India and Japan

♦ India and Japan held their inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Dialogue in Mumbai, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies and digital innovation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the dialogue was co-chaired by Amit A. Shukla, MEA Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy) and Hanada Takahiro, Deputy Assistant Minister for Cyber Security at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

♦ During the discussions, both sides explored opportunities for collaboration across the entire AI ecosystem, focusing on co-creation, policy alignment, and the development of industry-oriented AI solutions. 

♦ The dialogue builds on the India–Japan AI Cooperation Initiative announced during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan in August 2025. The initiative forms a core part of the broader India–Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade, which seeks to deepen ties in technology, innovation, and strategic sectors.

India and Bhutan

♦ India and Bhutan reaffirmed their deep-rooted trade and economic partnership during the 7th Joint Group of Customs (JGC) meeting held in Munnar. The meeting was co-chaired by Yogendra Garg, Special Secretary and Member (Customs), CBIC, Government of India, and Sonam Jamtsho, Director General, Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Royal Government of Bhutan. 

♦ The JGC continues to serve as a key institutional mechanism to address customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and border management between the two neighbouring nations.

♦ India remains Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80 percent of its total trade. Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed $1.9 billion in FY 2024–25, recording a growth of over 46 percent compared to the previous financial year. 

♦ Given Bhutan’s landlocked geography, land customs stations play a crucial role, with 10 notified points along the India–Bhutan border—six in West Bengal and four in Assam.

Narendra Modi

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 20 April 2026. They unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform India-South Korea relations into a “futuristic partnership,” announcing 25 key outcomes after bilateral discussions. 

♦ A series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and frameworks were signed to boost cooperation across multiple domains. These include agreements in ports, steel supply chains, small and medium enterprises, science and technology, climate action, and cultural industries.

Both sides also launched several new initiatives, including:

♦ An Economic Security Dialogue to strengthen supply chains and critical technologies. A Distinguished Visitors Programme to enhance people-to-people ties. New dialogues between foreign ministries on global issues such as climate change, Arctic cooperation, and maritime affairs. 

♦ Both countries also announced plans to commemorate 2028–29 as the Year of India-ROK Friendship.

Naval Commanders Conference 2026

♦ The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2026 commenced at Nau Sena Bhawan, bringing together senior leadership of the Indian Navy to deliberate on key operational, strategic, and technological priorities.

♦ This edition holds significant importance in the light of swift naval deployments to safeguard India’s Energy Security, amidst ongoing conflict in West Asia with convergence of Multi-National Forces (MNFs) in the Indian Ocean Region.

♦ The Conference also bears prominent significance in reaffirming Navy’s operational doctrine, inter-services coordination and technology driven response mechanisms post ‘Op Sindoor’.

Narendra Modi and Christian Stocker

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at Hyderabad House on  16 April 2026. The meeting marked a significant milestone during Stocker’s first official visit to India and his maiden trip to Asia since assuming office in 2025. On this occation India and Austria signed multiple agreements and announcements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across defence, trade, technology, education and culture.

♦ Among the major outcomes, both sides signed an agreement on audiovisual co-production to promote collaboration between their film industries, enabling joint productions and creative exchanges.

♦ A joint announcement was made to establish a fast-track mechanism to address issues faced by businesses and investors in both countries. The initiative is expected to improve ease of doing business and strengthen investor confidence.

♦ In the defence sector, a Letter of Intent was signed to enhance cooperation in military matters, including defence technology, training and policy dialogue. Another Letter of Intent focused on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, including plans to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

♦ The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on food safety between Austria’s AGES and India’s FSSAI, aimed at enhancing standards, scientific collaboration and trade in agricultural products.

♦ Additionally, a joint Letter of Intent on vocational training and skills development seeks to expand cooperation in apprenticeship programmes and facilitate recognition of Indian vocational qualifications in Austria.

India-Kuwait

♦ Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a virtual meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart Osama Khaled Boodai on 10 April 2026. The discussions focused on strengthening the India-Kuwait strategic partnership by leveraging opportunities in trade and commerce. Goyal highlighted that robust bilateral ties are key to enhancing economic cooperation and achieving shared prosperity.

♦ Both ministers agreed that disruptions to energy supplies and trade routes must be addressed urgently and resolved through peaceful means. They underlined that dialogue remains the most effective path to restoring normalcy in the region.

Spacecraft Mission Operations

♦ The second edition of the international conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS-2026) commenced in Bengaluru.

♦ The three-day conference, themed “Innovative Operations for Smart and Sustainable Space Mission Management – Next Generation,” is being jointly organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

♦ SMOPS-2026 aims to address a wide spectrum of topics related to spacecraft mission operations, including advanced mission design, automation, artificial intelligence, large satellite constellations, human spaceflight, robotics, cybersecurity and interplanetary exploration.

♦ The conference features over 120 oral and 88 poster presentations, along with keynote sessions by experts from leading global space agencies such as NASA, ESA, JAXA and others.