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USA

USA (India & Major Powers).

Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS2: India & neighbourhood, groupings, international institutions, diaspora

In the news

GS2 · International Relations · India–US

Rubio in Mumbai: India–US trade deal ‘very, very close’; energy and defence on the table

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began his second India visit of the year in Mumbai on 20 October 2026 and met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on trade, energy, technology and defence. Rubio said the two sides are ‘very, very close’ to a trade deal with ‘a small number of items left’, and praised India’s progress in diversifying energy supplies.

UPSC angle: Prelims: I2U2, Jamnagar, key office holders. · Mains GS-II: India-US partnership, tariffs and strategic autonomy.

20 Oct 2026

GS2 · IR / GS3 · Energy

India on the US Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

On 17 September 2026 the MEA said India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress and is watching what follows. It said India will keep securing energy for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing, and will take all steps needed to protect its trade and economic interests.

UPSC angle: Prelims: none. · Mains: secondary sanctions and strategic autonomy.

17 Sep 2026

GS2/GS3 · India–US, defence

Yudh Abhyas 2026: 22nd India–US Army exercise opens at Auli and Mahajan

The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas, the joint exercise of the Indian and US Armies, opened on 15 September 2026 at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand. It runs at the same time at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. About 600 personnel from each side are training for operations in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain.

UPSC angle: Prelims: exercise–country matching (Yudh Abhyas = USA).

15 Sep 2026

GS3 · Defence

MoD leases two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones for Navy for 30 months

On 17 August 2026 the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth about ₹1,943 crore with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance remotely piloted aircraft for the Indian Navy for 30 months. They will boost maritime domain awareness with persistent surveillance across the Indian Ocean Region.

UPSC angle: Prelims: HALE drones.

17 Aug 2026

GS3 · Defence

India–US Navy explosive ordnance disposal exercise at Kochi

The Indian Navy-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 runs at Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 10 to 14 August 2026, the Defence Ministry said. It is the eighth edition. The two navies have held joint salvage and EOD exercises since 2005. Divers and bomb-disposal teams train together.

UPSC angle: Prelims: exercises.

9 Aug 2026

GS2 · India–US

PM and US Vice President Vance review strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from US Vice President J.D. Vance on 8 August 2026. They reviewed progress in the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and recommitted to closer cooperation in trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals. They also discussed regional and global developments.

UPSC angle: Mains: India–US ties.

8 Aug 2026