The year 2025-2026 witnessed several key summits at the national and international level addressing major global issues such as security, climate, and technology.
1st Raisina Middle East Conference (2025)
The first Raisina Middle East Conference was held on 28-29 January 2025 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to strengthen India-Middle East strategic and economic cooperation.
- Venue: Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Chief Guest: S. Jaishankar.
- Organisers: Observer Research Foundation, ORF Middle East, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
- Key Focus: Trade, connectivity, technology, energy, and regional security cooperation.
Key Outcomes of the 1st Raisina Middle East Conference (2025)
- Support for IMEC: Strong emphasis on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to improve connectivity and trade.
- Technology Cooperation: Focus on AI governance, digital infrastructure, and semiconductor partnerships.
- Energy & Climate: Discussions on green hydrogen, clean energy transition, and energy security.
- Strategic & Maritime Security: Emphasis on regional stability, maritime safety, and secure supply chains.
- India–UAE Partnership: Reinforced growing India-UAE economic and strategic ties under CEPA.
AI Action Summit 2025
The AI Action Summit 2025 was held from 10–11 February 2025. This was the third edition of the global AI summit series after Bletchley Park (2023) and Seoul (2024).
- Venue: Grand Palais, Paris, France.
- Host Country: France.
- Co-Chairs: President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Participants: Representatives from over 100 countries, including governments, industry leaders, academia, and civil society.
- Key Focus: Safe AI governance, innovation, inclusivity, and global cooperation.
Key Outcomes of the AI Action Summit 2025
- Five Key Thematic Areas: Public interest AI, Future of work, Innovation and culture, Trust and safety and Inclusive global AI governance.
- Paris Statement: Over 50 countries supported a shared vision for safe, inclusive, and sustainable development of AI. The United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) did not sign it.
- Public Interest AI Push: Strong emphasis on developing AI systems that serve public welfare and social good.
- Global South Inclusion: Focus on reducing the digital divide by improving access to computing power and AI resources in developing countries.
- InvestAI Initiative: Launch of funding mechanisms to support public-interest AI projects and innovation in AI governance.
- AI for Good Projects: Multiple initiatives showcased AI applications in healthcare, education, climate action, and governance.
Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025
The Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 was held on 24–25 February 2025 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The summit focused on attracting investment, promoting industrial growth, and generating employment opportunities in the state.
- Venue: Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Bhopal.
- Host State: Madhya Pradesh.
- Theme: Infinite Possibilities.
- Objective: To attract domestic and foreign investment and boost employment and industrial development in Madhya Pradesh.
Key Outcomes of GIS 2025
- Investment Commitments: MoUs worth around ₹30.77 lakh crore were signed during the summit.
- Focus Sectors: Investments targeted renewable energy, IT, MSMEs, infrastructure, startups, health services, technical education, and skill development.
- Global Participation: More than 25,000 registrations and participation from delegates representing over 60 countries.
- Partner Countries: Nine countries participated as partner nations, including Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, and Canada.
- Employment & Industrial Growth: The summit aimed to promote large industries, ancillary industries, and job creation in Madhya Pradesh.
- Vision for Developed India: Discussions highlighted India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and the world’s third-largest economy by 2027.
World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025
The inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 was held from 1–4 May 2025 in Mumbai, to promote India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.
- Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India.
- Organiser: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Inaugurated By: Narendra Modi.
- Participants: Over 10,000 delegates and creators from more than 90 countries.
- Objective: To promote dialogue, innovation, collaboration, and investment in the media and entertainment sector.
Key Outcomes of WAVES 2025
- WAVES Declaration: Representatives from 77 countries adopted the WAVES Declaration, strengthening global cooperation in media and entertainment.
- Business Deals: WAVES Bazaar facilitated media and entertainment deals worth over ₹1,300 crore.
- Create in India Challenge: Showcased young creators and innovators, with 750 finalists presenting their work at the Creatosphere.
- Four Core Pillars:
- Broadcasting & Infotainment
- AVGC-XR (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality)
- Digital Media & Innovation
- Films
- WaveXcelerator Platform: Connected startups with investors and mentors to support innovation in the media sector.
- Global Media Dialogue: Discussions focused on media ethics, digital innovation, international cooperation, and emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality.
