An interim trade agreement between India and the U.S. has raised concerns regarding its impact on key stakeholders, particularly farmers. While the U.S. will reduce tariffs on certain Indian industrial goods, India has made concessions on agricultural imports and committed to purchasing $500 billion in U.S. energy and tech products over five years. Critics argue the deal lacks explicit protections for sensitive agricultural products like cereals, unlike previous Indian FTAs. Furthermore, the agreement addresses long-standing Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), potentially opening Indian markets to Genetically Modified (GM) food products, raising questions about food security and sovereign decision-making.
- The deal involves India reducing tariffs on a wide range of U.S. food and agricultural products.
- A major commitment includes India purchasing $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including aircraft and technology, over five years.
- There are concerns that the deal might allow the import of GM food products, which India has historically resisted.
Debris bearing the ISRO logo and the National Emblem was discovered on an uninhabited island in the Maldives. Experts believe the debris, likely a payload fairing, originated from the LVM3-M6 mission launched on December 19, 2025. This mission was a dedicated commercial flight that successfully deployed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile. The LVM3 is India's heaviest rocket, featuring a three-stage design. This incident follows a similar discovery in Sri Lanka in late 2025, highlighting the geographical spread of space debris from Indian launches.
- The debris was found on L. Kunahandhoo island in the Maldives on February 12.
- The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3) is ISRO's heaviest rocket, used for significant commercial and national missions.
- The LVM3-M6 mission was a commercial launch for the U.S. company AST SpaceMobile.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the AI Impact Summit 2026 and the India AI Expo in New Delhi. The event, attended by global tech leaders and representatives from 20 countries, focuses on a 'human-centric' approach to AI for the 'economic good of all.' Unlike developed nations seeking regulatory frameworks, India emphasizes equitable access to AI resources and rule-making for developing economies. The summit features three thematic chakras: People, Planet, and Progress. It aims to showcase AI's transformative potential in the Global South and includes bilateral talks with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The summit is the first of its kind to be hosted in a Global South country, focusing on inclusive AI development.
- The 'India AI Expo' features pavilions from 13 countries and demonstrations of AI startups.
- India advocates for the voice of developing economies in global digital policy forums.
As AI transformation unfolds unevenly across Asia, there is an urgent need for a shared governance framework to build trust among stakeholders. Different countries have varying agendas: South Korea focuses on chip dominance, Singapore on being a 'pace-setter,' and China on sovereign control. India, positioned as a leader in the Global South, advocates for a 'human-centric' approach. A trusted AI ecosystem requires foundational layers like representative data infrastructure, resilient AI infrastructure, and widespread AI literacy. A regional framework would ensure technological progress translates into inclusive human development while mitigating risks like misinformation and deepfakes.
- AI governance must balance innovation with accountability to prevent risks like misinformation and debt traps.
- India's AI Governance Guidelines (November) and South Korea's AI Basic Act (January 2026) are key regional legislative steps.
- A common framework should be interoperable with global norms, such as UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
The economic relationship between India and the UAE has seen significant growth following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. Bilateral trade reached $100 billion five years ahead of schedule, leading to a new target of $200 billion by 2030. The corridor is evolving beyond oil trade into sectors like advanced manufacturing, financial services, and green energy. Major investments from DP World, ADNOC, and Mubadala are flowing into India, while Indian enterprises are expanding internationally. The partnership is also exploring cooperation in AI infrastructure and digital public infrastructure, positioning both nations as leaders in the Global South.
- The 2022 CEPA eliminated tariffs on roughly 90% of tariff lines, boosting non-oil trade significantly.
- A new bilateral trade target of $200 billion has been set for 2030, reflecting the rapid pace of integration.
- The corridor is being reshaped by investments in low-carbon chemicals, solar-plus-storage projects, and healthcare.
The Interim Agreement between India and the U.S. is undergoing scrutiny regarding tariff reductions and specific sector impacts. The U.S. has agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs to 18% on Indian imports, benefiting the textile sector. However, controversy exists over whether India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, a claim the Indian government categorically denies. In agriculture, India has agreed to eliminate tariffs on various U.S. products like nuts and processed fruits, while maintaining that sensitive items like dairy and pulses remain protected. The deal also includes a 'buy American' intention involving $500 billion worth of goods over five years.
- The deal aims for a reciprocal tariff of 18%, down from the existing 25% on certain goods like textiles.
- India's textile sector is a major beneficiary, especially with new clauses regarding cotton sourcing and duty-free access.
- The 'buy American' intention involves India potentially purchasing $500 billion worth of U.S. goods in energy, tech, and aircraft.
