Yearender / Year in Review: 25 Global Events That Shaped 2025
·3 months ago·6 min read
Key Points
- A round-up of 25 major global events that defined 2025, from geopolitical shifts to natural disasters.
- Highlights include Trump's tariffs, India's diplomatic wins, key summits, and major crises.
- Covers diplomacy, trade, security, climate events, and high-profile tragedies of the year.
2025 has been a year of turbulence, triumphs, and turning points. Here’s your fast-track tour through 25 major global developments that shook diplomacy, economies, and headlines this year.
Major Global Shifts
01. Trump, Triumph & Tariffs
Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January triggered “America First” tariffs, disrupting global trade and supply chains. In August, the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian steel, pharmaceuticals and textiles, citing trade practices and Russian oil purchases, cutting exports by 9%. India responded with WTO complaints and market diversification.
02. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire & Iran
A US-brokered comprehensive ceasefire paused over a year of intense Gaza conflict, enabling hostage–prisoner exchanges and increased humanitarian aid.
In June 2025, Middle East tensions escalated as Israel struck over 100 targets in Iran, prompting Tehran to launch hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. The 12-day clash reportedly killed over 600 people in Iran and nearly 30 in Israel, raising fears of wider regional escalation before diplomatic efforts calmed tensions.
03. Nepal Gen-Z Protest
Youth-led Gen Z protests erupted in Nepal after a social media ban in September, demanding an end to corruption and nepotism, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation and Sushila Karki’s appointment as interim premier.
India’s Big Wins
04. Pak‑Linked Militant Extradited
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was extradited from the US to India on April 10, ending years of legal battles and boosting bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.
05. Operation Sindoor
On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror camps in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. The four-day operation targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, showcasing calibrated deterrence. A multi-party delegation countered Pakistani propaganda globally. A ceasefire, mediated via backchannels, was agreed on May 10, restoring the LoC status quo.
06. Russia‑India Ties Bolstered
President Vladimir Putin’s December visit to India reaffirmed the special partnership, sealing BrahMos and Arctic LNG deals, raising trade targets to $100 billion, and discussing Ukraine peace, with India offering mediation.
07. Canada Ties Renewed
India and Canada restored full diplomatic ties on June 18, ending a two-year freeze after Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, resuming high commissioners, easing visas, and reviving trade talks on critical minerals.
08. China Border Eases
Following disengagement along the LAC, India eased China ties by restoring travel links and lifting the tourist visa ban on July 23, issuing over 10,000 visas and signalling post-Galwan de-escalation.
India at Key Summits
09. BRICS Summit, Rio
At the July BRICS Summit in Brazil, India advocated de-dollarisation, expanded membership, South-South food security cooperation, and backed new infrastructure pacts, lifting New Development Bank lending to $50 billion.
10. SCO Summit, China
At the July SCO Summit in China, India balanced ties with Beijing and Moscow, pushed counter-terrorism cooperation, raised cross-border terror concerns, secured intelligence-sharing consensus, and reached energy corridor agreements with Central Asian states.
11. ASEAN-India Summit, Malaysia
The 22nd ASEAN–India Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw India declare 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and marked a major step forward with the adoption of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026–2030) under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
12. G20 in South Africa
At the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, India backed African Union reforms and debt relief, secured support for the Global Biofuels Alliance from Brazil and the EU, and advanced digital economy agreements.
Big Deals
13. Rafale Deal Signed
India signed a €7 billion deal with France on April 28 for 26 Rafale jets, including technology transfer for local maintenance, boosting air power, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
14. UK Trade Breakthrough
In 2025, India and the UK signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and boosting bilateral trade from $56 billion toward doubling by 2030.
15. Australia Security Pact
India and Australia signed a security pact on October 9, launching joint staff talks and submarine rescue cooperation, boosting interoperability and Indian Ocean patrols under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Major Mayhems
16. Ramming Terror Attack
An ISIS-inspired attacker rammed a vehicle into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring over 30. Classified as domestic terrorism, the attack highlighted online radicalisation and persistent lone-wolf threats.
17. Deadly Air Crash
A Bombardier CRJ700 collided with a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk near Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 aboard, the deadliest US aviation crash in 16 years, triggering FAA reforms.
18. Twin Cyclones Wreak Havoc
Cyclones Senyar and Ditwah devastated the Indian Ocean region, killing over 1,000 people and displacing tens of thousands across Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, with heavy rain impacting southern India.
19. Los Angeles Wildfires
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires devastated Southern California, causing $53 billion in losses, destroying thousands of structures, displacing 200,000 residents, and prompting over $10 billion in federal aid in 2025.
20. Myanmar Quake Disaster
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay and Sagaing on March 28 killed about 4,500 people, injured 10,000, caused $12 billion in damage, and saw recovery hampered by low insurance, political instability, and restricted aid.
21. Quake Hits Afghanistan
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Kunar Province on August 31, 2025, killing over 2,200 people and injuring 4,000, with poor construction causing 8,000 homes to collapse across five districts.
22. Sudan Cholera Worsens
Sudan's cholera outbreak worsened by war, floods, and poor sanitation has caused over 120,000 cases and 3,368 deaths by mid-October 2025, spreading across all states with a 2.8% fatality rate.
23. Bangladesh Dengue Crisis
Bangladesh saw a major dengue outbreak in 2025, recording over 100,447 cases and 409 deaths by mid-December, driven by monsoon rains and urban mosquito breeding, prompting public health alerts.
High-Profile Losses
24. Papal Transition Occurs
Pope Francis died in April, and American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, the first non-European pontiff in centuries, shifting Vatican focus to the Global South and influencing global Catholic diplomacy.
25. Kirk Killed
On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder and Trump ally, was shot dead by a sniper at Utah Valley University, Utah; suspect Tyler Robinson was arrested amid rising political tensions.
Also Read: A Year Marked By ‘Sindoor’, 2025 Saw It All
2025 was a year of upheaval, breakthroughs, and unforgettable moments. From diplomacy to disasters, triumphs to tragedies, these 25 events remind us how interconnected, unpredictable, and thrilling our world truly is.
Major Global Shifts
01. Trump, Triumph & Tariffs
Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January triggered “America First” tariffs, disrupting global trade and supply chains. In August, the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian steel, pharmaceuticals and textiles, citing trade practices and Russian oil purchases, cutting exports by 9%. India responded with WTO complaints and market diversification.
02. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire & Iran
A US-brokered comprehensive ceasefire paused over a year of intense Gaza conflict, enabling hostage–prisoner exchanges and increased humanitarian aid.
In June 2025, Middle East tensions escalated as Israel struck over 100 targets in Iran, prompting Tehran to launch hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. The 12-day clash reportedly killed over 600 people in Iran and nearly 30 in Israel, raising fears of wider regional escalation before diplomatic efforts calmed tensions.
03. Nepal Gen-Z Protest
Youth-led Gen Z protests erupted in Nepal after a social media ban in September, demanding an end to corruption and nepotism, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation and Sushila Karki’s appointment as interim premier.
India’s Big Wins
04. Pak‑Linked Militant Extradited
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was extradited from the US to India on April 10, ending years of legal battles and boosting bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation.
05. Operation Sindoor
On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror camps in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. The four-day operation targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, showcasing calibrated deterrence. A multi-party delegation countered Pakistani propaganda globally. A ceasefire, mediated via backchannels, was agreed on May 10, restoring the LoC status quo.
06. Russia‑India Ties Bolstered
President Vladimir Putin’s December visit to India reaffirmed the special partnership, sealing BrahMos and Arctic LNG deals, raising trade targets to $100 billion, and discussing Ukraine peace, with India offering mediation.
07. Canada Ties Renewed
India and Canada restored full diplomatic ties on June 18, ending a two-year freeze after Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, resuming high commissioners, easing visas, and reviving trade talks on critical minerals.
