6th India-France Defence Dialogue Deepens Cooperation
On February 17, 2026, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, renewing their bilateral defence cooperation agreement for ten years. Key agreements included a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited and France’s Safran to manufacture HAMMER precision-guided missiles in India, alongside reciprocal deployment of officers between the Indian Army and French Land Forces.
Modi’s Israel Visit Elevates Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a state visit to Israel from February 25 to 26, 2026, elevating bilateral relations to a ‘Special Strategic Partnership’. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, where he declared India’s firm support for Israel. The visit yielded 27 bilateral outcomes, including 16 agreements and 11 joint initiatives spanning critical technologies, labour mobility, and agriculture, while announcing the establishment of a Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership.
India-Canada Uranium Deal and FTA Target
On March 2, 2026, India and Canada set a year-end target to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, alongside securing a CAD $2.6 billion uranium supply deal with Canadian company Cameco. The uranium agreement will supply approximately 10,000 tonnes from 2027 to 2035, supporting India’s nuclear energy expansion to 100 gigawatts by 2047. The countries aim to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 from nearly $9 billion in 2024-25.
India Eases China FDI Restrictions
On March 10, 2026, India’s Union Cabinet approved amendments to Press Note 3 of 2020—a policy requiring government approval for foreign direct investment (FDI) from countries sharing land borders with India, primarily targeting China. The changes allow investments through the automatic route when beneficial ownership from land-bordering countries is below 10% and non-controlling, while introducing a 60-day processing timeline for select manufacturing sectors, indicating a calibrated economic reopening with China.
Foreign Secretary Addresses UN Disarmament Forum
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the 2026 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, underscoring the importance of nuclear stability, the growing risks of weapons of mass destruction terrorism, and the need to develop global norms for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in military domains.
Raisina Dialogue Launches Science Diplomacy Initiative
The 11th Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier geopolitical conference, convened from March 5 to 7, 2026, in New Delhi with approximately 2,700 participants from 110 countries. The landmark event witnessed the launch of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative, a framework integrating science and technology into foreign policy with a focus on artificial intelligence governance, semiconductor supply chains, and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure for developing nations. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the conference, with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb delivering the keynote address under the theme ‘Saṃskāra: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement’.
India Secures Shipping Assurances Amid Gulf Tensions
Amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, India engaged in intensive diplomatic outreach with Iran to ensure the safety of its maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials indicated continued facilitation of passage for Indian-flagged vessels, reflecting New Delhi’s effort to maintain operational neutrality while safeguarding critical energy and trade flows. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that India’s approach would remain guided by national interest in a rapidly evolving regional crisis.
India–Africa Energy Cooperation Gains Momentum
India advanced its energy diplomacy with African partners through a high-level strategic engagement focused on renewable energy and grid connectivity. Discussions emphasised a shift from aid-based engagement to investment-led partnerships, including cooperation under the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative. The effort reflects India’s broader strategy to diversify energy partnerships beyond the Middle East and build long-term resilience in power supply systems.
Government Streamlines International MoU Approvals
The government removed the requirement for prior Union Cabinet approval for most non-binding international Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), delegating clearance authority to the Ministry of External Affairs with periodic review mechanisms to accelerate diplomatic engagement and reduce bureaucratic delays.
India Reports Strong GDP Growth Outlook
India has projected a strong GDP growth outlook of around 7.4%, maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite shifting United States tariff regimes and evolving global trade tensions. The estimate was released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation as part of the First Advance Estimates of GDP for FY26, published in early January 2026.
India Remains Second-Largest Arms Importer
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) 2026 report identified India as the world’s second-largest arms importer, with continued dependence on Russia for major weapons systems alongside growing diversification towards France and other Western suppliers, reflecting evolving defence procurement strategies and geopolitical alignments.
Indian Army Inducts Shaktibaan Artillery Units
The Indian Army inducted Shaktibaan artillery units, marking a doctrinal shift from massed firepower strategies to precision-strike capabilities designed for modern warfare operations requiring accuracy and minimal collateral damage.
Defence Forces Vision 2047 Released
The Indian government released the Defence Forces Vision 2047 roadmap, outlining India’s transition to an integrated, multi-domain, technology-driven military capable of addressing 21st-century security challenges as the nation approaches the centenary of its independence.
New Tri-Service Entities Announced
Plans were announced to create new tri-service entities, including the Defence Geo-Spatial Agency for mapping intelligence, Data Force for information warfare, Drone Force for unmanned systems operations, and Cognitive Warfare units to address emerging domains of modern conflict beyond traditional air, land, and sea battlespaces.
Andaman Military Infrastructure Enhanced
India approved the construction of a new military airbase and runway upgrades in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, strategically located in the Indian Ocean near the Malacca Strait, to strengthen surveillance capabilities and deterrence posture in critical sea lanes.
AI, Cyber, Space Identified as Decisive Military Domains
Senior Indian Army leadership highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping future battlefield dynamics, particularly its role in enhancing situational awareness, decision-making, and operational planning within an increasingly integrated multi-domain environment. This was articulated during a seminar at the Manekshaw Centre on February 20, 2026, where discussions focused on the application of AI in military training, wargaming, and operational effectiveness, alongside its linkages with cyber and information warfare domains.
India-UK FTA Enters Implementation Phase
The India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, entered its implementation phase with expected entry into force by early May 2026. Described as the UK’s most economically significant bilateral FTA since leaving the European Union and India’s most comprehensive with a trade partner outside Asia, the agreement eliminates 99% of tariffs for both nations and is projected to increase UK GDP by £4.8 billion in the long run while doubling bilateral trade to over £80 billion by 2030.
India Begins BRICS 2026 Agenda-Setting
India commenced agenda-setting for its BRICS 2026 presidency, positioning itself to shape the priorities of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa bloc in a shifting global order marked by multipolarity, de-dollarisation efforts, and economic realignment among emerging economies.