A study published in 'Earth’s Future' shows that the Indus and Ganga river systems are moving in opposite hydrological directions. Between 1980 and 2021, annual streamflow in the Indus basin rose by 8%, primarily due to increased precipitation from western disturbances. Conversely, the Ganga basin saw a 17% reduction in flow. The decline in the Ganga is largely attributed to intensive groundwater pumping for irrigation, which has reversed the natural flow between aquifers and rivers in some stretches. This has significant implications for water security and requires coordinated groundwater regulation under the Indus Waters Treaty framework.
- Indus basin flow increase is linked to variable monsoon contributions and western disturbances affecting the main river and tributaries.
- Ganga basin decline is driven by 60% to 80% groundwater extraction, particularly during weak monsoon years.
- The study utilized a high-resolution, physics-based hydrological model linking rainfall, groundwater, and irrigation.
The Indian government is set to host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, aiming for at least 15 tangible outcomes and deliverables. The summit will see participation from over 100 countries, including heads of state from Brazil, France, and Spain. A key confirmed outcome is India's entry into the US-led Pax Silica initiative, an alliance focused on building a resilient electronics supply chain. The event aims to move beyond discussion to create international bodies for AI governance, similar to the International Solar Alliance, and will feature India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) as a central research body.
- The summit focuses on 'tangible outcomes' rather than just being a platform for theoretical AI discussion.
- India's AI Safety Institute (AISI) is part of a global trend of creating research bodies for AI safety and ethics.
- The Pax Silica initiative is a strategic alliance aimed at securing the global electronics and semiconductor supply chain.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman advocated for the 'polluter pays' principle to mitigate climate change. She called for 'differentiated responsibility' among nations, emphasizing that advanced economies with historical emissions must contribute more to climate funding. Sitharaman highlighted that countries with lower emissions should not be forced to pay equally. She also urged for strong technological cooperation on a commercial basis and stressed the importance of resilience and adaptation alongside emissions control. The Minister noted India's increased GDP spending on climate action despite global challenges and the withdrawal of some nations from climate agreements.
- The 'polluter pays' principle suggests that those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it.
- Differentiated responsibility acknowledges that developed nations have a greater historical role in global warming.
- India is focusing on both emissions control and resilience/adaptation to protect human lives and livestock.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan stated that post-Independence India believed the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement had settled its northern border with China. While the McMahon Line existed in the east, the Ladakh border was not clearly defined. India assumed the legitimacy of the border was reinforced by identifying six passes for trade and pilgrimage. However, China later maintained that the agreement was strictly for trade and did not reflect their stance on the border dispute. This historical perspective highlights the roots of the ongoing territorial disagreements and the strategic ambiguity that followed the 1954 pact.
- India initially viewed the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement as a de facto settlement of the northern border with China.
- The McMahon Line served as the boundary in the eastern sector, but the western sector in Ladakh remained ill-defined.
- The agreement identified six mountain passes intended for trade and pilgrimage between India and the Tibet region.
India is navigating a complex trade landscape with the U.S., involving a 'Framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal trade.' The U.S. has rescinded certain punitive tariffs on India, contingent on India reducing its reliance on Russian oil. This deal raises concerns about India's strategic autonomy and its relationships with other partners like Iran and Russia. Critics argue the deal might be one-sided, with India committing to massive purchases of U.S. goods and aligning its foreign policy. The situation tests India's 'multi-alignment' strategy and its commitment to strategic projects like the Chabahar port in Iran.
- The U.S. rescinded 25% punitive tariffs on India under the condition that India significantly reduces or stops buying Russian oil.
- India has reportedly committed to buying $500 billion worth of U.S. products, including energy and agricultural goods, to balance trade.
- The deal could impact India's standing in BRICS and its strategic projects like the Chabahar port due to U.S. pressure regarding Iran.
As traditional multilateral structures like the UN and WTO decline due to power politics, India must reframe its foreign policy. The article suggests moving beyond 'strategic autonomy' toward building 'endogenous capabilities' and pursuing 'Viksit Bharat 2047.' With the world shifting toward a U.S.-China bipolarity, India should prioritize trade diplomacy, diversify exports, and strengthen ties with Asia and Africa. Furthermore, it advocates for a pragmatic shift in relations with Pakistan, viewing it as a foreign policy and economic opportunity rather than just a security challenge, to unlock regional potential like the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.
- Global multilateralism is being replaced by transactional relationships and power-based blocs.
- India needs to build internal technological and manufacturing strength to maintain global influence.
