GS2/GS3 · IR · InfrastructureOn 19 October 2026 China’s Commerce Ministry announced export controls on tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and related items from 18 November, calling them clearly dual-use. India imports TBMs for metro, rail and border tunnels and has faced customs delays on Chinese machines since 2024. China also announced controls on some drones.
UPSC angle: Prelims: export control regimes, SCOMET, Wassenaar, MTCR. · Mains GS-II/III: China dependence and supply-chain resilience.
19 Oct 2026GS2 · International relationsThe 15th Joint Committee reviewing the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement met in Jakarta from 6 to 9 October 2026, co-chaired by India and Malaysia. It told all sub-committees to speed up pending chapters with firm, time-bound deliverables. Three of eight sub-committees met, including rules of origin. The next meeting is in India in January 2027.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASEAN members, AITIGA. · Mains GS-II: regional groupings; GS-III: trade policy.
9 Oct 2026GS2 · India-ASEANIndia took part in the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting and the 23rd ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation in Manila, Philippines (PIB, 24 September 2026). The focus was the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). India-ASEAN trade reached USD 128.38 billion in 2025-26, 10.55% of India's total trade.
UPSC angle: Prelims: 11th ASEAN member; EAS members. · Mains: Why India seeks an AITIGA review.
24 Sep 2026GS3 · Inflation, agriculture tradeOn 24 September 2026 the Government cut Basic Customs Duty on crude sunflower oil from 10% to nil, and on crude soybean and crude palm oil from 10% to 5%. Duty on refined oils was cut too, but the 19.25% gap between crude and refined oils was kept to protect domestic refiners.
UPSC angle: Mains: Import duty cuts vs oilseed self-reliance: policy coherence.
24 Sep 2026GS2 · Bilateral relationsThe India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed on 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, will enter into force on 20 October 2026 (PIB, 21 September 2026). From day one, all of India's exports to New Zealand become duty-free. Dairy, sugar and edible oils stay out of India's tariff cuts, and New Zealand commits to facilitate USD 20 billion of investment.
UPSC angle: Prelims: entry-into-force date; zero-duty coverage. · Mains: India's new FTA strategy after leaving RCEP.
21 Sep 2026GS2 · Regional groupingsThe 25th meeting of SCO ministers responsible for foreign economic and trade activities was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 17 September 2026. India stressed three pillars, Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, and called for paperless trade and stronger supply chains. Ministers agreed on an Action Plan for 2026 to 2030; the next meeting will be in Uzbekistan in 2027.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SCO members; host cities 2026.
18 Sep 2026 