- Bharat Pavilion: Highlighted India’s journey from traditional arts to digital creativity under the theme “Kala to Code.”
51st G7 Summit
The 51st G7 Summit was held from 16-17 June 2025.
- Venue: Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
- Host Country: Canada.
- India’s Status: India attended as an outreach country for the sixth consecutive year.
- Key Theme: Economic resilience, climate action, critical minerals security and resilient supply chains.
Key Outcomes of the 51st G7 Summit:
- Kananaskis Wildfire Charter: Adopted to address wildfire threats through science-based policies, local action and nature-based solutions.
- G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan: Launched to diversify critical mineral supply chains, boost investment and promote local value addition and innovation.
- Support for RISE Partnership: G7 reaffirmed commitment to the World Bank-led Resilient and Inclusive Supply Chain Enhancement (RISE) Partnership.
- Condemnation of Transnational Repression (TNR): G7 condemned foreign interference aimed at intimidating or coercing individuals and communities abroad.
- Measures Against Migrant Smuggling: G7 strengthened cooperation through the G7 Coalition and the 2024 Action Plan to counter migrant smuggling.
- Climate and Forest Commitments: Reaffirmed support for the 2021 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration to halt deforestation and land degradation by 2030.
NATO Summit 2025
The NATO Summit 2025 was held from 24–25 June 2025.
- Venue: World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands.
- Host Country: It marked the first NATO summit hosted by the Netherlands.
- Chair: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
- Key Participants: NATO member states + Indo-Pacific partners (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea). It was the first NATO summit attended by the U.S. President Donald Trump during his second term.
- Key Focus: Defence spending, collective security, support to Ukraine, industrial capacity, and Indo-Pacific security linkages.
Key Outcomes of NATO Summit 2025
- The Hague Summit Declaration: Adopted as the main political outcome of the summit.
- 5% Defence Spending Pledge: NATO members agreed to raise defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, replacing the earlier 2% target.
- 3.5% for core military capability development and NATO capability targets.
- 1.5% for defence-related areas like cyber security, infrastructure protection, civil preparedness, innovation, and defence industry strengthening.
- Reaffirmation of Article 5: Allies reaffirmed commitment to collective defence, stressing unity against emerging hybrid threats like cyberattacks and sabotage.
- Support for Ukraine: Continued political and military support to Ukraine was reiterated, with greater flexibility allowing defence aid contributions to be counted in national defence spending calculations.
- Defence Industrial Expansion: Adoption of Defence Production Action Plan and Rapid Adoption Action Plan to boost joint production, reduce barriers, and strengthen NATO defence supply chains.
- Indo-Pacific Engagement: Special session held with Indo-Pacific partners (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea) highlighting security linkages such as Russia–North Korea military cooperation.
17th BRICS Summit 2025
The 17th BRICS Summit was held on 6-7 July 2025.
- Venue: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Host Country: Brazil.
- Theme: Strengthening Global South cooperation for a more Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.
- Next Chair : India will assume BRICS Chairship and host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.
- India’s Participation: Prime Minister of India participated in the summit.
- New Member: Indonesia became a BRICS member in January 2025 and participated in the 17th BRICS Summit for the first time since its membership.
Key Outcomes of the 17th BRICS Summit
- Global Governance Reform: Supported expansion of the UN Security Council to include more representation from Asia, Africa and Latin America; pushed reforms in IMF and World Bank to better reflect Emerging Markets and Developing Countries; and backed a fair, rules-based WTO system.
- Sustainable Development & Climate Finance: Adopted a framework to mobilize climate finance for developing countries and signed an MoU on BRICS Carbon Markets Partnership to promote cooperation in carbon pricing and emissions trading.
- Peace and Security: Reaffirmed “African Solutions for African Problems,” called for Gaza ceasefire and two-state solution, and condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. India emphasized that terrorism must be opposed universally without double standards.
- Financial Cooperation: Progress on Cross-Border Payments Initiative to reduce dependence on the US dollar, support for expansion of the New Development Bank, and launch of BRICS Multilateral Guarantees (BMG) pilot to reduce investment risk.
- Technology & Digital Economy: Adoption of BRICS statement on global AI governance, agreement on data economy cooperation, and proposal to establish a BRICS Space Council for joint space activities.
