General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - December 2016

Dec 2016

Jan 28, 2026

India and EU sign new security and defence partnership

India and the European Union signed a fresh security and defence partnership to boost maritime cooperation and Indo-Pacific engagements. An India–EU Defence Industry Forum will involve observers and select EU member states to strengthen supply chains for trusted defence ecosystems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged joint efforts to leverage India’s defence industry in Europe’s ReArm initiative. The pact also aims to broaden collaboration across technology, manufacturing and strategic research, with continued dialogue between India and EU leadership to diversify suppliers and reduce risk in defence supply chains.

New India-EU security and defence partnership signed.
India-EU Defence Industry Forum to be established.
Rajnath Singh calls for stronger industry collaboration.
Focus on diversified supply chains and joint capability development.

U.S. announces multi-day military exercise in West Asia amid regional tensions

The United States on January 27, 2026 announced a multi-day air force exercise in West Asia, following the deployment of the Abraham Lincoln strike group to the region. The drills come amid ongoing tensions with Iran and regional partners. The exercises aim to demonstrate U.S. readiness and to reassure allies, while signaling a continued American strategic footprint in the area. Details on participating units and timelines were not fully disclosed, but officials emphasised the exercises would occur alongside ongoing regional security operations.

U.S. announces multi-day West Asia air force exercise (Jan 27, 2026).
Linked to Abraham Lincoln strike group deployment.
Aimed at deterrence, readiness and regional reassurance.
Details on participants remain limited.

RBI and ESMA sign MoU on central counterparty cooperation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on central counterparties (CCPs). The MoU enables ESMA to rely on RBI’s supervisory framework for cross-border clearing and facilitates access for EU members to Indian CCPs via mutual recognition. RBI and ESMA emphasised shared goals of safer, more resilient, and open financial markets. Discussions continue with India’s SEBI and IFSCA to extend similar arrangements, reflecting ongoing international coordination in post-trade infrastructure.

MoU signed between RBI and ESMA on CCP cooperation.
ESMA may rely on RBI supervision for cross-border clearing.
Aims to restore EU access to Indian CCPs under regulation.
Further talks with SEBI and IFSCA ongoing.

Jan 27, 2026

India-EU Security and Defence Partnership to deepen ties at 16th Summit

India and the European Union plan to elevate their strategic engagement through a Security and Defence Partnership announced at the 16th India-EU Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct restricted and delegation-level talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, with a parallel India-EU Business Forum. Discussions are expected to cover trade, defence and security cooperation, climate action, critical technologies, and reinforcing the rules-based order. Officials anticipate an expanded free trade agreement framework, a defence framework pact, and a refined strategic agenda, building on the virtual 2020 summit foundation.

16th India-EU Summit themes: trade, defence, security
Defence framework pact and strategic agenda anticipated
PM Modi to meet Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa
Business Forum aligned with broader cooperation
Summit follows prior 2020 virtual meeting

Jan 26, 2026

To Lam re-elected as Vietnam party chief through 2030

Vietnam’s top leader To Lam has been reappointed head of the ruling Communist Party for the next five years, through 2030. The unanimous vote by the central committee of the one-party state confirms his leadership at the party congress. This extended tenure aligns with Vietnam’s plans for stable governance and continued focus on export-led growth, infrastructure development and macroeconomic management. The central committee selection occurs every five years to determine the future leadership of the party and, by extension, the country’s political direction.

Position: General Secretary of the Communist Party
Term: 2026–2030
Decision: unanimous by central committee
Context: five-year leadership cycle
Policy focus: export-led growth and development

Jan 25, 2026

Jaishankar meets EU envoys ahead of India-EU summit

On 22 January 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met ambassadors from EU member states in New Delhi. He stressed stronger trade, mobility, and security ties to derisk the global economy ahead of the January 27 India-EU Leaders’ Summit. Government officials indicated that a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement and new security partnerships could be announced during the talks. The meeting highlighted expectations for deeper economic integration and coordinated responses to global challenges, with officials citing resilience in supply chains and defence collaboration as key outcomes.

Jaishankar meets EU ambassadors on 22 January 2026.
Ahead of India-EU Leaders’ Summit on January 27.
Possible conclusion of FTA and new security partnerships.
Emphasis on derisking the global economy through greater ties.

South Korea launches comprehensive AI regulatory framework

On 22 January 2026, South Korea announced a landmark AI legal framework, known as the AI Basic Act, to regulate artificial intelligence across sectors. The move aims to build trust and safety while balancing innovation and competitiveness. The act comes earlier than Europe’s EU AI Act in certain phases and signals a global push toward more formal governance of AI. The government stressed collaboration with startups and industry to ease compliance burdens, while maintaining strict standards on data use, transparency, and accountability. The international community is watching how different models regulate AI effects on business and security.

AI Basic Act implemented in South Korea on 22 January 2026.
Aims to balance innovation with safety and trust.
Poses potential compliance challenges for startups.
Signals global trend toward formal AI governance.

Jan 24, 2026

Jaishankar meets EU envoys ahead of January 27 summit

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with European Union envoys on 23 January 2026 ahead of the India-EU Summit scheduled for 27 January. The discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties, de-risking the global economy, and advancing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. Officials emphasised cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and regional security. The meeting underscored India’s desire for a balanced partnership with the EU, addressing shared concerns such as supply chains and climate action. The talks followed recent high-level exchanges, signaling readiness to push for an ambitious agreement during the summit. Source: Economic Times.

Jaishankar met EU envoys on 23 January 2026.
India-EU Summit scheduled for 27 January.
Discussions on FTA, trade, investment and technology.
Emphasis on de-risking and regional security cooperation.
Indication of readiness for a broad, ambitious agreement.

India ships 7.5 tonnes of cancer medicines to Kabul

India has dispatched 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Afghanistan in January 2026 as part of its ongoing humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country. The shipment, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on social media, aims to address the urgent needs of cancer patients in Kabul. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the medicines would help meet a shortage and reinforce India’s commitment to its Afghan partners. The handover included vaccines as part of broader health support. In late 2025, Indian officials also discussed cooperation in traditional medicine with Afghan counterparts and reaffirmed long-term health assistance. Earlier shipments included 73 tonnes of medicines in November 2025.

7.5 tonnes of cancer medicines sent to Kabul in January 2026.
Announcement made by MEA via X (formerly Twitter).
Handover included vaccines as part of broader health support.
India cites ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
References to December 2025 talks on traditional medicine collaboration.

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