DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ – 13 September, 2025

Prime Minister Modi stressed that terrorism is a worldwide menace that cannot be condoned under any circumstances. He urged SCO members to avoid double standards (referring to Pakistan and China's selective stances) and to work together to combat terrorism. This is consistent with India's long-time attitude of advocating a unified, zero-tolerance approach to terrorism.

 India and France revised their Joint Strategic Partnership Declaration in 2025 after 17 years, updating it to reflect new priorities such as defence co-production, clean energy, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and digital technology. The earlier declaration dated back to 2008, and the update signals a deepening of ties in the changing global order.

The Combined Commanders' Conference is India's highest-level tri-service military conference, presided over by the Prime Minister and Defence Minister. The 2025 edition is titled "Year of Reforms Transforming for the Future," and will emphasise on theaterisation, jointness, modernisation, and operational readiness, in line with current defence reforms to improve India's military performance in a fast changing security environment.

The trilateral conference emphasised the importance of regional connectivity via Iran's Chabahar Port, which serves as India's gateway to Central Asia while circumventing Pakistan. Along with commercial and transit issues, the three countries emphasised the importance of cooperation in counterterrorism to ensure regional stability in the face of Afghan challenges.

The EU has consistently pressed India to lower its high tariffs on luxury goods such as automobiles, wines, spirits, and dairy products. India, however, seeks better market access for its IT services, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. These divergent priorities have slowed down the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), despite negotiations restarting in 2022 after being stalled for years.