- Health Cooperation: Launch of Partnership for elimination of socially determined diseases, with focus on tuberculosis.
- CBAM Concern: BRICS countries condemned the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), stating it acts as a trade barrier and affects exports from developing economies like steel and cement.
25th SCO Summit (2025)
The 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held from 31 August-1 September 2025. The summit marked the first meeting of SCO at its full 10-member membership size.
- Venue: Tianjin, China (Meijiang International Convention and Exhibition Center).
- Host Country: China.
- Chair: President Xi Jinping.
- Next Chair: Kyrgyzstan (2025–26).
- Theme: Preserving the Shanghai Spirit: The Dynamism of the SCO.
- India’s Participation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit.
Key Outcomes of the 25th SCO Summit (2025)
- Expansion of SCO : Laos granted partner status, expanding SCO’s total strength to 27 countries (10 members + 17 partners).
- Tianjin Declaration (Counter-Terrorism): Strongly condemned terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack, rejected “double standards” in counter-terrorism, and called for ending cross-border movement of terrorists.
- Global Governance Initiative (GGI): Proposed vision for a more just, multipolar world based on sovereign equality, multilateralism, and fair global order; aligned with India’s idea of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
- Opposition to Unilateral Sanctions: Members opposed unilateral coercive measures (including economic sanctions) that go against UN and WTO principles.
- Peace & Security Concerns: Condemned military actions in Gaza and Iran and stressed inclusive governance in Afghanistan for regional stability.
- Economic Cooperation: Emphasis on boosting trade and investment, stabilizing global trade flows, and proposal to establish an SCO Development Bank.
Gaza Peace Summit (2025)
The Gaza Peace Summit, also known as the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, was held on 13 October 2025, following the implementation of a ceasefire agreement on 10 October 2025. The summit focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian relief, and post-war reconstruction in Gaza.
- Venue: Sharm El-Sheikh International Convention Centre, Egypt.
- Host Country: Egypt.
- Co-Chairs: US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
- Participants: Representatives from around 30 countries, UN officials, and regional leaders.
- India’s Participation: India was represented by the Minister of State for External Affairs.
- Notable Absence: Representatives from Israel and Hamas were not physically present at the venue, with regional powers acting as direct mediators
Key Outcomes of the Gaza Peace Summit (2025)
- Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity: Leaders of the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed a declaration inaugurating the US-backed 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
- Peace Through Diplomacy: The plan declared that future disputes should be resolved through diplomatic engagement and negotiation rather than force or prolonged conflict.
- Hamas Disarmament & Gaza Reconstruction: Called for Hamas’s disarmament and internationally supervised reconstruction of Gaza.
- No Forced Displacement: The plan stated that Palestinians would not be forcibly removed from Gaza and Israel would neither occupy nor annex the Gaza Strip.
- No Explicit Two-State Guarantee: The 20-point peace plan did not guarantee the creation of an independent Palestinian state or a formal two-state solution.
- Ceasefire & Prisoner Exchange: Summit supported implementation of the ceasefire and mechanisms for release of hostages and prisoners.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Leaders pushed for unrestricted humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, fuel, and reconstruction materials.
- Transitional Governance Discussions: Discussions began on future governance arrangements and stabilization mechanisms for Gaza.
- Regional Diplomacy: Summit highlighted the growing role of regional guarantors and multilateral diplomacy in Middle East peace efforts.
- India’s Stand: India appreciated international efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
22nd ASEAN–India Summit (2025)
The 22nd ASEAN–India Summit was held on 26 October 2025. The meeting strengthened the ASEAN–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
- Venue: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Chair/Co-Chair: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia).
- India’s Participation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated virtually.
- Theme: Inclusivity and Sustainability.
- Key Focus: Maritime cooperation, trade, digital economy, and regional connectivity.
Key Outcomes of the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit (2025)
- ASEAN Expansion: Timor-Leste participated as the 11th member of ASEAN for the first time in the summit.
- ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030): Endorsed to implement and strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) across political, economic, and security areas.
- Maritime Cooperation (2026): India declared 2026 as ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation focusing on Blue Economy, maritime security, and disaster management.
- Trade Cooperation: Call for early review of the ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to address trade imbalance and improve market access.
- Tourism Cooperation: 2025 marked as the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism with emphasis on sustainable tourism development.
