Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India faces fresh pressure from Washington over its Russian oil purchases. Putin praised Modi’s contribution to strengthening the “special and privileged” India-Russia strategic partnership and highlighted his authority on the global stage. Trump’s birthday message was conveyed through the US Embassy, which wished Modi health and happiness. The greetings came as the US House passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries continuing to buy Russian oil.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday dismissed social media reports claiming that several world leaders fell sick after attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The MEA’s fact-checking unit called the reports “fake” and warned against “malicious” posts. The rumours surfaced after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was advised to rest following his return from India. Unverified reports also claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping had left the summit early for medical reasons. However, reports said Xi skipped the leaders’ dinner because he was tired after a long day of engagements. The BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. (PC: HT)

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was among 64 investors defrauded in a $35 million Ponzi scheme operated by Indian-origin investment adviser Siddharth Jawahar, US prosecutors said.   Jawahar, founder of Texas-based Swiftarc Capital, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution. Prosecutors said Jawahar used new investors’ money to repay earlier investors and fund a lavish lifestyle. Only about $10 million of the money raised was invested. Details of Kelce’s investment and losses have not been publicly disclosed. (PC: India Today)

India on Thursday said it would take all necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests after the US Congress passed a sweeping bill targeting Russia and Iran. The legislation gives US President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue significant trade with Russia, including Russian oil and gas.   India’s External Affairs Ministry said the government remains committed to securing energy supplies for its 1.4 billion people. It said India would continue sourcing energy based on market conditions and through diversified suppliers, while assessing the impact of the US measures. (PC: India Today)

A unit of Adani Power’s Godda thermal plant in Jharkhand, which supplies electricity to Bangladesh, shut down on September 10 after a boiler fault, halving supplies. The unit was restored on September 13, while Bangladesh was facing a power deficit of around 2,500 MW and outages lasting three to 10 hours in several regions. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Secretary-General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged the shutdown was linked to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman skipping the Brics Summit in New Delhi. Speaking outside Dhaka’s Jatiya Press Club, Rizvi accused India of creating a “web of conspiracy” against Bangladesh and said Rahman’s decision upheld Bangladesh’s “independence and sovereignty,” according to Bangladeshi media reports. (PC: BNP/Social Media)

A Pakistan Navy vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in the Arabian Sea on September 15 after manoeuvring at high speed, India said the Pakistani vessel acted in an “unprofessional and unsafe” manner and summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires to lodge a strong protest. The collision occurred in international waters and caused no damage to the Indian warship, while India said the conduct violated Article 10 of the 1991 agreement requiring naval vessels to maintain three nautical miles’ distance. Pakistan later summoned India’s charge d’affaires, alleging the Indian vessel made aggressive manoeuvres inside Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone. Both sides urged adherence to international law and agreements to prevent incidents at sea.

The US House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill on Wednesday, clearing the final hurdle for legislation that grants President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries buying Russian oil and natural gas, including India and China. Officially titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, the bill passed 262-159 and is expected to be signed by Trump, and now awaits President Trump's signature. It previously cleared the Senate 86-11 but faced delays in the House over disagreements about expanding presidential economic powers. While 58 Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure, Democratic leadership opposed its expanded tariff provisions.

Indian content creator Arunima IP was released after spending several hours in Taliban custody while travelling alone in Afghanistan. Arunima said she was detained because women are not allowed to travel alone under Taliban rules.   In an SOS message, she asked for help contacting the Indian embassy and later posted, “I am safe now.” Describing the incident, she said, “I was completely terrified” and felt she “could have died.” Arunima said armed Taliban members questioned her documents and told her she needed a special permit to travel between provinces. She questioned why she was granted a visa despite travelling alone. Neither the Taliban nor the Indian embassy has commented. (PC: The Independent)

US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain integrity. The statement came as India was included in the US list of “major illicit drug producing countries” on Wednesday. Trump said he looked forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework. India was among 23 countries designated by the US as “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing” nations. Pakistan and China were also included in the list. Other countries named included Afghanistan, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Burma and others.

Bangladesh said handing over prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League Secretary Obaidul Quader and others in India is an important condition for improving bilateral ties. Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Dhaka expects New Delhi to consider the issue while establishing a “working engagement” between the neighbours. His remarks followed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentencing Quader and six others to death in a case linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising. Zahed said he raised the handover issue with High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. Hasina has stayed in India since her ouster, while Dhaka has repeatedly sought her return. The demand comes amid efforts to navigate a phase in relations. (PC: AFP)