ICWA marks 25th anniversary as National Institution; India’s global role highlighted
The Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) marked its 25th anniversary as an Institution of National Importance with a high-profile address by the Vice-President at Sapru House, New Delhi. He highlighted India’s growing global leadership and outlined four ICWA priorities: Neighborhood First, Act East, Global South, and Indo-Pacific. The address praised India’s digital public infrastructure, Vaccine Maitri, LiFE, and international collaborations such as ITEC and the first IIT campus abroad in Zanzibar. The Vice-President urged stronger research, cyber-security work, and expanded ties with universities to position ICWA as a premier source of Indian perspectives on world affairs.
ICWA celebrates 25th anniversary as Institution of National Importance
Vice-President underscores India’s global leadership and Global South role
Four ICWA priorities: Neighborhood First, Act East, Global South, Indo-Pacific
Achievements include LiFE, Vaccine Maitri, and Digital Public Infrastructure
Calls for stronger academia-industry partnerships and international outreach
World Trade Report 2026 warns of risks to LDCs without multilateral trade reform
The World Trade Organization released World Trade Report 2026, titled A Critical Juncture for the World Trading System. The report warns that without upgrading the multilateral system or expanding free trade agreements, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) could suffer GDP losses and reduced exports. It estimates that a world relying solely on FTAs could shrink global GDP by up to 6.9%, with LDCs potentially facing severe declines in exports. The report highlights Bangladesh as a leading LDC exporter and emphasizes the benefits of enhanced cooperation, which could boost global GDP and exports by 2050 if multilateral trade collaboration is strengthened.
WTO World Trade Report 2026 stresses multilateral reform
FTA-dominated world risks GDP and export losses, especially for LDCs
Forecast: global GDP could fall up to 6.9% under FTA world
Enhanced-cooperation scenario could raise GDP and exports by 2050
Bangladesh highlighted as top LDC merchandise exporter
Eager Lion 2026: US CENTCOM and Jordan begin two‑week exercise at Fort Carson, Colorado
US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Jordanian Armed Forces have launched Exercise Eager Lion 2026 at Fort Carson, Colorado. The two‑week drill marks CENTCOM’s first hosting of the biennial event on U.S. soil. More than 200 personnel from Jordan and the United States are participating, including National Guard units from Colorado and Illinois. The exercise focuses on planning and coordination in counterterrorism, air defense, maritime security, cybersecurity, and disaster response. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper emphasised the enduring military‑to‑military ties with Jordan, built under the State Partnership Program since 1993 and expanded since 2004 through the Colorado–Jordan partnership.
Eager Lion 2026 is hosted by CENTCOM in the United States.
Participation includes Jordanian and U.S. forces plus nearby National Guard units.
World Circular Economy Forum 2026 opens in Gandhinagar under ‘Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity’
India hosts the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in Gandhinagar from 15 to 18 September, the first time in South Asia. The four-day event gathers policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from around the world to advance practical circular economy solutions. More than 3,600 stakeholders from 62 countries attend, with 135 national and international exhibitors. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted India’s leadership through Mission LiFE and recycling practices, while Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described circularity as rooted in Indian culture. The forum seeks cross-border collaboration and practical strategies for resource efficiency and waste reduction.
WCEF 2026 held in Gandhinagar, 15–18 September 2026
Over 3,600 participants from 62 countries; 135 exhibitors
Theme: Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity
India highlights Mission LiFE and reuse traditions
Emphasis on international cooperation and practical circular solutions
Etna eruption causes flight suspensions at Catania airport in Sicily
Flights were suspended at Catania International Airport due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano. The red aviation alert was issued as ash emissions prompted temporary disruptions. Arrivals and departures were expected to remain halted through Tuesday evening. Etna’s activity has repeatedly affected Sicilian air travel, with the volcano located about 40 km from the airport. While the disruption continues, Etna’s eruptions attract many onlookers, and authorities monitor the situation closely for updated flight schedules and potential airport-wide operations changes.
