INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi's Historic Visit to Slovakia (2026)

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Slovakia from 14–16 June 2026, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia's independence in 1993.

• The visit took place in Bratislava during the second leg of PM Modi's three-nation European tour.

• India and Slovakia established diplomatic relations in 1993 and have witnessed growing high-level engagements in recent years.

• Bilateral talks focused on trade, investment, innovation, automobiles, railways, and defence cooperation.

• Trade between the two countries crossed USD 1 billion in 2024 and increased to USD 1.8 billion in 2025.

• Around 11,000 Indians were working in Slovak industries by June 2026, while Slovakia expressed interest in recruiting over 100,000 additional Indian workers.

• PM Modi held meetings with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico during the visit.

• Slovakia, a landlocked country in Central Europe with Bratislava as its capital, welcomed the Prime Minister with the traditional bread-and-salt ceremony symbolising hospitality.

India–France Launch Innovation Roadmap 2030 and Economic Security Dialogue

• India and France adopted the Innovation Roadmap 2030 during bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron in Nice on 14 June 2026.

• The roadmap focuses on cooperation in artificial intelligence, startups, emerging technologies, and innovation ecosystems.

• Both countries agreed to establish a Joint India–France AI Working Group to promote AI collaboration and global governance.

• A new Dialogue on Economic Security was launched to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors, cybersecurity, energy, and resilient supply chains.

• The two sides aim to double bilateral trade within the next five years through a high-level coordination mechanism.

• Nineteen agreements were signed between institutions from the innovation ecosystems of both countries.

• France reaffirmed its target of hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030 and enhancing mobility for students, researchers, and professionals.

• India's UPI is expected to expand its presence in France, while 10 additional Indian startups will be incubated at Station F, one of Europe's largest startup hubs.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Global Wind Day 2026: Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition

• Global Wind Day 2026 will be observed on 15 June, marking the 18th annual celebration of wind energy awareness worldwide.

• The observance is organised by WindEurope and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to promote renewable energy and sustainable development.

• The global theme for 2026 is "Our Wind, Our Community", while India's conference theme is "Wind Energy: From Ambition to Acceleration."

• India will host the Global Wind Day 2026 Conference in Goa, bringing together key stakeholders from the renewable energy sector.

• Wind energy is a renewable, non-fossil source of electricity generated through wind turbines in onshore and offshore wind farms.

• India ranks 4th globally in installed wind power capacity, which increased from 21.04 GW (2014) to 56.09 GW in March 2026.

• Around 28 GW of additional wind energy projects are currently under implementation across the country.

• Wind power helps reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, and is projected to meet 9% of global electricity demand by 2030.

NATIONAL NEWS

Centre Extends Tenure of Ravi-Beas and Krishna Water Tribunals

• The Central Government extended the tenure of the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal by one year through gazette notifications issued on 15 June 2026.

• Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunals are constituted under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to adjudicate disputes over inter-state rivers.

• The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal, set up in April 1986, deals with water-sharing disputes among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

• One of India's oldest active tribunals, it submitted its initial report in 1987, but the matter remains unresolved due to requests for clarifications by the states.

• The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II), constituted in April 2004, addresses disputes involving Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

• The Krishna Tribunal has now been granted an extension until 31 July 2027 to continue its adjudication process.

• Water is a State List subject under Entry 17 of the Seventh Schedule, but inter-state river disputes require a separate statutory mechanism because river basins cross state boundaries.

• The Sutlej–Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal dispute is closely linked to the Ravi-Beas water-sharing issue, while gazette notifications serve as official legal instruments for such extensions.

India–Slovakia Back UNSC Reforms and India's Permanent Membership Bid

• India and Slovakia issued a joint statement in Bratislava on 15 June 2026, calling for comprehensive reforms of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• The two countries supported the expansion of the UNSC in both permanent and non-permanent categories to make it more representative and effective.

• Slovakia reaffirmed its strong support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UNSC.

• Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that countries like India deserve a permanent seat in the Security Council.

• The UNSC, established under the UN Charter in 1945, consists of 15 members—5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

• The five permanent members (P5) are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, each possessing veto power under Article 27 of the UN Charter.

• India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.

• Slovakia also adopted a constructive approach towards India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the 48-member nuclear export control regime formed in 1974.

AWARDS

PM Modi Receives Slovakia's Highest State Honour

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Slovakia's highest state decoration, the Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, in Bratislava on 15 June 2026.

• The honour was presented by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during a special state ceremony.

• The Order of the White Double Cross is Slovakia's highest civilian and military award granted to foreign nationals.

• The First Class is the highest grade of the decoration, recognising exceptional contributions to Slovakia's international relations and foreign policy interests.

• This became the 33rd international honour bestowed upon Narendra Modi by a foreign country.

• During the visit, India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership and concluded 11 agreements in various sectors.

• The visit marked the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993 following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

• PM Modi dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, describing it as an honour for the entire nation.

DEFENCE

Indian Army Introduces Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet

• The Indian Army released the 174-page Army Uniforms-2026 Pamphlet in June 2026, marking the first major revision of dress regulations in eight years.

• The new manual standardises formal, ceremonial, mess, winter working attire, grooming norms, and dress guidelines for women officers.

• Colonial-era terms such as "Royal" have been removed from official dress terminology.

• The indigenous Bandi jacket has been introduced as formal civil attire for Army officers.

• Reviewing Officers are no longer required to carry ceremonial swords, although designated personnel may continue to use them during events like Republic Day parades.

• A new Battle Jacket-based winter working dress has been introduced and will fully replace the Dress 3A jersey uniform by June 2029.

• Pouch belts have been discontinued from Mess Dress Nos. 5 and 6, except for specified arms and services up to the rank of Colonel during regimental functions.

• The manual prohibits radical hairstyles, unauthorised beards, visible gadgets, tattoos, and body piercings (with exemptions for Sikh personnel) and prescribes formal dress options for women officers, including sarees and kurta-salwar sets.

MISCELLANEOUS

Indore Declaration 2026: BRICS Roadmap for Sustainable Agriculture

• The Indore Declaration was adopted during the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting held in Indore under India's BRICS Presidency 2026.

• It presents a farmer-centric roadmap focusing on food security, climate-resilient agriculture, digital innovation, seed sovereignty, and agricultural cooperation.

• The declaration proposes strengthening the BRICS Agricultural Research Platform as a "Knowledge-to-Action (Lab-to-Land) Hub".

• It also supports advancing discussions on establishing a BRICS Grain Exchange to enhance food security cooperation.

• BRICS launched the Network on Agro-Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture to promote sustainable farming practices.

• A BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture was introduced to encourage the use of technology in farming.

• The Global Forum on Farmers' Rights in Seed Systems and BRICS AgriN (Agro Inputs, Genetic Resources & Information Network) were also launched.

• BRICS nations collectively represent nearly 50% of the world's population, around 42% of global agricultural land, and about 42% of global foodgrain production, highlighting the declaration's global significance.