India Joins US-led Pax Silica Alliance on AI & Tech Supply Chains; India-US Trade Deal & Quad Talks Advanced

US Draft Letter to 35 Nations: Choose Sides in AI Race or Lose Pax Silica Access

The US is preparing to send a State Department draft letter to 35 countries, warning them that joining China's new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization is incompatible with membership in the US-led Pax Silica AI coalition. This marks a decisive push to force 'pick a side' alignment in the AI supply chain race, with Kazakhstan already caught in the middle. For aspirants, this is a key current-affairs data point on global technology bloc formation and US-China strategic rivalry.

India-China 25th Round of Special Representative Talks on Boundary Issue in Beijing

India and China resumed Special Representative-level border talks in Beijing after a gap, with both sides focusing on 'institutionalising stability' despite persistent structural differences. The talks are also significant as they precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected first visit to India in seven years for the BRICS Summit.

India-China Corps Commander Talks in Eastern Sector for 2 Days; 23 Rounds Since 2020

India and China held 2-day Corps Commander-level talks in the eastern sector (Arunachal Pradesh) amid tensions in Taksing area. This mechanism, active since 2020 in eastern Ladakh, has completed 23 rounds. The talks follow Special Representative meetings and set the stage for Xi Jinping's likely India visit for the BRICS Summit.

PM Modi Russia Bilateral: $100 Bn Trade Target by 2030, India Offers Peace Assistance

PM Modi assured Russia of India's readiness to assist in peace efforts for the Ukraine conflict and accepted President Putin's invitation for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. Key outcomes include a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030 and cooperation in nuclear energy, railways, and critical minerals.

BRICS Summit: India Keeps AI Insulated from National Rivalries as China Pitches Open Source Community

This editorial analyses AI governance at a crossroads: the US government is disregarding frontier AI developers' call for a global development slowdown, while the BRICS Summit offers an open-source, collaborative alternative. India's 'middle path'—opposing weaponisation but not joining protests against US-led models—is a key mains theme for IR, S&T, and security.

Xi Jinping's First US State Visit in Decade: Trade Truce, Rare Earths, AI in Focus

The Trump-Xi summit marks a critical moment for global trade, rare earth supply chains, and geopolitical stability. Key outcomes could affect India's economic ties and strategic positioning as the US and China navigate tensions over Taiwan, Iran, and AI.

25th Round of India-China SR-Level Boundary Talks: Doval Meets Wang Yi in Beijing

NSA Ajit Doval is in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representative-level talks on the India-China boundary issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This meeting is crucial as it aims to further stabilize ties after the 2020-2024 military standoff in eastern Ladakh, ahead of a possible Xi Jinping visit for the BRICS summit.

India-Uzbekistan Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Set $5 Billion Trade Target by 2030

India and Uzbekistan upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant deepening of ties. Key outcomes include a $5 billion annual trade target by 2030, a long-term uranium supply framework, and the establishment of a Coordination Council at the foreign ministers' level.