Daily Current Affairs- 16th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 16th May 2026

Women Empowerment Boost as Project Saksham Expands Across India

In the News: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in partnership with Vertis Foundation, highlighted the progress of "Project Saksham," a women-focused skill development initiative aimed at empowering rural women and underserved youth through structured vocational training and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The initiative operates through 12 training centres across India and has trained over 6,000 youth, with more than 4,000 successfully placed in employment across various sectors. Over 80 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, underscoring the programme's strong emphasis on gender-led empowerment.

Key Points:

• About Project Saksham and Its Objectives: Project Saksham is a skill development initiative launched by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in partnership with the Vertis Foundation, focused on empowering rural women through industry-relevant vocational training for sustainable livelihood opportunities. The initiative is anchored in NHAI's broader vision of inclusive infrastructure development, built on the belief that communities residing along national highways, particularly rural women, should directly benefit from the economic opportunities generated by infrastructure expansion. Beyond skilling, the programme aims to create pathways for long-term financial independence and social empowerment, bridging the gap between physical connectivity provided by highways and the economic inclusion of communities that are often left out of the growth generated by large infrastructure projects.
• Training Network and Employment Outcomes: Project Saksham currently operates through a network of 12 training centres spread across the country, providing underserved communities with access to industry-relevant skills and pathways into the formal workforce. To date, the initiative has trained over 6,000 youth, of whom more than 4,000 have been successfully placed across various sectors. Beneficiaries placed through the programme are earning average monthly incomes in the range of Rs 13,000 to Rs 16,000, which often surpasses entry-level wage benchmarks in several states. Notably, women constitute more than 80 per cent of the total beneficiaries, reflecting the programme's strong emphasis on gender-led empowerment and economic inclusion of women in the formal economy.
• Vocational Training and Skill Areas: Participants under Project Saksham are trained in a diverse range of vocational skills designed to enhance their employability in both formal and semi-formal sectors. The training disciplines include electrical work, plumbing, appliance repair, tailoring, general duty assistant nursing and multi-skill technician programmes.

India Concludes Kimberley Process Intersessional 2026 in Mumbai Under Its Chairship

In the News: The Kimberley Process (KP) Intersessional Meeting 2026 concluded in Mumbai after four days of deliberations under India's Chairship. The meeting brought together representatives from KP Participants, Observers, industry stakeholders and civil society organisations to discuss the future of the natural diamond sector. India's Chairship theme for 2026 centres on the 3Cs - Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence - aimed at strengthening trust, transparency and cooperation within the Kimberley Process framework.

Key Points:

• India's Chairship and the 3Cs Agenda: India is chairing the Kimberley Process in 2026 with a focused theme of the 3Cs - Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal reaffirmed India's commitment to advancing this agenda and to working with all Participants and stakeholders to strengthen the relevance of the Kimberley Process in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. He highlighted that India, as the world's leading centre for diamond cutting and polishing, recognises the vital role of the KP in ensuring that natural diamonds remain a symbol of trust, responsibility and shared prosperity. He further noted that the natural diamond sector sustains millions of livelihoods across producing, processing and consuming nations.
• Deliberations and Working Group Discussions: During the four-day Intersessional in Mumbai, Working Groups and Committees held detailed discussions on monitoring systems, technical processes, governance reforms, statistical reporting and artisanal production. There was a sustained focus on strengthening transparency, improving operational mechanisms and reinforcing trust across the natural diamond value chain. KP Chair 2026 Suchindra Misra stated that the progress achieved during the Mumbai Intersessional reflected the shared commitment of Participants and Observers towards keeping the Kimberley Process credible, relevant and responsive to the evolving dynamics of global diamond trade and consumer expectations. Discussions also covered sustainability requirements and digital verification in the supply chain.
• Communication, Outreach and Industry Perspective: The Intersessional highlighted the importance of enhancing communication and outreach efforts to better convey the positive impact of the Kimberley Process to end consumers, including responsible sourcing practices, development outcomes and livelihood support across producing nations and communities. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, stated that discussions on compliance mechanisms, artisanal production and supply chain transparency were important to ensuring that the KP remains aligned with changing market expectations. He further observed that natural diamonds represent a sustainable product and livelihood for millions and that the Kimberley Process continues to be one of the most progressive certification systems globally.
• About the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 of the year 2000. It is a global initiative aimed at preventing conflict diamonds from entering legitimate trade and promoting responsible sourcing across the natural diamond supply chain. The KP operates through a unique tripartite structure and consensus-based approach, bringing together governments, industry and civil society, which continues to be one of its key strengths. The discussions from the Mumbai Intersessional will carry forward into the KP Plenary scheduled to be held in New Delhi later in 2026 under India's continued Chairship.