Catania Airport grounded by volcanic ash from Mount Etna
Red aviation alert; flights suspended through Tuesday evening
Etna stands 3,324 metres tall and is near the airport
Disruptions affect major travel and tourism in Sicily
Authorities monitor ash dispersion and schedule updates
New Zealand approves India free trade agreement; tariffs on most exports cut
New Zealand’s parliament passed legislation implementing a free trade agreement with India, eliminating or significantly reducing tariffs on about 95% of New Zealand exports to India. The measure, approved 93–29 with opposition support, aims to boost two-way trade and investment, including a planned NZ$20 billion Indian growth investment over 15 years. Two-way trade stood at NZ$3.99 billion in the year to June 2026. The agreement will become effective after ratification by both countries. Officials expect immediate benefits for exporters and a broader, deeper economic relationship as procedures conclude.
NZ Parliament passes India free trade agreement (93–29)
Tariffs cut on ~95% of NZ exports to India; early benefits anticipated
NZ to invest NZ$20 billion in India over 15 years
Two-way trade NZ$3.99 billion (year to June 2026)
Agreement becomes effective after formal ratification
BRIC-NIPGR launches SPROUT facility to accelerate climate-resilient crop development
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the SPROUT facility at BRIC-NIPGR in New Delhi, a controlled-environment platform for high-throughput phenotyping and rapid screening of crops under diverse conditions. SPROUT, combined with SpeedSeed technology, enables generation cycles of about 40 days in chickpea, drastically shortening traditional breeding timelines. The initiative, part of the BioE3 framework, aims to connect genomics and genome editing with trait validation, supporting climate-resilient crops. Experts from BRIC-NIPGR, DBT, and other institutions attended the event, which also featured discussions on communication and stakeholder engagement to translate lab advances into field benefits.
SPROUT facility inaugurated at BRIC-NIPGR on 16 September 2026
Purpose: high-throughput phenotyping and climate-resilient crops
SpeedSeed enables ~40-day generation cycles in chickpea
Part of BioE3 policy emphasizing biotechnology and circular bioeconomy
Focus on farmer outreach and industry collaboration
Alexander Zverev wins 2026 US Open men’s title in four-set final
Germany’s top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in a dramatic four-set final to win the 2026 US Open men’s singles title. The match, played at Arthur Ashe Stadium, lasted three hours and 33 minutes with set scores of 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2. This victory marks Zverev’s second Grand Slam title, following his Roland Garros triumph earlier in the year. The American challenger Shelton fought hard with his serve, forcing the tie-break in the second, but Zverev prevailed in the fourth, sealing the championship and extending the long-standing drought for American men at the tournament.
Zverev defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the title
Duration: three hours and 33 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium
This is Zverev’s second Grand Slam title, after Roland Garros 2026
Final marked a continuation of the American title drought at the US Open
Second-set tiebreak decided the momentum in favor of Zverev
Sanjukta Parashar becomes first woman IG of CRPF CoBRA unit
Sanjukta Parashar, a 2006-batch IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed Inspector General (IG) of the CRPF’s CoBRA unit in Delhi. She succeeds 1996-batch officer Danesh Rana. This is the first time CoBRA, the paramilitary force’s elite jungle warfare section, will be headed by a woman. Parashar previously served with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and led counterinsurgency operations in Assam. Born in October 1979, she has notable field experience in operations against insurgent groups. The appointment signals CRPF’s move to place women in high‑risk leadership roles within its combat units.
Parashar is the first woman IG of CoBRA.
She comes from the 2006 Assam-Meghalaya IPS cadre.
Previously served with NIA; led COIN operations in Assam.
Born October 1979; takes command of a ten‑battalion unit.
