🌏 Diplomatic Heavyweights in Delhi
New Delhi is set to become the epicenter of global diplomacy and technology discussions this month. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed the participation of two major world leaders for the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit.
- 🇧🇷 President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil): State Visit from Feb 18–22, 2026.
- 🇫🇷 President Emmanuel Macron (France): 3-day Official Visit.
🇧🇷 Brazil State Visit: Agenda
President Lula da Silva arrives on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including 14 Ministers and top CEOs.
| Event/Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Bilateral Talks | Meeting with PM Modi on Feb 21 to review bilateral relations. |
| Ceremonial | Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu; Lunch hosted by PM Modi. |
| Key Topics | Reformed Multilateralism, Global Governance, and Global South issues. |
| Business | CEOs to participate in a Business Forum to boost trade ties. |
🕊️ MEA Briefing: Global Strategic Updates
MEA Spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal provided critical updates on India's stance regarding various global partners:
🇺🇸 India-US Relations
- Trade: The Joint Statement on the Interim Trade Agreement remains the foundational basis. Both nations are working to finalize this agreement.
- Board of Peace: India has received an invitation to join the US President's "Board of Peace." The proposal is under examination, aligning with India's support for stability in West Asia (Gaza).
🇨🇳 India-China Engagement
- Recent Meeting: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
- Key Outcome: Emphasis on border peace and tranquility. China conveyed respect for India’s UNSC membership aspirations.
🇷🇺 India-Russia & 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
- Russia: Continued growth in trade and defense engagement.
- Bangladesh: India reiterated its support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections.
📚 UPSC Corner: Prelims & Mains
Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following leaders is NOT scheduled to visit India for the AI Impact Summit according to the recent MEA briefing?
- A) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
- B) Emmanuel Macron
- C) Olaf Scholz
- D) None of the above
Answer: C
Q2. The term "Board of Peace," recently seen in the news, is an initiative associated with which country?
- A) United Kingdom
- B) United States of America
- C) France
- D) Russia
Answer: B
Mains Practice Questions
Q1. "Reformed Multilateralism is a core agenda for the Global South." Discuss this in the context of India's growing engagement with Brazil and the upcoming high-level visits. (150 Words)
Q2. Analyze the significance of high-level diplomatic visits in technology diplomacy. How does the 'India-AI Impact Summit' reflect India's soft power? (250 Words)
