By achieving over 1,413 consecutive days in office since taking power in October 2022, Meloni surpassed the previous single-term record of 1,412 consecutive days set by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi during his second administration (2001–2005).

Giorgia Meloni Sets Postwar Record as Italy’s Longest-Continuously Serving Prime Minister

Breaking Silvio Berlusconi’s Long-Standing Record

Italy has long been known for political instability, going through 68 governments over the past eight decades. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition has demonstrated remarkable longevity. On September 4, 2026, her administration officially reached 1,413 consecutive days in power.

With this milestone, she surpassed the late media tycoon and politician Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi held the record for the single longest unbroken term in post-WWII Italian history (1,412 days during his 2001–2005 cabinet). While Berlusconi still holds the title for most non-consecutive days in power across four separate terms (~9 years total), Meloni now holds the single uninterrupted tenure record.

 Behind Her Longevity

• Political Cohesion: Heading the right-wing Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) party alongside her coalition partners, Meloni benefited from Italy's 2018 electoral system, which secured her bloc a solid parliamentary majority.

• Economic & Policy Focus: Her government focused heavily on strict immigration measures, law and order, and maintaining public finances to stabilize Italy's high national debt.

• International Alliances: Meloni balanced her domestic conservative platform with pragmatic foreign policy within the EU and G7, forging strong bilateral ties with global partners, including India.

Global Congratulations & Reactions

Leaders worldwide acknowledged the milestone. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly congratulated Meloni, praising the trust shown by the Italian electorate and highlighting how their friendship has deepened the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership.

On the evening of Wednesday, September 2, 1752, millions of people across Great Britain and its colonies—including the American colonies—went to bed as usual. When they woke up the following morning, the date wasn't September 3. It was Thursday, September 14, 1752. Overnight, 11 calendar days ceased to exist.

This abrupt leap was not due to a temporal anomaly, magic, or mass slumber, but rather a long-overdue political and scientific realignment: Britain was finally adopting the Gregorian calendar.

The Flaw in Caesar’s Math

For over 1,800 years, the British Empire had relied on the Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The Julian system assumed a solar year lasted exactly 365.25 days, adding a leap year every four years.

However, the Earth actually takes roughly 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds to orbit the Sun. That tiny 11-minute annual overestimation stacked up over centuries, drifting by approximately one full day every 128 years. By the mid-18th century, the British calendar was out of sync with natural solar seasons by nearly a fortnight, causing agricultural and astronomical confusion.

Protestant Pride vs. Astronomical Reality

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the corrected Gregorian calendar to fix the issue and prevent movable religious holidays like Easter from drifting out of spring. Catholic nations in Europe—such as France, Spain, and Italy—immediately adopted the change.

Britain, staunchly Protestant following the English Reformation, refused to follow a papal decree. For nearly two centuries, Britain remained on "Old Style" time, causing diplomatic headaches and trade friction because British dates differed from those in continental Europe by up to 11 days.

The Calendar Act of 1750

Parliament finally resolved the mismatch by passing the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750. The legislation outlined two major changes:

• Shifting New Year’s Day: The official start of the year moved from March 25 (Lady Day) to January 1.

• Dropping 11 Days: September 3 through September 13, 1752, were deleted entirely to realign the calendar with Europe.

Julian Calendar:     Sep 1  →  Sep 2  →  [11 Days Skipped]  →  Sep 14 (Gregorian)
Day of the Week:     Tue    →  Wed    →  ─────────────────  →  Thu

Myth vs. Reality: Did People Really Riot?

A popular historical legend claims that angry mobs took to the streets of London shouting, "Give us back our eleven days!" Believers supposedly feared the government was cutting 11 days off their lifespans or cheating them out of wages.

Modern historians largely consider these "calendar riots" an urban legend. The myth primarily stems from a misinterpretation of William Hogarth’s 1755 satirical painting, An Election Entertainment, which depicts a campaign banner bearing the slogan.

While there was minor confusion regarding lease agreements, interest payments, and birthday celebrations, the legal act made provisions ensuring workers were not shortchanged on rent or wages due to the skipped dates.

A Lasting Legacy: The British Tax Year

The 11-day jump created one lingering quirk still present today: the UK financial tax year.

