PM Modi's Europe Trip: 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, $19 Bn Trade, Focus on Defence, Arctic & IMEEC

18th BRICS Summit, India-EU FTA, Houthi Seize Perim Island: UPSC Must-Know Topics

The 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi brings together 11 nations representing 36.8% of global GDP, with India balancing ties between West and East. Meanwhile, India-EU FTA nears completion (96% tariff elimination), and Houthi capture of Perim Island threatens Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. Exam angles: BRICS dynamics, India's strategic autonomy, maritime security, and trade pacts.

US-China Summit: 2-Month Trade Truce Extension, AI Safety Off Agenda, India Faces Russian Oil Tariff Risk

Trump-Xi summit (Sept 23-24, 2026) resulted in a symbolic but substance-light outcome. AI safety was dropped from talks, a 2-month trade truce extension was agreed, and India faces increased tariff pressure for buying Russian crude oil as China gets a temporary exemption. The summit reinforces India's suspicion that it is the primary US target under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.

India-Belgium Strengthen Defence & Fintech Ties, Agree to Double $13.01 Bn Bilateral Trade

India and Belgium agreed to expand defence ties including co-development and co-production, set up an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism, and aim to double bilateral trade over five years. PM Modi hosted Belgian PM Bart De Wever in Delhi, a visit described as the first by a Belgian PM in two decades. Key data points — $13.01 bn trade, $4.2 bn FDI, and 7.8% GDP growth — make this relevant for prelims and mains IR/economy questions.

BRICS Summit 2026: India Chairs 18th Summit, Adopts New Delhi Declaration with 140 Paragraphs on Trade, Health, Tourism

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi under India's presidency adopted the New Delhi Declaration, expanding the group to 10 full members and 10 partner countries. Key initiatives include Seafarers' Emergency Support Network, NIMHANS as nodal mental health centre, and condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack. The summit avoided mention of a common BRICS currency or Ukraine, focusing instead on cooperation.

2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi: Putin, Xi Attend; De-dollarization, Trade, and Geopolitical Strains in Focus

BRICS leaders, including Putin and Xi, met in New Delhi for a summit focused on trade, investment, and reducing reliance on the US dollar, amid wars in Ukraine and West Asia and US-China tensions. India hosted to balance ties with Russia/Iran and the West.

Trump-Xi Summit 2026: Xi Warns Against Thucydides Trap, Taiwan Tensions, Trade Truce Extended to Feb 2027

US President Trump and Chinese President Xi held high-stakes talks at the White House. Xi warned against the Thucydides Trap and called for dialogue. No concrete breakthroughs on Taiwan or Iran were reported, but a tariff truce was extended from November 2026 to February 2027. This impacts global trade and geopolitical stability—key for UPSC IR and current affairs.

Iran President Pezeshkian to Attend 18th BRICS Summit in India; Bilateral Talks on Chabahar and Strait of Hormuz

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit (Sept 12-13, 2026), marking his first visit since the Iran-US conflict. Key agenda includes bilateral talks on Chabahar port development and safety of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz. This is crucial for India's energy security and West Asia diplomacy.

PM Modi at SCO Summit: West Asia Crisis Threatens Global Energy, Trade, Supply Chains

PM Modi at the SCO Summit in Bishkek warned that the West Asia crisis (US-Israeli attacks on Iran) shows regional conflicts have global repercussions on energy, trade, and supply chains, disproportionately affecting the Global South. He emphasized dialogue and diplomacy over war, and called for unified action against terrorism without double standards. The summit also addressed connectivity, people-to-people ties, and India's SCO vision.