Daily current affairs

India and UAE bilateral trade settled in INR/AED under the local currency settlement framework crossed ₹1 lakh crore since the agreement in July 2023, reducing dollar dependency.

India hosted the 7th BIMSTEC Summit in New Delhi. The Bay of Bengal regional grouping (7 countries) signed agreements on maritime cooperation, energy grid, and a free trade framework.

India and Russia agreed to extend cooperation for 6 additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam (units 7-12). Also covers floating SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) for coastal areas.

India and African Union (55 countries) signed framework for Free Trade Agreement at India-Africa Summit. Goal: triple bilateral trade from $100 bn to $300 bn by 2030. Focus: pharma, IT, agriculture, infrastructure.

India to host the G20 Health Ministerial in Hyderabad (June 2026), focusing on antimicrobial resistance, global pandemic preparedness, and digital health solutions. India to share UHC (Universal Health Coverage) approach via Ayushman Bharat.

India signed a Government-to-Government deal with France for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant and Vikramaditya). Estimated cost ₹63,000 crore.

India hosted a special G20 Energy Transitions Working Group meeting in Goa, with discussions on global green hydrogen, critical minerals supply chain, and climate finance. India proposes "Mission LiFE for Energy" plan.

India-Singapore activated next phase of UPI-PayNow integration. Real-time bank-to-bank payments under SGD 1000 per transaction. ~₹250 cr transactions in pilot. Similar arrangements being finalized with UAE, France, Bhutan.

India ratified the 1965 Hague Service Convention, simplifying cross-border service of judicial documents in civil/commercial matters. Reduces delays in international legal proceedings for Indian businesses and citizens abroad.

India hosted UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development) summit in Mumbai with delegates from 150+ countries. India launched proposals for fairer global trade rules, debt restructuring framework for developing countries.

World Bank's Migration and Development Brief: India remained the top remittance recipient globally for the fourth consecutive year, with inflows crossing $135 billion in 2025-26. Major sources: USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK.

India and Brazil signed defence collaboration worth $5 billion. Joint production of light helicopters, naval platforms, and small arms. Both countries also discussed BRICS-related cooperation.

India hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Discussions: BRICS expansion roadmap, payment systems alternative to SWIFT, climate finance from Global North.

India and Nepal signed an updated bilateral transit treaty, granting Nepal additional sea routes through India (Visakhapatnam) and improved railway connectivity. Nepal is a landlocked LDC.

Ministry of AYUSH announced 10+ crore people participated in International Day of Yoga (June 21) rehearsal events across India in May 2026 — sets stage for largest-ever yoga gathering. Theme: "Yoga for Climate Action."

NHSRCL reported Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR is at 50% physical completion. Vapi-Surat section piers complete. 21-km undersea tunnel through Thane Creek (longest in India) under construction. Commercial operations targeted for end-2027.

Building on the January 2026 FTA, India and the European Union signed a defence and security partnership focusing on maritime cooperation, cyber security and joint defence R&D.

India and ASEAN concluded six rounds of negotiations to upgrade the AIFTA (ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement). Key gains: digital trade chapter, simpler rules of origin, services market access.

India and the UK finalised a digital trade chapter as part of the comprehensive FTA — covering cross-border data flows, e-signatures, paperless trading, and digital identity recognition.

India hosted the first South Asian Universities Federation summit at IIT Delhi with vice-chancellors of 50+ universities from SAARC nations. Theme: research collaboration, faculty exchange, recognition of degrees.

A 5-judge Constitution Bench held that Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 — special provisions for Assam under the Assam Accord — is constitutional. Issued by 4:1 majority.

India and UAE finalized a bilateral framework enabling trade settlements in INR and AED, reducing dollar dependency. Tested with two pilot trade transactions worth $20 million.

India and Japan signed an MoU for next-phase of bullet train projects beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad. Tentative routes: Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Hyderabad, Chennai-Bengaluru. Tech transfer + Make in India focus.

India hosted the International Buddhist Confederation Summit in Bodh Gaya with delegates from 35 nations. Theme: "Buddha Path for World Peace and Climate Justice." Boost to soft-power diplomacy.

Indian and Sri Lankan navies launched the first joint maritime patrol in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) under the Colombo Security Conclave. Focus: anti-piracy, drug-smuggling, illegal fishing, and humanitarian/disaster response.

Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index 2026: India ranks #3 (after USA, China). Boosted by yoga, Bollywood, ISRO success, IT services, diaspora presence. Up from rank #28 in 2017.

India and ASEAN (10 nations) signed a Digital Trade Agreement covering e-commerce, paperless trade, data flows, and digital ID interoperability. Expected to boost India-ASEAN trade by 15%+ by 2028.

India will host the G20 Health Ministers meeting in Hyderabad later this year, with focus on pandemic preparedness, digital health, and global access to affordable medicines.

After years of negotiation, India deposited its instrument of ratification for the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), opening the door for US/French reactor imports.

India formally ratified amendments to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), strengthening accessibility, employment, and political participation rights. Aligns with India's 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

India hosted the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in New Delhi. Key debates: e-commerce moratorium, fisheries subsidies, trade-environment linkage, India's concerns about agricultural support.

India transitioned from associate member to a full member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), joining the OECD-led grouping of 31 nations. Full membership requires holding 90 days of crude oil emergency stocks.

India and Sri Lanka concluded a five-round maritime boundary dialogue, agreeing to enhance fisheries cooperation in Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. The Tamil Nadu fishermen issue was discussed.

India and Japan jointly announced a ₹85,000 crore semiconductor foundry in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The plant will produce 28 nm and 65 nm legacy chips for automotive and IoT applications.

India and New Zealand signed a bilateral free trade agreement in New Delhi covering goods, services and investment. The deal expands India's FTA footprint in the Indo-Pacific.

India hosted the 4th Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. Agreed on enhanced cooperation in critical and emerging tech, maritime security, and supply chain resilience.

India and Australia signed a bilateral MoU on critical minerals cooperation covering lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements. The agreement supports India's transition to electric vehicles and clean energy.

The United States agreed to lower tariffs on Indian exports to 18% in exchange for India limiting purchases of Russian crude oil. The pact resolves a multi-year tariff stand-off.