Former CDS Anil Chauhan stated that China poses a long-term and comprehensive challenge to India, with the boundary issue remaining unresolved due to differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control. However, he emphasised that India's ties with Beijing cannot be solely defined by border disputes, advocating for engagement through platforms like SCO and BRICS. He also highlighted the broader global geopolitical flux and instability in India's neighbourhood as significant security concerns, stressing the need for self-reliance.
India is making a significant push to establish itself as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, driven by strategic investments and policy support. The upcoming SEMICON India 2026 event will showcase the country's advancements and ambitions in this critical industry, which underpins virtually all modern electronic devices and has faced global supply chain vulnerabilities.
India's proposal to link BRICS payment systems, including central-bank digital currencies (CBDCs), was notably absent from the grouping's New Delhi Declaration, despite being a key agenda item for India's chairmanship. This omission leaves the 16-year effort for trade in local currencies without a settled payment architecture, with the declaration only 'acknowledging' the work of the BRICS Payment Task Force.
Aerospace major Embraer and the Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur as a potential manufacturing hub for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, should their bid for India's multi-billion-dollar Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) deal be successful. This strategic partnership aims to establish a localised production and support ecosystem in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening the country's indigenous aerospace capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move from 'endless war to the end of war' in Ukraine, emphasising that a peaceful resolution is humanity's shared priority.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Kyiv, reiterating India's readiness to assist in ending the Ukraine-Russia war. He emphasised that solutions would not emerge from the battlefield and highlighted Prime Minister Modi's call for an end to the conflict. Discussions also covered humanitarian aid, the impact on commercial shipping, and bilateral trade, with Jaishankar inviting his Ukrainian counterpart to India for further talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the SCO summit in Bishkek, called for a united front against terrorism and its financing, rejecting double standards. He emphasised resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, not battlefields. Modi also highlighted that connectivity projects must respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a veiled reference to China's Belt and Road Initiative. India's vision for SCO rests on security, connectivity, and opportunity.
Trump has announced an 'Infinite Life' agreement with Denmark and Greenland, claiming it grants the United States permanent control over security and the ability to prevent adversaries from establishing a military presence or making sensitive investments on the strategically vital Arctic island.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced several new initiatives for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including Aadhaar-based devotee insurance for Rs 2 lakh, the establishment of an SV Museum by TCS Trust, and the introduction of electric buses donated by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech. The plans also include global expansion of Srivari temples, improved Annadanam, integrated hospital services, and significant infrastructure development in Tirupati to make it a services and wedding destination with a Net Zero concept.
Ravi Shastri lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a leading role in international diplomacy during the ongoing BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling global hegemonism and building a 'multipolar world' during high-level talks in Beijing.
India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.
Ahead of Xi Jinping's visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held extensive talks in Beijing on August 25 on the boundary issue and reached an eight-point consensus.
In recent years, China and Russia have pushed for de-dollarisation within BRICS, which India has resisted. One reason is that India does not want to hurt its relationship with the United States, and another is the fear of China controlling trade because the renminbi is considered the strongest currency in the bloc today.
The luxury carmaker plans to drive growth through local assembly of the MINI Countryman, expansion into 10 new cities and a broader product portfolio.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath surprised social media by delivering a speech in English at the India-Japan Business Conclave, with a video clip of his address quickly spreading online and drawing widespread reactions.
The Congress party criticised the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Rahul Gandhi highlighting that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. The party accused the BJP government of imposing its dietary preferences and questioned why India's diverse culinary culture was not showcased.
'There is a long set of decisions that have to be made along the way for anything to actually get actuated in the real world.'
Xi brought in asymmetrical power play by stating that India should have 'strategic cognition' and 'strategic judgement made on the basis of the stage of development the two countries are at'. This is a very nuanced way of asserting China's coercive diplomatic posture and reflects Beijing's penchant to unleash border instability at will, restrict rare earth metal exports, exert pressure on India at global and regional orders, asserts China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.
India and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on maritime security cooperation, committing to deepen defence ties and oppose unilateral actions that impede freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, a move seen as directed at China's increasing military presence.
