August 31, 2026 - Current Affairs

PM Modi Visit to Uzbekistan

Context

PM Modi paid a state Visit to Uzbekistan.

Major Highlights

India and Uzbekistan announced to elevate their mutual Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level.

Both Countries agreed to set a target of 5 billion dollars of bilateral trade by 2030, which is 5 times the current trade.

India-Japan Economic Partnership

Context

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry concluded his official visit to Japan aimed at accelerating Japanese investment in India.

Major Highlights

Aim: To advance the target of JPY 10 trillion in Japanese private investment in India over the next decade, agreed upon during the PM's visit to Japan in 2025.

A series of high-level meetings with Japanese government leaders, financial institutions and business executives were held to accelerate investment, strengthen industrial partnerships and deepen economic cooperation.

Hybrid Annuity Model in Indian Railways

Context

The Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) approved six railway projects covering 647 km under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), marking the Indian Railways’ first major adoption of HAM.

Key Features of the Projects

Total capital cost over the 17–19 year concession period is estimated at ₹40,866 crore.

Four projects are in Odisha, while one each is in Telangana and Jharkhand.

Aditya-L1: Indian Solar Mission’s New Findings

In News

Researchers from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, ISRO, Department of Space and other institutions have used Aditya-L1’s data for studying solar flares.

Aditya-L1

Aditya-L1 spacecraft is launched from Satish Dhavan Space Center (SDCS), Shriharikota onboard PSLV-C57 with PSLV-XL configuration in 2023.

It is the first space-based observatory-class Indian solar mission to study the Sun.

News In Short 31-08-2026

Context

India is committed to concluding a “balanced and mutually beneficial” trade deal with Chile within this year.

About

India and Chile started their CEPA negotiations in 2025, following the signing of the Terms of Reference.

India’s exports to Chile stood at $1.2 billion in 2025-26, about 5.8% higher than in the previous year. Imports from Chile, on the other hand, stood at $5 billion — 93% higher than in 2024-25.