International Relations

United Nations & Global Institutions

United Nations Security Council (UNSC):
New members (2026–27) – Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia, Liberia; terms starting Jan 1, 2026.
United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
India elected 2026–28 term.
UNGA Gaza Resolution:
Spain-led; passed with 149 votes; demanded immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, prisoner exchange, lifting Gaza blockade. India abstained (4th abstention in 3 years).
UNGA Declaration:
- 2026 → International Year of the Woman Farmer.
- Dec 4 → International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures (from 2025).
UN80 Initiative:
Launched by UN Secretary-General to reform, strengthen UN (approaching 80th anniversary).
Pact for the Future:
India reaffirmed support at 3rd Informal UN dialogue.
Group of Friends (Peacekeepers Justice):
Justice for crimes against UN peacekeepers; India-led, launched 2022.
Jaishankar:
Opened Exhibition “Human Cost of Terrorism” (UN HQ, 2025).
Pakistan UNSC Presidency: July 2025.
UN:
Famine declared in Gaza (first in West Asia where lakhs are facing hunger).

BRICS & SCO

25th SCO Summit 2025 – Tianjin, China; 31 Aug–1 Sep; PM Modi participated; Tianjin Declaration; Kyrgyzstan next Chair; Xi announced $1.4 bn loan, BeiDou access.
SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Qingdao, China:
India refused to sign draft; draft did not mention Pahalgam terror attack (26 killed).
Modi-Xi Meet – Tianjin; Xi invited to BRICS 2026.
Modi-Putin Meet – Tianjin; reviewed ties; Putin invited for Annual Summit in India.
Eleventh BRICS Parliamentary Forum – Brasília, Brazil:
Condemned Pahalgam terror attack. Om Birla led the Indian delegation. India will host the next session in 2026.
BRICS Partner Countries:
Vietnam became 10th partner country, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan. Partner-country category established 2024 BRICS Summit, Kazan.

Multilateral Forums & Dialogues

International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM:
India hosted after 42 years. Formed 1945 Havana; HQ Montreal, Canada.
International Institute of Administrative Sciences Presidency:
India won presidency 2025–2028, first time. Est. 1930; HQ Brussels, Belgium; 31 member countries; works on public administration research.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):
51st session – Istanbul. Condemned Israel’s strikes in West Asia; criticised actions in Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied J&K. Founded 1969; 57 members; HQ Jeddah.
22nd Shangri-La Dialogue:
Held Singapore, May–June 2025. Organised by IISS. Gen. Anil Chauhan attended; spoke on “Future Wars and Warfare.”
IOMed (International Organisation for Mediation):
China-led initiative launched May 2025 Hong Kong; 33 founding members, mainly from BRI regions.
Quad Meet (Washington DC, 2025):
(S. Jaishankar – India), (Marco Rubio – US), (Wong – Australia), (Iwaya – Japan).
India to host 2025 Quad Leaders Summit.
ISA Regional Meet (Colombo – Sri Lanka): Solar cooperation.
Moldova – 107th member of ISA.
E3 (UK, France, Germany): Threaten JCPOA snapback on Iran.

International Agreements & Treaties

India–Morocco – MLAT & MoU on legal cooperation.
India–NZ – 1st Defence Dialogue; New Delhi.
India–Nigeria – Defence talks; New Delhi.
India–Singapore – 3rd Ministerial Roundtable; New Delhi.
India–Japan Summit (15th) – Tokyo; Chandrayaan-5 with Japan rover; JCM signed.
India–Oman CEPA – Aug 2025.
India–European FTA – Trade & Economic Partnership in force 1 Oct 2025.
India–Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement – updated extradition treaty.
India–Saudi Fertilizer Pact: (JP Nadda – Saudi Arabia).
India–Australia – WAVES Bazaar, Melbourne (film ties).
India–Fiji – India supplied cowpea seeds (Act East).
Kaladan Project: operational by 2027 (India–Myanmar–North-East); Kaladan river, Myanmar Sittwe port.
Tuvalu–Australia – Falepili Union Treaty; climate migration.
Armenia–Azerbaijan: US-brokered peace deal, ended Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Russia – withdrew from 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Geelong Treaty (AUKUS): Defence pact (Australia–UK).

Country-Specific Developments

US–Russia Alaska Summit – 15 Aug; no Ukraine agreement.
US–India – Trump doubled tariff on India’s Russian oil imports (50%).
US exit UNESCO: (3rd time, 2nd under current govt) – Israel issue.
US ends GAVI funding (Global Alliance for Vaccine & Immunization).
WHO “3 by 35”: Raise tobacco, alcohol, sugary drink prices 50% by 2035.
Ukraine: 125th State Party of ICC; HQ (Hague). Non-members: (India), (US), (Russia), (China), (Israel).
Ukraine exits Ottawa Convention (anti-landmines).
China Medog Hydropower: World’s largest (Yarlung Tsangpo – Tibet).
China – Nushu script revival.
Beijing: World Humanoid Robot Games 2025.
Russia: To welcome 1 mn Indian workers by end-2025.
Australia: Recognized Palestine at 80th UNGA 2025.
South Korea: Mobile phone classroom ban from 2026.
Kenya: Declared sleeping sickness-free (WHO).
Nepal: Joined the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Nepal: Declared Rubella-free (WHO).
Philippines President Marcos Jr.: Visited India; elevated to Strategic Partnership.
Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka: Visited India.
Bangladesh: July Declaration; interim govt draft constitution.
Turkey: Dardanelles Strait closed due to wildfires.
Turkey: Unveiled non-nuclear bomb “Gazap”.
Slovenia: 1st EU country arms ban on Israel.
Brazil: Filed WTO complaint vs US tariff.
Dubai: Launched One Freezone Passport for companies.
Illinois, USA: 1st state to ban AI therapy without human oversight.
Seattle, USA: Indian Tricolour hoisted on 79th Independence Day.
Om Birla: To lead Indian delegation at 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference at Barbados.
Elon Musk: Launched America Party.

Development Projects

Asian Development Bank (ADB):
Pledged $10 bn for India’s urban & metro projects. Founded 1966; HQ Manila, Philippines; 69 members.
Grand Inga Project (DRC):
World’s largest proposed hydropower scheme, Congo River, Inga Falls; World Bank assisting.
Ports of the Future: Launch (Mumbai, 2025).
Iran: Exercise Sustainable Power 1404; Gulf of Oman.
FILBo 2026: Book fair; India Guest of Honour; Bogotá, Colombia.