General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - February 2019

Feb 2019

Jun 22, 2026

BRICS NSA meeting to be hosted by India on 22–23 June 2026

India will host the BRICS National Security Advisers meeting on 22–23 June 2026 in New Delhi to set the security agenda ahead of the BRICS Summit later this year. The meeting will be chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, with security chiefs from BRICS member states in attendance. Discussions will cover non-traditional threats, information sharing, cyber security, and coordinated responses to terrorism and illicit finance. The talks also aim to deliver outputs for the September BRICS Summit. Observers expect concrete recommendations to advance cooperation while respecting sovereignty and enhancing collective security among BRICS partners.

Dates: 22–23 June 2026; venue: New Delhi.
Chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Participants: security chiefs from 11 BRICS members.
Topics: non-traditional threats, cyber security, information sharing.
Aims to inform the BRICS Summit later in 2026.

BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting hosted by India

India hosted the BRICS National Security Advisers’ Meeting in June 2026. The two-day gathering was chaired by India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and included security chiefs from eleven BRICS member countries. The theme centered on non-traditional security challenges facing the world today. Delegates discussed cyber threats, terrorism financing, and transnational crime, while reviewing cooperation frameworks across economics and information sharing. The talks aimed to align positions ahead of the BRICS Summit later in 2026. Officials stressed pragmatic, action-oriented cooperation with respect for sovereignty and the importance of expanding people-to-people contacts and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

Two-day meeting in June 2026; chaired by Ajit Doval.
Attended by security chiefs from 11 BRICS members.
Theme: Non-traditional security challenges.
Discussions on cyber threats, terrorism financing, cross-border crime.
Aimed to align BRICS positions ahead of the September summit.

Jun 21, 2026

UAE launches first Sovereign Retail T‑Sukuk programme for retail investors

The United Arab Emirates launched its first Sovereign Retail T‑Sukuk programme in June 2026. The program allows UAE citizens and residents to invest in government‑backed, Shariah‑compliant securities. The minimum investment is fixed at Dh1,000, making the product accessible to individual investors. The initiative follows an IPO‑style subscription framework and uses Shariah‑compliant Ijarah or Murabaha structures. It aims to promote financial inclusion and long‑term saving while supporting the diversification and resilience of the domestic economy. The Ministry of Finance announced the scheme with collaboration from the Central Bank of the UAE to strengthen the retail investment landscape.

Instrument: Sovereign Retail T‑Sukuk (retail Islamic securities).
Minimum investment: Dh1,000; denom. in UAE dirhams.
Structure: Shariah‑compliant Ijarah/Murabaha; IPO‑style subscription.
Purpose: Financial inclusion and long‑term savings; broader market diversification.
Context: Part of UAE financial inclusion and capital‑market development push.

Jun 20, 2026

Uzbekistan Joins New Development Bank, Central Asia's First Member

Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian member of the New Development Bank, with membership becoming effective on 5 June 2026. The expansion broadens the bank’s geographic reach and supports regional development through project financing. Uzbekistan’s entry is expected to promote collaboration in energy, transport, and water infrastructure, aligning with regional connectivity goals and sustainable growth strategies. The move reflects a trend toward diversified funding sources for infrastructure in Central Asia and complements Uzbekistan’s national development plans to improve energy security and cross-border trade.

Uzbekistan's NDB membership effective 5 June 2026.
First Central Asian member of the New Development Bank.
Expands NDB footprint into Central Asia.
Projects may cover energy, transport, and water infrastructure.
Aims to boost regional connectivity and sustainable growth.
Aligns with Uzbekistan’s development plans.

Uzbekistan Maps Infrastructure Portfolio with New Development Bank after Accession

Following official accession to the New Development Bank, Uzbekistan began mapping an infrastructure portfolio with the lender, as reported by regional outlets on 19 June 2026. The portfolio centers on energy, transport, and water projects designed to strengthen regional connectivity and sustainable growth. Analysts note this collaboration diversifies financing sources for large-scale infrastructure and aligns with Uzbekistan’s strategic plans to upgrade power grids, rail links, and water management. The move also complements broader Eurasian connectivity initiatives and could attract regional private investment in coming years.

Uzbekistan plans an NDB-backed infrastructure portfolio post-accession (19 June 2026).
Key sectors: energy, transport, water infrastructure.
Aims to deepen regional connectivity and sustainable growth.
Diversifies financing sources for large projects.
Supports upgrades to power grids, rail, and water management.

Jun 19, 2026

PM Modi addresses VivaTech 2026 Summit in Paris, highlighting India’s innovation role

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the VivaTech 2026 Summit in Paris, underscoring India as a global hub of innovation and technology. He highlighted progress in digital public infrastructure and inclusive technology, stressing human-centric development. Modi also positioned India as a strong innovation partner for Europe and the wider world, calling for deeper collaborations across AI, healthcare, and smart city solutions. VivaTech 2026, a major tech event in Paris, ran from 17 to 20 June 2026. The speech reflects India’s emphasis on innovation-led growth and international partnerships as part of its domestic and foreign policy agenda.

Event: VivaTech 2026; dates 17–20 June 2026
PM Modi spoke in Paris on 17 June 2026
Key themes: India as global innovation hub; digital public infrastructure
Emphasis on human-centric technology and inclusive growth
India-European collaboration highlighted

Jun 16, 2026

India–France ATL Bridge aims to spread Atal innovation to France

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, signed a Letter of Intent with La Fondation Dassault Systèmes to establish the India–France ATL Bridge. The initiative will take India’s Atal Tinkering Lab model to France and create a platform for young innovators from both countries to collaborate. It seeks to promote school-level innovation, entrepreneurial learning, and cross-border knowledge exchange, encouraging exchanges of ideas, mentors, and resources. The program is expected to foster joint challenges, student exchanges, and collaborative mini-projects that bridge Indian and French classrooms, labs, and innovation ecosystems, contributing to long-term bilateral scientific and technological partnership.

LOI between Atal Innovation Mission and Dassault Systèmes
ATL Bridge to bring Indian tinkering labs to France
Focus on school-level innovation and cross-border learning
Plans for joint challenges and student exchanges
Aims to strengthen India–France innovation ties

PM Modi awarded Slovakia’s highest honour during Bratislava visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia’s highest national honour, the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, during his visit to Bratislava in June 2026. The award was presented by President Peter Pellegrini and recognises Modi’s role in strengthening India–Slovakia relations and expanding bilateral cooperation. The honour underlines growing ties in areas such as trade, investment, technology, and cultural exchange. The visit also featured discussions on regional security, energy cooperation, and people-to-people links. Modi welcomed the accolade as a testament to a long-standing partnership, while Slovakia highlighted its commitment to deeper collaboration with India in the years ahead.

Modi receives Slovakia’s Order of the White Double Cross, First Class
Award presented during Bratislava visit, June 2026
Recognises strengthened India–Slovakia relations
Discussed trade, energy, and cultural ties
Signalled deeper future bilateral cooperation

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