Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Prince Rahim Aga Khan V in New Delhi on September 10 to discuss strengthening India’s partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Their discussions covered healthcare, agriculture, rural development, youth and women’s empowerment. Prince Rahim, the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, is visiting India from September 9 to 15 and will also travel to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan separately discussed cooperation in education and sports with him. Both sides highlighted AKDN initiatives in water, sanitation, education and community development, while reaffirming dialogue, peace and efforts against radicalisation. (PC: X) 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has left for the United Kingdom on his first official overseas visit since taking office. The week-long trip aims to attract foreign investments and promote Tamil Nadu as a leading investment destination. Vijay is scheduled to meet European business leaders and industry representatives to encourage new ventures and expansion in the State. His delegation includes Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna, SDAT member secretary Meghnatha Reddy and Guidance Tamil Nadu MD and CEO Deepak Jacob. Vijay will also study world-class motorsports infrastructure and related investment opportunities during the visit. 

India faces a delicate diplomatic challenge as Iran and the UAE, both BRICS members, remain on opposing sides of the escalating West Asian conflict. With New Delhi hosting BRICS 2026, India must preserve dialogue within the grouping while maintaining its strategic relationships across the region. The tensions have exposed divisions inside the expanded BRICS and complicated efforts to reach consensus on the conflict. India is expected to emphasise de-escalation, diplomacy, regional stability and uninterrupted maritime trade, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. The situation tests India’s policy of strategic autonomy and its ability to act as a bridge between competing interests. (PC: X)

India is set to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, bringing together leaders of the expanded grouping amid major global geopolitical and economic challenges. Under India’s chairship, the summit will focus on strengthening multilateralism, inclusive global governance, trade and investment, technology, food and energy security, healthcare, disaster resilience and critical supply chains. Leaders are also expected to discuss ongoing international and regional conflicts and disruptions to global trade and energy routes. India’s theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflects its effort to promote practical cooperation and a stronger Global South voice. (PC: X)

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)