India faces a delicate diplomatic challenge at the BRICS 2026 summit as Iran and the UAE arrive with sharply opposing positions over the West Asia conflict. Iran wants BRICS to condemn US-Israeli actions and support its sovereignty, while the UAE is prioritising maritime security and protection of commercial shipping in the Gulf. India, which is hosting the September 12-13 summit, aims to secure a joint Delhi Declaration without allowing the dispute to overshadow BRICS’ economic agenda. New Delhi is pushing language focused on sovereignty, freedom of navigation, de-escalation and regional stability without naming countries or assigning blame. The stakes are high for India because disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could raise oil prices and affect imports, trade, remittances and Indian workers. (PC: News18)

Two ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Bangladesh’s Gazipur Safari Park have reportedly been traced to Vantara, Anant Ambani’s wildlife conservation facility in Gujarat, according to investigators cited by Ajker Patrika. Three lemurs were allegedly stolen on March 23, 2025, with photographs shared with prospective Indian buyers. Two Bangladeshi-linked and Indian-based intermediaries allegedly arranged the deal, involving one adult and one juvenile for 1.7 million Bangladeshi Taka. The animals were smuggled into India through the Darshana border and eventually sold for around Rs 4.8 million to an institution associated with Vantara. However, authorities lack microchips, identification numbers and DNA profiles, making scientific confirmation difficult. Investigators are seeking DNA evidence from the remaining juvenile. (PC: The Siasat Daily)

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that Colombo would never allow Sri Lankan territory to be used for activities threatening India’s security interests. The assurance came during Singh’s three-day official visit to Colombo, aimed at strengthening bilateral maritime and defence cooperation. India and Sri Lanka signed three agreements, including an MoU to upgrade six India-supplied L70 air-defence guns used by the Sri Lankan Air Force. The two sides also expanded cooperation through their defence institutions. Dissanayake thanked India for assistance following Cyclone Ditwah, while both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regional security, peace and stability. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold bilateral talks in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening India-Russia economic ties, defence cooperation and civilian nuclear energy. Defence issues may include cooperation on advanced military technology, while both sides are also looking to expand trade beyond energy and address investment opportunities. Rare-earth minerals and payment mechanisms are among other areas of potential cooperation. The meeting comes amid changing global geopolitical conditions and pressure surrounding Russia’s oil trade. The talks are expected to reinforce the long-standing India-Russia strategic partnership. (PC: X)

India has raised concerns over “anomalies” in a new United Nations world map that depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese territorial claims.   Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India supported a UN General Assembly resolution promoting equal-area maps, but clarified that this did not mean endorsing any specific map. “We have taken up the anomalies with the concerned persons,” Jaiswal said.   The UN map, first published on July 1, depicts Arunachal Pradesh as an independent state and Aksai Chin as a separate region. India maintains that both areas are integral parts of its territory and has consistently rejected competing Chinese territorial claims. (PC: NDTV)

India on Wednesday condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities, calling strikes on civilian and economic sites “unacceptable.” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks undermine regional security and stability and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The Houthis said they targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in southern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities reported fires at several oil and utility sites and said 73 people were injured. The attacks come as fighting in Yemen has intensified. Pakistan and Turkiye have also condemned the strikes, amid growing concerns over security along a key global shipping route. (PC: HT)

Oxford University’s Pitt Rivers Museum has agreed to return the ancestral human remains of 39 Naga people taken during Britain’s colonial rule in northeast India. The remains were collected in the early 20th century by British colonial administrators and some were displayed publicly until 2020. The decision follows a restitution request from the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and other Naga organisations. The original request covered 40 sets of remains, but Oxford approved the return of 39 because one specimen lacked clear evidence of Naga provenance. The museum is working with the Naga community to arrange a formal handover ceremony. (PC: X)

A major technical failure in the UK’s air traffic control system disrupted flights across Britain, forcing Air India’s Mumbai-London flight AI131 to divert and land in Zurich instead of Heathrow. The disruption was caused by a fault in NATS’ flight-processing system and affected major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. More than 1,000 flights were cancelled, while hundreds faced delays. Although NATS said the technical problem was resolved, the resulting backlog continued to disrupt operations. Airlines warned that passengers could face further delays as schedules gradually recover. The incident has renewed concerns about the resilience of Britain’s aviation infrastructure.

India has raised concerns over a new United Nations world map that depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese claim lines. The map reportedly portrays Arunachal Pradesh as an independent region bordering Assam and China, while Aksai Chin is shown separately between the two countries. India stressed that its support for the UN General Assembly’s “Correct the Map” resolution on equal-area mapping does not mean endorsement of any particular map. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has taken the anomalies up with the concerned authorities. New Delhi reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. (PC: X)

The US Department of Labor has suspended Cognizant’s ability to file for new employment-based green cards amid an investigation into alleged visa fraud. Founded in Chennai in 1994, Cognizant is now headquartered in the United States and is one of the largest H-1B visa applicants in corporate America. Labour Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said “threats to American workers” would not be tolerated and warned that “handcuffs await”. The department also suspended PERM filings for tech firm Cloudera. PERM certification is the first step toward obtaining an employment-based green card for foreign workers. The action comes amid the Trump administration’s “Project Firewall”, launched last year to target employers suspected of abusing the H-1B visa programme.