Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station sent Independence Day wishes to India while holding the Indian tricolour. They wished Indians peace and prosperity and highlighted the long friendship between India and Russia in space exploration. The cosmonauts recalled the launch of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, by the Soviet Union in 1975. They also mentioned Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. The message highlighted new cooperation through India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Indian astronauts have trained in Russia for the mission. The cosmonauts ended their message by wishing continued success for India.

Bangladesh has urged India to speed up the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The request came during Indian envoy Dinesh Trivedi’s meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said Dhaka hopes India will respond positively. Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. Bangladesh also asked India to hand over two nationals arrested in West Bengal over the killing of politician Sharif Osman Hadi. Trivedi said India and Bangladesh can resolve all issues through talks. He said both countries want good relations and should focus on the future.

The Indian Navy is escorting two crude oil tankers, MT Compass and MT Thalata, through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait amid heightened piracy and security concerns following the Hormuz crisis. INS Trishul and INS Aditya conducted the escort operation on August 9-10, with a naval helicopter monitoring the vessels, according to the Navy’s Western Command. India faces renewed maritime security challenges in the Red Sea as attacks and instability linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels escalate. The Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya recently sank in the Red Sea, 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah, Yemen, after being struck by a projectile. All 14 crew members were reportedly involved in the incident. (PC: Times Now)

Russia’s share of India’s crude oil imports has climbed to a record 48%, highlighting the growing importance of Russian supplies despite mounting pressure from the United States. The increase comes as Washington threatens to impose 100% tariffs on countries continuing significant trade with Russia. India has maintained that its energy purchases are guided by national interests, including price and supply security. Russian crude became a major source for Indian refiners after Western sanctions disrupted traditional energy markets. The record share underscores India’s continued reliance on discounted Russian oil, while potentially increasing trade tensions with Washington over New Delhi’s energy policy. (PC: Reuters)

India has gifted five Indian peacocks to the United Nations Office in Geneva, including a rare white peacock, reviving a decades-old tradition. The donation comprises four blue peafowl and one white peacock and was formally handed over to UN officials. The gesture recalls a similar 1981 donation by India, when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sent a breeding pair of peacocks to Geneva. The birds will be cared for by Geneva Bioparc and UN staff and initially kept in an enclosed habitat before being released in Ariana Park. The donation showcases India’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and commitment to international cooperation. (PC: X)

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has rejected what he called misconceptions surrounding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Responding to concerns raised by US Congressman Riley Moore, Kwatra said the legislation does not ban foreign funding or target any religion, community or ideology. He stated that regulating foreign financial flows is a sovereign function linked to national security. Kwatra also clarified that asset vesting after FCRA registration cancellation has existed since 2010. He said the proposed Bill would create a designated authority to safeguard such assets and ensure their return if registration is restored. (PC: India Today)

Russia has proposed exploring a direct rail link from Moscow to the Indian Ocean to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints, particularly the Bosphorus and Strait of Hormuz. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said the route could strengthen connectivity between Russia, Central Asia and India amid geopolitical disruptions affecting major trade corridors. The proposal comes as conflicts in West Asia have created risks for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and stalled progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. A potential overland corridor could diversify Russia-India trade routes, although such a project would require major infrastructure investment, financing and coordination across several countries. The proposal highlights Moscow’s broader push to expand Eurasian transport connectivity. (PC: X)

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi is set to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday as New Delhi and Dhaka seek to rebuild ties amid renewed tensions over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s activities in India. The latest row followed Hasina’s media interaction in Delhi, where she criticised Bangladesh’s current leadership and spoke of returning home. Dhaka objected, while India said it had no involvement in the private event. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition. The Trivedi-Rahman meeting comes ahead of the BRICS summit, to which Rahman has been invited. India wants to preserve ties covering connectivity, trade, security and the Bay of Bengal, while preventing the Hasina dispute from dominating bilateral relations. (PC: The Indian Express)

India’s US ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra has sought to counter what he called “myths” surrounding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. In a thread on X, Kwatra said the legislation seeks greater transparency, better governance and clearer rules for foreign financial flows. He rejected claims that the bill would cut off foreign aid to civil society, restrict NGOs, seize charitable assets or target any particular religion. Kwatra said foreign contributions to registered organisations rose from about $1.2 billion in 2010–11 to $2.67 billion in 2024–25. He added that only 14,450 of India’s over 3 million NGOs hold FCRA registration and said the law applies uniformly.

The pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi underwent a psychoactive substance screening after the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude on August 4. The initial test result was described as “not negative” and has been sent to a designated laboratory for confirmatory analysis. The final result is awaited, and the preliminary screening does not establish that the pilot tested positive for a prohibited substance. Both pilots were screened under mandatory procedures and have been removed from the DGCA roster pending investigation and completion of testing. The A320 carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members landed safely in Delhi, though some passengers and crew reported injuries.