Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said India wants peace with China but will not compromise on its territory or sovereignty. Speaking on CNN-News18 BRICS Dialogues, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to normalise India-China ties. Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said his views on China are shaped by the state’s experience, but avoided elaborating to prevent his remarks being interpreted as the government’s official position. He said India is strengthening border infrastructure and will match China’s capabilities in frontier areas. Rijiju also dismissed China’s attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh as “tactical games”, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is not part of Chinese history or civilisation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed new ways to boost trade and investment among BRICS nations during the BRICS Business Forum. Putin proposed an investment platform backed by the New Development Bank (NDB) to mobilise private-sector funding and improve BRICS economies’ competitiveness. He said the NDB was already doing significant work and could provide the basis for a broader investment mechanism, expressing hope that other members would support the initiative. Pezeshkian advocated greater use of national currencies instead of the US dollar for trade. The proposals focused on strengthening economic cooperation and integration, increasing investment and reducing reliance on dollar-based transactions among BRICS members, further deepening cooperation. (PC: AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral ties during their meeting on the margins of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The talks covered political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people cooperation. Putin invited Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, and he accepted the invitation. The leaders exchanged views on conflicts in West Asia and the situation in the Black Sea region. They reviewed progress across areas of cooperation and welcomed Russia’s Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM India”, held in India for the first time from September 9-11, highlighting its role in expanding trade and industrial ties. The strategic partnership continues to grow. (PC: X)

Russian President Vladimir Putin compared BRICS with the G7 at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, saying BRICS countries produced more than 40 per cent of global GDP over the last five years, against 29 per cent for the G7. He said the world is undergoing deep structural shifts, with new growth engines replacing traditional economic leaders. Putin accused Western competitors of using measures including pipeline destruction, blocking transport corridors, vessel seizures and sanctions to undermine other economies. He said Russia faces more than 30,000 sanctions, twice the number imposed on all other countries combined. Despite this, he said Russia strengthened national sovereignty and developed ties with reliable partners.

As Bharat Mandapam prepares to host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, Delhi’s luxury hotels are finalising menus centred on millets, local produce and balanced flavours. At The LaLiT, executive sous chef Amit Biswas said millets were being promoted in line with the Prime Minister’s focus on the grain, while Indian spices, traditional vegetables and farm-grown produce would showcase local offerings. The Taj Mahal’s “Tradition to Table” selection features regional snacks, including Kashmiri spiced walnuts, Maharashtra’s Bhakarwadi and Tamil Nadu’s Murukku. The Leela Palace is offering an edible lotus with rose, saffron and cardamom, alongside millet cookies, granola bars and wellness infusions. Menus will combine Indian culinary heritage with contemporary and international influences for summit guests.

8 young Indians have been recognised as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust’s 100 Young Leaders Awards 2026. The awards were presented by British Deputy High Commissioner to India Ben Mellor at a ceremony in New Delhi on September 9. The eight awardees are Aashraya Seth, Abhishek Gupta, Girish Mehta, Isha Jauhar, Pallavi Kejriwal, Samit Sakib Gore, Shakti Balasubramanian Yadav and Kavya Jain. They were selected from thousands of applications for their work in areas including education, health, environment, livelihoods and inclusion. India has the highest number of awardees. Some of them are expected to travel to London in October. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled together in a limousine in New Delhi after bilateral talks, marking their fourth car ride. They first rode together at last year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China and travelled on two other occasions. On Friday, the leaders headed to the INNOPROM industrial exhibition at Bharat Mandapam. Earlier, Modi gifted Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, saying it could strengthen India-Russia people-to-people ties. The Ministry of External Affairs said discussions covered trade, energy, defence, space and people-to-people ties, alongside regional and global issues including West Asia and Black Sea conflicts. Modi reiterated India’s support for dialogue, diplomacy and peace efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during their meeting, highlighting the Tamil classic’s international reach and cultural significance in diplomacy. Written by Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural is a celebrated work of classical Tamil literature comprising 1,330 couplets across 133 chapters. Its themes include virtue, governance, wealth, friendship, relationships and love. The concise verses have allowed the work to travel beyond Tamil-speaking communities. Over the centuries, the Thirukkural has been translated into numerous languages, giving readers worldwide access to a text whose themes remain familiar despite its antiquity. Modi’s choice of a Russian translation underscored the enduring cultural power of literature in diplomatic exchanges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other BRICS leaders at the Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday, projecting unity and calling for stronger trade, investment and business cooperation. Modi was seen holding hands with Pezeshkian as leaders walked side-by-side along a red-carpet corridor displaying BRICS INDIA 2026 branding. The forum was held a day before the BRICS Summit. Pezeshkian said BRICS must convert economic capacities into practical cooperation amid geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruptions and economic pressure. Modi said BRICS represents 50 per cent of population, 40 per cent of GDP and over 25 per cent of trade, highlighting its growing economic strength. (PC: ET)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the BRICS Business Forum, highlighted the grouping’s economic achievements while raising India’s concerns over recent attacks on ships. He linked global trade progress to secure sea lanes, open supply routes and safe seafarers, reaffirming India’s support for freedom of navigation and maritime safety. Modi said BRICS nations account for 50% of the world’s population, 40% of global GDP and over 25% of global trade. Their combined GDP has grown nearly four-and-a-half-fold, almost twice the pace of global GDP growth. He also highlighted BRICS as innovation hubs and said the India-hosted forum was the largest. Modi stressed India’s commitment to removing trade barriers through free trade agreements with 40 countries.