- Capacity Building: Proposal to establish a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Nalanda University to promote academic and cultural exchange.
- Technology & Strategic Cooperation: Strengthening collaboration in fintech, semiconductors, cyber security, critical minerals, rare earths, and emerging technologies.
- Cultural & Maritime Initiatives: India to host the Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal, Gujarat, and expand maritime security cooperation exercises.
APEC Summit 2025
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2025 was held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from 31 October-1 November 2025, where leaders adopted the APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration (2025) focusing on inclusive growth, AI transformation, and regional economic cooperation.
- Venue: Gyeongju, South Korea.
- Host Country: South Korea.
- Theme: Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper.
- Participants: Leaders of 21 APEC member economies.
- Key Document: APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration (2025).
Key Outcomes of the APEC Summit 2025
- Gyeongju Declaration (2025): Reaffirmed commitment to inclusive growth, digital transformation, and stronger regional economic integration.
- Three Core Priorities:
- Building a dynamic and interconnected regional economy
- Preparing for AI and digital transformation
- Ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth benefits all
- APEC AI Initiative (2026–2030): Launched to promote innovation, capacity building, cooperation, and sustainable AI development.
- Framework for Demographic Changes: Adopted to address ageing populations, declining birth rates, urbanisation, and promote “silver economy” opportunities.
- Economic & Technological Cooperation:
- China and South Korea renewed a currency swap agreement and signed a cybersecurity MoU.
- US–China discussions signaled easing trade tensions and possible tariff reductions.
- Support for Multilateralism: Reaffirmed commitment to the Putrajaya Vision 2040 for free, fair, and rules-based trade and investment cooperation.
- Putrajaya Vision 2040: A long-term APEC strategy adopted in 2020 to build an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community.
World Toilet Summit (WTS) 2025
The World Toilet Summit 2025 was held in New Delhi, India, alongside World Toilet Day (19 November), focusing on sanitation, dignity, and sustainable waste management.
- Host Organisations: Sulabh International and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Theme: “Sanitation: Collective Responsibility for Dignity and Planet.”
- Organiser: World Toilet Organization.
- Focus Areas: Circular economy in sanitation, sustainable waste management, and transition from ODF to ODF++ status.
Key Outcomes of World Toilet Summit 2025
-
- Promotion of Sanitation & Hygiene: Emphasis on safe sanitation, dignity, and environmental sustainability.
- ODF++ Focus: Discussions on improving sewage treatment and waste management beyond open-defecation-free status.
- Circular Economy in Sanitation: Encouraged reuse and recycling of wastewater and sanitation resources.
- Awareness Campaigns Launched:
-
- “Toilet Paas Hai” campaign to improve awareness and accessibility of toilets.
- “Main Saaf Hi Achha Hoon” campaign promoting cleanliness and hygiene practices.
20th G20 Summit (2025)
- Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. It marked the first-ever G20 Summit hosted on the African continent
- Chair: South Africa.
- Troika: Brazil (previous), South Africa (current), United States (next).
- Theme: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.
- Significance: It marked the first-ever G20 Summit hosted on the African continent
- India’s Participation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit.
- Top leaders of several major economies, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and notably the United States did not participate in the summit despite being a G20 member.
Key Outcomes of the 20th G20 Summit (2025)
- Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration: Adopted a 122-paragraph consensus document covering climate action, global governance reform, and inclusive development.
- African Union Integration: Strengthened and operationalised the African Union’s permanent membership in G20 decision-making processes.
- UNSC Reform: Supported expansion and reform of the UN Security Council to improve representation for Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
- Condemnation of Terrorism: Reaffirmed strong collective condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
- Climate Finance Push: Committed to scaling climate finance toward a “billions-to-trillions” model and advancing equitable transition under the Paris Agreement.
- Debt Relief Initiative: Launch of a Cost of Capital Commission to address Africa’s debt crisis (~USD 1.8 trillion) and reform credit rating systems.
- Mission 300: Initiative by World Bank and African Development Bank to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
- Critical Minerals Framework: Promoted sustainable extraction, local processing, and value addition in developing countries.
- Women Empowerment: Commitment to improving women’s participation in decision-making and ensuring gender equality in development outcomes.
