India has strongly condemned the reported demolition of a more than century-old Hindu temple in Siraj village of Narowal, Pakistan’s Punjab province, describing it as an “alarming” failure by authorities to protect minority places of worship and religious heritage. The temple, located about 130 kilometres from Lahore, was reportedly demolished on August 21. Minority representatives and local residents have alleged that the structure was deliberately brought down to facilitate the use of its land for a madrassa. Pakistani authorities, however, have maintained that the temple collapsed following torrential rains. The incident has triggered concerns over the protection of Hindu religious sites and minority heritage in Pakistan, with India calling the reported demolition deeply disturbing.

Chinese twin sisters Jin Yanshu and Jin Yanai, both 16, performed their Bharatanatyam Arangetram in Beijing, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience. The traditional graduation ceremony was presided over by Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami and his wife Sangeetha Doraiswami. Doraiswami praised the sisters’ dedication, saying their commitment to Indian classical dance reflected cultural and people-to-people exchanges between India and China. The twins have trained in Bharatanatyam since age three under Chinese dancer and teacher Jin Shan Shan, a student of renowned dancer Leela Samson. Shan runs Sangeetham Indian Arts School in Beijing, where hundreds of Chinese children have learned Bharatanatyam. The sisters previously performed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2025 Tianjin visit.

The Japanese Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) has upgraded India’s sovereign credit rating to A- from BBB+, citing strong economic growth, private consumption, public investment and improvements in the financial system. JCRA said India has sustained growth of around 7% and expects the economy to expand by more than 6% in FY2027. It highlighted digital public infrastructure, GST implementation and productivity-focused government policies as factors strengthening India’s economic foundations. India’s economy grew 7.7% in real terms in FY2026. The agency also noted banking-sector improvements, with gross non-performing loans falling to 1.8% by March 2026. However, it flagged higher inflation, substantial government debt and elevated interest burdens as continuing concerns. (PC: The Indian Express)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office sparked controversy during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, after sharing a cropped version of the leaders’ official group photograph that excluded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders. The edited image positioned Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prominently in the centre. In contrast, PM Modi and the Indian PMO shared the complete photograph, showing all participating leaders, including Sharif. The move drew criticism and was widely viewed as a symbolic diplomatic gesture amid continuing India-Pakistan tensions. Sharif later shared the full photograph following the backlash. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there can be no double standards on terrorism, calling it a grave challenge to humanity, at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, on Monday. Speaking in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Modi said terrorism was a common threat and called for dismantling its entire ecosystem, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He urged SCO member states to act against countries that use terrorism as a policy instrument or provide shelter to terrorists. Modi also called for greater cooperation on security, connectivity and regional development.   

4 Indian-origin people from Texas remain missing after devastating floods near the Nepal-Tibet border, a non-profit organisation said, as it launched a USD 100,000 relief drive. Deepak and Madhu Ahuja lost contact while returning from a Mount Kailash pilgrimage near Gyirong Port, while Archana Suresh and Raghu Rajan remain unaccounted for in the Rasuwagadhi-Timure area. Texas-based Sewa International USA said it raised over USD 55,000 within 24 hours and opened a missing persons portal. The organisation has sent tarpaulins, food, medical supplies and oral rehydration packets to flood-hit communities. (PC: HT)

Actor Sonu Sood has reached flood-hit Nepal to support victims of the devastating disaster, urging people worldwide to come forward and help those who have lost homes and loved ones. Speaking from the affected areas, Sood said the scale of destruction was clear on the ground and stressed the need for immediate assistance. His team is working with several organisations to understand the challenges faced by survivors and ensure help reaches them. Sharing pictures after meeting locals, he said, “Nepal, you are not alone.” Nepal’s floods have killed 1,093 people, with nearly 4,000 still missing and over 11,900 rescued.

Indian equity markets came under heavy pressure on Wednesday as renewed US-Iran military strikes intensified geopolitical uncertainty and pushed crude oil prices higher. The Sensex fell 0.79% to 76,333.20, while the Nifty 50 declined 0.89% to 23,841.40. All 16 major sectors recorded losses, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks also falling. Brent crude climbed to around $95.40 a barrel, raising concerns over inflation and India’s import bill. Oil-sensitive sectors, including airlines, tyre and paint companies, were particularly affected. Investors remained cautious amid fears that prolonged conflict could disrupt oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: Reuters)

Bihar authorities have warned residents against catching, buying, selling or consuming fish carried into the state by floodwaters following flash floods in Nepal. Water from Nepal’s Trishuli River has entered Bihar through the Gandak and Kosi rivers, bringing unfamiliar fish, debris and other contaminants. Officials said floodwater can expose fish to sewage, dead animals, bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, making them unsafe to eat until conditions stabilise. Residents have also been advised to seek medical help if symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulties develop after eating such fish. Contaminated floodwater could also affect drinking water, increasing risks of diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis, while stagnant water may increase mosquito-borne diseases.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the S-500 missile defence system and Su-57 stealth fighter on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, as India considers expanding military cooperation with Russia. The discussions follow the reported effectiveness of India’s S-400 system during Operation Sindoor against aerial threats, strengthening interest in newer Russian defence capabilities. India could explore co-producing the S-500 with a Russian defence partner rather than simply purchasing it, though technical specifications, costs, manufacturing arrangements and logistics would require further negotiations. The Su-57, Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, is also being discussed as India seeks to address its fighter aircraft requirements. Potential agreements remain subject to detailed negotiations. (PC: The Economic Times)