The University of Cambridge has unveiled a portrait of late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, drawing praise from academics including former Chief Economic Adviser Kaushik Basu. Basu said Singh was one of the world’s most respected leaders and stood out for his rare combination of intellect, modesty and integrity, which gave India a special place on the world stage. Cambridge rarely unveils portraits of its alumni, making the tribute an acknowledgment of Singh’s intellectual stature. Singh studied Economics at Cambridge, earning a First Class Honours degree in 1957 and later completing a DPhil at Oxford in 1962. Cambridge had described him as a distinguished alumnus after his death in 2024. Singh was also born in 1932. (PC: X)

India has condemned an attack on the merchant vessel MT El Gaia off Oman’s coast. The Ministry of External Affairs said 13 Indian crew members were rescued. One Indian national is still missing. Search and rescue operations are continuing. The Indian Embassy in Oman is working with local authorities on the case. India thanked Oman for helping rescue its citizens. The MEA called the attack on commercial ships and civilians “unacceptable”. It urged all sides to reduce tensions and choose dialogue and diplomacy. India also called for safe navigation and the free movement of goods through international waterways in the region.  

Russia has said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered their “good offices” to help facilitate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. The disclosure came during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Modi and Xi met Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed the offer, indicating Moscow is open to diplomatic efforts. The development comes as US President Donald Trump faces difficulties in breaking the deadlock over a potential peace agreement. India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy, while China has also presented itself as willing to support negotiations. (PC: India Today)

Russia has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help facilitate peace talks to end the Ukraine war, as US President Donald Trump faces difficulties in reviving stalled negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed their readiness to assist. The development came during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Modi, Xi and Putin were seen together. India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. Modi also told Putin during their bilateral meeting that India was ready to assist in peace efforts, while US-led attempts to broker a deal have so far produced no major breakthrough. (PC: X)

Shalini Thakur, a 38-year-old Indian-origin woman, was shot dead outside her workplace in Sacramento, California, on September 8, despite having a restraining order against the man accused of stalking her. Investigators said 22-year-old Rohit Rohit had allegedly harassed Thakur for months, including secretly tracking her with an Apple AirTag hidden under her car, tampering with her vehicle and entering her home while she was asleep. Thakur had obtained a restraining order in May and later reported an alleged violation. Police said Rohit chased and shot her at a shopping centre before fleeing. He later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Sunday, a day after paying tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present during the meeting. Anwar is in India to attend the BRICS Summit and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. His discussions with Modi covered key areas including trade, defence, semiconductors and infrastructure. The meeting with Rahul Gandhi came amid efforts to strengthen India-Malaysia relations. Anwar has previously spoken warmly about his association with Manmohan Singh and his contribution to India’s ties with Malaysia and the wider region.

Russia imported a record 172,000 tonnes of oil products in August, more than seven times its previous monthly high, as Ukrainian drone strikes disrupted its domestic refining capacity. India supplied around 70% of Russia’s fuel imports, including about 120,000 tonnes of gasoline worth €78 million. The fuel was refined at the Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, which is partly owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft. The development highlights an unusual trade flow: Russian crude is sent to India, refined into fuel and then shipped back to Russia as attacks reduce Moscow’s domestic fuel production.

The New Delhi BRICS Declaration has made no specific mention of the Russia-Ukraine war, marking a departure from the group’s earlier joint statements issued in 2024 and 2025. The declaration instead stresses the need for dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes. It refers to several other conflicts, including the situation in Palestine, West Asia, Syria and Sudan. The change comes as BRICS members seek consensus amid growing geopolitical tensions. India’s BRICS Sherpa Sudhakar Dalela said the grouping’s position is centred on international law, the UN Charter and diplomatic solutions, while declining to comment on specific conflicts.

Indian-origin woman Shalini Thakur, 38, was shot dead outside her workplace in Sacramento, California, on September 8 after months of alleged stalking by a 22-year-old man identified as Rohit. Investigators said the warning signs included an Apple AirTag found under her car, tampered tyres, being followed to work and an alleged break-in at her home. Thakur had obtained a civil harassment restraining order against Rohit in May. Authorities later said they had probable cause to arrest him after a reported violation in July but could not locate him. Rohit later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali left New Delhi on Sunday after attending the two-day BRICS Summit hosted by India. The summit brought together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting concluded with discussions on global growth, technology, climate, trade and cooperation among developing nations. BRICS members also adopted the New Delhi Declaration, which condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts in West Asia. Modi said India’s BRICS presidency focused on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (PC: HT)