Monthly DNA
18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Bhubaneswar in January 2025. The event was organised under the theme “Diaspora’s Contribution to Viksit Bharat”. Key Details Aspect Details Event 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Venue Bhubaneswar. Date Held in January 2025. Theme Diaspora’s Contribution to Viksit Bharat. About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Feature Details Frequency It is celebrated once every two years. Purpose It strengthens the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnects them with their cultural roots. PT Facts Purpose: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas connects India with its overseas Indian community. Frequency:…
17 May, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
HawkEye 360 In May 2025, the United States approved the $131 million sale of HawkEye 360 satellite surveillance technology to India. The system is expected to strengthen India’s maritime monitoring and domain awareness capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. What Does HawkEye 360 Do? Feature Details Core Function Detects and maps radio frequency (RF) signals from ships, aircraft, and ground systems. Signal Detection Can identify signals such as radar, VHF communications, and satellite phone transmissions. Satellite Configuration Operates in clusters of three satellites. Tracking Method Uses triangulation to geolocate RF activity with high precision. Strategic Importance Area Importance Maritime Surveillance Enhances…
26 April, 2026
India and USA
India’s Landmark Rafale Deal India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cleared a massive Rs. 3.25 trillion proposal for the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets to address the Indian Air Force’s critical fighter squadron shortage. The acquisition is intended to modernise the IAF’s combat fleet, replace ageing Soviet-era aircraft, and strengthen India’s air power against regional security challenges from China and Pakistan. Why the Deal is Important Area Details Squadron Shortage The IAF currently operates around 29 squadrons against the sanctioned requirement of 42 squadrons. Fleet Modernisation Rafale jets will replace ageing Soviet-era aircraft and strengthen India’s air combat capability.…
25 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
India-France Joint Defence Venture On 24th November 2025, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence (SED) signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) to locally produce the HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground weapon system in India. The agreement strengthens India-France defence industrial cooperation and supports India’s push toward defence indigenisation and advanced military manufacturing. India-France Defence Industrial Collaboration Aspect Details Joint Venture Structure A 50:50 private limited company will be established by BEL and Safran Electronics & Defence. Main Objective To manufacture, supply, and maintain HAMMER munitions for the Indian Air Force and Navy. Indigenisation Target Localisation and indigenisation…
25 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
Ottawa Treaty on Landmines On 19th June 2025, Finland’s Parliament approved its withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel landmines. Finland became the fifth European country to move out of the treaty framework, citing rising security concerns linked to Russia. What is the Ottawa Treaty? Aspect Details Official Name Formally known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention or the Ottawa Convention. Main Objective Bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. Humanitarian Purpose Aims to reduce civilian harm caused by landmines and promote clearance of mined areas. Major Non-Parties China, India, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation,…
23 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
INF Treaty On 4th August 2025, Russia formally declared that it would no longer observe the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Russia cited the deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific as a direct security threat. What was the INF Treaty? Aspect Details Signing Signed in 1987 by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Missile Range Covered Banned all land-based ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500-5,500 km. Cold War Significance Hailed as a major Cold War arms-control success and led to the dismantling of over 2,600 missiles. Background Development Details US Allegation…
23 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
Convention on Cluster Munitions On 6th March 2025, Lithuania officially exited the Convention on Cluster Munitions, citing national security concerns. It became the first country to leave the convention and the first EU/NATO member to exit a multilateral arms-control agreement. What are Cluster bombs? Feature Explanation Explosive Weapons Cluster bombs scatter smaller bomblets over a wide area. Long-Term Danger Many bomblets remain unexploded, acting like landmines and posing risks to civilians for years. Legal Control The Convention on Cluster Munitions prohibits their use, production, stockpiling, and transfer. THE CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS (CCM) Aspect Details Nature An international treaty prohibiting…
23 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
Global Pandemic Treaty The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025. It is a legally binding treaty aimed at improving global pandemic preparedness and response. Key Elements of the Draft Agreement Element Details Pathogen Access & Benefit Sharing Includes a system for equitable sharing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics during pandemics. Production Allocation Parties are required to allocate 10% of their production to WHO, with another 10% provided at affordable prices. Technology Transfer Countries must facilitate exchange of technology and know-how to enable decentralised production. Drug Research Policy Governments must prioritise public interest…
23 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
Expiry of New START Treaty The New START Treaty, the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expired on 5th February 2026. Its expiry ended binding limits on their strategic nuclear arsenals and raised global concerns about a renewed arms race. However, Russia’s foreign minister recently said that Moscow will continue to observe the limits set under the New START Treaty even after its expiry, as long as the United States follows the same restrictions. What is the New START Treaty? Aspect Details Full Form Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as New START. Signing Signed…