Captagon Seized in India Under Operation Ragepill 

In the News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Indian agencies had achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon in the country through "Operation Ragepill," conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The operation resulted in the seizure of 227.7 kg of Captagon worth approximately Rs 182 crore and the arrest of a Syrian national named Alabras Ahmad, who was part of an international drug trafficking syndicate using India as a transit route to smuggle the contraband to West Asian countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Key Points:

• Operation Ragepill and the Seizure: The Narcotics Control Bureau launched Operation Ragepill after receiving intelligence inputs from a foreign drug law enforcement agency about India being used as a transit point for trafficking Captagon. Acting on this information, the NCB raided a house in Delhi's Neb Sarai on May 11, 2026, and seized approximately 31.5 kg of Captagon in tablet form concealed inside a commercial chapati-cutting machine that was intended to be exported to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Subsequent questioning of the arrested Syrian national, Alabras Ahmad, led to a further seizure of over 196 kg of Captagon powder from a container at the Container Facilitation Station (CFS) at Mundra in Gujarat on May 14, 2026. The container had been imported from Syria with sheep wool as the declared consignment.
• The Arrested Accused and the Trafficking Network: The arrested Syrian national, Alabras Ahmad, had entered India on a tourist visa on November 15, 2024, but his visa had expired on January 12, 2025, and he had been illegally overstaying in the country. He had rented the house in Neb Sarai, Delhi, which was used as a storage and transit point for the contraband. Initial findings suggested that the seized Captagon was to be sent to Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring countries in West Asia, where Captagon abuse has emerged as a serious law enforcement and public health concern in recent decades. The NCB has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the source of procurement, financial and hawala linkages, logistics facilitators, international receivers and the wider transnational network associated with the syndicate.
• What is Captagon: Captagon is the common street name historically associated with Fenethylline, a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant originally developed in the 1960s for the medical treatment of attention disorders and narcolepsy. Owing to its addictive properties and abuse potential, the original pharmaceutical formulation was eventually prohibited internationally. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Captagon provides a boost of energy, enhances focus, helps a person stay awake for long periods and produces a feeling of euphoria. The drug has frequently been referred to in international media and security discourse as the "Jihadi Drug" due to repeated allegations and intelligence inputs linking its abuse and trafficking with extremist and conflict-zone networks operating in parts of West Asia, and it was reportedly also used by ISIS fighters.
• Government's Anti-Drug Stance: Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the NCB for the breakthrough and reiterated the government's commitment to a "Drug-Free India." He stated that the busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East and the arrest of a foreign national stand as examples of the government's zero tolerance policy against drugs. He further emphasized that the government will clamp down on every gram of drugs entering India or leaving the country using Indian territory as a transit route. The operation was described as an example of how international intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation play a critical role in identifying, intercepting and dismantling transnational narcotics trafficking networks operating across multiple jurisdictions.   

PM Modi’s UAE Visit: India and UAE Sign 7 Major Strategic Outcomes

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates and held discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The visit, which was the first leg of PM Modi's five-nation tour, resulted in the signing of seven major strategic agreements spanning energy security, defence cooperation, maritime infrastructure, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, investment and skill development. The UAE also pledged investments worth 5 billion US dollars in India, further reinforcing the bilateral strategic partnership.

Key Points:

