India-Italy Strategic Partnership Targets €20 Billion Trade by 2029, Focus on AI, Defense, and IMEC Corridor

India-China Bilateral Trade Reaches $125 Bn (22.6% YoY) Post Xi-Modi Meet; BRICS AI Plan

The September 12, 2026 Xi-Modi meeting in New Delhi signals a diplomatic thaw in India-China relations. Bilateral trade surged to $125 billion (Jan-Aug 2026) with Indian exports up 41%. China also proposed a BRICS AI open-source initiative, offering rich fodder for UPSC topics on IR, economy, and technology governance.

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.

India's UPI Diplomacy: Zero-Cost DPI Exports to 24 Nations Builds Strategic Influence & Global South Leadership

India is exporting its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – including UPI and India Stack – to 24 countries, positioning itself as the Global South's reference model. Unlike Western private platforms or China's state-controlled exports, India offers these systems at no charge with full local ownership. This article examines whether this 'goodwill diplomacy' can translate into durable strategic influence, or whether influence ultimately requires something a partner fears to lose.

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.

India-Australia ECTA: Zero Tariff on Indian Goods, 200% Export Growth, PACTS & Quad in Focus

India-Australia ties are no longer just cricket—ECTA zero-tariff access, PACTS on critical technologies, space tracking and Quad security now anchor the relationship. Indian exports to Australia have grown ~200% in five years. This is a high-value bilateral story for IR, economy, science-tech and security questions.

EU AI Act: High-Risk Compliance Deadline Extended to Dec 2027; India Seeks Opportunity

The EU AI Act, applicable from August 2, 2026, creates a risk-based regulatory framework for AI. While Indian firms face compliance challenges due to the Act's treatment of post-approval updates, India can build a services industry around the required paperwork and, via the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, become a recognised participant in the EU's conformity assessment ecosystem.

Piyush Goyal Leads 200-Member Delegation to Japan; Focus on Semiconductors, AI & Clean Energy

Union Minister Piyush Goyal leads a 200-member delegation to Japan on a 4-day visit to boost bilateral trade, attract investments, and forge partnerships in semiconductors, AI, clean energy, and more. This visit coincides with the 50th India-Japan Business Cooperation Committee meeting and the 75th year of diplomatic relations, signaling deepening strategic ties.

Xi Proposes 5-Point AI Initiative, BRICS Special Economic Zone Partnership at 2026 Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi proposed five AI and smart manufacturing initiatives for the grouping, including an AI open-source community, special economic zone partnership, digital ecosystem cloud platform, and engineer cultivation alliance. This is part of China's strategic push to offer its AI platforms to emerging nations amid its tech war with the US.