- Youth Employment Targets: Adoption of Nelson Mandela Bay Target to reduce youth NEET rate by 5% by 2030 and achieve 25% gender parity in workforce participation.
- Global Governance Emphasis: Reinforced multilateralism and equitable global order amid geopolitical tensions and leadership absences of major powers.
UNFCCC COP30 (2025)
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) was held in Belém, Brazil, where countries adopted the Belém Package to strengthen climate action, climate finance, adaptation, and implementation of the Paris Agreement.
- Host Country: Brazil.
- Significance: Called the “Forest COP” because of its focus on forests, climate implementation, and the Amazon region.
Key Outcomes of COP30
- Belém Package: Countries adopted 29 decisions focusing on climate finance, adaptation, just transition, and implementation of climate goals.
- Just Transition Mechanism: Created to help workers and economies shift away from fossil fuels through training and cooperation.
- Adaptation Finance: Countries agreed to triple funding for climate adaptation by 2030 compared to 2025 levels.
- Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): Countries adopted indicators to track progress on climate adaptation.
- Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF): Brazil launched a mechanism to financially reward countries for protecting tropical forests.
- Belém 4x Pledge: Countries aimed to increase the use of sustainable fuels four times by 2035.
- Belém Gender Action Plan: Focused on increasing women’s participation in climate decision-making.
India’s Stand at COP30
- India demanded predictable and grant-based climate finance from developed countries.
- India stressed the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR-RC), saying developed countries should take greater responsibility.
- India opposed the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), calling it unfair for developing countries.
EARTH Summit 2025
The EARTH Summit 2025 was held on 5–6 December 2025.
- Venue: Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Organisers: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
- Theme: Empowerment of Rural Innovation for Global Change.
Key Outcomes of EARTH Summit 2025
- Sahakar Sarathi Services: The Ministry of Cooperation launched more than 13 digital platforms and services to modernise cooperatives and strengthen the rural economy.
- Digi Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Introduced to simplify digital access to agricultural credit for farmers.
- Cooperative Governance Index: Launched to improve transparency, accountability, and performance assessment of cooperatives.
- World’s Largest Grain Storage Application: Introduced to strengthen agricultural storage infrastructure and food security.
- ePACS Platform: A new digital platform was introduced to modernise the functioning of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and improve service delivery.
- Sahakar Taxi Initiative: A cooperative-based taxi network was introduced with more than 51,000 registered drivers to create employment opportunities in rural areas.
- Promotion of Gram Swaraj: Summit emphasized Gandhian vision of village-centred development and self-reliant rural communities.
- Cooperative Insurance Framework: A cooperative insurance model covering health, life, accident, and agricultural insurance was proposed to improve social security in villages.
- Shiksha Sarathi and Sarathi Technology Forum: These initiatives were launched to train cooperative personnel and encourage the adoption of modern technologies in rural institutions.
- Focus on Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Discussions highlighted regenerative farming, natural farming, water conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Promotion of Rural Entrepreneurship: The summit encouraged women-led startups, youth skilling, innovation networks, and circular economy opportunities in rural India.
- Future Roadmap: Insights from the Hyderabad and Gandhinagar editions will be combined to draft a National Cooperative Policy Framework, which will be presented at the final summit in New Delhi.
India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held from 16–20 February 2026 under the IndiaAI Mission. It marked the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South, shifting the focus from AI safety to AI for development and impact.
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Organiser: Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under IndiaAI Mission.
- Theme: People, Planet, Progress.
- Core Philosophy: “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (Welfare and happiness for all).
Key Outcomes of the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- New Delhi AI Declaration: Adopted to promote global cooperation on inclusive, responsible, and development-oriented AI governance.
- People–Planet–Progress Framework:
- People: AI for healthcare, education, financial inclusion
- Planet: Climate action and sustainability through AI
- Progress: Economic growth, governance, and public service delivery
- Seven Working Pillars (Chakras): Health, agriculture, safe & trusted AI, science, inclusion, democratizing AI resources, and economic development.
- Pledges Campaign Record: Guinness World Record for 250,946 AI responsibility pledges in 24 hours.
- AI for ALL Initiatives: Showcased innovation challenges including AI for ALL Global Impact Challenge and AI by HER (women-led innovation).
- Key Focus Areas: AI in healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, governance, and job creation.
