Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Europe ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier warnings about the dangers of depending too much on other countries for trade and industry.   Speaking at a CII event, De Wever said Europe was now facing a “rude awakening” as economic dependence was being used as a tool for pressure.   He said India understood these risks earlier than Europe. De Wever also called India an important partner for Europe. He said both sides should work together on trade, investment, technology and stronger supply chains in a changing global environment.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she became Italy’s longest continuously serving prime minister in the postwar era. Meloni reached the milestone after 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous record associated with Silvio Berlusconi. Modi described the achievement as a reflection of the trust and confidence of the Italian people in Meloni’s leadership. He also highlighted her friendship and role in strengthening the India-Italy Special Strategic Partnership. Modi expressed his intention to continue close cooperation between the two countries and wished Meloni continued success in the years ahead. (PC: X)

Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered Indian conglomerate Tata Chemicals to end its operations in the country, accusing the company of failing to deliver sufficient economic and industrial benefits to Kenya. The dispute centres on Tata Chemicals Magadi, which operates a major soda ash facility near Lake Magadi in Kajiado County. Ruto said the government plans to bring in two new companies to replace Tata, including facilities for glass and chemical production in Kajiado. Kenya had already suspended Tata’s mining operations in July over regulatory concerns. Tata Chemicals says it has submitted the requested documentation and remains committed to resolving the dispute through legal and regulatory channels. (PC: X)

The Ganga’s rising water level has put eight Bihar districts—Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Nalanda, Begusarai, Lakhisarai and Jehanabad—on high alert. At Gandhi Ghat in Patna, the river reached about 1.65 metres above the danger mark, with forecasts warning it could cross the Highest Flood Level. Authorities have been instructed to monitor embankments, alert residents in low-lying areas and prepare shelters, medical facilities, food and drinking water. SDRF and NDRF teams remain ready for rescue operations. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government, alleging inadequate flood preparedness and relief arrangements in affected areas. (PC: India Today)

Dr. Penny Dash, Chair of NHS England, has said Britain should learn from India’s healthcare system, highlighting the country’s growing potential as a global healthcare model. She particularly pointed to India’s use of digital technology and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. According to her, India’s expanding digital healthcare infrastructure demonstrates how technology can improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen access to medical services. Her comments come as the UK’s National Health Service faces pressure to improve productivity and manage rising healthcare demands. The remarks highlight India’s emerging influence in global healthcare innovation and technology-driven service delivery. (PC: X)

India will finalise its proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States only after securing preferential tariff treatment for Indian exporters, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on September 3. New Delhi wants Indian goods to receive a competitive tariff advantage over products from rival economies in the US market. Goyal said India has secured favourable terms in sensitive sectors and will announce the agreement’s final details once Washington provides the required tariff advantage. The negotiations reflect India’s focus on protecting export competitiveness while expanding global trade partnerships. Goyal also highlighted continued growth in India’s merchandise exports and urged industry to set ambitious targets. (PC: ANI)

Brazilian football legend and 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Cafu is set to visit Darjeeling on September 6, bringing international football attention to the hills. Cafu will launch two new futsal teams, Darjeeling Warriors FC and North Bengal Fighters FC, and virtually lay the foundation stone for the proposed Sidra Hills Sports & Wellness Resort at Arya Tea Estate, around 10 km from Darjeeling town. The ceremony will take place at Gorkha Stadium in Lebong. The project aims to combine sports, wellness and tourism, while Cafu’s presence is expected to inspire local football enthusiasts and promote Darjeeling as a sporting destination. (PC: Reuters)

Indian professionals seeking U.S. employment-based Green Cards face extraordinarily long delays, with some EB-2 applicants potentially waiting up to 179 years, according to an analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP). Nearly one million Indians are estimated to be in the employment-based backlog, representing about 79% of the total 1.26 million cases. The backlog is driven by annual visa limits and the U.S. 7% per-country cap, despite much higher demand from India. NFAP estimates potential waits of 179 years for EB-2, 38 years for EB-3 and about 4–5 years for EB-1 applicants filing in 2026. 

Russia says financial settlement problems with India have largely been resolved, with the two countries now using a functioning payment system based on the rupee and rouble. The mechanism handles about 96% of bilateral trade, according to Ivan Nosov, head of Sberbank’s Indian operations. Around 22 Russian and 17 Indian banks currently facilitate transactions. Nosov said 90% of payments are completed within 10 minutes, while more than half take less than a minute. The development is particularly important for energy trade, as India remains a major buyer of Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Bilateral trade reached a record $70 billion in 2024. (PC: Reuters)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on September 3, 2026, during his official visit to Ukraine. Their discussions focused on approaches to ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Jaishankar also briefed Zelenskyy on his earlier talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha concerning cooperation in areas including education, health, agriculture, digital technology and development. India reiterated its willingness to support efforts aimed at ending the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting highlights New Delhi’s continued engagement with both Russia and Ukraine while maintaining its independent diplomatic position. (PC: X)