Under the old calendar, the financial year began on Lady Day, March 25. To ensure the Treasury did not lose 11 days of tax revenue in 1753, the start of the tax year was moved forward 11 days to April 5. Another day was added in 1800 when the Gregorian calendar skipped a leap year that the Julian calendar would have kept, shifting the date to April 6—where the UK tax year remains to this day.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a high-level, previously unreported telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his official diplomatic mission to Tehran. The telephone exchange comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, following the collapse of an interim peace framework and threats of sweeping global sanctions from the U.S. administration.

Strategic Engagement

• Initiation & Primary Objective: The phone conversation was initiated directly by Washington to leverage Pakistan's unique diplomatic position as a mediator. Trump reportedly urged the Pakistani military leadership to help bridge the severe "trust deficit" between Washington and Tehran and convince Iranian officials to re-enter direct peace negotiations.

• Context of Escalating Sanctions: The call transpired just days before the U.S. planned to launch severe economic pressure tactics against Iran. Trump had publicly warned of implementing the "most crushing economic operation" against Iran and any allied nations offering economic lifelines to Tehran.

• Reviving the Islamabad Memorandum: Islamabad had previously served as a guarantor for the June interim peace agreement—often referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum—which provided a 60-day window for de-escalation. However, recent military strikes and maritime standoffs derailed the agreement, prompting Pakistan to initiate fresh shuttle diplomacy.

Complex Regional Agenda in Tehran

Field Marshal Munir arrived in Tehran accompanied by a delegation including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The high-level delegation scheduled talks with key Iranian figures, including individuals close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Beyond U.S.-Iran peace revival, the agenda spans multiple critical regional security issues:

1. Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Disruptions and military blockades in the vital chokepoint have crippled commercial shipping, severely impacting global energy supply chains.

2. Gulf Security & Tripartite Defense: Talks focus on recent Houthi maritime strikes targeting Saudi Arabian assets and the strategic implications of the newly signed mutual defense pact between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

3. Economic Defense: Iranian leadership warned regional neighbors against siding with Washington's punitive economic warfare while defending diplomatic channels as the only way to avoid full-scale conflict.

Analysis: Pakistan's High-Wire Balancing Act

Pakistan finds itself walking a delicate geopolitical tightrope. By acting as a guarantor and mediator, Islamabad seeks to prevent a wider regional conflict that could destabilize South Asia and hyper-inflate energy prices. However, brokering peace requires balancing Washington's aggressive economic strategy against Tehran's security demands and defense agreements with Gulf allies.

The United States has officially enacted 50% import tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, taking effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT following a breakdown in high-stakes negotiations in Washington. The move marks a sharp escalation in trade friction between the two neighboring economies, with Ottawa immediately pledging swift, dollar-for-dollar retaliation.

Breakdown of the Last-Ditch Talks

Negotiators from both nations held intensive three-day sessions aiming to bridge critical trade divides before a extended midnight deadline expired. The impasse reportedly came over sector-specific reliefs. Canadian negotiators sought broader exemptions from existing U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and lumber.

• The U.S. Standpoint: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Washington had presented a forward-looking proposal offering Canada "the best treatment of any major exporter" to the U.S. market, accusing Ottawa of bringing new demands and walking back prior commitments.

• The Canadian Standpoint: Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the U.S. proposal, characterizing last-minute changes by Washington as "unfair, uneconomic, and calling into question the reliability of any deal". Carney formally suspended trade negotiations and ordered the Canadian delegation back to Ottawa.

Scope of the Tariffs and Legal Authority

The new duties target roughly 5% of Canada’s total annual exports to the United States.

• Affected Products: The wide-ranging hit covers goods such as alcohol, dairy products, auto-related items, and distinct consumer products (ranging from hockey sticks to medical tongue depressors).

• Legal Mechanism: President Donald Trump invoked Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930—a rarely used provision authorizing up to 50% import taxes on countries deemed to treat U.S. commerce discriminatorily. Notably, these new tariffs do not include standard exemptions usually granted under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Immediate Retaliation and Economic Outlook

In response to the U.S. action, Prime Minister Carney confirmed that Canada will match the $20 billion tariff load dollar-for-dollar on American imports to protect domestic industries and workers.

