Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to India for the BRICS Summit marks his first trip to the country in seven years and is being viewed as an important step in improving India-China relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi are expected to discuss peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), border management, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. The visit comes after a period of military and diplomatic talks aimed at reducing tensions following the 2020 Galwan clash. Both sides are seeking to rebuild trust while expanding cooperation through BRICS, although strategic differences and mutual security concerns continue to shape bilateral relations. (PC: Reuters)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has begun a week-long visit to the United Kingdom, his first overseas trip as chief minister, aimed at attracting foreign investment to the state. During the September 10–16 visit, Vijay is scheduled to meet business leaders and promote Tamil Nadu as an investment destination. He will also visit the Silverstone racing circuit to study its facilities and operations, as the state plans to establish a dedicated motor sports city. Vijay is expected to attend a Le Mans Cup race at Silverstone, where Indian drivers, including actor Ajith Kumar, will compete. (PC: ANI)

India and Russia are expanding their strategic partnership, with aviation emerging as a major area of cooperation ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Discussions and proposed arrangements cover 105 regional turboprop aircraft for Indian operators, including Pinnacle Air, Air Kerala and Sleek Aviation. Russia has showcased its SJ-100, MC-21 and Il-114-300 aircraft at the INNOPROM event in Delhi, targeting India’s growing regional aviation market. The proposed aircraft deals could support regional connectivity and strengthen civil aviation cooperation between the two countries. The development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for bilateral talks. (PC: NDTV)

China confirmed on Thursday that President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, marking his first visit to India in almost seven years. Xi last visited India in October 2019 for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mamallapuram near Chennai. The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will also hold discussions during the event, with bilateral trade and normalisation on the agenda. Xi’s visit comes after the seven-year gap, as the summit provides an opportunity for discussions between India and China. (PC: The Daily Jagaran)

Delhi has tightened security ahead of the BRICS summit, with elaborate arrangements for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin’s stay at the Maurya Hotel has prompted authorities to turn the property into an “impregnable fortress”, with a four-layer security cordon. The first layer will consist of the CPT, or Close Protection Team, tasked with Putin’s close protection and remaining with him at all times. The broader security plan includes special security teams for Putin and Xi, verified hotel staff, rehearsed routes, and senior police officers, commandos and paramilitary personnel overseeing hotels and key routes. The arrangements reflect heightened security measures across Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit.

The rupee weakened 25 paise to 95.33 against the US dollar during early trading hours on Thursday, pressured by Brent crude prices crossing $100 and persistent dollar demand. The currency opened at 95.15 at the interbank foreign exchange market before declining to 95.33, marking a 25-paise loss from Wednesday’s close of 95.08. Forex traders said higher crude prices, which raise concerns over India’s import bill, and sustained dollar demand weighed on investor sentiment. The rupee’s move beyond the psychologically important 95-per-dollar level also triggered additional dollar demand and stop-loss activity. However, Reserve Bank of India intervention helped contain further losses, according to Anil Kumar Bhansali of Finrex Treasury Advisors in Mumbai. (PC: PTI)

India will host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, bringing together major global leaders and representatives from member, partner and outreach countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the prominent leaders expected to attend. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are also expected. Partner and outreach leaders from countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Thailand will participate. The summit will focus on global governance, economic cooperation, resilience, innovation and sustainable development. (PC: X)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan as Japanese F-2 fighter jets arrive in Jodhpur for Exercise Veer Guardian 2026. The bilateral air-combat exercise, scheduled from September 11 to 22, marks the first participation of Japan’s F-2 aircraft in India. Indian Air Force aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas fighters, will participate alongside the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. The exercise aims to improve operational coordination, interoperability and combat preparedness between the two air forces. Singh described the drill as an important milestone in strengthening India-Japan defence cooperation and supporting regional security in the Indo-Pacific. (PC: ET)

Five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district are showing varied emotions at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, from relaxed and playful behaviour to anxiety and clinging to one another. The animals, all around one year old, were found in a frightened condition and are now being kept under close veterinary supervision. Zoo officials have provided them with teddy bears, nutritious food, sunlight and a temperature-controlled quarantine facility. Three animal keepers and a veterinary team are monitoring them around the clock. Authorities are also investigating how the non-native animals reached Odisha, including possible wildlife trafficking. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to hold a bilateral meeting on September 12 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. However, China’s foreign affairs secretary said there was “no information yet” on Xi’s planned travel to India. The meeting, if held, would be closely watched as India-China ties remain cautious following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from 11 full member states, including India, China and Russia, along with partner countries and other invitees. (PC: X)