Updates on 3 September 2026
All of September 2026 →India-Belgium Sign Multiple MoUs to Strengthen Defence, Renewable Energy and Semiconductor Cooperation
India and Belgium, during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit in September 2026, signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen bilateral cooperation across defence, renewable energy including green hydrogen, semiconductor research, migration, and critical minerals processing. The two countries also set a target to double bilateral trade volume within the next five years. Notably, defence cooperation includes the development of the Zorawar light tank using Belgian turret technology and Indian manufacturing. These agreements mark a strategic enhancement in India-Belgium relations beyond traditional sectors.
RAKSHA: India’s 10-Year Defence Diplomacy Framework Launched in 2026
On 3 September 2026, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the RAKSHA defence diplomacy framework in New Delhi. This comprehensive 10-year roadmap aims to strengthen India’s defence partnerships, security cooperation, and indigenous defence manufacturing exports. The framework is built on four pillars: Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building through joint exercises and training, Indigenous Defence Exports promoting Make-in-India platforms, and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region. It aligns national security objectives with bilateral and multilateral defence relations, emphasizing India’s role as a regional security provider and promoter of defence diplomacy.
Gujarati Music Composer Gaurang Vyas Passes Away at 87
Veteran Gujarati music composer and singer Gaurang Vyas died in Ahmedabad in September 2026 at the age of 87. Son of Padma Shri awardee Avinash Vyas, Gaurang contributed extensively to Gujarati cinema, composing music for over 100 films and collaborating with renowned Indian playback singers. His passing was publicly mourned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat State Minister Arjun Modhwadia, highlighting his lasting imprint on Gujarati music culture.
India to Host Hyundai World Archery Para Series 2026 in Ahmedabad
India will host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from September 5 to 9, 2026. This event marks the first time India is hosting this international para archery tournament, which is the third stage of the 2026 World Archery Para Series, following stages in Bangkok, Thailand, and Czechia. The competition will feature four divisions: Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1, and Visually Impaired, with over 100 athletes from 20 countries participating. India's squad includes 29 members, featuring Paris 2024 Paralympic medalists Harvinder Singh, Sheetal Devi, and Rakesh Kumar, some of whom have also been selected for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
GIFT City IFSC Mobilises Over $52.8 Billion Under RBI’s Dollar Swap Facility
The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has become a significant global banking hub. By August 31, 2026, 20 IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) sanctioned approximately USD 54.02 billion under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) special swap facility for Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) [FCNR(B)] deposits, disbursing around USD 52.82 billion. Additionally, IBUs disbursed USD 11.62 billion in External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) and Indian banks raised USD 11.12 billion through bond listings on IFSC exchanges between April and August 2026. This expansion demonstrates GIFT IFSC’s role in connecting global foreign currency liquidity to India’s financing needs and underscores the effectiveness of RBI swap facilities and infrastructure at GIFT.