- Trade diplomacy and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with emerging markets are vital for economic growth.
Researchers have identified nearly 30 inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit at tombs in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, dating between the 1st and 3rd Centuries CE. This path-breaking finding sheds light on ancient trade links between Tamilagam, other parts of India, and the Roman Empire. The name 'Cikai Korran' appears repeatedly, inscribed eight times across five tombs. Scholars suggest these individuals were visitors from the Indian subcontinent who followed the practice of leaving their names inside tombs. The findings signify a shift in archaeological focus from Red Sea ports like Berenike to the Nile River valley.
- Inscriptions were found in the Theban Necropolis, specifically the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
- The discovery confirms active trade and cultural exchange between the Indian subcontinent and the Roman Empire during the early centuries CE.
- The name 'Korran' found in the inscriptions is also present in the Sangam corpus, specifically in Purananooru.
Leading private space companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, are increasingly prioritizing lunar missions over long-term Mars ambitions. This pivot is driven by immediate external demand, primarily from NASA’s Artemis program, and the need to mature technologies in a closer, more accessible environment. The Moon serves as a critical testing ground for life-support systems and heavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship. Additionally, the lunar race has become a symbol of geopolitical leadership, with the U.S. aiming to return humans to the Moon before rival nations. This shift reflects a pragmatic approach to building a sustainable space economy.
- The Moon is a 'week away by rocketflight,' making it a more feasible immediate target than Mars for testing technology.
- NASA's Artemis program provides the primary funding and demand for lunar lander development in the private sector.
- SpaceX’s Starship is being developed as a transport system for both lunar and interplanetary travel.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the world on a scale comparable to the Industrial Revolution. Beyond Large Language Models (LLMs), AI is becoming a critical instrument in diplomacy, state-craft, and modern warfare. The conflict in Ukraine has already demonstrated the power of 'game age technology,' where AI-driven drones and electronic warfare redefine the battlefield. However, the rapid advancement of AI brings significant risks, including the potential for autonomous systems to escape human control. Experts call for effective global oversight and a set of 'checks and balances' to prevent AI from becoming a runaway threat to humankind.
- AI is shifting from a secondary tool to a primary enabler of national competitiveness and military power.
- The 'militarisation of AI' is moving warfare from human-controlled to autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making.
- Concerns exist regarding AI 'hallucinations' in judicial settings and the potential for autonomous drone swarms to cause mass casualties.
The 'New' Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the U.S. and Russia expired on February 5, 2026, marking the end of a pivotal era in nuclear arms control. Originally signed in 2010, the treaty limited both nations to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads. Its expiration, amidst shifting global geopolitics and the rise of China as a nuclear power, raises fears of a renewed arms race. U.S. leadership has indicated that future agreements must include China. The end of START threatens other international frameworks like the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), necessitating a new, more inclusive approach to global nuclear stability.
- The New START Treaty was the last remaining major arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia.
- The treaty had successfully reduced deployed warheads from Cold War peaks to 1,550 per side.
- Geopolitical shifts towards 'imperialist structures' and tariff wars are undermining traditional arms control diplomacy.
Bangladesh is set to replace Indian cotton with U.S.-produced cotton following a landmark U.S.-Bangladesh trade deal. The agreement provides Bangladesh with a 19% tariff reduction (to zero) on textile products if they use U.S. cotton or man-made fibers. This move aims to grant Bangladesh greater access to the massive U.S. textile market. However, experts warn this could restrict Bangladesh from exploring other competitive markets. Historically, India has been a major supplier, exporting $1.6 billion worth of cotton yarn to Bangladesh in 2024. The shift follows a period of strained trade relations and tit-for-tat restrictions between the two neighbors.
- A new trade deal eliminates the 19% tariff on Bangladeshi textiles using U.S. cotton, incentivizing a shift away from Indian raw materials.
- Bangladesh traditionally imported cotton from India and Central Asia due to a lack of domestic production for its large textile sector.
- The deal is seen as a 'game changer' for access to the U.S. market, which is the largest textile market for Bangladeshi manufacturers.
As India prepares to chair the Kimberley Process (KP) in 2026, there is a significant opportunity to reform the mechanism governing 'conflict diamonds.' The current system, established in 2003, faces criticism for its narrow definition of conflict and susceptibility to political vetoes. India can leverage its position as a major diamond processing hub to introduce technological reforms like blockchain-based certification. Proposed improvements include independent third-party audits, technical support for African producer nations, and aligning KP goals with Sustainable Development Goals to ensure diamond revenues support community development.
