Indian AI startups raise $1.56 billion through August 20, 2026
Indian AI startups raised approximately $1.56 billion across 206 deals through August 20, putting the sector close to its full-year 2025 funding total, according to the research packet.
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Indian startups, products, funding, policy and research.
EDITORIAL PIPELINEPAGE 0112 ACTIVE NOTES
EU and India sign Security and Defence Partnership, opening structured cooperation
The European Union and India have signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU–India Summit. The pact sets out a framework for cooperation across areas such as maritime security, cyber, and counterterrorism, aiming to translate existing engagement into more regular dialogue and concrete outcomes.
India and EU conclude ‘mother of all deals’ with landmark free trade agreement in New Delhi
India and the European Union announced a long-awaited free trade agreement on January 27, 2026, aiming to lower tariffs across most traded goods and deepen strategic cooperation amid shifting global trade politics.
India and EU clinch landmark trade agreement after years of talks, with big tariff cuts and mobility pact
India and the European Union announced a landmark free trade agreement on 27 January 2026 after nearly two decades of negotiations, aiming to cut tariffs on most goods and deepen strategic ties. The accord includes phased tariff reductions, a separate mobility pact for students and skilled workers, and a framework for closer defence and security cooperation.
HDFC Bank CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan to retire on October 26
Sashidhar Jagdishan will retire as HDFC Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer on October 26, 2026, after six years in the role.
EU and India sign Security and Defence Partnership at summit, expanding cooperation on maritime and cyber
The European Union and India signed a Security and Defence Partnership on 27 January 2026 on the margins of the EU–India Summit. The pact is designed to structure cooperation across areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism, reflecting a widening strategic agenda between the two sides.
Jaishankar meets EU envoys ahead of 27 Jan India-EU summit; trade talks set to culminate
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met European Union ambassadors ahead of the India-EU summit scheduled for 27 January 2026, calling for deeper cooperation to “derisk” the world economy. The summit is expected to formally announce the conclusion of India-EU free trade agreement negotiations.
India and EU finalise landmark trade deal, pledging sharp tariff cuts and wider market access
India and the European Union have reached a long-delayed trade agreement that aims to cut tariffs on most goods and broaden access for exporters on both sides, with the EU and India touting major duty savings and a push to expand bilateral trade.
India and EU sign Security and Defence Partnership, expanding cooperation on maritime security, cyber and counter-terror
India and the European Union have signed a Security and Defence Partnership on the margins of the EU-India Summit in New Delhi. The pact is designed to structure cooperation across areas such as maritime security, cyber-defence and counterterrorism amid a more volatile global security environment.
India rebuts Pakistan at UN, rejects ‘false’ account of Operation Sindoor and links action to terror attack
At the UN, India pushed back against Pakistan’s narrative on Operation Sindoor, calling it false and asserting India’s response was measured and aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure after the Pahalgam attack.
Army plans major drone expansion, tightens monitoring belt along China and Pakistan borders
The Indian Army has assumed responsibility for monitoring aerial activity in a 35-km belt along the borders with China and Pakistan and up to three kilometres in altitude. It is also working to significantly scale up its drone fleet and set up command-and-control centres to detect and neutralise hostile platforms.
EU leaders at India’s Republic Day: Von der Leyen says a ‘successful India’ makes the world more stable ahead of 27 January summit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi as chief guests, a first for top EU leadership in that role. Their visit comes just ahead of the EU–India Summit scheduled for 27 January 2026, with trade, security, the clean transition and technology cooperation expected on the agenda.