COP31: World Leaders’ Summit in Antalya on 11–12 November; finance tops the agenda
Heads of state and government gather at the COP31 World Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, on 11–12 November 2026. Climate finance, adaptation and the energy transition are the main issues. India wants a Climate Finance Work Programme and a Party-driven, non-punitive Global Stocktake.
US Representative Grace Meng reintroduced the Diwali Day Act with 19 co-sponsors. If passed, it would make Diwali the 12th federal holiday in the United States. The bill has not been enacted.
India and the EU review their Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda
India and the European Union reviewed progress on their Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, covering trade, technology and security. It follows the conclusion of talks on India joining Horizon Europe on 7 November and the India–EU Summit of 27 January 2026.
Exam points
Review covers trade, technology and security
Horizon Europe talks concluded on 7 Nov 2026
India–EU Trade and Technology Council set up in 2022
The International Monetary Fund started a review of Ukraine’s loan programme, which could unlock about USD 1.67 billion. The IMF, headquartered in Washington DC, was created at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
Exam points
IMF review could release ~USD 1.67 billion to Ukraine
India and Saudi Arabia sign Haj-2027 agreement; India’s quota is 1,75,025
India and Saudi Arabia signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement for Haj-2027 in Jeddah on 9 November 2026. India’s quota is 1,75,025 pilgrims. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed it with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Exam points
Haj-2027 quota for India: 1,75,025
Signed in Jeddah by Kiren Rijiju
Haj Committee of India: statutory body in Mumbai (Haj Committee Act, 2002)
The 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) opened on 9 November 2026 at Antalya, Türkiye, and runs until 20 November. Türkiye hosts the conference with Environment Minister Murat Kurum as COP President, while Australia leads the negotiations. India is pressing for a Climate Finance Work Programme.
Exam points
COP31: Antalya, Türkiye, 9–20 November 2026
COP President: Murat Kurum (Türkiye); Australia leads negotiations
China to host the 33rd APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen
China is hosting APEC 2026, with the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting set for Shenzhen on 18–19 November and the APEC CEO Summit on 17–18 November. The agenda includes the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), connectivity, AI and the digital economy. India is not an APEC member.
Exam points
33rd APEC Leaders’ Meeting: Shenzhen, China, 18–19 Nov 2026
PM Modi tells Zelenskyy India is ready to help end the Ukraine war through dialogue
PM Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said India is ready to help end the war through dialogue and diplomacy. Zelenskyy briefed him on US-mediated talks planned in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November.
US midterm elections: Democrats win control of the House and the Senate
In the US midterm elections held on 3 November 2026, the Democratic Party won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to results reported this week. Midterms fall halfway through a President’s four-year term; all 435 House seats and about one-third of Senate seats are contested.
Exam points
US midterms held on 3 November 2026
Democrats win both chambers of Congress
All 435 House seats and ~1/3 of Senate seats contested
India and the EU conclude talks for India to join Horizon Europe
India and the European Union completed negotiations on 7 November 2026 for India’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for 2021–2027. Indian researchers, institutions and companies will be able to compete for its funding calls and use European research infrastructure. Formal talks were launched at the India–EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on 15 July 2026.
Exam points
Horizon Europe: EU research & innovation programme, 2021–2027
Talks concluded 7 Nov 2026
Launched at India–EU TTC ministerial, Brussels, 15 July 2026
RAHAT MITRA: India and Myanmar hold their first bilateral tri-service HADR exercise
India and Myanmar held RAHAT MITRA, their maiden bilateral tri-service humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise, at Chennai on 5–6 November 2026. More than 300 personnel from all three services of both countries took part, with the Indian Navy coordinating. Earlier India–Myanmar exercises were single-service, such as IMBEX (Army) and IMNEX (Navy).
Exam points
RAHAT MITRA: first India–Myanmar tri-service HADR exercise
Venue: Chennai, 5–6 November 2026
Other India–Myanmar exercises: IMBEX (Army), IMNEX and IMCOR (Navy)
India and Canada hold their first Defence Dialogue
India and Canada held their inaugural Defence Dialogue virtually on 3 November 2026 at Joint Secretary level. Priority areas are defence industrial cooperation, military-technical cooperation and defence R&D. It implements the Modi–Carney Joint Statement of 2 March 2026, which agreed to set up a defence dialogue.
Exam points
First India–Canada Defence Dialogue: 3 Nov 2026 (virtual)
India elected President of the International Solar Alliance for a third straight term
India was elected President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a third consecutive term at the 9th ISA Assembly in New Delhi, and France was re-elected Co-President. India committed about ₹225 crore (USD 25 million) to the USD 200 million Africa Solar Facility. The ISA is also taking the PM-KUSUM solar-pump model to member countries.
Exam points
India: ISA President for a 3rd consecutive term; France Co-President
USD 25 million to the Africa Solar Facility
ISA launched by India and France at COP21 Paris (2015); HQ Gurugram
India’s asks for COP31 in Antalya: a Climate Finance Work Programme
COP31 of the UNFCCC meets in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. India’s main ask is a decision to start a Climate Finance Work Programme, treating finance as a developed-country obligation under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. India also wants the Global Stocktake to be Party-driven and indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation to be voluntary.
Exam points
COP31: Antalya, Türkiye, 9–20 November 2026
India seeks a Climate Finance Work Programme (Paris Agreement Art. 9.1)
Wants a Party-driven, non-punitive Global Stocktake
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