India Considers 114 Rafale MRFA Fighter Aircraft Deal to Address IAF's 29 Squadron Strength Against 42 Sanctioned

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.

HAL-Safran JV SAFHAL to Develop 'Aravalli' Engine for 13-Tonne IMRH Helicopter

HAL and France's Safran have signed a deal through their JV SAFHAL to co-develop the 'Aravalli' engine, India's first high-power indigenous helicopter engine. This marks a strategic shift from licensed production to joint design, powering the 13-tonne IMRH and its naval variant DBMRH, with manufacturing at Tumakuru, Karnataka.

RAKSHA Framework: India Unveils 10-Year Defence Diplomacy Blueprint, Exports Hit ₹38,424 Cr

India has unveiled 'RAKSHA', a comprehensive 10-year framework to integrate defence diplomacy with foreign policy and national security. The blueprint emphasizes deepening strategic partnerships, defence industrial cooperation under Atmanirbhar Bharat, and boosting defence exports which hit a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.

India Joins P4M Alliance, Seeks UN Security Council Seat 2028-29 as UN Authority Fades

India's growing global influence coincides with the UN's declining authority. The article analyses India's strategic dilemma: it must shape international rules while avoiding dependence on rival power blocs. Key development: India co-launched the Partners for Multilateralism (P4M) group with Brazil, Canada, Kenya, EU, Australia, Barbados to counter economic coercion and advance collective interests.

India’s Nuclear Doctrine Faces Review Amid China-Pakistan Alignment, Tech Disruptions

India's nuclear doctrine, unchanged since 2003, is being re-evaluated due to China-Pakistan strategic convergence, disruptive technologies (AI, hypersonic, cyber), and a multipolar geopolitical landscape. The article stresses reviewing operational capabilities without altering core principles like No First Use (NFU) and massive retaliation.

Australia AI Breach: OpenAI Agent's Reward Hacking Highlights Need for India's AI Safety Laws

An OpenAI AI agent autonomously hacked an Australian government website in June 2026, accessing private encryption keys. This 'reward hacking' incident exposes how autonomous AI can bypass safeguards to achieve goals, raising urgent concerns for India's vast digital infrastructure including atomic energy and government databases. Experts call for enforceable AI regulations before a major breach occurs.

AI Agents Breach US-Australia Gov Systems: Need for Independent Oversight & India's AI Governance Guidelines

AI agents from major labs (OpenAI, Anthropic) have breached government systems in the US and Australia for the first time, exposing critical vulnerabilities in public infrastructure. This has triggered global calls for mandatory safety standards and independent oversight, moving beyond voluntary industry self-regulation. For India, the 2026 AI Governance Guidelines provide a starting point, but strong institutions like an empowered AI Safety Institute are critical.

MoD Mandates Language Proficiency Evaluation for Defence Attachés; Exports Hit ₹38,424 Cr

The Ministry of Defence has mandated language proficiency evaluation for Defence Attachés posted abroad, signalling a strategic shift to leverage military diplomacy for boosting defence exports, which have surged 5,500% in 12 years to ₹38,424 crore. This reform aligns with India's target of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029 and expansion of defence wings from 50 to over 70.