Russia (India & Major Powers).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS2: India & neighbourhood, groupings, international institutions, diaspora
The Indian Navy is exercising with two partners this week. INS Sahyadri reached Vladivostok on 10 October 2026 for INDRA 2026 with the Russian Navy (13 to 18 October). INS Trishul is at Plymouth for KONKAN-26 with the Royal Navy, the annual India-UK exercise held in two phases.
UPSC angle: Prelims: exercise-partner pairs (INDRA, KONKAN), MAHASAGAR. · Mains GS-II/GS-III: defence diplomacy, India-Russia and India-UK ties.
12 Oct 2026
On 31 August 2026 the Prime Minister met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek on the margins of the 26th SCO Summit, their first meeting of the year. They welcomed the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission held in Moscow on 24 August 2026 and discussed BRICS, West Asia and the Black Sea.
UPSC angle: Mains: India–Russia ties amid changing great-power alignments.
31 Aug 2026
Regular reviews keep the summit outcomes on track.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none.
31 Mar 2026
UNSC reform was on the agenda; India uses such talks to build support.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none.
17 Mar 2026
The three trade passes are a classic Prelims match: pass, State and year.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Lipulekh (Uttarakhand), Shipki La (Himachal), Nathu La (Sikkim). · Mains: Indians recruited into foreign armies.
19 Dec 2025
Diversifies trade partners; most of the trade is with Russia.
UPSC angle: Prelims: EAEU members.
20 Aug 2025