1. Swavlamban 2026 Pushes ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’ in the defence sector at Swavlamban 2026 in New Delhi. He called for greater focus on advanced technologies, stronger R&D and resilient supply chains to reduce import dependence. Singh also highlighted the need for technologies with both civil and military applications and greater industry-academia cooperation. The Indian Navy's fifth Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar is being held on October 26 and 27, focusing on indigenous defence technologies and innovation.

2. Liechtenstein Prince Alois in India for Four-Day State Visit

Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein is on a four-day state visit to India from October 25 to 28. He received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Prince Alois is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, covering trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, people-to-people ties and regional and global issues. He will also meet President Droupadi Murmu. The visit comes after the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement became operational in 2025.

3. Mecca Pact Leaders Hold Talks with Iran, Agree to Continue Dialogue

Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran on Monday in the first high-level contact between Iran and the three Mecca Pact members since the pact was signed in August. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin took part in the meeting. Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei described the discussions as “very good” and said a new atmosphere was emerging. The sides agreed to continue discussions on regional peace, security and cooperation. No concrete agreement or ceasefire was announced.

4. DAC Clears ₹2.12 Lakh Crore Defence Acquisition Proposals

The Defence Acquisition Council has granted in-principal approval for defence acquisitions worth about ₹2.12 lakh crore, with 82% of the procurement planned from Indian industry. For the Army, the approvals include high-mobility vehicles, self-propelled tracked gun systems, Gun Shot Response Systems, light multi-role helicopters, VSHORADS, platform-based counter-UAS systems, surveillance UAVs, integrated surveillance and strike systems and long-range kamikaze drones. The package also includes capital acquisition proposals for the Navy and Air Force.

5. Israel Goes to Polls in First Election Since October 07, 2023

Israel is voting today in its first parliamentary election since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the wars that followed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking another term against a rival alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Polling stations opened at 7 am and will close at 10 pm local time. The Knesset has 120 seats and parties need at least 3.25% of the vote to enter parliament. Initial exit polls are expected after voting ends, while the final result could take several days if no clear majority emerges.

6. Cyclone Arnab to Hit Andhra Coast Tomorrow

Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28. The system is forecast to bring winds of 115–125 kmph, gusting up to 140 kmph. Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry have begun preparedness measures, with shelters, evacuation arrangements and disaster-response teams put on standby. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal and along the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Yanam coasts from October 26 to 29.

7. Rajnath Singh Heads to Philippines for ADMM-Plus

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for Cebu, Philippines, on Tuesday to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus from October 28 to 29. He will address the forum on regional and international security issues and hold bilateral meetings with defence ministers from participating countries. India is also co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–27 cycle. The Philippines is chairing ADMM-Plus in 2026.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.