India – 3rd Largest Exporter of Defence Goods to Europe: India emerged as the third-largest exporter of arms and defence goods to Europe, driven by demand under the EU’s “ReArm Europe” initiative + Export Volume – Record ₹38,424 crore (approximately €3.6 billion) in FY 2025–26, up 62.66% year-on-year + Key Exports – Standard ammunition, artillery shells, and large- and small-calibre ammunition + Manufacturing Ecosystem – 16 major public-sector firms, around 840 large and medium private companies, and nearly 17,000 small businesses and startups + Global Reach – Indian defence equipment exported to more than 80 countries + Source – Announcement by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, citing a Bloomberg report.
France–UK First Joint Nuclear Air Strike Simulation: France and the United Kingdom conducted their first joint nuclear air strike simulation, codenamed “Exercise Rummy,” on October 20, 2026 + Announcement – Defence ministries announced the exercise on October 23, 2026 + French Aircraft – Rafale fighter jets launched from Saint-Dizier Air Base in northeastern France + British Escort – Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon jets escorted the French Rafales + Location – Simulated long-range nuclear strike over the Mediterranean Sea + Weapons – No actual nuclear weapons used; both countries retain independent control over their nuclear arsenals
12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026: Hosted by India on October 26–27, 2026, at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi, under India’s BRICS Chairship + Theme – “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development” + Leadership – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla leads the proceedings; Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the inaugural programme + Participants – Parliamentary delegations from 11 member nations and 10 partner/invitee countries + Legislative Cooperation – Translating international commitments and executive agreements into domestic laws and institutional frameworks + Global Governance – Reforming international institutions to strengthen the voice of the Global South