GS3 · Defence · GS2 · International RelationsThe fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, and runs till 1 November. About 120 soldiers from each army will train for sub-conventional operations in island and coastal terrain under a UN Chapter VII mandate. For the first time, New Zealand has sent observers.
UPSC angle: Prelims: exercise names, venues, partner countries, UN Chapter VII. · Mains GS-III: defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
20 Oct 2026GS2 · International relationsOn 14 October 2026 Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh opened the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA in New Delhi. The two-day meeting brings India and all 11 ASEAN members together on maritime security, emerging tech and defence-industry ties, under the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ASEAN (11 members), MP-IDSA, ADMM-Plus, SAGAR/MAHASAGAR. · Mains GS-II: India–ASEAN defence engagement and Indo-Pacific.
14 Oct 2026GS2 · IR (Indo-Pacific)The third Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue opened on 7 October 2026, organised by the Shipping Ministry with ORF. The PM's message called for a free, open, secure and rules-based maritime order. The minister presented Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, and an India-EU Green Shipping Corridor coalition was launched.
UPSC angle: Prelims: corridors, organisers. · Mains GS-II: Indo-Pacific; GS-III: ports and shipping.
7 Oct 2026GS2 · Quad, Indo-PacificOn 25 September 2026 the Indian Coast Guard ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai to Perth, Australia, under the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission. Six Sea Riders from India, Japan, Australia and the United States are on board to build interoperability and trust among Quad coast guards.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Quad members; MAHASAGAR expansion. · Mains: Quad beyond military: maritime domain awareness and coast-guard cooperation.
25 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 · India–JapanOn 20 August 2026 the defence ministers of India and Japan met in New Delhi and signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation. They agreed to hold the fourth 2+2 ministerial meeting in Tokyo this year, set up a joint Working Group and push the UNICORN antenna, the first defence equipment transfer project between the two countries.
UPSC angle: Prelims: India–Japan exercises.
20 Aug 2026 
