Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 15 formal bilateral meetings with world leaders during the three-day BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The meetings focused on trade, defence, energy, connectivity and regional security. Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed defence and energy cooperation. He also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed Chabahar port and regional security. A key meeting was with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both leaders welcomed improving ties but stressed the need for peace along the border. Modi also met leaders from Ethiopia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Egypt, South Africa and other countries. He held several informal talks as well.  

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s BRICS presidency is focused on four key pillars: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. India is seeking stronger cooperation among member countries on economic development, technology, energy security and global governance. The summit also focuses on improving supply-chain resilience, digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence, while promoting clean energy and climate action. Leaders are discussing reforms to international institutions and greater economic cooperation within the bloc. India’s agenda aims to strengthen BRICS as a platform for emerging economies while addressing shared global challenges through practical and sustainable cooperation. (PC: X)

Asgarali Vohra, an 81-year-old former schoolmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a long-running land dispute in Maharashtra’s Mira-Bhayandar area. Vohra alleges that builders used forged documents to take control of his approximately 2,810-square-metre property in Bhayandar East. He met Prime Minister Modi on September 8 and submitted a letter requesting intervention. Vohra reportedly purchased the land in 1989 and claims he never sold it. An FIR was filed in 2015, while a CID report was submitted in 2026. He has alleged delays and sought an impartial investigation. (PC: X)

An 81-year-old man who was reportedly a former schoolmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought his intervention in a decades-old land dispute in Mumbai’s Mira-Bhayander area. Asgarali Vohra met PM Modi on September 8 and requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Vohra claims he purchased around 2,810 square metres of land in Navghar, Bhayander East, through a registered agreement in 1989. He has alleged that the property was encroached upon in 2011 and that documents were forged. The allegations are pending before a court, while a police case was registered in 2015. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two commemorative postage stamps marking 20 years of BRICS during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The stamps, issued on September 12, carry the inscription “BRICS: Two Decades of Cooperation, 2006–2026” and highlight the grouping’s journey of dialogue and cooperation. The designs also reflect India’s 2026 BRICS chairship theme — “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” One stamp represents BRICS’ spirit of mutual respect, understanding and solidarity, while the second features India’s chairship logo and its “humanity first” and people-centric vision.

Elephant Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi in Kolhapur, has returned to the city after spending more than a year at Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The move followed a September 9 order by the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC), which allowed her return to the Nandani Jain Math under strict conditions. Madhuri must receive round-the-clock care, undergo medical examinations every fortnight and cannot be used in processions or for any other purpose. Vantara said her chronic health conditions still require regular monitoring and confirmed that its veterinarians will visit her in Kolhapur every two weeks and submit reports to authorities. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a gala dinner for BRICS leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the opening day of the 2026 BRICS Summit. A 160-member ensemble of Indian and international artistes performed BRICS Symphony – One Rhythm, Many Cultures, showcasing the cultural diversity of BRICS nations. Indian classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi and Kathak were presented alongside traditional music from participating countries. The programme was coordinated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and highlighted cultural exchange, shared heritage and people-to-people connections among BRICS members and partner countries. 

Darjeeling tea exports have declined 46% over the past decade, falling from 3.95 million kg in 2015 to just 2.13 million kg in 2025. Production also dropped around 36%, from 8.76 million kg to 5.60 million kg. The prolonged 2017 Gorkhaland agitation severely disrupted exports, prompting overseas buyers to shift towards Nepalese tea. The industry now faces labour shortages, weak investment, rising production costs and financially struggling estates. At least nine tea gardens remain closed, while worker absenteeism has reportedly reached nearly 45%. Despite higher auction prices, producers say earnings remain below production costs, raising concerns over the future of Darjeeling’s iconic tea industry. 

A Mumbai-based Air India captain in his 40s was found dead inside a hotel room in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj on Friday, a day before he was scheduled to operate a flight. The pilot had been staying at the hotel during a layover since Thursday. His brother alerted hotel staff after the captain stopped responding to phone calls. The room was locked from inside, and the hotel manager opened it using a master key. Police found the pilot unconscious and took him to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. An autopsy was conducted, while police await the postmortem report to determine the cause of death. (PC: X)

BRICS leaders at the 2026 summit in New Delhi expressed serious concern over the growing risks of nuclear confrontation amid escalating global conflicts. In the New Delhi Declaration, leaders stressed the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities from attacks. They called for maximum restraint, dialogue, consultation and diplomatic solutions to international disputes. The declaration also highlighted concerns over rising global polarisation, distrust and instability, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to international law, nuclear safety and multilateral cooperation, urging countries to prevent further escalation and work towards lasting peace and stability. (PC: PTI)