Category International Relations and Strategic Studies

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21 September – International Day of Peace: Rethinking Peace in a Fractured World

Every year on 21 September, the world observes the International Day of Peace. At United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Japanese Peace Bell stands as a powerful symbol of peace and international unity. Cast in 1952 from coins donated by delegates from 60 nations and presented to the United Nations in 1954 by the United Nations Association of Japan, the bell bears the inscription, “Long live absolute world peace.” Its presence reminds the world to pause, reflect and renew its commitment to the enduring ideal of peace.

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India–Sri Lanka MAHASAGAR Partnership: Post-Cyclone Ditwah Defence and Connectivity Diplomacy

India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbor, with a civilizational relationship stretching back more than 2,500 years. Sri Lanka holds a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. (High Commission of India, Colombo, n.d.).

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NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Satellite (2025): India-US Space Cooperation

Background 

India-US space cooperation has evolved from limited technical engagement into a broader strategic partnership. The relationship gained momentum after the 2005 Indo-US civil space framework, followed by the easing of US export controls on Indian space entities during the 2010s. A major step came in 2014, when NASA and ISRO began developing the NISAR mission as a joint project during bilateral discussions.

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Diplomacy in the Making: BRICS Young Diplomats Forum, New Delhi, May 2026

In May 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA), through the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), hosted the BRICS Young Diplomats Forum (BYDF) in New Delhi. The forum took place between 18–23 May, bringing together sixteen mid-career diplomats from eight BRICS countries and Heads of Diplomatic Academies from nine BRICS countries (SSIFS, 2026). Convened under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme, "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", formally unveiled by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar on 13 January 2026 (Prasar Bharati News Services Division, 2026), the Forum combined experiential learning, simulation exercises, and institutional dialogue to prepare the next generation of BRICS diplomats ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for New Delhi later in the year.

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BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting New Delhi, May, 2026: Strengthening Global Governance and the Voice of the Global South

Policy UpdatePragya Raghav Abstract India hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 14-15 May 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first ministerial meeting of its 2026 chairship (MEA, 2026). Chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar,…

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