News articles and essays on the Indian diplomacy at work around the world.
The Quad’s maritime agenda has gradually broadened beyond conventional naval security. It now encompasses maritime-domain awareness, protection of shipping routes, transnational crime, illegal activities at sea and cooperation among regional information-sharing centres.
During their bilateral meeting, Rajnath Singh and Theo Francken reviewed the full spectrum of defence and defence-industrial cooperation. The two sides agreed to strengthen the relationship through a structured defence cooperation dialogue, high-level visits, professional military exchanges, training and capacity building.
De Wever, who is making his first visit to India since assuming office in February 2025, arrived with Belgian Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken, senior officials and a high-level business delegation. His talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected an effort by both countries to move the relationship beyond its traditional strengths in diamonds, chemicals and pharmaceuticals towards defence manufacturing, emerging technologies, clean energy and advanced industrial cooperation.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force officially announced on August 25, 2026 that Exercise Veer Guardian 26 will be conducted with the Indian Air Force from September 9 to September 21 at Air Force Station Jodhpur and the surrounding airspace in Rajasthan. Japan will deploy three F-2A fighters from its 8th Air Wing at Tsuiki Air Base, accompanied by approximately 110 personnel. The wider deployment and redeployment phase will run from September 1 to September 30.
The deployment is expected to begin in September 2026 and will mark the first time Indian Air Force instructors have been integrated into the fast-jet training system at RAF Valley. The arrangement reflects the growing depth of professional cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force and represents an unusual reversal of traditional military training links between the two countries.
The meeting reviewed the expanding energy partnership between the two countries and explored new areas where cooperation could be deepened. Energy security, electrification, low-carbon development, carbon-market mechanisms and diversification of critical supply chains featured prominently in the discussions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and De Wever are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3 covering the broader India-Belgium relationship as well as regional and global developments. The Ministry of External Affairs has identified defence and security, trade and investment, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties among the principal areas where cooperation could be expanded.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met school principal Rajendra Dawadi following the disaster and conveyed that India would support reconstruction of the school. In his official communication, the Ambassador praised Dawadi’s timely action, saying his intervention helped save more than 1,600 children before floodwaters overwhelmed the school.
Indian manufacturers are expected to seek improved access for products such as automobiles, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, machinery, engineering goods and selected industrial products. These sectors are among India’s strongest export categories, but tariff barriers can significantly affect their competitiveness in foreign markets.
The summit, held in the Kyrgyz capital on September 1, 2026, marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO. Leaders approved 28 documents covering security, climate change, energy, emergency response, narcotics, artificial intelligence and institutional cooperation.