With no further negotiation rounds scheduled, trade analysts express concern that the row will disrupt highly integrated North American supply chains, raise costs for consumers on both sides of the border, and complicate the planned renegotiations of the broader USMCA agreement.

Geopolitical friction in East Asia has intensified following high-profile military exercises conducted by Russia's Pacific Fleet around the disputed Southern Kuril Islands. Japan, which claims ownership of the four southernmost islands and refers to them as the "Northern Territories" (Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai islets), lodged a stern diplomatic protest. The exercises signal a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations and mark a renewed show of military assertiveness by Moscow in the North Pacific.

Details of the Military Exercises

According to statements from Russia's Pacific Fleet, the maneuvers involved coordinated live-fire missile strikes targeting simulated enemy naval vessels positioned over 300 kilometers (186 miles) away.

• Naval Participation: The exercises featured the flagship guided-missile cruiser Varyag, which launched two Vulkan anti-ship missiles, alongside the nuclear-powered submarine Omsk, which fired Granit cruise missiles.

• Land-Based Capabilities: A ground-based Bastion coastal defense system deployed on the disputed island of Etorofu (Iturup) participated by firing Oniks supersonic anti-ship missiles.

Russian defense officials confirmed that all designated targets were successfully neutralized, framing the operation as routine combat training. However, regional security analysts view the scale and location of the drills as a direct power projection aimed at Tokyo.

Diplomatic Fallout and Official Responses

The military drills drew an immediate condemnation from Tokyo. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed strong disapproval, stating that Russia’s ongoing military buildup and live-fire activities on the disputed islands directly contradict Japan's territorial position and are "completely unacceptable".

The drills came shortly after a landmark visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Etorofu—his first visit to the island as sitting president—which had already prompted Japan to summon the Russian ambassador. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated that the island chain remains an "inherent part of Japan's territory, both historically and under international law".

Broader Geopolitical Context

The 80-year-old territorial dispute, dating back to the Soviet occupation of the islands at the end of World War II, has historically prevented the two nations from signing a formal peace treaty. Relations have unraveled further due to Tokyo's alignment with Western allies in imposing sanctions on Moscow and providing non-lethal defense aid to Ukraine. By demonstrating advanced anti-ship capabilities around the islands, Moscow appears focused on asserting firm de facto sovereignty over the territory while warning Japan against expanding its strategic and military commitments in Asia and Europe.

In a major show of force, North Korea launched approximately ten short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the salvo occurred late in the afternoon, with the projectiles traveling roughly 300 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Japanese defense officials confirmed the trajectory, stating that the missiles landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) without causing damage to maritime or aviation traffic.

Timing Aligns with Concluding Joint Military Drills

The synchronized launch coincides with the final phase of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea. Despite recent adjustments and a curtailment of the drills' scope intended to ease regional friction, Pyongyang maintains its long-standing stance that all joint allied exercises constitute provocative dress rehearsals for an invasion. Analysts suggest the high-volume barrage was intentionally designed to signal that North Korea’s defense capabilities remain undeterred by diplomatic gestures or modified exercise schedules.

Regional Reactions and Emergency Security Meetings

The military display prompted swift condemnation across neighboring capitals:

• South Korea: Seoul’s National Security Council (NSC) convened an emergency session to evaluate the threat, reiterating that the launches directly violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

• Japan: Japanese government authorities registered a formal protest via diplomatic channels, condemning the test as a direct threat to regional stability and peace.

• United States: The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to the defense of both South Korea and Japan, noting that it is closely monitoring the situation alongside allied intelligence agencies.

Broader Geopolitical Implications

Security analysts point out that multi-missile salvo launches demonstrate North Korea's advancing operational readiness to deploy dense missile barrages intended to overwhelm regional defense systems. The ongoing weapons testing highlights persistent friction on the Korean Peninsula, underscoring the deep divide over denuclearization and security assurances. As joint US–South Korea maneuvers wrap up, regional militaries remain on high alert for follow-up actions or additional strategic tests from Pyongyang.

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia near the town of San José del Palmar in the Chocó Department at 7:34 a.m. local time. The tremor—recorded at a depth of approximately 107 to 110 kilometers by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—shook large swathes of the country, triggering widespread structural collapses, power outages, and emergency evacuations extending all the way to the capital, Bogotá.