• Energy Security and Strategic Petroleum Reserves: India and the UAE signed a strategic collaboration agreement between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to strengthen India's energy security framework. Under this agreement, the UAE's participation in India's strategic petroleum reserves will be enhanced to 30 million barrels, and strategic gas reserves will be set up in India for the first time. A separate pact was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and ADNOC to ensure long-term and reliable supply of LPG, the cooking fuel widely used across Indian households.
• Defence and Strategic Partnership: India and the UAE signed a Framework for Strategic Defence Partnership focusing on defence industrial collaboration, co-development, technology sharing, innovation and regional security cooperation. Under this framework, the two countries will explore joint development of military hardware and boost cooperation in advanced defence manufacturing and capabilities. Defence cooperation between the two nations is steered through a Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) at the Ministry level, established through an MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in June 2003.
• Maritime Infrastructure and Skill Development: Two agreements were signed involving Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Drydocks World (DDW) of the UAE, including an MoU for setting up a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar in Gujarat to strengthen India's position as a growing maritime and logistics hub. The second MoU, signed among CSL, DDW and the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), focuses on skill development in ship repair, including specialised training and technical upskilling. These initiatives align with the Make in India and Skill India Mission and aim to support India's emergence as a global hub for skilled maritime professionals.
• Artificial Intelligence and Supercomputing: India and the UAE signed a Term Sheet for setting up an 8 Exaflop Supercomputing Cluster in partnership between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) of India and G42 of the UAE. This partnership will accelerate India's sovereign AI and high-performance computing capabilities and boost the IndiaAI Mission. Additionally, the UAE pledged investments worth 5 billion US dollars in India's infrastructure and banking sectors, further enhancing long-term capital flows and investor confidence between the two economies.
• India-UAE Bilateral Relations - Background: India and the UAE established formal diplomatic relations in 1972, and the bilateral relationship has transformed from traditional trade linkages into a wide-ranging strategic partnership in recent years. PM Modi has visited the UAE seven times since 2014, and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has visited India five times. Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries crossed 100 billion US dollars for the first time, reaching 101.25 billion US dollars in the financial year 2025-26, and both sides have committed to doubling bilateral trade to 200 billion US dollars by 2032.

BRICS Reaffirms Two-State Solution in Israel-Palestine Conflict

In the News: BRICS foreign ministers met in New Delhi, India, and reaffirmed their support for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution. The Chair's Statement called for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The ministers also demanded an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Key Points:

• Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood: The BRICS foreign ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within the internationally recognized 1967 borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, envisioning two states living side by side in peace and security. The ministers also supported full membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations and called for adequate representation of Palestine in all relevant international organizations, including multilateral financial institutions.
• Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access in Gaza: The ministers expressed grave concern over the resumption of continuous Israeli attacks against Gaza and the obstruction of humanitarian aid into the territory. They called on all parties to engage in good faith negotiations to achieve an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and all other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the release of all hostages and detainees held in violation of international law, and sustained and unhindered access and delivery of humanitarian assistance. They also condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare and reaffirmed their steadfast support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its mandate for the provision of basic services to Palestine refugees.
• Legal and Institutional Framework: The BRICS statement recalled the Gaza Strip as an inseparable part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and underlined the importance of unifying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority. The ministers noted the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the legal proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel, which reaffirmed Israel's legal obligation to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza. They also took note of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and called for the implementation of all relevant UNGA and UNSC resolutions on the matter.

Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Iraq

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Iraq. PM Modi stated that India highly values its longstanding and friendly ties with Iraq and remains firmly committed to further strengthening bilateral ties in all areas. He expressed his best wishes and looked forward to working together for the shared progress and prosperity of both nations.

Key Points:

• Appointment and Parliamentary Approval: Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi was nominated as the Prime Minister-designate of Iraq by the Iraqi President following an extensive selection process. Iraq's Parliament, on May 14, 2026, voted to approve the government programme and a part of the Cabinet lineup of al-Zaidi, formally paving the way for him to assume charge as the new Prime Minister of Iraq.
• Background and Selection Process: Al-Zaidi, a businessman by profession, emerged as a consensus candidate for the position of Prime Minister after weeks of internal deliberations among the Coordination Framework's member parties. The discussions were aimed at identifying a compromise candidate who could lead the next government in Iraq and command broad political support across the coalition.
• India-Iraq Bilateral Relations: Prime Minister Modi, in his congratulatory message posted on the social media platform X, emphasized that India highly values its longstanding and friendly ties with Iraq. He reaffirmed India's firm commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations in all areas, signalling continued diplomatic engagement and cooperation between New Delhi and Baghdad under the new Iraqi leadership.
• Strategic Significance of India-Iraq Ties: India and Iraq share deep historical and cultural connections, with bilateral relations spanning trade, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. Iraq is one of India's major crude oil suppliers, making the relationship vital for India's energy security. The transition of leadership in Iraq holds significance for the continuity of economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations.