Category: International

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, welcomed the crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya at Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat. He described the arrival as more than the completion of a voyage, calling it a celebration of deep-rooted civilisational ties between India and Oman. Symbol of India–Oman Friendship About INSV Kaundinya Showcasing Indigenous Maritime Heritage Civilisational and Strategic Significance The voyage and reception of Read More …

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) on 15 January 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex, New Delhi. Theme of the Conference About CSPOC India as the Host Chair and Participation

he London-based Henley Passport Index 2026, which ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, has named Singapore as the country with the world’s most powerful passport. Top Performers in 2026 India’s Performance Lowest Ranked Country About the Henley Passport Index

The United States, along with its regional partners, has opened a new combined air and missile defence coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to enhance joint responses to aerial threats across West Asia. About the New Coordination Cell According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the facility—named the Middle Eastern Air Defense–Combined Defense Operations Cell (MEAD-CDOC)—has been established within the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid. Read More …

The newly appointed United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, has invited India to join the Pax Silica initiative, signalling a softening of tensions between the two countries. The invitation comes about a month after India was left out of the US-led initiative, indicating a recalibration in Washington’s approach towards New Delhi. About Pax Silica Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced Read More …

At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Friedrich Merz, paid an official visit to India from 12–13 January 2026. This marked Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to India and his first visit to Asia since assuming office, underscoring Germany’s growing strategic focus on India in the Indo-Pacific. Strategic Partnership Reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed their commitment to significantly Read More …

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi delivered India’s national statement at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on 11 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, reaffirming India’s strong commitment to a just, equitable, affordable, and sustainable global energy transition. Ambitious Climate and Energy Targets Reiterated The Minister reiterated India’s pledge to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel installed power capacity Read More …

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began his first official visit of 2026 in Europe, travelling to Paris and Luxembourg, amid major shifts in global politics and the international order. India–Weimar Triangle Meeting in ParisIn Paris, Mr. Jaishankar met his French, German and Polish counterparts for the India–Weimar Triangle meeting, marking India’s growing engagement with key European powers. Why Europe FirstThe Minister said he chose Europe to kick-start the year as Read More …

Fossilized bones and teeth dating back around 773,000 years have been unearthed from a cave in Casablanca, Morocco, offering crucial new insights into the early evolution of Homo sapiens in Africa. Researchers say the remains likely belonged to archaic humans closely related to the direct ancestors of modern humans. Site of Discovery: Grotte à HominidésThe fossils were found in a cave known as Grotte à Hominidés, which appears to have Read More …

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro appeared before a U.S. federal court in Manhattan on 5 January 2026 and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges brought by the U.S. government, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug trafficking, weapons and related offences. During the brief arraignment hearing, Maduro described himself as “innocent” and “still president of my country” and said he had been “captured” or “kidnapped” by U.S. forces in Caracas. “Prisoner of War” Read More …

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal undertook an official visit to Liechtenstein on 7 January 2026, marking the first ministerial visit of the year. The visit underscores India’s commitment to fast-tracking the implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). Focus on Implementing TEPAThe visit aims to translate TEPA into sustained trade, investment and manufacturing partnerships. TEPA is India’s first free trade agreement with a Read More …

On 7 January 2026, the US military intercepted and seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in international waters northwest of Scotland (the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap). Geopolitical Significance Legal & International Relations Framework

The United States has announced its withdrawal from more than 60 international organisations, including several United Nations bodies and the India–France-led International Solar Alliance (ISA). US President Donald Trump signed a memorandum titled “Withdrawing the United States from International Organisations, Conventions, and Treaties that are Contrary to the Interests of the United States” on 7 January. Following the signing, Trump stated that continued membership and support for these organisations were Read More …

The United Nations has declared 2026 as the ‘International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists’, highlighting the ecological, economic and cultural importance of rangelands and the communities that depend on them. FAO to Lead Global ObservanceThe Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will serve as the lead agency for the International Year, working in collaboration with other UN bodies, governments, civil society organisations and pastoralist groups worldwide. What are Rangelands?Rangelands cover around Read More …

On January 3, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, U.S. military forces launched strikes on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and seized President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, culminated in their transfer to New York, where they are set to stand trial on drug trafficking charges. Questions Over Legality Under International LawLegal experts and international law scholars have warned that the Read More …