In a significant boost to bilateral relations, the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the associated Double Contribution Convention officially entered into force on July 15, 2026. This landmark pact provides duty-free access to nearly 99 percent of Indian exports in the UK market, marking a major milestone in strengthening economic ties between the two nations. The agreement is expected to enhance trade flows, support key industries, and foster gre

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Brussels has underscored the growing depth and momentum in India-EU relations. High-level meetings with senior European leaders focused on implementing key outcomes from the landmark January 2026 summit, particularly the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement, enhanced technological collaboration, and closer cooperation on security and maritime issues. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar) |

In a significant step towards enhancing border security in a strategically sensitive region, the Indian Defence Ministry has initiated the procurement of high-speed amphibious combat boats for deployment in the Sir Creek sector. These versatile platforms, designed to operate seamlessly on water and land, will support the Indian Army and Navy in conducting effective surveillance, anti-infiltration patrols, and rapid troop movements across difficult marshy terrain. The decision

India and the Maldives have achieved a promising milestone in their bilateral relations by concluding the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Held virtually between June 29 and July 7, 2026, these discussions reflect the growing commitment of both nations to deepen trade, investment, and overall economic cooperation. The talks come at a significant time, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. With steady progress alr

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is poised to significantly strengthen economic ties between the two nations as it takes effect on July 15, 2026. This landmark pact, accompanied by the Double Contribution Convention, represents one of India’s most ambitious trade initiatives and is expected to open substantial opportunities for businesses, exporters, and professionals on both sides. Industry leaders, including those from ASSOCHAM, view the agreem

India and Poland have taken another important step in strengthening their bilateral relations. Senior officials from both countries met in the Indian capital to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, defence, technology, and other vital sectors. The discussions highlight the steady gr owth of the India-Poland Strategic Partnership, which was elevated following high-level visits in recent years. "India's position is right": Poland backs New Delhi's stance on West Asia conflic

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Drone Federation of India (DFI), has launched the second edition of the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR 2.0) for 2026-27. This flagship programme under the SwaYaan initiative represents a significant milestone in fostering innovation among students and strengthening India’s capabilities in unmanned aerial systems through the integration of indigeno

In a notable update shared in the Assam Legislative Assembly, the state government has repatriated 1,679 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh over the two-year period from July 2022 to June 2024. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented these figures on July 13, 2026, during the budget session, marking a significant official disclosure on the state's actions regarding cross-border migration. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma submitted the data to the legislativ

India has voiced strong condemnation following the recent missile strike on two UAE-owned oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the tragic death of an Indian seafarer and injuries to several crew members. The Ministry of External Affairs described the incident as a serious threat to maritime security and international navigation, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to the safety of its citizens working at sea. India was hit hard when the West Asia conflict dis

In a significant diplomatic initiative, India has officially begun its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–2029 term. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally launched the bid at a special event at the UN Headquarters in New York, where he also held discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The campaign is built around the theme “#India4UNSC: Peace, Planet, Progress” and is guided by the vision of

It was a humid June evening in 2026 when New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, stood before cameras and dramatically opened his freezer. “It might be hot outside,” he declared, “but the rent is freezing.” With that gesture, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board delivered on one of his signature promises: a two-year rent freeze on roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments. For many tenants, the announcement brought immediate relief. For others, it confirmed a de

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India's significant advancements in medical research during his address at the 22nd convocation ceremony of King George's Medical University (KGMU). He noted that the country is establishing new global benchmarks by creating indigenous solutions to address pressing health challenges through innovative technologies such as gene therapy and nuclear medicine. Singh emphasised the evolving nature of India's health system, which has grown

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has firmly rejected a recent Reuters report suggesting that India had declined a swift interim trade deal with the United States. Describing the article as “completely false, baseless, and misleading,” Goyal stressed that both countries remain deeply engaged in constructive negotiations aimed at forging a mutually beneficial partnership. In a detailed statement shared on X, Goyal recalled the productive meetings with US Trade

In a notable policy adjustment, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has withdrawn the 2017 gazette notification that had imposed special travel restrictions on Indian citizens travelling to Yemen. The decision reflects a review of the prevailing conditions, yet the government continues to strongly discourage non-essential travel to the country amid ongoing security concerns in the region. India withdraws 2017 travel restriction notification for Yemen, urges Indians to avoi

The Delhi government has announced a major initiative to strengthen women’s safety in public transportation by introducing approximately 50 new women-only electric buses. This expansion aims to make daily commutes safer, more convenient, and reliable for women across the national capital, particularly students and working professionals who often travel during peak or off-peak hours. The new buses will incorporate multiple layers of security and modern amenities, reflecting th

The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mahendragiri (F-38), an advanced stealth guided-missile frigate, into its Eastern Fleet at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the ceremony, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to build a self-reliant and modern navy capable of addressing contemporary maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This induction reflects the growing capabilities of Indian shipbuilding and unders

In a transformative step towards enhancing self-reliance in defence, the Indian government is preparing to open the strategic missile sector to private Indian companies. This policy shift represents one of the most significant reforms in the country’s defence industrial ecosystem, traditionally dominated by public sector undertakings. The move aims to scale up production, foster innovation, and meet both domestic requirements and growing international interest. Image Used For

India and Canada have successfully concluded the third round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa, signalling strong momentum in their bilateral economic partnership. Held from July 6 to 10, 2026, the five-day talks covered a wide range of areas and demonstrated positive progress, with both nations reaffirming their shared goal of concluding the agreement by the end of 2026. This development underscores the growing commitment t

India and France have marked a significant milestone in their bilateral relations by holding the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals in New Delhi on July 6. This engagement underscores the growing emphasis both nations place on securing resilient supply chains for resources vital to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and long-term economic security. Officials from both sides identified areas of common interest. | NDTV Backg

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly countered recent comments by US Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing that Israel enjoys broad international support beyond its close partnership with the United States. In doing so, he singled out India as a nation where his country receives tremendous backing from its 1.4 billion people. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with PM Modi in February this year (X/@narendramodi) | Hindustan Times Netanyahu’s Response to Vance Dur