India on Monday rejected the latest award by the Court of Arbitration concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the body “illegally constituted” and saying the 1960 treaty remains in abeyance. The Ministry of External Affairs said the tribunal was established by the World Bank in “patent breach” of the treaty’s terms and reiterated that India has never recognised its legal existence or participated in its proceedings. New Delhi said the tribunal has no jurisdiction over India’s sovereign decisions and that its current or future pronouncements would have no impact on projects being undertaken by India. The tribunal, meanwhile, ruled that India must continue observing its treaty obligations and imposed interim measures on the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting marked their first bilateral talks since the US-Iran war began in February. The talks took place just hours after the US and Iran engaged in direct military exchanges for the first time in several weeks. Details of the Modi-Pezeshkian meeting were not immediately released. The Iranian Embassy in India confirmed the meeting in a post on X, saying Pezeshkian met and held talks with Modi during the first leg of his visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend and address the SCO Summit and the Shanghai Plus Summit.

The US and Iran traded fresh strikes after weeks without direct attacks. US forces hit two rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said two people were killed and two others were injured. The US said Iran was preparing to launch rockets and place sea mines in the vital waterway. Iran later fired missiles at US military bases in Jordan. Jordan said it intercepted eight missiles. Iran also claimed it targeted a UAE air base with drones. The UAE denied this but confirmed that it shot down a drone. Tensions remain high in the region. (PC: Reuters)

Rescuers searching for 93 missing workers at a hydropower project in Nepal found no sign of anyone inside a tunnel. The workers went missing after severe flooding hit the Rasuwagadhi project in Rasuwa district. The Nepali Army, engineers and a drone team searched the tunnel, including dangerous areas. A thermal drone was used to check the far end, but found no survivors or workers. The search inside the tunnel was later stopped. Nepal has been badly hit by floods since Wednesday. More than 900 people have died and around 4,500 are still missing, according to official reports.

Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court it no longer wants to pursue 13 FIRs registered in connection with student protests held across the national capital between July 20 and 25. The decision follows the Central government’s July 25 decision not to pursue the cases linked to the protests. However, police have sought the court’s permission to register a fresh and separate FIR against 2,873 individuals identified as having serious criminal antecedents. Delhi Police has requested that the 13 FIRs be quashed and said no other fresh case would be filed over the incidents, apart from the proposed FIR. (PC: India Today)

Six months into the US-Iran war, the conflict has evolved into a wider battle over sea lanes, energy supplies and regional influence, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as a key flashpoint. Despite sustained US strikes, Iran’s military and strategic networks remain largely intact, raising fears of a prolonged stalemate. Any disruption to shipping could push up oil prices, freight costs and inflation worldwide. For India, the risks extend beyond energy supplies to Indian seafarers, the Gulf diaspora and strategic projects such as Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, making diplomatic engagement increasingly important. (PC: HT)

India has rejected a ruling by a Hague-based Court of Arbitration that said the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan remains in force and asked New Delhi to limit work on a hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs called the court “illegally constituted” and said it has no jurisdiction over India’s sovereign decisions. India also said it has never recognised the arbitration body or its proceedings. New Delhi maintained that its decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force and that the court’s present or future rulings will not affect India’s projects. (PC: India Today)

India’s economy grew 7.8% in the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, beating expectations despite global uncertainty. The growth was higher than the RBI’s 7% forecast and economists’ estimates. Services led the expansion with 10% growth, while manufacturing rose 9.2% and construction increased 7.7%. Gross Value Added grew 8.2%, according to official data. Private and government consumption also remained strong, while investment, measured by gross fixed capital formation, surged 20.4%. Agriculture grew at a slower 3.6%. The data points to broad-based economic momentum, driven mainly by services, industry and strong investment activity. (PC: X)

Nepali authorities carried out a controlled blast early Monday to open access to a hydropower tunnel where hundreds of workers are feared trapped following last week’s devastating flash floods. The operation took place at the Trishuli-3A site in Rasuwa district, where rescuers are racing to reach possible survivors. Officials say 933 hydropower workers are missing across affected sites, while 4,247 people remain unaccounted for. At least 903 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue teams are clearing water, mud and debris from tunnels after saving 191 people on Friday and another 88 on Saturday. (PC: BBC)

Essel Group founder Subhash Chandra said borrowers linked to his personal guarantees have assured him they will settle outstanding claims of Rs 4,262 crore with lenders. According to a statement from his office, borrowers had received Rs 4,808 crore and repaid Rs 3,803 crore, leaving a payable balance of Rs 998 crore, while claims after settled accounts stood at Rs 4,262 crore. The largest outstanding amounts include Rs 1,322 crore with LIC Housing and Rs 775 crore with HDFC Bank. The statement said several liabilities were being settled or were backed by adequate assets. (PC: The Indian Express)