In a significant political and administrative development for India’s Northeast, the Government of India, the Nagaland state government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) have signed a historic tripartite agreement to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). The agreement, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah  and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, represents a major breakthrough after years of negotia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  is set to make history during his upcoming visit to Assam  on February 14 by landing on a specially constructed emergency airstrip built on a national highway near Moran in the Dibrugarh district. This will be the first operational highway airstrip in Northeast India, representing a major milestone in the region’s infrastructure and strategic aviation capabilities. The 4.2-kilometre stretch of National Highway 127 has been designed to function as

India and the United States have concluded a major trade agreement that sharply reduces US import duties on a wide range of Indian exports, marking one of the most significant resets in bilateral trade relations in recent years. The deal rolls back punitive tariffs that had reached as high as 50 percent, restoring competitiveness for Indian exporters and providing relief to labour-intensive industries that form the backbone of India’s manufacturing and export economy. The agr

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar  has called for urgent and coordinated global action to reduce the risks created by highly concentrated critical minerals supply chains, warning that the current structure poses serious economic, technological, and national security vulnerabilities. Speaking at the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, Jaishankar  underscored that dependence on a narrow group of suppliers has transformed minerals from a commerci

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to conduct one of its most significant air power demonstrations in recent years through Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026, scheduled for February 27 near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, close to the Pakistan  border. The large-scale exercise is designed to demonstrate India’s full-spectrum aerial warfare capabilities, highlighting operational readiness in a region of high strategic sensitivity. Held at the Pokhran and Chandan Field Firing Ranges, the e

India and the United States  are on the verge of concluding the first phase of a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, a move expected to significantly reshape economic ties between the two democracies. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal  has confirmed that a joint statement outlining the framework of the deal is likely within days, with a legally binding agreement targeted for signing by mid-March. The agreement is being seen as a landmark step in resetting

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have taken a decisive step toward strengthening their economic and strategic partnership by agreeing on the Terms of Reference (ToR) to formally begin negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The move clears the path for long-awaited talks and signals a renewed push to deepen India’s engagement with one of the world’s most economically and energy-rich regions. The announcement was confirmed by Union Commerce and

A wave of intense solar activity has placed space agencies across the world on high alert, following a series of powerful solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupting from the Sun in early February 2026. These eruptions, originating from highly active sunspot regions, have sent charged particles toward Earth, raising serious concerns about potential disruptions to satellite operations, radio communications, GPS systems, and power infrastructure. Scientists have con

India and Canada  are close to finalising a landmark uranium supply agreement valued at nearly $3 billion, a move that would significantly strengthen India’s civil nuclear energy programme. The long-term contract, expected to span around a decade, is likely to see Canadian uranium giant Cameco Corp supply fuel for India’s nuclear reactors, supporting both existing facilities and upcoming projects. The deal comes at a time when India is rapidly expanding its clean and reliable

India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft  (AMCA) programme has entered a decisive new phase, marking a historic shift in the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  (HAL), long the backbone of India’s combat aircraft production, is no longer in contention for building the first prototypes of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Instead, three major private-sector companies— Tata Advanced Systems , Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Bharat F

India and China  recorded a historic milestone in 2025, with bilateral trade reaching a record $155.6 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of over 12 percent. The achievement was confirmed by Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, and marks a significant rebound in economic engagement between the two Asian giants after years of strained relations following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The surge in trade underscores the resilience o

India and the United States  have finalised a significant trade agreement that signals a major reset in bilateral economic relations. Following direct engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and US President Donald Trump, Washington announced a steep reduction in tariffs on Indian exports, cutting duties from levels as high as 50 per cent to a uniform 18 per cent. The move ends a period of escalating trade tensions and is being seen as a breakthrough that could reinv

India and Kyrgyzstan have launched the 13th edition of their annual joint military exercise, KHANJAR-XIII, at Misamari in Assam’s  Sonitpur district. The exercise, scheduled to run from February 4 to February 17, marks a continued effort by both nations to deepen defence ties and enhance military cooperation in response to evolving regional and global security challenges. The joint drill reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Kyrgyzstan and highlights th

India has achieved a significant milestone in advanced missile propulsion with the Defence Research and Development Organisation  (DRDO) successfully demonstrating Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology. The test, conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha , represents a critical step forward in India’s efforts to develop next-generation, long-range air-to-air missile systems. This successful demonstration places India among a select group of nations that

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  has described the newly announced India–United States trade agreement as the outcome of sustained patience and long-term diplomatic effort, while addressing leaders of the National Democratic Alliance in Parliament. According to senior government sources, the Prime Minister told NDA MPs that earlier phases of negotiation had drawn criticism and skepticism, particularly when India resisted pressure on tariffs and market access. However, the govern

India and the United States  have reached a major trade agreement that significantly reduces US tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, marking a decisive reset in bilateral economic relations. The agreement follows a direct engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and US President Donald Trump , signalling a political and strategic commitment to stabilising trade ties after a period of heightened tensions. Over the past year, Indian exports had faced sharply elevated tariffs

The Union Budget 2026-27  marks a significant evolution in India’s infrastructure and logistics strategy, with inland waterways and coastal shipping emerging as central pillars of the government’s long-term growth vision. By tapping into India’s extensive river systems and vast coastline, the government aims to fundamentally restructure freight movement, reduce transportation costs, and promote more environmentally sustainable modes of transport. This water-led approach is po

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar  has begun a significant visit to the United States at a time when India-US relations are navigating both growing strategic alignment and rising trade-related tensions. The three-day visit is centred on high-level discussions around critical minerals, trade negotiations, and broader economic and technology cooperation, reflecting how supply chain security and industrial policy have become central to modern diplomacy. The visit comes aga

The Union Budget 2026  has marked a significant shift in how India plans to preserve, present, and promote its vast archaeological and civilisational legacy. By announcing the redevelopment of 15 major archaeological and heritage sites, the government has positioned heritage tourism as both a cultural priority and a strategic economic growth engine. The initiative reflects a broader vision of integrating conservation with technology, tourism, education, and regional developme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s  visit to Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar has emerged as a major political and social event in Punjab, widely seen as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s intensified efforts to connect with the state’s large Dalit population. The visit, which took place on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti and shortly after the presentation of the Union Budget, blended religious observance with strong political messaging. The Prime Minister paid homage at