National District Mineral Foundation Summit 2026

♦ Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National District Mineral Foundation Summit 2026 on March 23 at the SCOPE Convention Centre in New Delhi, with a focus on improving the utilisation of funds in mining-impacted areas. The two-day event concludes on 24 March. The summit is centred around enhancing the outcome-driven use of District Mineral Foundation funds, particularly in regions covered under the Aspirational District Programme and Aspirational Block Programme. It seeks to strengthen coordination among various levels of government while identifying key policy improvements.

♦ The summit aims to strengthen coordination between the Centre, States and district administrations while identifying reforms for better planning and implementation of DMF funds. The focus is on ensuring that these funds are utilised efficiently to deliver measurable improvements in socio-economic conditions in mining-affected areas.

India and Bhutan

♦ India and Bhutan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Postal Cooperation, providing a structured framework for collaboration between India Post and Bhutan Post. The MoU aims to promote cooperation in areas such as postal operations, technology development, capacity building, logistics connectivity, philately, and knowledge exchange.

♦ The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Communications and Bhutan’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministry during the ongoing Bhutan visit of the secretary of the Department of Posts. Both nations also agreed to deepen collaboration in the technology domain, including sharing experience and best practices related to India Post’s evolving technology ecosystem.

Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal

♦ Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal participated in the 12th Asian and Pacific Regional Conference organised by the All India Prosecutors’ Association in New Delhi on 12 MArch 2026. 

♦ The discussion focused on key issues, including reforms in the judicial system and strengthening the prosecution mechanism. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Finland President Alexander Stubb at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 5 March 2026, discussing ways to further strengthen ties between India and Finland across multiple sectors. India and Finland announced a series of agreements and initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across sectors including mobility, sustainability, technology and innovation.

♦ Among the major outcomes of the visit was the signing of a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, which aims to facilitate the movement of skilled professionals between the two countries. Finland has become an increasingly important destination for Indian talent, particularly in technology and innovation sectors.

♦ The two sides also renewed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation, originally signed in 2020. The renewed agreement will expand collaboration in sustainability-related areas such as bioenergy, waste-to-energy solutions, green hydrogen, renewable energy storage, and wind, solar and small hydropower technologies.

♦ In addition, a new MoU on Cooperation in Statistics was signed to promote exchange of expertise and best practices in the field of official statistics.

Narendra Modi

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney at Hyderabad House, New Delhi on 2 March 2026. The meeting marked Carney’s first official visit to India since assuming office. 

♦ India and Canada signing a landmark uranium supply agreement worth $2.6 billion. The deal will help India secure a long-term supply of fuel for its civil nuclear energy programme. They also agreed to work together on new technologies such as small modular reactors and advanced nuclear reactors. Along with the uranium pact, India and Canada decided to speed up negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

♦ Several Memorandums of Understanding were also signed during the visit. These included agreements on cooperation in critical minerals, promotion of renewable energy, and cultural exchange. The two leaders also expanded cooperation in renewable energy and climate action.