Current Affairs - March 11, 2026 Current Affairs

The 11th edition of the joint military exercise “LAMITIYE-2026” is being conducted in Seychelles with the participation of the Indian Armed Forces. The exercise aims to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, improve interoperability between the two countries, and enhance operational coordination. “Lamitiye,” meaning “Friendship” in the Creole language, reflects the spirit of collaboration between India and Seychelles. The 2026 edition is significant because it includes participation from all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force. The training program focuses on sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments, peacekeeping operations, tactical drills, and joint planning exercises conducted over a 12-day period.

Swiggy partnered with HDFC Bank to introduce two new co-branded credit cards named BLCK and Ornge. These cards are designed to provide rewards and benefits for customers who frequently use digital platforms for food delivery, grocery purchases, and online shopping. Cardholders can receive a combination of cashback and partner discounts that may lead to savings of up to ₹48,000 annually. The cards specifically target regular users of Swiggy’s services, such as food delivery, Instamart for groceries, and dining experiences. This collaboration between Swiggy and HDFC Bank reflects the growing integration of fintech solutions with digital consumer platforms to enhance convenience and value for users.

Rahul Bhatia, the Founder and Managing Director of IndiGo, assumed the role of interim CEO after Pieter Elbers resigned on March 10, 2026. The resignation followed a major operational crisis in December 2025 that resulted in over 5,000 flight cancellations and widespread passenger distress. The disruption was mainly due to severe crew shortages linked to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. The situation also drew strong regulatory scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). To address the crisis, Rahul Bhatia stepped in as interim CEO with the aim of restoring operational stability, strengthening company culture, and ensuring better operational performance and reliability for the airline.

The International Malaria Conference 2026 was organized by the ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research in New Delhi. The three-day conference took place from March 7 to 9, 2026, and brought together scientists, researchers, and public health experts from around the world. The theme of the event was “Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond.” Discussions focused on parasite biology, transmission patterns, diagnostic innovations, surveillance technologies, and strategies to translate research findings into public health interventions. The conference also encouraged participation from early-career researchers through turbo talks and poster presentations, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing in the global fight against malaria.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a national conference in New Delhi to commemorate one year of the Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in grassroots governance. The conference brought together Women Elected Representatives (WERs) from across the country and highlighted their contributions to rural development and decision-making at the local level. During the event, key dignitaries, including the Minister of Panchayati Raj and the Minister of Women and Child Development, participated and recognised outstanding women leaders. The conference also showcased achievements such as training more than 7.18 lakh women representatives and identifying 744 Model Women Friendly Gram Panchayats across several states and union territories.

ABB is a global automation and electrification company headquartered in Switzerland. The company announced a $75 million investment in India for 2026 as part of its “local-for-local” strategy, which focuses on strengthening domestic manufacturing and research capabilities. This investment builds on a previous $35 million investment in 2025 and contributes to more than $230 million invested in India over the last decade. The expansion will enhance facilities across multiple locations, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nashik, and Vadodara. These investments will support innovation in areas such as sustainable mobility, high-speed rail propulsion, power technologies, and advanced research while also creating around 300 new skilled engineering and research jobs in India.

The MSME Symposium 2026, organised by the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), is scheduled to take place on March 20, 2026, at Anna University in Chennai. The event is focused on strengthening India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and enhancing their global competitiveness. With the theme “India Needs a Resurgent MSME Sector,” the symposium aims to encourage the integration of Indian MSMEs into Global Value Chains (GVCs) as high-tech manufacturing partners. The program will feature discussions by prominent industry leaders such as Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor Company and Arvind Balaji of Lucas TVS, highlighting innovation, quality, and sustainable growth in the MSME sector.

Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran by the Assembly of Experts after the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. At the age of 56, he assumed the country’s highest religious and political authority during a period of significant regional tension and conflict involving the United States and Israel. His appointment quickly received support from powerful institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian armed forces, which played a crucial role in stabilising the leadership transition. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the decision as a symbol of national unity and the beginning of a new era for the nation.

Romania officially ratified the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), a global initiative aimed at promoting the widespread adoption of solar energy. The Instrument of Ratification was presented by Ms. Sena Latif to Shri P.S. Gangadhar at the Ministry of External Affairs in India. The International Solar Alliance, originally initiated by India, focuses on increasing solar energy deployment worldwide and facilitating cooperation in technology transfer, research, and financing for solar projects. By joining the framework agreement, Romania strengthens international collaboration in clean energy and supports global efforts to address climate change while promoting sustainable development and a transition toward renewable energy sources.

The 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, a major B2B trade exhibition for the food and hospitality industry, was inaugurated by Union Minister Piyush Goyal at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the event took place from March 10 to 14, 2026. Italy participated as the Partner Country for this edition, emphasising stronger collaboration between India and the European Union in sectors such as gourmet foods, hospitality technology, and food processing innovations. The exhibition featured around 1,800 exhibitors from 17 countries and showcased advancements in packaging technology, cold chain solutions, and hospitality infrastructure.