Singapore officers visited India for briefings on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.

A delegation of 60 new Foreign Service Officers and civil servants from Singapore visited India as part of the 2026 Foreign Service Basic Programme. The delegation was led by H.E. Ambassador Lim Hong Huai, Dean of the Diplomatic Academy.

During the visit, the officers received a detailed briefing on the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Shri Prashant Agrawal, Additional Secretary (South), presented the briefing and discussed different aspects of the bilateral partnership.

The programme introduced Singapore’s young officers to India-Singapore relations and the framework guiding cooperation between the two countries.

Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

The discussion outlined India’s approach to AI innovation, security and maritime governance.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s approach to artificial intelligence, international peace and security, and maritime security during the event on “AI in the Context of International Peace & Security, with an Emphasis on Maritime Security”. He stressed the need to use the opportunities offered by AI while anticipating its consequences and managing related security risks.

Dr S. Jaishankar referred to the New Delhi Declaration, which emphasised democratic access to AI resources, the development of secure and trustworthy systems, investment in human capabilities, and the use of AI for economic growth and social good.

In the maritime sector, Dr S. Jaishankar said AI could improve maritime domain awareness, search and rescue operations, disaster response, the identification of suspicious activities, and the resilience of ports and critical infrastructure. He also pointed to possible risks, including sophisticated reconnaissance, vulnerability mapping and cyber operations targeting vessels, communication networks and undersea infrastructure.

He further highlighted concerns linked to increasing autonomy in maritime systems, including attribution, accountability and escalation. Dr S. Jaishankar said the UN Charter and international law, including the law of the sea, remained essential frameworks governing State conduct, while transparency, confidence building, capacity development, technical cooperation and exchanges of best practices could support the responsible use of AI. He added that AI and maritime security remained important priorities for India at the United Nations.

Source: Facebook/ EAM Dr S. Jaishankar

The event in New Delhi focuses on climate resilient water management and global dialogue.

Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 9th India International Water Week 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event runs from 22 to 26 September 2026 under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management”.

Vice President Radhakrishnan was joined by Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil, Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ashok K. K. Meena, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Archana Varma, and Chairman of the Central Water Commission Anupam Prasad. The event welcomed policymakers, experts, researchers, industry leaders and water practitioners from India and around the world.

The discussions centred on climate-resilient water management, with the programme providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation on future water management priorities.

Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR

Singapore’s SEMICON India 2026 participation focused on investment, talent and joint research.

India and Singapore advanced semiconductor cooperation at SEMICON India 2026 through policy dialogue, investment discussions and direct industry engagement.

With a focus on Singaporean investment in India, workforce development and joint R&D projects, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, co-chaired the third India-Singapore Semiconductor Policy Dialogue with Mr. Augustin Lee, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, on the sidelines of the event.

India’s Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Railways and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, also visited the Singapore Pavilion, where he met industry representatives and explored Singapore’s semiconductor capabilities and technologies.

Secretary Krishnan later visited the pavilion as well, engaging with industry representatives and learning more about Singapore’s semiconductor technologies and wider ecosystem strengths.

Source: High Commission of India in Singapore

Minister Manohar Lal outlined India’s energy reforms, minerals priorities and cooperation.

India Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, led India’s delegation to the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting in Houston, United States, from 14 to 16 September 2026 under the U.S. G20 Presidency. Discussions focused on energy security and affordable baseload, permitting and regulatory efficiency, and critical minerals with resilient supply chains.

During the meeting, Minister Manohar Lal said secure, affordable and reliable energy remained essential for development, particularly in developing economies. He highlighted India’s efforts to build a more resilient, digital, decentralised and consumer-focused energy system. India’s installed electricity generation capacity had reached 552 GW, with more than half coming from non-fossil fuel sources. He also referred to India’s early achievement of key Nationally Determined Contribution targets and its Net Zero target for 2070.

The Minister also outlined reforms intended to improve regulatory efficiency, encourage competition and support investment in the energy sector. He cited the National Single Window System, PARIVESH and PM Gati Shakti as initiatives helping streamline infrastructure approvals. On critical minerals, he stressed the need for secure and diversified supply chains, greater circularity and more downstream value creation in developing countries. India’s National Critical Mineral Mission covered activities from exploration through recycling, while India called for G20 cooperation on recovery, recycling and diversification.

