Delhi has tightened security ahead of the BRICS summit, with elaborate arrangements for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin’s stay at the Maurya Hotel has prompted authorities to turn the property into an “impregnable fortress”, with a four-layer security cordon. The first layer will consist of the CPT, or Close Protection Team, tasked with Putin’s close protection and remaining with him at all times. The broader security plan includes special security teams for Putin and Xi, verified hotel staff, rehearsed routes, and senior police officers, commandos and paramilitary personnel overseeing hotels and key routes. The arrangements reflect heightened security measures across Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit.

The rupee weakened 25 paise to 95.33 against the US dollar during early trading hours on Thursday, pressured by Brent crude prices crossing $100 and persistent dollar demand. The currency opened at 95.15 at the interbank foreign exchange market before declining to 95.33, marking a 25-paise loss from Wednesday’s close of 95.08. Forex traders said higher crude prices, which raise concerns over India’s import bill, and sustained dollar demand weighed on investor sentiment. The rupee’s move beyond the psychologically important 95-per-dollar level also triggered additional dollar demand and stop-loss activity. However, Reserve Bank of India intervention helped contain further losses, according to Anil Kumar Bhansali of Finrex Treasury Advisors in Mumbai. (PC: PTI)

India will host the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, bringing together major global leaders and representatives from member, partner and outreach countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the prominent leaders expected to attend. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are also expected. Partner and outreach leaders from countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Thailand will participate. The summit will focus on global governance, economic cooperation, resilience, innovation and sustainable development. (PC: X)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and Japan as Japanese F-2 fighter jets arrive in Jodhpur for Exercise Veer Guardian 2026. The bilateral air-combat exercise, scheduled from September 11 to 22, marks the first participation of Japan’s F-2 aircraft in India. Indian Air Force aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas fighters, will participate alongside the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. The exercise aims to improve operational coordination, interoperability and combat preparedness between the two air forces. Singh described the drill as an important milestone in strengthening India-Japan defence cooperation and supporting regional security in the Indo-Pacific. (PC: ET)

Five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district are showing varied emotions at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, from relaxed and playful behaviour to anxiety and clinging to one another. The animals, all around one year old, were found in a frightened condition and are now being kept under close veterinary supervision. Zoo officials have provided them with teddy bears, nutritious food, sunlight and a temperature-controlled quarantine facility. Three animal keepers and a veterinary team are monitoring them around the clock. Authorities are also investigating how the non-native animals reached Odisha, including possible wildlife trafficking. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to hold a bilateral meeting on September 12 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. However, China’s foreign affairs secretary said there was “no information yet” on Xi’s planned travel to India. The meeting, if held, would be closely watched as India-China ties remain cautious following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The BRICS Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders from 11 full member states, including India, China and Russia, along with partner countries and other invitees. (PC: X)

India and Russia are moving closer to major cooperation in civil aviation, with aircraft deals involving Russia’s IL-114-300 turboprop and SJ-100 regional jet expected to feature around the BRICS Summit. The proposed cooperation could include aircraft supplies, technology sharing and greater localisation of production in India. The developments come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare for discussions on expanding bilateral industrial and economic ties. Russia has also offered India greater technology transfer in aviation and other strategic sectors. The cooperation is expected to strengthen India’s regional aviation capabilities while deepening the long-standing India-Russia industrial partnership. (PC: Reuters)

The payment infrastructure for settlements between Russia and India in their national currencies is fully operational, Sberbank India CEO Ivan Nosov said. Speaking at the INNOPROM. India exhibition in New Delhi, Nosov said earlier challenges involving banking, insurance and logistics have largely been resolved. More than 90% of payments from Russia to India are now processed in under 10 minutes, while 30% are completed within a minute. He also highlighted growing opportunities for Indian exporters, saying more than 100 categories of Indian products have been identified as competitive in the Russian market, where demand for Indian goods remains strong. (PC: Economic Times)

Indian-origin engineers Anuradha and Vikas Sinha have donated $20 million to the University of North Texas (UNT) to establish a new college focused on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. The university will name it the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics in recognition of their contribution. The college will focus on AI, data science, cybersecurity, advanced analytics and health informatics, while also supporting research and innovation. The donation will create six permanent endowments for scholarships, faculty positions, entrepreneurship, research and emerging technologies. The couple previously supported UNT's data science department and innovation lab. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12, in their first face-to-face bilateral talks since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Xi is scheduled to visit India for the September 12-13 summit, his first trip to the country in seven years. The meeting comes as India-China ties show cautious signs of improvement after years of military tensions along the Line of Actual Control. Talks could cover the border dispute, regional security, trade and investment, and measures to prevent renewed tensions. (PC: India Today)