US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a trade deal with India will move forward once New Delhi ends Russian oil imports. Speaking to CNBC, he said, “We’re going to sort out India,” linking progress to energy decisions. Lutnick earlier warned India would “say sorry” and return to talks under US pressure. His softer tone now comes after President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “dear friend.” Trump said trade talks are active and predicted success soon. Modi responded that India and the US are natural partners and future agreements will unlock “limitless potential” in their relationship. (PC: India Today)

Indian-origin Singapore immigration officer Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment for exploiting young foreign applicants. The 55-year-old Immigration and Checkpoints Authority inspector corruptly obtained sexual favors in exchange for helping with short-term visit pass applications between 2022-2023. He targeted Indian nationals aged 25-30 who came to Singapore for education purposes. Prosecutors called it an "appalling case" where he exploited vulnerable young foreigners instead of serving as an impartial public representative. Kannan, who supervised visa extension processing teams, used his discretionary approval powers to coerce applicants. He pleaded guilty to three corruption charges in July after being charged and suspended from duty in 2023. The case highlights serious abuse of immigration authority. (PC: India Filings)

Two Indian nationals contacted The Hindu claiming they're trapped in Ukraine's Selydove, forced to serve with Russian forces alongside 13 other Indians. Sumit Sharma, 22, from Jammu, and Gursevak Singh, 26, from Punjab came to Russia on student visas seeking construction work but were deceived into military service. They report at least four Indians missing, possibly killed in combat. Despite Russia's August 2024 assurance to stop recruiting Indians after PM Modi's intervention, new cases continue emerging. External Affairs Ministry data shows 127 Indians previously served in Russian forces, with 98 discharged through diplomatic efforts. The men desperately seek rescue, having received no embassy response despite multiple appeals. (PC: USA Today & The Guardian)

Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after over 20 people died in anti-government protests triggered by social media bans. Protesters stormed parliament and burned politicians' homes, prompting nationwide curfew and army deployment. This marks the third violent uprising in India's neighborhood after Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India faces strategic concerns given Nepal's 1,750km open border with five Indian states and 3.5 million Nepalis living in India. Prime Minister Modi called the violence "heart-rending" and chaired emergency security meetings. The crisis complicates India's regional relationships, with analysts warning against another "Bangladesh-type situation" amid ongoing competition with China for influence in the strategically located Himalayan nation. (PC: X)

India's External Affairs Ministry demanded Russia cease recruiting Indian nationals as military support staff and release those currently serving in Russian armed forces. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal warned Indian citizens against joining Russian military, calling it "fraught with danger" amid reports of fresh recruitment. India has repeatedly raised concerns with Russian authorities in Delhi and Moscow over past year, urging end to this practice. The government remains in contact with affected families while emphasizing "risks and dangers inherent" in such offers. Indians have been serving as support staff like cooks and helpers with Russian military units. Prime Minister Modi previously raised this issue during his Russia visit, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts. (PC: NZZ & BBC)

US President Donald Trump has asked the European Union to place 100 percent tariffs on China and India, reports said. The move is aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Trump told US and EU officials that Washington would raise tariffs only if Europe joined. He warned of higher duties on China and India, both major buyers of Russian oil. Last month, Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent. He said he would soon speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi responded that talks would boost India-US ties and support a stronger partnership. (PC: Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Charlie Kirk, right-wing activist and a close aide of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead at Utah University on Wednesday during a college event. Amid the tragedy, Kirk’s controversial remarks on Indian migrants have resurfaced. On September 2, he posted on X: “America does not need more visas for people from India… We’re full. Let’s finally put our own people first.” His comments responded to Laura Ingraham’s post opposing visa concessions in U.S.-India trade deals. President Trump mourned Kirk as “great, and even legendary,” calling him a “martyr for truth.” Trump extended condolences to Kirk’s family and vowed action against those responsible for the killing and broader political violence, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to law and order.

India is set to approve a joint project between French firm Safran S.A and DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment to develop 120-140KN jet engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Safran will transfer 100% technology to DRDO under Indian IPR, including crystal blade technology. The collaboration will produce nine prototypes over 12 years, starting with 120KN capacity and scaling to 140KN. This follows PM Modi's Independence Day call for indigenous jet engine development. Unlike the conditional 70% technology transfer from US's GE-414 engines, France offers complete technology sharing. The engines will power twin-engine AMCA fighters developed by Indian private sector including Tata, L&T, and Adani Defence, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. (PC: Wikipedia & Hindustan Times)

India strongly rebuked Switzerland's criticism at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th session, with diplomat Kshitij Tyagi calling Swiss remarks "surprising, shallow, and ill-informed." Switzerland had urged India to protect minorities and uphold freedom of expression and media rights. Tyagi, counsellor at India's Geneva mission, countered that Switzerland, currently holding the council's presidency, should avoid "blatantly false narratives" and instead address its own issues of racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia. He emphasized India's status as the world's largest, most diverse democracy with civilizational pluralism, offering to help Switzerland tackle these domestic challenges. The exchange occurred during a general debate, highlighting diplomatic tensions over human rights criticisms between the two nations.

Delhi Police have arrested a Nepali man for supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan’s ISI. The accused, 43-year-old Prabhat Kumar Chaurasiya from Birganj, Nepal, was caught in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar. Police said ISI lured him with the promise of a US visa and journalism job. He procured 16 SIM cards using Aadhaar credentials and sent them to Nepal. Eleven were found active on WhatsApp from Pakistan, including Lahore and Bahawalpur. Police also seized digital devices and SIM envelopes. Chaurasiya, once a medical representative, turned to espionage after business losses. A case has been registered, and investigations continue. (PC: NDTV)