India has gifted five Indian peacocks to the United Nations Office in Geneva, including a rare white peacock, reviving a decades-old tradition. The donation comprises four blue peafowl and one white peacock and was formally handed over to UN officials. The gesture recalls a similar 1981 donation by India, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair of peacocks to Geneva. The birds will be cared for by Geneva Bioparc and UN staff and initially kept in an enclosed habitat before being released in Ariana Park. The donation showcases India’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and commitment to international cooperation. (PC: X)

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has rejected what he called misconceptions surrounding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Responding to concerns raised by US Congressman Riley Moore, Kwatra said the legislation does not ban foreign funding or target any religion, community or ideology. He stated that regulating foreign financial flows is a sovereign function linked to national security. Kwatra also clarified that asset vesting after FCRA registration cancellation has existed since 2010. He said the proposed Bill would create a designated authority to safeguard such assets and ensure their return if registration is restored. (PC: India Today)

Russia has proposed exploring a direct rail link from Moscow to the Indian Ocean to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints, particularly the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said the route could strengthen connectivity between Russia, Central Asia and India amid geopolitical disruptions affecting major trade corridors. The proposal comes as conflicts in West Asia have created risks for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and stalled progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. A potential overland corridor could diversify Russia-India trade routes, although such a project would require major infrastructure investment, financing and coordination across several countries. The proposal highlights Moscow’s broader push to expand Eurasian transport connectivity. (PC: X)

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi is set to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday as New Delhi and Dhaka seek to rebuild ties amid renewed tensions over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s activities in India. The latest row followed Hasina’s media interaction in Delhi, where she criticised Bangladesh’s current leadership and spoke of returning home. Dhaka objected, while India said it had no involvement in the private event. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition. The Trivedi-Rahman meeting comes ahead of the BRICS summit, to which Rahman has been invited. India wants to preserve ties covering connectivity, trade, security and the Bay of Bengal, while preventing the Hasina dispute from dominating bilateral relations. (PC: The Indian Express)

India’s US ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra has sought to counter what he called “myths” surrounding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. In a thread on X, Kwatra said the legislation seeks greater transparency, better governance and clearer rules for foreign financial flows. He rejected claims that the bill would cut off foreign aid to civil society, restrict NGOs, seize charitable assets or target any particular religion. Kwatra said foreign contributions to registered organisations rose from about $1.2 billion in 2010–11 to $2.67 billion in 2024–25. He added that only 14,450 of India’s over 3 million NGOs hold FCRA registration and said the law applies uniformly.

The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi underwent a psychoactive substance screening after the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude on August 4. The initial test result was described as “not negative” and has been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The final result is awaited, and the preliminary screening does not establish that the pilot tested positive for a prohibited substance. Both pilots were screened under mandatory procedures and have been removed from the DGCA roster pending investigation and completion of testing. The A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members landed safely in Delhi, though some passengers and crew reported injuries.

A 20-year-old Indian national, Varun Batchigari, has been arrested in Germany after allegedly strangling his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, to death in Tucson, Arizona. Salazar, a college student, was found unresponsive with signs of trauma inside her apartment near the University of Arizona on Thursday after her family requested a welfare check. Police suspect Batchigari of first-degree murder. Investigators believe he fled Tucson after the killing and travelled to Germany while attempting to return to India. Detectives also suspect he took Salazar’s phone and credit cards and sent several messages to her mother. German authorities arrested Batchigari at an airport, according to US media reports. (PC: Gofundme and Youtube/ Varun Batchigari)

Russia has proposed exploring a railway route that could eventually connect the country with India and the Indian Ocean. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Russia should consider alternative land routes to reduce dependence on key sea routes. One possible route could pass through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan before reaching India. Khusnullin said Russia would consider any route that provides access to India. The proposal is still at an early stage. There is no confirmed train service, ticket price or launch date. If developed, the route could improve trade and transport links between Russia, India and other countries in the region.  

The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a Russia sanctions bill that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas and other exports. The measure, passed 86–11, names India, China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan among potential targets. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. However, the tariffs are not automatic; the bill gives the US president authority to impose them, with the actual rate determined through the US trade process. The legislation now faces consideration in the House. (PC: Reuters)

US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to discuss ways to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. During the call, Modi congratulated Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, on the birth of their son and conveyed his best wishes to the family. The conversation came amid growing tensions in West Asia and days after Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact. The US side has not shared details of the call. It is also unclear whether the proposed India-US trade deal was discussed during the conversation. (PC: NDTV)