At least 132 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 570 injured. Local and national authorities warn that casualties may climb further as search-and-rescue teams navigate massive piles of rubble. The coffee-growing hub of Pereira was among the hardest hit, accounting for at least 60 of the fatalities, while major structural damage was reported across Cali, Manizales, Quibdó, and Cartago. In Cali, sections of the University Hospital collapsed, trapping patients and pediatric unit healthcare workers beneath debris.

In response to the tragedy, Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella declared a national state of emergency, establishing a unified command post to coordinate relief logistics and search efforts.

Why Was the Earthquake So Destructive? Structural Research Explains

While a magnitude 7.4 earthquake naturally delivers substantial ground force, structural engineering research helps explain why so many multi-story buildings suffered catastrophic failures.

1. Inadequate Concrete Wall Thickness

Engineering assessments and full-scale experimental testing conducted on Colombian design practices at institutions like ETH Zurich and the University of Newcastle highlight severe building design vulnerabilities across Latin America. Many mid-rise and high-rise residential structures in Colombia utilize thin reinforced concrete walls—often measuring just 7 to 10 centimeters thick. Under lateral earthquake loads, these ultra-thin walls lack the basic structural mass required to withstand intense horizontal movement.

2. Brittle Single-Layer Reinforcement

Standard construction practice in the region routinely relies on a single layer of steel reinforcement placed inside concrete walls, frequently composed of electrowelded wire mesh. Unlike heavy rebar grids that allow buildings to bend safely without breaking, brittle mesh ruptures abruptly under pressure. When severe shaking occurs, stress concentrates into a single major crack at the wall's base rather than distributing across multiple smaller micro-cracks, leading to sudden wall rupture and total structural collapse.

3. Lack of Confinement Steel

Because these walls are built so thin, contractors are unable to fit boundary "confinement steel"—hooped rebar designed to reinforce wall edges and prevent concrete crushing during sway. Surging urban housing development over recent decades left thousands of residents living in modern structures that failed to incorporate essential seismic ductility principles.

4. Deep Faulting & Tectonic Stress Communication

The USGS reported that the event occurred via strike-slip faulting at an intermediate depth. While deeper earthquakes usually dissipate energy over distance, stress transfer between nearby tectonic fault networks—potentially linked to recent seismic activity elsewhere in northern South America—can trigger high-frequency surface shaking that specifically targets mid-rise rigid concrete buildings.

WASHINGTON — In a surprising turn for the American economy, U.S. nonfarm payrolls contracted unexpectedly in July, with employers shedding 23,000 jobs. The slump represents a sharp deviation from consensus forecasts that had anticipated an addition of roughly 80,000 to 88,000 positions for the month.

Despite the net job losses, the national unemployment rate edged down slightly to 4.1% from 4.2% in June. However, economists note that this dip in joblessness was largely driven by a shrinking labor force rather than organic hiring momentum.

July Employment Report

• Payrolls Decline: U.S. employers cut a net 23,000 positions in July.

• Downward Revisions: May and June payroll additions were retroactively slashed by a combined 103,000 jobs. May gains were adjusted from 129,000 down to 63,000, while June was trimmed from 57,000 to 20,000.

• Unemployment Rate: Dropped to 4.1%, beating estimates of 4.2%.

• Labor Force Participation: Ticked down to 61.4% from 61.5% in June, reflecting fewer overall job seekers in the market.

Shrinking Labor Force Masks Broader Weakness

The drop in the headline unemployment rate to 4.1% initially presents a paradoxical picture alongside headline job losses. However, labor market analysts point out that the rate fell primarily because thousands of individuals exited the active workforce entirely, lowering the labor participation rate to 61.4%. Under standard BLS methodology, individuals who are not actively seeking employment are not counted toward the unemployment total.

The massive downward revisions to May and June figures further signal that the underlying momentum in the labor market had been slowing far earlier in the summer than initially reported.

Macroeconomic Headwinds: Inflation, Tariffs, and High Rates

The sudden contraction in payrolls arrives as businesses navigate a challenging mix of economic pressures. Energy-driven inflation, persistent geopolitical frictions, elevated corporate borrowing costs, and shifts in trade policy have contributed to widespread hiring freezes across multiple commercial sectors.

While corporate hiring accelerated during the first half of the year as companies adjusted to shifting macroeconomic conditions, analysts warn that this period of resilience may be reaching its end. Wage growth has continued to slow, barely outpacing prevailing inflation rates and constraining real consumer purchasing power.

Federal Reserve Implications and Market Reaction

The surprisingly weak report immediately influenced financial markets and recalibrated expectations regarding Federal Reserve policy. Prior to the release, market participants were evaluating whether central bank officials would consider raising interest rates later in the year to curb inflationary pressures.

Following the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics data:

• Stock Futures: U.S. equity futures ticked upward as investors wagered that labor market softness reduces the likelihood of further rate hikes.

• Bond Yields: Government bond yields dropped in response to shifting monetary policy expectations.

Policy experts suggest that the sudden weakening in the labor market provides the Federal Reserve with greater leverage to keep borrowing costs steady or consider easing policy if cooling economic activity persists into the second half of the year.

Tragic Crossing at the European Union’s African Frontier

At least 18 migrants have lost their lives and thousands more have breached border barriers to enter Ceuta, Spain's autonomous territory on the northern tip of Africa. The sudden, overwhelming influx of people crossing from neighboring Morocco has pushed local infrastructure past its breaking point, forcing Madrid to send military personnel and specialized security reinforcements to restore order along the frontier.

According to local authorities and humanitarian workers on the ground, most of those who died drowned while attempting to swim around the Tarajal beach breakwaters that separate Moroccan territory from Ceuta. Other casualties resulted from stampedes as desperate crowds tried to negotiate border fences and security gates simultaneously.

Military Deployment and Local Emergency Response

Faced with what local officials are calling a "serious humanitarian crisis," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska authorized the immediate deployment of troops from the mainland. Armed forces personnel, naval units, and Civil Guard diving teams were dispatched to patrol coastal waters, assist with rescues, and secure key points along the border.

Ceuta President Juan Jesús Vivas urged national officials to declare a state of emergency. Local reception facilities—designed to accommodate temporary asylum applicants—are drastically overcrowded. Hundreds of new arrivals, including unaccompanied minors and families, have been forced to sleep outdoors on sidewalks, in public parks, and near border checkposts while emergency services distribute aid, blankets, and medical relief.

Factors Behind the Surge

While thousands of migrants—primarily young men alongside women and small children—continue arriving, the exact driver behind the sudden wave remains under debate:

• Legal Loopholes: Spanish officials point toward human trafficking networks taking advantage of a recent judicial ruling restricting the immediate return of migrants intercepted at sea.

• Route Hazards: To bypass heavily fortified land fences, many attempt to swim around breakwaters using makeshift flotation devices, inner tubes, or flippers, leading to high casualties in treacherous ocean currents.

• Diplomatic Dynamics: Ceuta and Melilla represent the European Union’s only direct land borders on the African continent. Consequently, migrant influxes at these border points frequently test the diplomatic and security cooperation between Madrid and Rabat.

Political Reaction Across Europe

The escalation has ignited significant political debate within Spain and across the European Union. Domestic opposition parties in Spain have labeled the event a major national security failure, demanding stricter border enforcement. Meanwhile, leaders across EU member states have expressed concern over border security, prompting discussions around regional immigration policies and maritime surveillance protocols.

The United States has officially implemented an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from India. Initiated under the direction of the US Trade Representative (USTR), this action targets 60 countries in a broader crackdown on goods produced using forced labor. The new regulations went into effect this Friday under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.

How the Tariffs are Structured

The US has applied extra tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% across 60 nations:

• The 10% Bracket: Includes 17 countries, such as India, the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mexico, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

• The 12.5% Bracket: Applies to the remaining 43 countries that have not taken sufficient steps to ban forced labor in their supply chains.

Why Did India Get 10% Instead of 12.5%?

Initially, India was slated for the higher 12.5% tariff. However, active diplomatic discussions and swift policy action led to a reduction. On June 14, the Indian government amended its foreign trade policy to improve labor standard monitoring and supply chain transparency. Acknowledging these positive steps toward protecting worker rights, the US granted a 2.5% relief, keeping India in the lower tariff tier.

Which Indian Sectors Will Be Hit Hardest?

