Dr. Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England, has said Britain should learn from India’s healthcare system, highlighting the country’s growing potential as a global healthcare model. She particularly pointed to India’s use of digital technology and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. According to her, India’s expanding digital healthcare infrastructure demonstrates how technology can improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen access to medical services. Her comments come as the UK’s National Health Service faces pressure to improve productivity and manage rising healthcare demands. The remarks highlight India’s emerging influence in global healthcare innovation and technology-driven service delivery. (PC: X)

India will finalise its proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after securing preferential tariff treatment for Indian exporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on September 3. New Delhi wants Indian goods to receive a competitive tariff advantage over products from rival economies in the US market. Goyal said India has secured favourable terms in sensitive sectors and will announce the agreement’s final details once Washington provides the required tariff advantage. The negotiations reflect India’s focus on protecting export competitiveness while expanding global trade partnerships. Goyal also highlighted continued growth in India’s merchandise exports and urged industry to set ambitious targets. (PC: ANI)

Brazilian football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Cafu is set to visit Darjeeling on September 6, bringing international football attention to the hills. Cafu will launch two new futsal teams, Darjeeling Warriors FC and North Bengal Fighters FC, and virtually lay the foundation stone for the proposed Sidra Hills Sports & Wellness Resort at Arya Tea Estate, around 10 km from Darjeeling town. The ceremony will take place at Gorkha Stadium in Lebong. The project aims to combine sports, wellness and tourism, while Cafu’s presence is expected to inspire local football enthusiasts and promote Darjeeling as a sporting destination. (PC: Reuters)

Indian professionals seeking U.S. employment-based Green Cards face extraordinarily long delays, with some EB-2 applicants potentially waiting up to 179 years, according to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). Nearly one million Indians are estimated to be in the employment-based backlog, representing about 79% of the total 1.26 million cases. The backlog is driven by annual visa limits and the U.S. 7% per-country cap, despite much higher demand from India. NFAP estimates potential waits of 179 years for EB-2, 38 years for EB-3 and about 4–5 years for EB-1 applicants filing in 2026. 

Russia says financial settlement problems with India have largely been resolved, with the two countries now using a functioning payment system based on the rupee and rouble. The mechanism handles about 96% of bilateral trade, according to Ivan Nosov, head of Sberbank’s Indian operations. Around 22 Russian and 17 Indian banks currently facilitate transactions. Nosov said 90% of payments are completed within 10 minutes, while more than half take less than a minute. The development is particularly important for energy trade, as India remains a major buyer of Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Bilateral trade reached a record $70 billion in 2024. (PC: Reuters)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on September 3, 2026, during his official visit to Ukraine. Their discussions focused on approaches to ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Jaishankar also briefed Zelenskyy on his earlier talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha concerning cooperation in areas including education, health, agriculture, digital technology and development. India reiterated its willingness to support efforts aimed at ending the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting highlights New Delhi’s continued engagement with both Russia and Ukraine while maintaining its independent diplomatic position. (PC: X)

India and Belgium have signed 10 defence-related agreements aimed at strengthening military and defence-industrial cooperation. The deals cover areas including ammunition, 70-mm helicopter rockets, counter-drone technology, tank turrets and naval mine-countermeasure systems. Belgium also assured India that it would not provide Pakistan with defence equipment or military technology. The two countries signed a Letter of Intent establishing structured military cooperation, including officer exchanges, training, research and development, joint exercises and maritime security. The agreements came during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to India and reflect growing strategic and industrial ties between the two countries. (PC: X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during his visit to Kyiv, said India is ready to help end the Russia-Ukraine war and would assist in any way possible to bring the conflict to an end. “If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there,” he said alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The two leaders also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Jaishankar’s visit comes amid rising tensions and after Indian seafarers were killed and injured in recent attacks. India reiterated its call for dialogue, diplomacy and the safety of all seafarers. (PC: X)

Highly skilled Indian professionals seeking US employment-based Green Cards could face waits of up to 179 years, according to a National Foundation for American Policy assessment. The employment-based immigration backlog has crossed 1.2 million applicants, with nearly one million Indians accounting for about 79% of the backlog. Indian applicants face the longest delays because of annual limits and country-specific caps on employment-based visas. The EB-2 backlog for Indian advanced-degree professionals has grown sharply, while other categories also face long waits. The report highlights growing pressure on the US immigration system and the severe impact of existing limits on Indian professionals seeking permanent residency.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he does not believe India and Iran are negotiating a trade deal, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek during the SCO Summit. Rubio said countries should not help Iran evade US sanctions or create mechanisms to generate revenue for Tehran, warning that such countries could face sanctions. Modi said India remained committed to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Iran and expanding bilateral trade. The two leaders also discussed regional developments, peace, commercial shipping and cooperation through BRICS and the SCO.