BRICS Sherpa meeting held in New Delhi

1 BRICS Sherpa meeting held in New Delhi

 On February 9 ,  the first BRICS Sherpa meeting   began in  New Delhi . Economic Relations Secretary Sudhakar Dalela  chaired the meeting and met with members of the BRICS Sherpa member countries. This is a high-level meeting held prior to  the 18th BRICS Summit  . The BRICS Sherpa is a meeting between senior officials and diplomats from participating BRICS member countries. At the meeting, senior officials prepare drafts, plans, and documents before the BRICS Summit. Representatives from all BRICS member countries are participating. For the first time, Belarus is participating as a partner member of BRICS. The name BRICS Sherpa is given because they will speak on behalf of the heads of state of the member countries. Similarly, ‘Sherpas’ (guides) guide mountaineers on high Himalayan routes.   On  January 13 , India officially  assumed  the chairmanship of the 18th BRICS 2026. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar  launched the theme, logo, and website of BRICS 2026. This year’s theme  is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Corporation, and Sustainability  . The name BRICS is derived from the initials of its founding member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia later became full members of the forum. 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS’s founding. India is chairing BRICS for the fourth time this year.

On  February 9  , Defense Minister Rajnath Singh  held   a bilateral meeting with  Greek  Defense  Minister Nikolas Georgios Dendias  in  New Delhi . At this meeting, India and Greece signed an agreement to strengthen strategic partnership and defense cooperation. Under the agreement, both countries will work to expand the capabilities of their indigenous defense industries  . This partnership will work with Greece to develop indigenous defense technology as part of the Agenda 2030 reforms and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The joint partnership aims to facilitate joint research, development, and co-production of defense technology and equipment. Both countries will work to expand their indigenous defense industries in line with Greece’s defense reforms for 2030 and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Along with the agreement, Greece also announced that it will appoint an international liaison officer to enhance maritime coordination at the International Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram. The agreements were reached during Defense Minister Nikolas Georgios’ two-day official visit.

3 India and China held their first strategic meeting.

 On  February 10, India and China held  their first   strategic meeting in  New Delhi . This was the first  since  the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between the two countries.  Indian  Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri  and China’s  Acting Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu  attended the meeting. The two countries discussed regional and international issues and agreed on the need to quickly finalize an updated air services agreement. Beijing stated that the two countries should view each other as cooperative partners rather than rivals and opportunities for development rather than threats. The meeting focused on improving relations, focusing on development issues, rather than on sensitive issues between the two countries.

4 Ramya Sriram featured in National Geographic 2026 Calendar

5. Approval for expansion of definition of family for allotment of government accommodation to serving officers

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh  has  approved the expansion of the  definition of family for allotment of government accommodation  to   serving officers . The revised definition includes parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children, in addition to the existing scope of spouse and dependent children or stepchildren  . The ministry said this expanded definition is expected to benefit all serving officers, including unmarried women officers living with their parents.

The government has  issued detailed guidelines regarding the observance of India’s national song, Vande Mataram  . It states that whenever  the national song and the national anthem are sung together ,  the first six paragraphs of the song must  be sung. According to the Union Home Ministry, the singing or playing of the full six paragraphs of the national song will be mandatory on major state occasions such as the arrival of the President, the hoisting of the national flag, and addresses by governors. According to these guidelines, the official version of the national anthem will be played at civil investiture ceremonies, the arrival and departure of the President and governors, state functions, and other government-organized ceremonies. The national anthem will also be played immediately before and after the President’s address to the nation on radio and television, and during the carrying of the national flag in parades. The ministry further stated that attendees will be required to stand at attention at gatherings where the national anthem is sung.

7 International Fleet Review: Warships from around the world, including the US and Russia, will be included; warships from the Philippines and the UAE will debut.

A warship fair  is scheduled to be held   in  Visakhapatnam from February 15th  to  25th. When Supreme Commander Draupadi Murmu  ‘s  presidential yacht  departs for the fleet review, warships and naval personnel from around the world will be seen saluting. Regardless of the ongoing tension between Russia and the United States,  both countries will be present with their warships at  the International Fleet Review  organized by the Indian Navy. According to the Navy, the frigate RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov will be participating from Russia’s side  and  the guided missile destroyer Pinckney from the United States  . An Iranian frigate will also be seen standing in the same line with the Russian and American warships. The Iranian Navy is also participating with its frigate Dena in the International Fleet Review. A total of 137 countries have been invited to the 2026 IFR, with over 70 countries having agreed to participate. More than 70 warships and submarines from India will participate in the International Fleet Review, while more than 20 foreign warships are also coming. For the first time, warships from Philippines and UAE are participating in this IFR. Also, for the first time, Germany’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8 will also be a part of the Fleet Review. Philippines’ Guided Missile Frigate Miguel Malvar and UAE Navy’s Warship Al Amarat will participate in the Fleet Review. Germany’s Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8 will also fly during the fly-past.

8 Indian Air Force and Thailand Air Exercise

The Indian Air Force  and  the Royal Thai Air Force of Thailand have commenced  a significant  joint air exercise  . Modern fighter aircraft, surveillance aircraft, and fighter support aircraft are demonstrating their air prowess in this air exercise. According to the Indian Air Force, this exercise is an important step towards strengthening operational coordination and interoperability between the two air forces. The Indian Air Force is participating in this exercise with  Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets ,  Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)  , and  IL-78 refueling aircraft  . Gripen fighter jets from the Royal Thai Air Force are also participating. It is noteworthy that the armies of India and Thailand  have previously conducted the joint  military exercise “Maitri,” which  was held  in Umroi, Meghalaya .

9 Former journalist and Legislative Council member P. Ramaiah passes away