Operation Sindoor (May 2025) Establishes India's 'New Normal' Policy Against Terrorism, US Designates TRF as FTO

US Warns India Against Helping Iran Evade Sanctions After Modi-Pezeshkian Meet at SCO Summit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that any country, including India, that helps Iran evade sanctions will face sanctions. This came after PM Modi met Iranian President Pezeshkian at the SCO Summit in Bishkek. Modi used the platform to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy for conflict resolution, highlighting the impact of the West Asia war on the Global South.

UNSC Report: Red Fort Attack 'Officially Attributed' to Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)

The UN Security Council's monitoring team has officially attributed the November 2025 Red Fort terror attack to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), highlighting the group's evolution into a decentralized regional entity. The report also raises concerns about AQIS exploiting Bangladesh for new cells and notes ongoing threats from ISIL-K and TTP in Afghanistan.

PM Modi at 26th SCO Summit Urges Action Against Terrorism as 'Strategic Asset'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, called for dismantling the entire ecosystem of terrorism and opposed double standards. He linked peace in Eurasia to Afghanistan's stability and emphasized dialogue over conflict in West Asia. This is crucial for India's foreign policy and security approach.

SCO Bishkek Declaration 2026: India Achieves Objectives on Terrorism, Connectivity, and Central Asia Ties

The SCO Bishkek Declaration (2026) condemns cross-border terrorism and attacks on Iran. India used the platform to reiterate its stance on state-sponsored terrorism and push connectivity via INSTC and Chabahar. The summit highlights India's strategic autonomy and the challenge of converting soft power in Central Asia into tangible economic and connectivity gains.

PM Modi at BRICS 2026 Warns Against Weaponisation of Tech, India Proposes Early Warning System

At the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, PM Modi warned against weaponising technology and critical minerals, stressing the need for BRICS unity to tackle geopolitical tensions affecting the Global South. Key outcomes include a consensus on a BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for infectious diseases and a logistics supply chain cooperation framework.

4th PCA Award Against India: Ratle Project Halted, Treaty Remains in Force as India Keeps Abeyance

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has issued its fourth award against India, ruling that India's decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance is impermissible and ordering a halt to the Ratle Hydroelectric Project. India rejects the PCA as illegally constituted and maintains the treaty is effectively dead. Meanwhile, India is pushing ahead with eight major infrastructure projects on the western rivers worth ₹50,000 crore, signalling a decisive shift in its water-sharing stance.

India Unveils PRAHAAR Policy, Shifts from Restraint to Proactive Counter-Terrorism

India has evolved from a passive counter-terrorism posture to a proactive, punitive strategy, marked by cross-border surgical strikes, Operation Sindoor (2025), and the release of its first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, 'PRAHAAR' (Feb 2026). This shift, from restraint to treating cross-border terror as an 'act of war', is a critical development for UPSC, MPSC, and Security-focused exams.

India Raises Concerns on US SRIA Law Allowing 100% Tariff on Russian Oil Buyers

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India's concerns over the newly signed US 'Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act' (SRIA), which authorizes up to 100% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India. India reiterated its commitment to protect its economic interests and ensure energy security.