08. China Border Eases
Following disengagement along the LAC, India eased China ties by restoring travel links and lifting the tourist visa ban on July 23, issuing over 10,000 visas and signalling post-Galwan de-escalation.
India at Key Summits
09. BRICS Summit, Rio
At the July BRICS Summit in Brazil, India advocated de-dollarisation, expanded membership, South-South food security cooperation, and backed new infrastructure pacts, lifting New Development Bank lending to $50 billion.
10. SCO Summit, China
At the July SCO Summit in China, India balanced ties with Beijing and Moscow, pushed counter-terrorism cooperation, raised cross-border terror concerns, secured intelligence-sharing consensus, and reached energy corridor agreements with Central Asian states.
11. ASEAN-India Summit, Malaysia
The 22nd ASEAN–India Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, saw India declare 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and marked a major step forward with the adoption of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026–2030) under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
12. G20 in South Africa
At the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, India backed African Union reforms and debt relief, secured support for the Global Biofuels Alliance from Brazil and the EU, and advanced digital economy agreements.
Big Deals
13. Rafale Deal Signed
India signed a €7 billion deal with France on April 28 for 26 Rafale jets, including technology transfer for local maintenance, boosting air power, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
14. UK Trade Breakthrough
In 2025, India and the UK signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and boosting bilateral trade from $56 billion toward doubling by 2030.
15. Australia Security Pact
India and Australia signed a security pact on October 9, launching joint staff talks and submarine rescue cooperation, boosting interoperability and Indian Ocean patrols under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Major Mayhems
16. Ramming Terror Attack
An ISIS-inspired attacker rammed a vehicle into crowds on Bourbon Street, killing 15 and injuring over 30. Classified as domestic terrorism, the attack highlighted online radicalisation and persistent lone-wolf threats.
17. Deadly Air Crash
A Bombardier CRJ700 collided with a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk near Reagan National Airport, killing all 67 aboard, the deadliest US aviation crash in 16 years, triggering FAA reforms.
18. Twin Cyclones Wreak Havoc
Cyclones Senyar and Ditwah devastated the Indian Ocean region, killing over 1,000 people and displacing tens of thousands across Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, with heavy rain impacting southern India.
19. Los Angeles Wildfires
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires devastated Southern California, causing $53 billion in losses, destroying thousands of structures, displacing 200,000 residents, and prompting over $10 billion in federal aid in 2025.
20. Myanmar Quake Disaster
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay and Sagaing on March 28 killed about 4,500 people, injured 10,000, caused $12 billion in damage, and saw recovery hampered by low insurance, political instability, and restricted aid.
21. Quake Hits Afghanistan
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Kunar Province on August 31, 2025, killing over 2,200 people and injuring 4,000, with poor construction causing 8,000 homes to collapse across five districts.
22. Sudan Cholera Worsens
Sudan's cholera outbreak worsened by war, floods, and poor sanitation has caused over 120,000 cases and 3,368 deaths by mid-October 2025, spreading across all states with a 2.8% fatality rate.
23. Bangladesh Dengue Crisis
Bangladesh saw a major dengue outbreak in 2025, recording over 100,447 cases and 409 deaths by mid-December, driven by monsoon rains and urban mosquito breeding, prompting public health alerts.
High-Profile Losses
24. Papal Transition Occurs
Pope Francis died in April, and American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV, the first non-European pontiff in centuries, shifting Vatican focus to the Global South and influencing global Catholic diplomacy.
25. Kirk Killed
On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder and Trump ally, was shot dead by a sniper at Utah Valley University, Utah; suspect Tyler Robinson was arrested amid rising political tensions.
Also Read: A Year Marked By ‘Sindoor’, 2025 Saw It All
2025 was a year of upheaval, breakthroughs, and unforgettable moments. From diplomacy to disasters, triumphs to tragedies, these 25 events remind us how interconnected, unpredictable, and thrilling our world truly is.
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