- India will assume the chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for the year 2026.
- The KP is a tripartite setup of governments, industry organizations, and civil society to prevent 'conflict diamond' trade.
- India proposes using blockchain-based certification to reduce fraud and enhance transparency in diamond shipments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malaysia marks a significant shift in bilateral relations, moving past recent strains. Both nations issued a joint statement unequivocally condemning terrorism and cross-border terrorism. Key agreements include an MoU on semiconductors involving IIT Madras Global and the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia. Discussions covered trade, defense, energy, and digital technologies. Importantly, both sides chose to avoid public discussion on contentious issues like the stay of preacher Zakir Naik and focused on reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
- The visit aimed to repair ties after strains in 2024 and 2025 regarding remarks on regional security.
- A major MoU was signed for semiconductor cooperation between IIT Madras Global and Malaysia's Advanced Semiconductor Academy.
- Both nations committed to strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Myanmar's military junta conducted elections in phases starting late 2025, which have been widely criticized for lacking credibility and inclusivity. For India, Myanmar is a vital gateway to Southeast Asia under the 'Act East Policy'. New Delhi faces a complex challenge: supporting democratic transitions while maintaining a functional relationship with the junta to protect security and connectivity interests. Key infrastructure projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project face delays due to internal conflict. India continues its humanitarian role, exemplified by 'Operation Brahma' during the March 2025 earthquake, while avoiding explicit political endorsement of the regime.
- Myanmar's elections were held under military control, leading to a significant credibility deficit and international criticism.
- India views Myanmar as a strategic neighbor essential for its Act East Policy and Northeast security.
- Major connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway are delayed due to regional instability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kuala Lumpur resulted in the signing of 11 significant agreements between India and Malaysia. The pacts cover high-priority sectors including defense, energy, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors. A key highlight is the promotion of trade settlement using local currencies—the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit—to bypass third-party currency dependencies. Malaysia also formally extended its support for India's permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Both nations emphasized maritime security, counter-terrorism, and ASEAN centrality within the Indo-Pacific region to ensure regional stability and economic growth.
- India and Malaysia signed 11 agreements focusing on security, semiconductors, and digital technologies.
- Both nations agreed to facilitate bilateral trade using the Indian Rupee and Malaysian Ringgit.
- Malaysia officially backed India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
India and the United States have announced a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs and enhancing market access. India will remove or reduce tariffs on industrial goods and various agricultural products, while the U.S. will lower its tariffs on Indian imports to 18%. A significant aspect involves India's commitment to purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. products, including energy and aircraft, over five years. However, sensitive agricultural items like dairy remain excluded. The deal also addresses non-tariff barriers and digital trade rules, signaling a strengthening of bilateral economic ties and supply chain resilience.
- The framework aims for an interim agreement leading toward a more comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
- India has committed to purchasing $500 billion in U.S. goods, including energy, aircraft, and technology products, over the next five years.
- The U.S. rescinded 25% punitive tariffs on Indian goods, which were originally imposed in August 2025.
Following the expiration of the New START treaty, the United States has urged Russia and China to enter into a new three-way nuclear arms control agreement. U.S. officials criticized the original New START for fundamental flaws, including a lack of transparency regarding China's growing nuclear arsenal. While the U.S. and Russia previously limited themselves to 1,550 warheads each, the world now finds itself without a treaty to curb the most destructive weapons for the first time in decades. China has rejected joining disarmament talks, citing its smaller arsenal, while Russia insists that any new deal must also include France and Britain.
- The New START treaty, the last major arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia, has officially lapsed.
- The U.S. seeks a trilateral deal to include China, whose nuclear arsenal currently lacks international limitations or transparency.
- Russia argues that future nuclear talks must involve other nuclear-armed states like France and the United Kingdom for parity.
The Indian government informed Parliament that it has fully paid its $120 million commitment for the procurement of equipment for Iran's Chabahar port. This payment was completed well before the U.S. sanctions waiver is set to expire in April 2026. However, the government acknowledged that managing the port effectively remains difficult unless the U.S. withdraws sanctions. The port is a vital link for India to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. While the opposition criticized the government for potentially opting out due to reduced budget allocations, the Ministry of External Affairs maintains its commitment to the project's long-term viability.
- India has fulfilled its financial commitment of $120 million for port equipment as per a 10-year MoU signed in May 2024.
- The U.S. has issued a conditional sanctions waiver for the Chabahar project that extends until April 26, 2026.
- Chabahar port is strategically essential for India to transport humanitarian aid and food supplies to Afghanistan and Central Asia.