Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, emphasizing commitment to strengthening India-China relations through "mutual trust, respect and sensitivity." Modi highlighted that border disengagement has created "peace and stability" with Special Representatives reaching understanding on border management. He mentioned resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between nations. Modi stressed that cooperation serves 2.8 billion people's interests and benefits humanity. Xi Jinping welcomed Modi, calling for countries to be "friends and good neighbours," describing the partnership as "dragon and elephant coming together." Both leaders emphasized strategic, long-term perspective and shared responsibility for developing nations' solidarity and global peace. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking his first China visit in seven years. Modi emphasized commitment to improving bilateral relations based on "mutual trust, respect and sensitivity," noting that border disengagement has created "peace and stability." He highlighted that cooperation serves 2.8 billion people's interests and mentioned resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights. Xi Jinping called for India-China to be "friends and good neighbours," describing the relationship as "dragon and elephant coming together." The meeting occurs amid strained India-US ties following Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian goods, signaling potential realignment in regional partnerships and strategic cooperation. (PC: X & India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest "Mann Ki Baat" episode urged Indians to embrace Swadeshi products, responding to Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian exports imposed August 27. Modi's "vocal for local" call during festival season has triggered nationwide anti-American sentiment. Union Ministers and leaders advocated boycotting US brands like McDonald's, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, KFC, and Subway. Yoga guru Ramdev demanded complete boycotts, while AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal warned Trump that 146 crore Indians could severely impact American multinationals. The movement targets companies generating significant Indian revenue - McDonald's earned Rs 2,390 crore and PepsiCo Rs 8,200 crore in fiscal 2024. Modi emphasized "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" as the path to developed India during upcoming festivals. (PC: X & India Today)

US President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to visit India for the Quad Summit later this year, according to The New York Times citing sources familiar with his schedule. The report, titled "The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unraveled," reveals Trump previously committed to traveling to India in fall but has since changed course. Neither the US nor Indian governments have officially responded to these claims. India remains scheduled to host the Quad summit this year. The development follows the Trump administration's Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in January, held just one day after Trump's second presidential inauguration, suggesting deteriorating US-India diplomatic relations under current leadership. (PC: Bloomberg & The New York Times)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on August 31, 2025, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit marking his first visit to China in seven years. The meeting comes as both nations seek to mend relations frozen after deadly Himalayan clashes five years ago, now thawing under Washington's economic pressure. Key outcomes include border management agreements, resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and restoration of direct flights. Modi emphasized that India-China relations will progress through mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity. The meeting signals both nations' strategic response to US trade policies and their desire to compartmentalize economic cooperation from border disputes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to China in seven years, arrived in Tianjin on August 30 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit from August 31 to September 1 . On the summit’s sidelines, he held a 40-minute bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping aimed at resetting ties and bolstering economic cooperation . The visit follows recent thawing—including resumed flights and border trade—after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash . Modi is also slated to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss India’s strategic positioning amid global tensions. (PC: X)

A rising wave of anti-American sentiment in India has put major US brands—Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Subway, KFC, and McDonald’s—under pressure after former President Trump imposed a sweeping 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing its trade with Russia . Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has urged citizens to boycott these brands, calling the tariffs “political bullying” . Prime Minister Modi reinforced the call by promoting “vocal for local” and self-reliance . The movement echoes grassroots “swadeshi” ideals, though Indian leaders warn such boycotts may be impractical given US brand integration. (PC: NDTV)  

During a June 17 call, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming credit for ending a military escalation between India and Pakistan. Modi firmly rejected the implication, clarifying that the ceasefire was negotiated bilaterally and that the U.S. had no involvement. This rebuke contributed significantly to the decline in personal ties between the two leaders, already strained by mounting U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and disagreements over strategic autonomy. (PC: PTI)

India and Japan finalized a significant human resources action plan on Friday targeting 500,000 people exchange over five years, including 50,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian personnel to Japan. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this bilateral workforce mobility initiative during ongoing diplomatic engagements between both nations. This agreement represents a major expansion of labor cooperation, addressing Japan's aging workforce needs while providing Indian workers with international employment opportunities. The plan encompasses various skill levels, suggesting comprehensive workforce integration across multiple sectors. This human resource partnership complements existing India-Japan strategic cooperation in technology, defense, and infrastructure development. The five-year timeline indicates sustained commitment to deepening people-to-people connections through structured employment exchanges, potentially benefiting both countries' economic growth and demographic challenges. (PC: X/@Narendramodi)

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called Prime Minister Modi on Saturday, two days before Modi's scheduled meeting with Putin at the SCO Summit in China. This marks their second conversation about Ukraine conflict resolution, following their August 11 discussion. Zelenskyy shared perspectives from recent Trump administration talks in Washington, emphasizing coordinated diplomatic positioning ahead of SCO meetings. Modi reiterated India's consistent stance supporting peaceful settlement and earliest peace restoration. Zelenskyy stressed immediate ceasefire necessity, noting Russia's continued civilian strikes despite diplomatic opportunities. The call aimed at coordinating positions before Modi's Putin meeting, with Ukraine expressing readiness for Russian leadership dialogue. Both leaders discussed enhancing India-Ukraine partnership cooperation and planned future bilateral visits including Joint Intergovernmental Commission meetings. (PC: South China Morning Post & AFP)