Context: U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks during Xi’s Washington visit, signalling an attempt to establish a more stable and predictable relationship despite continuing strategic rivalry.While the immediate outc...
Context: The United Nations (UN) is facing declining authority as rivalry among major powers increasingly weakens multilateral cooperation and allows powerful States to bypass or obstruct UN institutions.For a rising power such as India, a weaker UN...
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: U.S. President Donald Trump had previously proposed acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and renewed the demand after returning to office in January 2025.Denmark rejected any transfer of sovereignty...
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 is set to participate in the P4M initiative at the United Nations, advocating stronger, more representative and effective multilateralism.P4M:Partners for Multilateralism — an open, flexible framework supporting UN and multilateral ins...
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 continuing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global trade and energy flows, prompting comparison with the governance model developed for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.The Malacca–Singapore experience demonstrates how li...
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 US Congress has backed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026, empowering the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including India, China, Slovakia, Hu...
Context: Age-Based Regulation of Children’s Internet UseThe European Union (EU) is considering age-based rules to restrict children's access to social media, video-sharing platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and online games.The proposal...
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 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi provided an opportunity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to hold a bilateral meeting amid a gradual thaw in India-China relations.Xi Jinping’s participation was signi...
Context: The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026, after Senate approval, with implementation requiring Presidential assent.The Bill proposes tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Ru...
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 Eight Points of Outcomes and Consensus Statement of August 2026 and the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit indicate a cautious stabilisation in India-China relations.On the b...
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: Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit marks his first visit to India in seven years and comes amid gradual efforts to stabilise bilateral relations after the 2020 India-China border standoff.The trajectory o...
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 United Kingdom has announced a ban on imports originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, citing concerns over settlement expansion, displacement of Palestinians and the weakening of pro...
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: Nepal has sought international support through the UN Loss and Damage Fund after devastating flash floods caused extensive loss of life and infrastructure. The move reflects the growing demand by climate-vulnerable countries for compensation...
Context: Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s August 2026 visit to India marks a shift in bilateral defence ties from largely institutional cooperation towards greater operational capability and implementation.Over the past decade, India and J...
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: Following the August 26 glacial collapse and flash flood, Nepal has demanded climate compensation from the United States, China and India, shifting the discourse from humanitarian aid to liability for climate-induced losses.The demand highli...
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...
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced Saptadhara from the Red Fort on August 15, identifying seven streams of national strength to support the goal of Viksit Bharat.Soft power is one of these streams and refers to the ability of a cou...
Context: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), in its first review of India since 2007, expressed “grave concern” over reports of violence and discrimination by law-enforcement agencies against minority ethnic and ethno...
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: The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs), India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, produced an eight-point consensus.The outcome is significant ahead of the expected visit of...
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 UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), in its first review of India since 2007, expressed “grave concern” over reports of violence and discrimination by law-enforcement agencies against minority ethnic and ethno...
Context: Five years after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, the country has achieved relative security and some economic stabilisation, but remains politically isolated, economically fragile and governed by a hardline theocrati...
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: The 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives (SRs), India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, produced an eight-point consensus.The outcome is significant ahead of the expected visit of...
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: Following the latest Special Representatives (SRs) talks on the India–China boundary question, both sides reached an eight-point consensus aimed at strengthening border management and sustaining the broader normalisation of bilateral relatio...