Legendary Brazilian captain Cafu has urged India to shed its "tiny status" mindset in football and believe in its potential for growth, offering Brazil's cooperation. He responded to Bhaichung Bhutia's concerns about an India-Brazil friendly, emphasising the importance of grassroots development and international collaboration, drawing parallels with Japan and China's success. Cafu also shared his personal journey of overcoming doubts to become a football legend.
Russia on Monday assured India of uninterrupted supply of energy and fertilisers amid disruption caused by the West Asia crisis, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and held talks with his key interlocutors.
The BRICS grouping adopted a consensus joint declaration in New Delhi, successfully navigating differences on the West Asia conflict but notably omitting any direct mention of US strikes on Iran or Iranian military attacks on Gulf Arab nations. The declaration also criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and called for a concerted approach against terrorism.
US President Donald Trump indicated that American military operations targeting Iran might not have concluded, while firmly rejecting immediate talks with Tehran. He asserted that Iran is facing severe military and economic difficulties and possesses limited capabilities, despite the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
India's total goods trade with BRICS nations more than doubled from FY21 to FY26, reaching USD 417.5 billion, but a significant surge in imports, particularly from China and Russia, has caused India's trade deficit with the bloc to more than triple, reaching USD 226.1 billion.
US Vice President JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call to discuss expanding the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, focusing on trade, defence, energy security, emerging technologies, and critical minerals. The discussion comes amidst rising tensions in West Asia and recent regional realignments, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation.
'The valley is around 16 km from the Nepal border, and it took just 8-10 minutes for the ice and rocks to reach the Nepal border. You can imagine how fast it must have travelled!'
The Nomad Games, a biannual tournament of traditional nomadic sports, has drawn over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries to Kyrgyzstan, including many from Western nations keen to experience ancient Central Asian traditions like horseback archery and Kok Boru.
'Every period of excessive optimism eventually gives way to a correction, while periods of extreme pessimism often create the best investment opportunities.'
Mumbai Police have arrested Rohan Parikh (24) and Dilip Kunde (49) for allegedly forcing their way into Jio World Plaza with a firearm and a fake PMO identity card. The incident, which occurred on Monday evening, has been clarified by police to have no connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's event in the city.
NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC have partnered to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan, allowing Indian tourists, business travellers, and students to make instant merchant payments using the UZQR code. This agreement, approved by RBI and CBU, integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's national payment system, HUMO, facilitating direct P2M payments from Indian bank accounts and reducing reliance on foreign exchange or international cards.
State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty stated that banks will take three to four months to deploy the significant funds mobilised through foreign currency non-resident (bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, which is unlikely to cause "abnormal lending". He also highlighted the need for agentic artificial intelligence (AI) costs to fall sharply for its widespread deployment in India, envisioning its role in transforming banking from fraud detection to personalised financial assistance.
TeamLease EdTech Founder and CEO Shantanu Rooj states that the AI-driven world transition is irreversible, with regulation and cost being crucial factors determining its speed and depth. He emphasizes that while AI will transform jobs, not eliminate them, continuous learning, domain expertise, and adaptability will be key for individuals and businesses to thrive in this evolving landscape. Rooj also highlights the need for universities to adapt their curricula to prepare a future-ready workforce.
Polish envoy Piotr Antoni Switalski stated that Poland stands with India in the fight against terrorism, asserting his country's support for India's right to pursue terrorists globally, while also highlighting strong cultural and defence ties between the two nations.
'There needs to be a monitoring of glaciers in high altitude areas and one needs to check regularly how geological changes are taking place.' 'We can mitigate that by regular monitoring but unfortunately, hardly any monitoring is happening.' 'And without monitoring those higher altitudes of Himalayas, people are suffering.'
From a child star to a superhero icon and horror favourite, Hayden Panettiere left behind a memorable body of work far beyond her years.
Japan is deepening its defence relationship with India while simultaneously expanding its economic, infrastructure and security engagement with countries around India -- particularly Bangladesh. The result is an emerging Japanese conception of South Asia in which India remains the strategic anchor, but the geography surrounding India is becoming increasingly important, points out Varun Arya.
Foreign Ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt convened in Antalya to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to regional peace and stability.
Donald Trump announced a landmark agreement with Venezuela, claiming it to be the 'biggest oil deal in world history'. The deal reportedly grants the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven crude oil reserves, aiming to double American oil reserves and lower domestic gasoline prices.
Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.