23 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
India-EU Free Trade Agreement On 27th January 2026, at the 16th India-EU Summit, India and the European Union concluded negotiations on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The agreement was finalised nearly two decades after negotiations first began, reflecting a major shift in India-EU economic relations. India-EU Trade Profile at a Glance Area Details Bilateral Trade India-EU merchandise trade stood at $137 billion in 2024-25, with India exporting $76 billion and importing $61 billion. India’s Exports Manufactured goods, energy products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, gems and jewellery. India’s Imports Aircraft, advanced machinery, nuclear reactor components, and other high-tech capital goods. Under…
22 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement On 22nd December 2025, India and New Zealand concluded negotiations for a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The agreement became one of India’s fastest-concluded FTAs since negotiations began in March 2025. Key Highlights of the Agreement Area Details Market Access Provides zero-duty access on 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand from Entry into Force. Investment Commitment New Zealand made a USD 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years. Sensitive Sectors Protects sensitive sectors such as dairy and key agricultural products. Labour-Intensive Industries Expected to boost sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, and MSMEs. Health…
22 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
India and Brazil to Expand Trade Pact under Mercosur Bloc On 16th October 2025, India and Brazil agreed to expand the scope of their existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) under the Mercosur bloc. The move aims to strengthen economic cooperation and expand trade relations between India and Latin American markets. WHAT IS MERCOSUR? Aspect Details Full Form Mercosur stands for Southern Common Market. Member Countries Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Objective Formed to promote free trade and the movement of goods, people, and currency among member nations. WHAT IS THE INDIA-MERCOSUR PTA? Aspect Details Enforcement Date The India-Mercosur Preferential Trade…
22 April, 2026
India and brazil
Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership On 22nd November 2025, the Prime Minister of India announced the launch of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership. The announcement came after meetings with the Australian and Canadian counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Key Areas of Cooperation under ACITI Cooperation Area Focus Critical & Emerging Technologies Joint research, development, and deployment of frontier technologies. Green Energy & Net Zero Innovation in renewable energy, carbon-neutral technologies, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Critical Minerals & Supply Chains Building diversified and secure supply chains across continents. Artificial Intelligence Collaboration on safe,…
22 April, 2026
India and canada
India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement On 24th July 2025, India and the United Kingdom signed the historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a new phase in bilateral economic cooperation. The agreement combines trade liberalisation, professional mobility, services access, and social security relief within a broad strategic economic framework. India-UK CETA: Key Highlights Area Details Goods Trade Provides zero-duty access on 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly the entire trade value and benefiting textiles, leather, footwear, marine products, toys, and gems & jewellery. Services Access The UK offered comprehensive services commitments for Indian professionals in IT/ITeS, finance, consulting,…
22 April, 2026
India and UK
India-US Interim Trade Agreement Framework On 7th February 2026, India and the United States announced a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement to advance negotiations on a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The framework aims to improve market access, strengthen supply chains, and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries. Key Agreements Area Details Tariff Reductions India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial goods and agricultural products such as nuts, fruits, soybean oil, and animal feed. US Tariff Adjustments The US proposed a reciprocal tariff rate of 18% on Indian-origin goods, with removal of tariffs on several products…
22 April, 2026
India and USA
India-UK Social Security Agreement On 10th February 2026, India and the United Kingdom signed a Social Security Agreement in New Delhi to avoid dual social security contributions for employees on temporary overseas assignments. The agreement seeks to facilitate labour mobility while reducing financial burden on employers and employees working abroad temporarily. Key Features of the Agreement Aspect Details Main Objective Prevents employees and employers from paying social security contributions in both countries simultaneously. Assignment Duration Applicable for overseas assignments up to 36 months in the partner country. Social Security Coverage Ensures continuity of social security coverage for employees during overseas…
22 April, 2026
India and UK
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) On 20th February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the U.S. President’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The ruling clarified limits on presidential authority to regulate imports through emergency declarations. Aspect Details Supreme Court Ruling The Court struck down the use of emergency powers for imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA. Presidential Authority The ruling clarified limits on presidential authority to regulate imports through emergency declarations. Enactment IEEPA was enacted in 1977 to grant economic powers during national emergencies. Main Provision It allows…
22 April, 2026
Current Foreign policy and News
World’s Largest Dam on Brahmaputra On 19th July 2025, China began constructing a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Medog county near Arunachal Pradesh. With a planned capacity of 60,000 MW, the project is expected to become the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, surpassing the Three Gorges Dam. Concern Details Threat to Arunachal Pradesh India views the dam as a growing threat to the northeastern frontier because sudden water releases could act as a “water bomb” and devastate the Siang belt and indigenous communities. Seismic Risks The dam is located in a highly seismically active zone where the Indian and…
21 April, 2026
India and China