Context: The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) assumes greater significance as UN Secretary-General António Guterres enters his final UNGA session after a tenure marked by conflicts, pandemics, climate disasters and the emerg...
Context: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, addressing the UN General Assembly in September 2026, called for the removal of the “enemy state” clauses from the UN Charter as part of broader UN and Security Council reforms.The demand comes amid in...
Context: The recent BRICS New Delhi Declaration emphasised increasing trade and settlements in national currencies, reflecting the broader push towards reducing dependence on traditional dollar-based payment channels.Multiple conflicts and the use of...
Context: The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is scheduled to come into force on October 20.Although bilateral goods trade is only about $1.1 billion, the agreement demonstrates how smaller trade partnerships can complement India’s larger...
Context: India–New Zealand FTA, ratified in 2026, will come into effect on 20 October 2026, targeting a doubling of bilateral trade.Trade target: Bilateral trade to reach ₹35,000 crore over the next 4–5 years.Tariff concessions:Indian goods → New Zea...
Context: The United States has acknowledged deploying “on-orbit space control weapons” to defend against hostile actions, raising concerns over the militarisation of outer space.U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink made the admission on September 14,...
Context: The European Commission has formally requested EU member states to approve the signing and conclusion of the India–European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).The draft FTA’s Intellectual Property (IP) Chapter contains detailed copyright...
Context: The BRICS New Delhi Declaration indicates only incremental progress towards promoting local currency trade among member countries.The Declaration acknowledges the work of various task forces and committees but does not provide specific mecha...
Context: The global distribution of economic and geopolitical power is increasingly shaped by the United States (U.S.) and China, raising the possibility of a more bipolar global order.While forums such as BRICS, G7, G20 and APEC remain important, th...
Context: The 4th Indo-German Environment Forum, held in New Delhi on 1 September, focused on climate change, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.The forum was established in 2008, and the latest edition recognised that environmental chal...
Context: When BRICS was formed in 2011, its five members accounted for around 20% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but had only 11% of voting rights in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).With expansion, BRICS now represents nearly 40% of glo...
Context: The 18th BRICS Summit and the New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed the need for reformed multilateralism amid increasing unilateral actions by major powers.Significance of the SummitHigh-level participation: Member countries participated at the...
Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, comes amid wars, weakening global governance, shifting alliances and growing competition over emerging technologies.BRICS now comprises 11 full members and a...
Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, is being held under the theme “Humanity First”, amid renewed debate over reforming the Western-dominated global financial system.BRICS has sought to create a...
Context: Over two decades, BRICS has evolved from a grouping of five emerging economies into a major platform representing the interests of the Global South.Its growing membership and relevance reflect dissatisfaction among developing countries with...
Context: India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026, while chairing the grouping, prompting debate over whether BRICS provides sufficient strategic and economic benefits to India.The article argues that India should increasingly prior...
Context: The recent U.S.–Canada trade dispute highlights the risks of excessive economic dependence and uncertainty surrounding trade agreements, offering important lessons for India’s trade negotiations with the United States. U.S.–Canada Econo...
Context: The Ukraine war has entered a possible phase of renewed diplomatic engagement, with the United States, Russia and Ukraine exploring ways to revive negotiations. As the 2026 BRICS Chair, India faces the challenge of keeping the peace pro...
Context: As global economic uncertainty, trade restrictions and supply-chain disruptions increase, BRICS seeks to make international economic cooperation more resilient, inclusive and development-oriented. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a full BRICS...
Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, provides India an opportunity to restore cohesion within the expanded grouping and revive its original focus on reformed multilateralism and a more equitable global ord...
Context: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to India highlights the growing importance of India–Belgium ties within India’s broader engagement with Europe, particularly in trade, defence and strategic cooperation.Economic and Trade Cooperat...
Context: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be held in New Delhi in September 2026 under India’s chairship, is expected to discuss mechanisms for facilitating cross-border payments, including linking digital payment systems and Central Bank Digital Currencies...
Context: India’s West Asia policy traditionally prioritised energy security, diaspora interests, remittances and trade, while avoiding deep security commitments.This evolved into “multi-alignment”—maintaining workable relations simultaneously with co...
Context: The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has issued two further orders in the dispute raised by Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), ruling that India’s decision to place the Treaty in “abeyance” is not permissible under th...
ContextThe US says it will gain majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil, equivalent to about 20% of Venezuela’s proven reserves, under a proposed agreement.US President Donald Trump described it as the “biggest oil deal i...
Context● Renewed US–Iran strikes, after more than a month, have brought the military dimension back into a conflict increasingly shaped by economic pressures.● The conflict has major implications for ener...
visit and the Kyrgyz Republic (August 31–September 1) for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit.India's focused engagement with Central Asia began with the “Connect Central Asia” policy (2012) and received...
Context: The 2026 BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, providing an opportunity to expand cooperation among major emerging economies.BRICS has evolved from a grouping focused primarily on emerging economies into a broader platform for e...
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan and participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.The outreach reflects India’s effort to strengthen engagement with Cen...
Context: The 2026 BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, providing an opportunity to expand cooperation among major emerging economies.BRICS has evolved from a grouping focused primarily on emerging economies into a broader platform for e...
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan and participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.The outreach reflects India’s effort to strengthen engagement with Cen...