The ministerial meeting advanced outcomes in four main areas: clean cooking access, permitting and regulatory efficiency, water reuse and critical minerals. On clean cooking, the G20 promoted universal access through technology-neutral and nationally appropriate solutions, recognising Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an important pathway for developing countries. On permitting and regulatory efficiency, members supported streamlined processes, voluntary information exchange, capacity building and digital and AI-enabled tools to facilitate energy infrastructure development. The G20 Water Reuse Initiative promoted science- and evidence-based, cost-effective water reuse suited to national policies and local needs. On critical minerals, the G20 Critical Minerals Meeting Communiqué highlighted innovation, circularity, investment, diversification, value addition and resilient supply chains.

On the sidelines, Minister Manohar Lal also met Mr. Chris Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; Mr. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior; and Mr. Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

India’s 2026 Chairship advanced BRICS cooperation on trade, technology and development priorities.

BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026, setting out priorities for future cooperation in economic development, technology, finance, health, energy and other areas. The Declaration recognised progress under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship and outlined the next steps for cooperation among member countries.

On economic cooperation, BRICS leaders recognised India’s role in advancing the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, which serves as the main framework for future sectoral strategies, programmes and roadmaps. The Declaration also highlighted the work of the BRICS Payment Task Force (BPTF) on cross-border payments. Members supported continued discussions on payment and messaging interoperability and the use of local currencies for trade settlements and investment.

Technology and innovation formed another key part of the Declaration. BRICS leaders welcomed the establishment of the BRICS Incubator Network and further consideration of a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. They also supported cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and scientific research. The Declaration welcomed the establishment of the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies and committed members to implementing the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence.

India’s Chairship also introduced new platforms for development and financial cooperation. BRICS leaders welcomed the BRICS Task Force on Growth and Development, which provides a platform for discussions on development priorities, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and climate finance. Members also expressed interest in further discussions on India’s proposal to host a BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat.

The Declaration further outlined cooperation in health, agriculture, energy and transport. Initiatives included digital health, agricultural networks, smart grids and energy storage. BRICS leaders also supported continued engagement between businesses, startups, researchers and other institutions through mechanisms such as the Young Scientists Forum, the Young Innovators Prize and related cooperation platforms.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

Prime Minister Modi urged BRICS to strengthen governance and Global South representation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a new BRICS Reform Roadmap during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026. Speaking during the session on inclusive global governance, he urged BRICS members to give developing countries a stronger role in international decision-making and prepare the grouping for its next phase of cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi said India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship had focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. More than 350 meetings were organised in nearly 30 Indian cities during the year. He also proposed the establishment of a BRICS Continuity and Implementation Mechanism to improve follow-up on initiatives when the Chairship moves from one country to another. A secure digital repository could record responsibilities, timelines and implementation progress for BRICS decisions.

On global governance, Prime Minister Modi proposed developing ten reform proposals into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next Summit. He identified representation, responsiveness and rule-making as the three main areas for reform. He called for progress on UN Security Council reform and greater representation for developing economies in international financial institutions. He also stressed the need for global institutions to respond more effectively to international challenges.

Prime Minister Modi called for a stronger voice for the Global South in shaping future international rules and proposed that BRICS provide practical support for young diplomats and policymakers through training in negotiation and legal expertise. He highlighted artificial intelligence, cyberspace, outer space, biotechnology and critical technologies as key areas where future global rules are taking shape. Furthermore, he also suggested establishing a Seafarers Emergency Support Network to connect maritime authorities and diplomatic missions during emergencies at sea.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

India urged BRICS members to deepen trade, investment and technology cooperation.

India called for deeper and more balanced trade among BRICS member and partner countries during the opening session of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on 11 September 2026. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal urged countries to improve market access, simplify regulatory procedures and build more resilient supply chains as BRICS continues expanding its economic cooperation.

