1. India backs Afghanistan's sovereignty amid Pakistan Taliban tensions

India voiced support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity at the 8th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan held in Moscow on October 5. The Indian delegation was led by Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar and Joint Secretary (PAI) Dr M Suresh Kumar. The meeting was attended by representatives from India, Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Central Asian countries and the Taliban government. The talks ended without a joint statement after Pakistan and Afghanistan failed to agree on the wording, amid differences over terrorism and cross border attacks.
 
2. India launches first 43,500 tonne Fleet Support Ship

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Indian Navy's first Fleet Support Ship, FSS 1, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam on October 6. The 43,500-tonne vessel is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Navy and is designed to replenish warships at sea. Singh also laid the keel for FSS 5 and inaugurated an upgraded Slipway 4 and a 300-tonne Goliath Crane at the shipyard.

3. India, UAE begin mountain warfare exercise in Uttarakhand

India and the UAE have begun Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. The exercise is being conducted from October 5 to 18, with 92 personnel taking part in equal numbers from both armies. The troops will conduct tactical drills, firing practices, surveillance, drone operations, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field exercises focused on mountain warfare.

4. Russian drone strike hits Turkish cargo ship in Black Sea

A Turkish owned civilian cargo vessel, MV Royad Mammadov, caught fire and sank in the Black Sea on October 5 after what Ukraine said was a Russian drone strike. Romanian authorities said two people were killed and 11 crew members were rescued. The Indian Embassy in Romania said three Indian nationals were among the crew, with one injured and receiving medical treatment.

5. NATO begins major multi-domain exercise Steadfast Duel 2026

NATO is preparing Exercise Steadfast Duel 2026, a strategic level exercise designed to test multi domain command and control across the Alliance. It will be held from October 06-15, being designed and directed by NATO's Joint Warfare Centre and will involve NATO strategic and operational headquarters. NATO says the exercise will test coordination across domains and between NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and US European Command. 

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.