India and Vietnam push defence and security ties, including co-production plans
India and Vietnam agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation during talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Vietnam’s Le Hoai Trung. The discussions, part of the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting, emphasized co-production of Indian defence equipment, expanded trade and supply chains, and greater military-to-military engagement. Earlier transfers include the INS Kirpan (gifted in 2023) and several lines of credit signed in 2024. The partners highlighted the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and plans for capacity building, people-to-people ties, and collaboration across maritime, space, and cyber domains as key areas for the year ahead.
Defence and security cooperation deepened under JCM framework
Emphasis on co-production of Indian defence items
Historical transfers: INS Kirpan (2023); guard boats (2022)
Additional Lines of Credit signed in 2024; further commitments
Strategic partnership framework includes maritime, space, cyber collaboration
Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada partner on DRDO UAV propulsion
Bharat Forge Ltd and Pratt & Whitney Canada agreed to evaluate the integration of turboprop engines into DRDO’s high-altitude, long-endurance UAV program. Pratt & Whitney Canada will assess engine compatibility and installation needs, while Bharat Forge will lead engine-airframe integration and systems interfaces. The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s strategic self-reliance and defence readiness by combining PWC propulsion technology with Bharat Forge’s engineering capabilities. Both companies emphasised the importance of a capable HALE platform for persistent surveillance and reconnaissance across land and maritime domains.
Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada collaborate on HALE UAV program
Engine compatibility and installation assessed by PWC; integration led by Bharat Forge
Goal: strengthen India’s defence self-reliance and HALE capabilities
HALE UAVs support long-endurance surveillance across domains
Part of broader efforts to advance domestic aerospace and defence sectors
NPCI introduces 0.4% MDR on UPI payments above ₹2,000 from 15 September 2026
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) of 0.4% on UPI transactions above ₹2,000 per transaction, effective from 15 September 2026. This MDR applies to merchants and payment processors but excludes person-to-person transfers and small vendors. Transactions up to ₹2,000 made via UPI or RuPay debit cards remain exempt, as do all person-to-merchant payments within ₹2,000. Certain sectors, including Railways, telecom, insurance, fuel and agriculture inputs, will face a flat MDR of ₹5 for transactions over ₹2,000. The MDR regime targets merchants processing high-value payments.
MDR of 0.4% applies to UPI transactions > ₹2,000
P2P and small vendors exempt; up to ₹2,000 per transaction exempt
Flat ₹5 MDR for Railways, telecom, insurance, fuel and agriculture inputs
Effective from 15 September 2026
NPCI circular outlines implementation details
Thailand nationals to receive free 30-day e-Tourist visa to India till 2027
The Embassy of India in Bangkok announced that Thai nationals will be eligible for a free 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry, valid until December 31, 2027, or until further orders. Applications will be through the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. The concession is designed to boost tourism and people-to-people ties with Thailand, with the gratis facility applying specifically to the 30-day e-Tourist visa category and remaining valid through 2027, subject to government orders.
Thai nationals receive free 30-day e-Tourist visa with double entry
Validity until 31 December 2027 or further orders
Applications via official portal
Policy aims to strengthen tourism and people-to-people ties
India Electric Mobility Index 2025: Delhi tops state and UT EV adoption
The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025, published by NITI Aayog, ranks Indian states and union territories on progress toward electric mobility. Delhi tops the list, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Goa. This is the second edition, evaluating 16 indicators across three themes: Transport Electrification Progress, Charging Infrastructure Readiness, and EV Research and Innovation Status. The index informs policy decisions, fosters healthy competition among states, and enables sharing of best practices. NITI Aayog member Rajiv Guaba notes that the shift to electric mobility supports the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047; by 2040, estimates suggest 40 percent of new car sales could be electric. The top score rose from 77 in 2024 to 84 in 2025, signaling faster progress.
IEMI 2025 ranks states/UTs on 16 indicators under three themes.
Delhi is the top performer; Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Goa follow.
Top score increased from 77 (2024) to 84 (2025).
Policy focus includes transport electrification, charging readiness, and EV R&D.
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