Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Belgium’s Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi on September 3, 2026. The two sides reviewed defence and industrial cooperation and agreed to strengthen ties through defence cooperation dialogue, high-level visits, training and capacity building. They also discussed regional security and the need for greater maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.

India and China have reached an eight-point consensus to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), strengthen border management and advance negotiations on the long-standing boundary dispute. The agreement was reached during the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing.

India-Japan bilateral trade is projected to reach USD 50 billion by 2030, up from USD 27.47 billion in 2025-26, according to industry body Assocham. The projection comes amid growing economic complementarities, high-level exchanges and expected investment announcements between the two countries.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited Mauritius from August 20-21 and witnessed the exchange of a Government-to-Government MoU on oil and gas cooperation. Under a five-year agreement, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) will supply Mauritius’ entire import requirement of Motor Spirit, High Speed Diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel. The agreement is aimed at strengthening Mauritius’ energy security and deepening India’s strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean region.

Veteran BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd president at Bangabhaban on Friday. He was elected by lawmakers in an indirect presidential election, defeating opposition candidate Col (retd) Oli Ahmad. Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Fakhrul, highlighting the shared history, cultural ties and friendship between India and Bangladesh.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the war with the United States should eventually end while Iran remains “strong and honoured.” Speaking in Tehran, he highlighted growing economic difficulties caused by sanctions and a naval blockade, while acknowledging public dissatisfaction. Pezeshkian also warned that costly fuel subsidies could strain government finances and affect essential welfare programmes.