policymaking. These experts will also discuss the future of public administration, issues related to governance reforms and the role of technology in shaping public governance. The Annual General Body meeting of IIAS will also be held during the international conference. The conference is being organized by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) jointly with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India.
India is hosting the Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting for the second time . The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting is being held in New Delhi from 12-14 February 2025. Earlier, India hosted the 8th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum in Kochi, Kerala in 2007. The Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting is held every three years . The 13th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting was held in Tainan, Taiwan in 2019. The Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting provides an international platform for eminent scientists, young researchers and other stakeholders from across the world to share their research experiences and innovative ideas in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Around 1,000 delegates from 24 countries, including researchers, policy makers, industry leaders and stakeholders are attending the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum meeting. India is the third largest fish producer, second largest aquaculture country and the largest producer of shrimp in the world.
5 Corruption Perceptions Index 2024: India ranked 96th out of 180 countries
India is ranked 96th among 180 countries/territories in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released on 11 February 2025. Last year, in 2023, India was ranked 93rd. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks 180 countries/territories based on the perceived public sector corruption level. Denmark topped the index for the seventh time in a row and was considered the least corrupt country. The Corruption Perceptions Index is released by Transparency International, a Berlin, Germany-based non-governmental organisation. The first index was released in 1995 and since then the index has been released by Transparency International every year. It does not reflect the actual level of corruption in a country, but it represents the perception of corruption within the public sector of a country. It takes into account the perception of experts and business people about corruption in the public sector (government) of a country. The index uses a scale of zero to 100. Zero represents highly corrupt while 100 marks the least corrupt. Till date no country has got 100 marks.
Ilie Bolojan, leader of the centrist Liberal Party, has become Romania’s interim president, taking over from centrist Klaus Iohannis, who resigned as president on Monday to avert an impeachment attempt by opposition parties.
7 China approves construction of first space station in South China Sea
China has approved the construction of the first ‘ space center ‘ in the deep waters of the South China Sea . This center will be established two thousand meters i.e. 6 thousand 560 feet below the surface of the South China Sea . This center is one of the deepest and technically important underwater installations till date. It is likely to be operational by the year 2030.
8 Tulsi Gabbard appointed as new US National Intelligence Director
The Trump administration in the US has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the new National Intelligence Director – DNI . Tulsi Gabbard is the choice of President Donald Trump. The much-awaited final Senate vote took place on Gabbard’s nomination to oversee and coordinate the functioning of various intelligence agencies of the US. The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm former Democratic representative Gabbard as the country’s DNI.
9 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Indian Oil Corporation Limited sign major agreement for supply of LNG
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company-ADNOC Gas has signed a major deal with Indian Oil Corporation Limited for the supply of liquefied natural gas-LNG. This is a significant agreement for energy cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and India. This 14-year sales and purchase agreement worth about $9 billion will start next year. From this, Indian Oil Corporation will get 1.2 million tonnes of LNG annually.
10 Gangaramaya Navam Perahera annual festival is being held in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Gangaramaya Navam Perahera annual festival is being held in Colombo , Sri Lanka . This two-day vibrant cultural festival is attracting thousands of tourists and Sri Lankans. The festival features hundreds of traditional drummers and dancers along with dozens of decorated elephants in a procession through the city of Colombo . The Perahera festival begins with a week of various rituals and prayers culminating in a two-day grand event.
11 India organised ‘Air Chiefs Roundtable’ at Aero India 2025
The Indian Air Force organised an important International Air Chiefs Roundtable during Aero India 2025. Air Force chiefs from 17 countries and around 40 other delegates attended the event on Tuesday. The roundtable conference was organised to discuss the growing global security crises and future conflicts. The main topic of discussion was ‘ Impact of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) in future conflicts ‘. During this, there was an in-depth discussion on the impact of these new technologies and their role.
12 First death due to Guillain-Barre syndrome in Mumbai
The first death due to Guillain-Barre syndrome has been reported in Mumbai . A press release issued by the Public Health Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that a 53-year-old man died of this disease on February 11. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disease that weakens the nerves of the human body. . Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes weakness, numbness or paralysis.
13 India concludes 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup with six gold
The 27-member Indian contingent of para-archers concluded their 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup-World Ranking Competition campaign, topping the medal table with six gold medals . Overall, the Indian contingent won 12 medals – six gold, three silver and three bronze – at the competition . The 2025 Para Archery Asia Cup-World Ranking Competition was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 2-11 February 2025. Teams from eleven countries – Thailand, India, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Hong Kong China, Philippines, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Slovenia, United States – participated in the competition.
