Indo-Pacific & Quad Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)

October 2026

• 10 Oct 2026

  Taiwan Earmarks Record 3% of GDP for Defense Spending

  President Lai Ching-te has announced a record defense budget of NT$1.1 trillion (approximately $34.5 billion) for 2027, accounting for over 3% of Taiwan's GDP. The increase is intended to strengthen deterrence capabilities amidst rising...

• 09 Oct 2026

  Japan Adapts Defense Strategy Amid Shifting Indo-Pacific Dynamics

  Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida highlighted that Japan is facing its most complex and challenging security environment since the Second World War. To counter these rising regional threats, Japan is actively upgrading its...

• 01 Oct 2026

  Japan Creates National Intelligence Agency to Counter Foreign Operations

  Japan has formally established its first centralized national intelligence agency aimed at enhancing foreign intelligence gathering and counter-espionage capabilities. The overhaul comes after growing domestic concerns that foreign...

September 2026

• 08 Sep 2026

  Chagos Archipelago Dispute Resurfaces with Maldivian Diplomatic Outreach

  Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu initiated diplomatic discussions concerning the Chagos Archipelago, citing historical and geographical linkages. The strategically located archipelago in the central Indian Ocean remains contested...

August 2026

• 22 Aug 2026

  Japan Protests Russian Military Drills Near Disputed Kuril Islands

  Japan lodged a formal diplomatic protest against Russian missile tests conducted near the disputed Kuril Islands chain. The territory, seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II and claimed by Japan as the Northern...

• 20 Aug 2026

  India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) Highlights Strategic Ties

  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led a ministerial delegation to participate in the 4th India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Singapore. The leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation across key pillars including...

• 20 Aug 2026

  India and Japan to Strengthen Maritime Security and Defence Technology

  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart will hold high level discussions to expand strategic trust in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting will focus on enhancing joint naval cooperation, defense technology sharing,...

• 17 Aug 2026

  Indian Army Contingent Departs for Exercise MAITREE-XV in Thailand

  The 15th edition of the joint military exercise MAITREE-XV between India and Thailand is set to take place in Surat Thani, Thailand. The exercise focuses on enhancing defense cooperation, tactical interoperability, and counter-terrorism...

July 2026

• 24 Jul 2026

  East Asia Summit: S. Jaishankar Stresses Unimpeded Waterways

  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded during his address at the East Asia Summit. He stated that attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, and maritime...

• 18 Jul 2026

  Strengthening Ties with Australia and New Zealand

  In an era of global geopolitical turbulence, India is actively strengthening its partnerships with Australia and New Zealand. Shared concerns over Indo-Pacific security, maritime trade, and economic resilience are driving this...

• 16 Jul 2026

  Kochi to Host Major Multinational Maritime Exercise

  The Indian Navy is scheduled to host a highly anticipated multinational maritime exercise in Kochi starting July 20, 2026. The exercise is designed to improve joint operational capabilities, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and...

• 13 Jul 2026

  India and New Zealand conclude historic free trade agreement

  India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) set to be implemented later this year. Negotiated rapidly within nine months, the treaty marks a major milestone in India's oceanian trade relations. The deal is expected to...

• 12 Jul 2026

  Global Coalition Reaffirms 2016 South China Sea Ruling

  The United States, the United Kingdom, and 12 other nations have issued a joint statement reaffirming the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling. The historic ruling had invalidated China's expansive "nine-dash line" claims in the...

• 11 Jul 2026

  India-New Zealand Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during PM Modi's visit to Auckland. The nations set a target to double their annual bilateral trade in...

• 10 Jul 2026

  Cultural diplomacy through the restoration of Indonesia's Prambanan Temple

  India has undertaken efforts to restore the Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, as part of its ongoing cultural diplomacy in Southeast Asia. This initiative, similar to India's past restoration projects at...

• 09 Jul 2026

  New Zealand Exports to India Set to be 57% Tariff-Free

  Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Auckland, New Zealand's PM Luxon announced that 57% of their exports to India will now be tariff-free. This follows a comprehensive trade agreement signed in April 2026, aimed at boosting...

• 09 Jul 2026

  Joint India-Indonesia Heritage Project Launched at Ancient Temple

  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) led conservation project at a historic 9th-century temple site in Indonesia. The initiative...

• 09 Jul 2026

  Indonesia to Procure India's Indigenous Astra Air-to-Air Missile

  Indonesia has finalized a deal to purchase India's indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles. Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Astra's export marking is a significant boost...

• 08 Jul 2026

  India-Indonesia Strategic Ties and Defense Deals

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Indonesia's highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna, during his visit to Jakarta. The visit saw the signing of critical defense agreements, including the export of BrahMos supersonic...

• 07 Jul 2026

  India and Indonesia Ink BrahMos and Critical Mineral Deals

  During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral visit, India and Indonesia signed landmark agreements for the export of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and cooperation in critical mineral supply chains. The Indonesian government also...

• 07 Jul 2026

  Prime Minister Embarks on Strategic Three-Nation Tour Starting with Indonesia

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced a three-nation visit, starting with Indonesia to enhance bilateral strategic relations with President Prabowo Subianto. The visit will subsequently cover Australia and New Zealand, emphasizing...

• 06 Jul 2026

  India and New Zealand Sign Free Trade Agreement

  India and New Zealand have signed a historic free trade agreement (FTA) which is set to be implemented later this year. First announced in March 2025 and concluded in December 2025, this agreement stands as one of the fastest FTAs...

• 04 Jul 2026

  Indo-Pacific Security: China's Coast Guard Patrols East of Taiwan

  China has launched a major coast guard patrol operation east of Taiwan, establishing what analysts call a 'new normal' of civil law enforcement projection in international shipping lanes. This shift from using traditional military...

• 04 Jul 2026

  India-Japan Relations and Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific

  China has reacted sharply to India and Japan expressing "serious concern" over unilateral actions attempting to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas, stating their bilateral relations should not target third parties....