News articles and essays on the Indian diplomacy at work around the world.
The Green India Mission differs from conventional plantation programmes in that it seeks to work at the landscape level rather than viewing afforestation as an isolated activity. Its objective is to restore ecological functions in degraded forests and adjoining landscapes while also supporting communities whose livelihoods are linked to forest resources.
The decisions were taken during the Fourth Session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee, held in New Delhi on August 10 and 11, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, while the Namibian delegation was headed by Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director in Namibia’s Ministry of International Relations and Trade. The agreed minutes of the meeting were signed by the two co-chairs on August 11.
The first rake consists of three AC Sleeper Cars, three AC Chair Cars, 11 Non-AC Chair Cars and two Power Cars. Although based on the proven Linke Hofmann Busch, or LHB, platform widely used by Indian Railways, the coaches have undergone extensive modifications to meet the specific operational conditions and passenger requirements of Bangladesh Railway.
Among these projects, the Ken-Betwa Link Project, which will benefit parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, has progressed the furthest and has now entered the implementation stage. The project is estimated to cost around ₹44,605 crore and is designed to provide irrigation benefits to approximately 11.88 lakh hectares.
The consignment is intended to support Bolivia’s public healthcare requirements. The Ministry of External Affairs described the assistance as reflecting India’s approach to international cooperation based on solidarity and shared progress.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, highlighting the relationship between the two countries, reiterated India’s commitment to working closely with Côte d’Ivoire and strengthening a partnership that has steadily expanded beyond traditional diplomacy into trade, investment, capacity building, technology, agriculture and development cooperation.
The exercise, being conducted from August 10 to August 14, 2026, brings together specialist diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel from India and the United States. Unlike major naval exercises centred around destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines and combat aircraft, the Kochi engagement concentrates on the less visible but critically important disciplines of detecting, handling and neutralising explosive threats in the maritime environment.
The talks were co-chaired by Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, and Luke Goh, Permanent Secretary (Policy), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Both sides assessed implementation of initiatives under the CSP roadmap and discussed projects being taken forward through the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR).
The gesture renews a little-known connection between India and the famous peacocks that have for decades roamed freely through Ariana Park, the sprawling green estate surrounding the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva.
During the visit, Admiral Swaminathan will meet senior members of the Mauritian government and security establishment for discussions covering maritime security, defence cooperation, capacity building and military-to-military engagement.
