International Current Affairs - 2026-07-10

Background: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan was signed in 2011 to boost bilateral trade. Current Context: In July 2026, both nations initiated a formal review of the agreement to address modern trade challenges and supply chain resilience. Impact: This review aims to enhance market access for Indian services and agricultural products in Japan, while fostering deeper technological collaboration in semiconductors and green energy, ultimately strengthening the Indo-Pacific economic architecture and reducing dependency on single-source supply chains.

Background: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Current Context: The 2026 SCO Summit held in July focused on addressing cross-border terrorism and regional instability. Member states emphasized the need for a unified approach to cyber-security and narcotics control. Impact: The summit resulted in a new 'Regional Security Protocol' aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing among member nations. This move is expected to stabilize the Central Asian region and provide a platform for India to assert its stance on regional connectivity and counter-terrorism.