As the US is India's largest export market, these extra tariffs will make Indian products more expensive for American buyers, potentially shifting demand to alternative markets. The sectors heavily reliant on US exports include:

• Textiles and Garments

• Gems and Jewelry

• Leather Products

• Agriculture and Food Products

• Engineering Goods

• Chemicals and Manufacturing Items

What is Section 301 and Forced Labor?

• Forced Labor: Defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a severe human rights violation where individuals are made to work against their will through threats, debt bondage, or document confiscation. The US is utilizing import restrictions to force global supply chains to eliminate these practices.

• Section 301 (Trade Act of 1974): This allows the US government to take retaliatory action—such as increased tariffs or import bans—against countries whose trade practices are deemed unfair, discriminatory, or harmful to American commerce.

While the reduced 10% tariff softens the blow for Indian exporters, it serves as a clear signal that the US expects continued and effective enforcement of labor standards and transparent supply chains moving forward.

India's defense procurement pattern has shifted rapidly following 'Operation Sindoor'. Record-breaking proposals approved over the last 14 months indicate that the armed forces are being prepared not merely for limited retaliatory actions, but for prolonged, multi-level warfare.

Since the conflict, the Defence Acquisition Council has approved 55 proposals worth over ₹9.80 lakh crore. This expenditure will not occur all at once but will be spread over several years across various deals, manufacturing programs, and modernization schemes.

The primary reason for this preparedness is that the outbreak of war is becoming increasingly common. Secondly, once a conflict begins, halting it is no longer easy; thirdly, adversaries often aim to sustain military conflicts that are prolonged and economically damaging.

The new proposals aim to ensure the sustained availability of weaponry, expedited repair capabilities, and robust logistics support for months on end. Defense experts believe that the protracted conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have reshaped India's military strategic thinking. However, delays regarding submarines and fifth-generation fighter jets remain significant challenges.

**Global Demand for Indian Weapons Surges After 'Operation Sindoor'**

Global demand for Indian weaponry—such as BrahMos, Akash, loitering munitions, and Netra—has surged following their deployment during 'Operation Sindoor'. Numerous nations have shown interest in acquiring these systems. Deals worth over ₹21,000 crore have already been finalized with several countries.

According to the Ministry of Defence, India's defense exports reached a record ₹38,424 crore in 2025-26, marking a 62% increase over the previous year. Deals worth approximately ₹12,500 crore for the BrahMos missile system have been concluded with the Philippines, Vietnam, and two other nations.

A deal worth approximately ₹3,600 crore with Indonesia is currently in the final stages of approval. A contract worth ₹6,100 crore has already been signed with Armenia for the Akash missile system.

Exports worth ₹38,424 crore to over 100 countries

India now exports defense equipment to more than 100 countries, with the US, France, and Armenia being key destinations.

The US is the largest buyer, with systems and parts worth $2.8 billion being supplied to major companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Countries like Armenia are purchasing fully assembled weapon systems.

The government has set a defense export target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029-30. In 2016-17, the figure stood at ₹1,522 crore; this represents a more than 25-fold increase in less than a decade.

"In a major diplomatic milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, for the final leg of his three-nation tour. This marks a historic moment as it is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 long years! The last time an Indian PM visited the island nation was Rajiv Gandhi back in 1986."

"During this high-profile visit, India and New Zealand are set to hold bilateral talks to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that will skyrocket economic cooperation. But that's not all—the excitement is palpable in Auckland as the Indian diaspora prepares for the grand 'Kia Ora Modi' event, where PM Modi will address a massive gathering of over 40,000 Indians!"

Meanwhile, there is massive news coming in for cricket fans! For the first time in the 15-year history of Australia’s Big Bash League, a BBL match will be played outside of Australia—and it is coming straight to India!

Prime Minister Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese jointly announced from the Melbourne Cricket Ground that the opening match of the BBL season will be played right here in India at Chennai’s iconic Chepauk Stadium on December 12th! This blockbuster move is part of the 'G'Day Namaste' festival, showcasing the immense sports collaboration between India and Australia."

From massive trade deals in New Zealand to bringing international cricket leagues to Indian soil, India’s global influence is reaching new heights. What are your thoughts on this historic shift? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more global updates!"
 though every time 

whenever Pm Modi  go to indians Expect so many things but overall there is