India EU summit
The 16th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi, India, from 25 to 27 January, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the summit alongside European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Key Outcomes & Agreements
- The India-EU FTA: Often referred to as the "mother of all deals," this landmark agreement covers a shared market of over two billion people. It features sweeping tariff cuts (over 90%) aimed at significantly boosting mutual trade and investments.
- Security & Defence Partnership: The summit marked a deeper alignment on geopolitical issues, counter-terrorism, and Indo-Pacific security. It also paved the way for enhanced joint maritime operations and defence cooperation.
- Clean Energy & Digital Tech: Following up on the established Trade and Technology Council (TTC), leaders advanced commitments for green hydrogen development, trusted digital governance, and resilient global supply chains
Raisina Dialogue 2026
The 11th Raisina Dialogue was held from 5–7 March 2026 in New Delhi, India. The conference brought together around 2,700 participants from 110 countries and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Finland President Alexander Stubb delivering the keynote address.
- Organisers: Observer Research Foundation and Ministry of External Affairs.
- Theme: Saṁskāra – Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.
- Key Focus: Multipolar world order, science diplomacy, and strategic cooperation.
Key Outcomes of Raisina Dialogue 2026
- Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI): Launched to integrate science and technology into foreign policy, focusing on AI, semiconductors, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
- Multipolar World Order: Discussions highlighted the growing role of the Global South and emerging South–South partnerships in global governance.
- India’s Strategic Role: India’s engagement through BRICS, IMEC, and India-France-UAE trilateral was highlighted.
- Reformed Multilateralism: Strong support for UNSC reforms and India’s permanent membership.
- Maritime Security: Focus on securing maritime routes, supply chains, and undersea communication cables in the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea regions.
9th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC 2026)
The 9th Indian Ocean Conference was held from 10–12 April 2026. The conference focused on maritime security, regional cooperation, energy security, and geopolitical challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Venue: Port Louis, Mauritius
- Theme: Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance.
- Organisers: India Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Mauritius.
- Significance: First Indian Ocean Conference hosted in Africa.
- Participants: Delegates, ministers, and experts from over 30 countries.
Key Outcomes of the 9th Indian Ocean Conference (2026)
- India on West Asia Conflict: India opposed attacks on civilians and commercial shipping, and called for de-escalation and stability in the region.
- Maritime Security & Trade: Emphasis on securing critical sea routes and ensuring uninterrupted maritime navigation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- India–Mauritius Energy Pact: India moved to finalise an oil and gas supply agreement with Mauritius to strengthen regional energy security.
- SAGAR Vision: Conference reaffirmed cooperation under India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
- Global South & Regional Cooperation: Bangladesh called for revitalising SAARC, while discussions stressed stronger Global South partnerships and regional resilience.
Santa Marta Climate Conference (2026)
The First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, popularly known as the Santa Marta Climate Conference, was held from 24–29 April 2026. The conference brought together a “coalition of the willing” countries to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels.
- Venue: Santa Marta, Colombia.
- Co-Hosts: Colombia and the Netherlands.
- Participants: Representatives from 57 countries, accounting for nearly 50% of global GDP.
- Objective: To develop practical roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy transitions.
- Significance: Organised outside the UNFCCC process due to frustration with slow climate negotiations at COP summits.
Key Outcomes of the Santa Marta Climate Conference (2026)
- Support for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: Countries backed stronger global action to limit fossil fuel extraction and use.
- Climate Finance & Green Transition: Emphasis on phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and providing financial support to developing countries for clean energy transition.
- PFrance’s Fossil Exit Roadmap: France announced plans to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050.
- Major Limitation: Absence of major emitters like the US, China, and India reduced the conference’s global impact.
- Next Conference: Ireland and Tuvalu will co-host the next summit in 2027.
Important Summits and Conferences 2025-2026 FAQs
Q1: Where was the AI Action Summit 2025 held?
Ans: It was held in Paris, France.
Q2: Where was the NATO Summit 2025 held?
Ans: It was held in The Hague, Netherlands.
Q3: Which country became a new BRICS member in 2025?
Ans: Indonesia became a BRICS member.
Q4: Where was the Gaza Peace Summit 2025 held?
Ans: It was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Q5: Which country hosted the 20th G20 Summit 2025?
Ans: South Africa hosted the 20th G20 Summit.
