US Supreme Court Preserves Access to Mifepristone, Blocks Lower-Court Restrictions Citing Roe v. Wade Overturn Context

US Federal Judge Blocks 4-Year Visa Limit for F-1 Students, Pauses DHS Rule on Duration of Status

A US federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that would have capped F-1 student visas at 4 years, replacing the existing 'duration of status' system. This gives immediate relief to thousands of Indian students pursuing PhDs and longer-term programs, but the legal battle continues with a hearing set for October 2, 2026.

UN High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness: India Stresses Resilient Health Systems, Pathogen Access Benefit Sharing

India, represented by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, affirmed its commitment to global pandemic preparedness at a UN high-level meeting, emphasizing resilient health systems, digital public infrastructure, and fair access to health products. The article is crucial for aspirants as it ties India's COVID-19 experience to global health security frameworks like the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system.

India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty 2013: Political Offence Exception Under Article 6 Blocks Hasina Handover

Bangladesh has formally sought the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina from India under the 2013 bilateral extradition treaty. However, Article 6 (Political Offence Exception) and Article 8 (Good Faith Clause) provide India strong legal grounds to refuse, especially given the disputed ICT verdict. This case tests the treaty's resilience amid strained bilateral ties.

India Proposes Safeguards for WTO Plurilateral Deals, Blocks IFD Without Guardrails at General Council

India has softened its stance on plurilateral WTO agreements by proposing a 'common understanding on safeguards' to protect developing countries' rights, after the BRICS summit endorsed pathways for such initiatves. However, it maintains opposition to the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) pact unless systemic guardrails are in place. This shift marks a critical evolution in India's WTO reform strategy and could unlock stalled negotiations.

Jaishankar at 81st UNGA: Global South Front Row in Crises but Back Row in Decision-Making

EAM Jaishankar highlighted that the Global South faces the brunt of global crises but is excluded from decision-making structures. He called for reformed multilateralism, especially UNSC expansion, at the High-Level Meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UNGA.

France, UK Back Voluntary UNSC Veto Restraint as 128 States Endorse 2015 Initiative

France and the UK have backed voluntary regulation of the UNSC veto in mass atrocity situations, reviving the 2015 French-Mexican initiative now backed by 128 states. For aspirants, this is a high-yield IR topic linking UNSC reform, P5 veto politics, multilateralism, and India's push for global governance change — important for Prelims factual questions and Mains analytical answers.

Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Pact: New Islamic Alliance Reshapes West Asia Security

Israel's war on Gaza and the subsequent conflict with Iran have triggered the formation of a new Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact. This trilateral alliance signals a major shift in West Asian geopolitics, challenging the US-led security order and creating new strategic dynamics for India, Iran, and Israel.

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.