International Relations Current Affairs — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Mon, 17 Aug 2026
Army contingent leaves for India–Thailand exercise MAITREE-XV
An Indian Army contingent left on 17 August 2026 for Thailand for the 15th edition of the India–Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE, to be held from 18 to 31 August 2026 in Surat Thani.
India hosts 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit virtually
India hosted the Eighth BRICS Youth Energy Summit virtually on 17 August 2026 under its BRICS Chairship, with more than 100 participants.
Sun, 16 Aug 2026
Army Chief Gen Dhiraj Seth leaves for Nepal visit; to be made Honorary General of Nepali Army
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth left on 16 August 2026 for an official visit to Nepal from 17 to 19 August, during which the President of Nepal is to confer on him the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army.
Jared Kushner meets Hamas leaders in Egypt to push 15-point Gaza road map that Israel rejected
US envoy Jared Kushner held a rare meeting with Hamas leaders in Egypt on 16 August 2026 to push the US-backed 15-point road map for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which Israel had rejected the previous week.
INS Sudarshini concludes Lokayan 2026 port call at Ponta Delgada, Azores
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded its port call at Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal, on 16 August 2026 as part of Lokayan 2026.
Sat, 15 Aug 2026
Fri, 14 Aug 2026
Eighth IN–USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercise concludes at Kochi
The eighth edition of the Indian Navy–US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 concluded at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, on 14 August 2026.
NCB brings back fugitive drug trafficker Virender Singh Basoya from UAE
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) secured the return of fugitive drug trafficker Virender Singh Basoya from the UAE on 14 August 2026, after his arrest there on an INTERPOL Red Notice.
Wed, 12 Aug 2026
India and Southern African Customs Union sign Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement talks
India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations towards a Preferential Trade Agreement at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, on 12 August 2026, India's first such ToR with the African region.
Three Sanchar Mitras selected as ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys for 2026–2030
Three Indian Sanchar Mitras were selected as International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Generation Connect Youth Envoys for 2026–2030, the Department of Telecommunications said on International Youth Day, 12 August 2026.
Tue, 11 Aug 2026
Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, readies first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway
Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, announced on 11 August 2026 that it would roll out its first rake of 19 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on 12 August 2026.
Fourth India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee held in New Delhi; trade at USD 592.94 million
The fourth session of the India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee was held in New Delhi on 10–11 August 2026, with bilateral merchandise trade reported at USD 592.94 million in 2025-26 and new working groups agreed on services and health.
Liberian parliamentary delegation on IBSA-funded South-South peer learning mission meets WCD Minister
Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi met a Liberian parliamentary delegation, including the Women's Legislative Caucus of Liberia, on 11 August 2026 during its IBSA Fund-supported South-South peer learning visit to India.
Mon, 10 Aug 2026
Sat, 08 Aug 2026
XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal adopts the Bhopal Declaration
The XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting, held in Bhopal on 8 August 2026 under India's BRICS Chairship, concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration on cultural cooperation.
PM Modi and US Vice President Vance review India–US partnership in phone call
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from US Vice President J.D. Vance on 8 August 2026, in which they reviewed the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
CCI hosts BRICS Heads of Competition Authorities meeting in Udaipur; joint statement adopted
The Competition Commission of India hosted the meeting of Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on 8 August 2026, where a joint statement on fair competition, including in renewable energy markets, was adopted.
Fri, 07 Aug 2026
16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur issues Jaipur Consensus on MSME trade finance
The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting, chaired by Piyush Goyal in Jaipur on 7 August 2026, issued the Jaipur Consensus and a Chair's Statement with four annexes.
India-made beam catcher for the FAIR mega science project reaches Germany
The first of three India-built beam catcher units for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt, Germany, has reached the site, the Science Ministry said on 7 August 2026.
India and Bhutan review trans-border river cooperation and Punatsangchhu-I project
Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil and Bhutan's Energy Minister Lyonpo Gem Tshering held a high-level meeting on trans-border rivers in New Delhi on 7 August 2026 and reviewed the Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project.
12th India–Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation meets in New Delhi
The 12th session of the India–Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation was held in New Delhi on 7 August 2026, discussing the Vande Bharat project, SJ-100 aircraft, critical minerals and UAVs.
Thu, 06 Aug 2026
10th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur adopts joint declaration on MSMEs, photovoltaics and startups
The Tenth BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting concluded in Jaipur on 6 August 2026 under India's BRICS Chairship with a joint declaration on MSMEs, photovoltaics, startups and logistics.
PM Modi and Israel PM Netanyahu review India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 6 August 2026, in which they reviewed the India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership and discussed West Asia.
Wed, 05 Aug 2026
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission recognised by WHO SEARN as Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission was recognised as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and Technical Centre in Quality at SEARN's 10th anniversary meeting in Kathmandu on 4–5 August 2026.
DoPT hosts second BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in Hyderabad
The Department of Personnel and Training hosted the Second Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group and the BRICS Expert Network on Asset Recovery in Hyderabad on 4–5 August 2026.
Pawan Hans signs MoU with Norway's Noemi Aerospace to explore electric seaplanes
Pawan Hans Limited signed a non-binding MoU with Norway's Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS) on 5 August 2026 to explore electric seaplane technologies and sustainable aviation cooperation.
Tue, 04 Aug 2026
BRICS heads of National Statistical Offices meet in Lucknow
The two-day meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS countries concluded in Lucknow on 4 August 2026 under the theme 'Quality Statistics as a Driver of Change'.
BRICS-TCA research symposium and JMC meeting held in New Delhi
The BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training Cooperation Alliance (BRICS-TCA) held its research symposium and Joint Management Committee meeting in New Delhi on 3–4 August 2026.