What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

Examiners may confuse the Javelin missile deal with other defence deals (e.g., Spike, Nag). Also, they may swap 'Foreign Military Sales (FMS)' with 'Direct Commercial Sales (DCS)' – FMS is government-to-government, DCS is direct company-to-country. For the Mecca Pact, they may wrongly include other nations like Qatar or Egypt.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Nepal flood death toll = 547 2. Target this Nodal Body: NDRRMA (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority) for Nepal disaster management 3. Target this Legal Point: Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) – the key document in FMS procurement

International RelationsDisaster Management

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Nepal Flood Death Toll at 547; India-U.S. Sign Javelin Missile Deal via FMS Route

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Javelin anti-tank missile deal: 1. The deal was signed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. 2. The Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) is a non-binding document in the FMS process. 3. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi welcomed the signing, calling it a step in the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: the article says the procurement is through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. Statement 2 is incorrect: the LOA is a binding legal document once signed. Statement 3 is correct: the U.S. Embassy welcomed the signing as demonstrating the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership. Hence option C is correct.

Q: What was the death toll from flash floods in Nepal as reported on August 28, 2026?

547, The article specifically states the death toll rose to 547 on August 28, 2026. Option A (500) is the approximate figure mentioned in the headline, while 575 and 600 are close distractors not mentioned in the text.

Q: What is the primary objective of the India-Canada Finance Ministers' Economic and Financial Dialogue mentioned in the news?

To reiterate commitment to conclude a trade deal by end of 2026 and explore a Bilateral Investment Treaty, The article states that the joint statement after the inaugural dialogue reiterated the commitment to conclude the trade deal by end of 2026, and India expressed readiness to begin negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Options A, B, and D are not mentioned in the context of this specific dialogue.

Intl. Relations Security & Defence Disaster Management PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

28 Aug 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:547Bhotekoshi RiverNDRRMAJavelin anti-tank guided missile systemForeign Military Sales (FMS)end of 2026

Bodies:NDRRMAU.S. Embassy New DelhiKolkata Municipal CorporationKolkata PoliceMadras High CourtNCLATNCLT

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Nepal's flash flood death toll reaches 547; NDRRMA warns of fresh floods due to rising Bhotekoshi River levels.

2.India and U.S. sign Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for Javelin anti-tank missile system via FMS route.

3.India-Canada trade deal commitment reiterated; joint statement issued after inaugural India-Canada Finance Ministers' Dialogue.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A devastating flash flood in Nepal has killed 547 people, with rising water levels in the Bhotekoshi River raising fears of further flooding. Meanwhile, India and the U.S. signed a deal for the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system through the Foreign Military Sales route, strengthening defence ties. These two stories highlight critical exam themes: disaster management and bilateral defence cooperation.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Nepal Flood Death Toll547

River at RiskBhotekoshi River

Nepal Disaster AuthorityNDRRMA (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority)

Missile System DealJavelin anti-tank guided missile system

Procurement RouteU.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS)

India-Canada Trade Deal TargetEnd of 2026

Manipur Ambush Toll4 Naga civilians killed

Mecca Pact SignatoriesSaudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan

1-Minute Revision

›Nepal Flood Death Toll: 547
›River at Risk: Bhotekoshi River
›Target this Data: Nepal flood death toll = 547
›Target this Nodal Body: NDRRMA (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority) for Nepal disaster management
›Target this Legal Point: Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) – the key document in FMS procurement

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News Snapshot

🌊

Nepal Flood Crisis

Flash flood death toll rises to 547; NDRRMA warns of further flooding as Bhotekoshi River water level increases.

🛡️

India-U.S. Defence Deal

India signs LOA with U.S. for Javelin anti-tank missile system via FMS route, deepening the Major Defence Partnership.

🤝

Trade & Diplomacy Updates

India and Canada reiterate commitment to conclude trade deal by 2026; Bangladesh considers joining the Mecca Pact.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Nepal, a Himalayan nation, is highly vulnerable to flash floods and glacial lake outbursts, especially during the monsoon season. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) is the nodal agency for disaster response. The Bhotekoshi River, a tributary of the Saptakoshi, is prone to sudden flooding, often exacerbated by landslides and glacial melt.

Core Analysis & Implications

The high death toll underscores the need for robust early warning systems and regional cooperation in disaster management, especially between India and Nepal given shared river systems. The India-U.S. Javelin missile deal via FMS route signals deepening strategic ties and interoperability. The FMS route is a government-to-government procurement mechanism, ensuring transparency and long-term logistics support.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

For Nepal, focus will be on rescue operations, rehabilitation, and strengthening disaster preparedness. For India-U.S. defence relations, the Javelin deal paves the way for more complex defence acquisitions. The India-Canada trade deal target of 2026 indicates a push for comprehensive economic partnership, with a Bilateral Investment Treaty also on the agenda.

Additional Dimension: Internal Security

The killing of four Naga civilians in Manipur highlights the fragile security situation in the Northeast. The incident underscores the need for better intelligence and community policing to prevent ambushes and inter-community violence.

Key Facts at a Glance

Nepal Flood Death Toll547

River at RiskBhotekoshi River

Nepal Disaster AuthorityNDRRMA (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority)

Missile System DealJavelin anti-tank guided missile system

Procurement RouteU.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS)

India-Canada Trade Deal TargetEnd of 2026

Manipur Ambush Toll4 Naga civilians killed

Mecca Pact SignatoriesSaudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which agency is responsible for disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Javelin anti-tank missile deal:

1. The deal was signed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.

2. The Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) is a non-binding document in the FMS process.

3. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi welcomed the signing, calling it a step in the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What was the death toll from flash floods in Nepal as reported on August 28, 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary objective of the India-Canada Finance Ministers' Economic and Financial Dialogue mentioned in the news?

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Nepal Flood Death Toll at 547; India-U.S. Sign Javelin Missile Deal via FMS Route

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Nepal Flood Crisis

India-U.S. Defence Deal

Trade & Diplomacy Updates

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Additional Dimension: Internal Security

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance