CURRENT AFFAIRS

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 27 August 2026 directing the U.S. federal government to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” The order requires the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to implement the change in federal geographic records.

India plans to acquire the US-made Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) to strengthen the Indian Army’s ability to counter tanks and armoured vehicles.

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, under its BRICS Chairship for 2026.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2026 will be an important milestone for the organisation as it celebrates 25 years of its establishment. The summit will be hosted by Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.

New satellite images reveal fresh construction on Yagong Islet, part of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, roughly 14 kilometers from Antelope Reef; a feature analysts say China is turning into its largest military outpost in the region.

The 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) was held in Chennai.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on 7 August 2026 in Mecca.

India and Mauritius have significantly strengthened their energy partnership by signing a Government-to-Government (G2G) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Alongside the MoU, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Mauritius’ State Trading Corporation (STC) concluded a five-year Sales and Purchase Agreement for petroleum products.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held a bilateral defence dialogue in New Delhi during Koizumi’s maiden visit to India.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island in the disputed Kuril Islands on August 13, 2026, triggering strong protests from Japan.