Minister Goyal highlighted India’s strengths in engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, automobiles and services, and encouraged BRICS countries to open their markets further to each other. He also called for stronger cooperation in agri-tech, easier movement of professionals and greater recognition of professional qualifications among member and partner countries.

Digital payments and emerging technologies also featured prominently in India’s proposals. Minister Goyal encouraged BRICS countries to connect their payment systems, promote trade in local currencies and work more closely on digital trade. India also presented opportunities in startups, artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, Minister of State Jitin Prasada highlighted India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and called for further cooperation on semiconductors and technology development.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said India’s BRICS Chairship had focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. He highlighted trade facilitation, supply chain connectivity, MSMEs, startups, women-led enterprises and digital innovation as areas where BRICS could deepen economic ties. Furthermore, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal noted that intra-BRICS trade had grown from USD 84 billion in 2003 to nearly USD 1.2 trillion in 2024.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

India’s BRICS Presidency pushed innovation, startups and resilient growth through business cooperation.

BRICS Business Forum 2026 took place in India on 11 September, focusing on trade, investment, innovation and commercial cooperation among BRICS economies. The forum was held under India’s BRICS Presidency theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

The forum highlighted the economic scale of BRICS, whose countries represented 50 per cent of the world’s population, 40 per cent of global GDP and more than 25 per cent of global trade. Additionally, The combined GDP of BRICS countries had grown around 4.5 times since 2006, while the global economy had grown approximately 2.5 times over the same period.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined India’s business priorities in his opening address, highlighting opportunities in infrastructure, shipbuilding, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals and biotechnology. Innovation also featured prominently, with attention given to artificial intelligence, healthcare, green hydrogen, batteries, defence and space.

The forum highlighted initiatives supporting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, including the BRICS Incubator Network, BRICS MSME Portal and BRICS Startup Innovation Fund. Cooperation networks covering agriculture, healthcare, skills and smart grids were also presented as areas for further business engagement.

Prime Minister Modi also proposed identifying the top 10 trade barriers among BRICS countries, helping 100 BRICS start-ups each year expand into other BRICS markets, and developing 1,000 new business partnerships. The BRICS Business Council was encouraged to review progress against these targets annually.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India

The meeting focused on food security, farmer livelihoods and agricultural innovation priorities.

The 9th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AIMMAF) was held in New Delhi on 9 September 2026, focusing on food security, sustainable agriculture and resilient food and agricultural systems. The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture, representing the Chair of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry, and H.E. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, India’s Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The ministers discussed challenges affecting food, agriculture and forestry, including climate change, extreme weather, geopolitical and economic tensions, fluctuations in energy, fertiliser and other agricultural input markets, trade and logistics disruptions, and plant and animal health. They stressed the need to maintain supplies of food and essential agricultural inputs, improve regional monitoring and early-warning systems, diversify supply sources and support smallholders and vulnerable groups.

The meeting reviewed progress under the ASEAN-India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry 2021-2025. The achievements from the cooperation period includes the ASEAN-India Millets Festivals held in Jakarta and New Delhi in 2023, and the 2024 launch of the ASEAN-India Fellowship for Higher Education in Agriculture and Allied Sciences, which provides 50 Master’s fellowships over five years for students from ASEAN Member States. The discussion further noted progress on smart farming, soil health, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, machine learning for precision agriculture and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange.

The ministers also looked towards the ASEAN-India Medium-Term Plan of Action for Cooperation in Agriculture and Forestry 2026-2030. The new plan will focus on food security, trade and investment, resilient value chains, digital innovation, joint research, technology cooperation, farmer exchanges and rural enterprise. The areas identified for future cooperation include low-emission rice, water productivity, digital agriculture, soil health, climate-resilient crops, food safety, post-harvest management, reducing food loss and waste, and sustainable forest management.

The meeting also agreed to improve market connectivity, value-added processing, preservation technologies and agricultural and forestry logistics. Senior officials and relevant working mechanisms were tasked with translating the new plan into a rolling work programme with clear priorities, timelines and expected outputs. The 10th ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry is scheduled for 2028.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)