India has reaffirmed its commitment to a swift resolution of the Ukraine conflict and the restoration of lasting peace, expressing support for recent peace initiatives. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the situation with his Ukrainian counterpart, who sought India's active involvement in peace efforts.
In a daring rescue operation, the Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps airlifted two critically ill South Korean mountaineers from a remote peak near Kongmarula in Ladakh. The challenging night evacuation was executed from an altitude of 17,000 feet, with the climbers transported to SNM Hospital in Leh. Tragically, one of the mountaineers passed away while undergoing treatment.
Following Friday prayers, unidentified individuals defaced a plaque bearing the National Emblem of India at Srinagar’s Hazratbal Shrine, sparking political tensions. J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi blamed the National Conference, while politicians and religious clerics criticized the administration for not rescheduling the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi holiday according to the lunar calendar, further inflaming sentiments in the Valley.
Flooding rivers along the Jammu and Punjab borders have submerged 87 BSF outposts and damaged 110 km of border fencing. Despite this, the BSF maintains heightened vigilance, employing drones, searchlights, and night vision devices to thwart infiltration attempts from Pakistan. Personnel are conducting river patrols and positioning themselves strategically to counter any crossings, while repairs to forward posts are underway.
The Supreme Court reprimanded the MCD for neglecting cleanliness around the «Gumti of Shaikh Ali» monument, questioning their respect for court orders. The court directed the MCD commissioner to hold officers accountable and submit an action plan, emphasizing the need for daily monitoring by a senior official.
India has strongly condemned Peter Navarro's remarks about «Brahmins profiting from Russian crude» as inaccurate and misleading. The statement, linking India's oil purchases to funding Russia's war in Ukraine, has sparked widespread criticism across Indian political parties. Even Trump's comments on India's relationship with Russia and China at the SCO summit, adding fuel to the fire.
Tensions rise as Donald Trump hints at a strained trade relationship with India, while Mumbai faces heightened security alerts following a bomb threat. A political storm erupts in Kerala over a controversial GST-related post, and Ajit Pawar defends his interaction with an IPS officer. CDS Anil Chauhan justifies the use of air power in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terror camps.
Maharashtra's Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faced criticism after a video surfaced showing him allegedly reprimanding a female IPS officer for taking action against illegal soil excavation in Solapur. Pawar clarified that his intention was to maintain calm and not interfere with law enforcement, emphasising his respect for the police force.
CDS Anil Chauhan stated that India employed air power in Operation Sindoor to dismantle terrorist camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke, as drones and loitering munitions were deemed insufficient to achieve the desired political objectives. This decision followed the Pahalgam terror attack and reflected India's enhanced precision strike capabilities developed after the Balakot operation.
The Indian Army swiftly responded to a distress call on September 4th, launching a rescue operation to evacuate two South Korean nationals stranded at the Kongmarula Pass in Ladakh. Helicopters were deployed within 15 minutes of receiving the request, successfully airlifting the individuals from the high-altitude location around 9:15 pm.
Yogi Adityanath praised the GST reform. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The reform is a new chapter for India's tax system. It will boost self-reliance and demand. Simplified GST slabs will ease household expenditure. The reform will empower farmers and small businesses. It will also improve the ease of doing business.
A social media post by the Kerala Congress linking GST reforms to Bihar has ignited a political firestorm. The now-deleted post, referencing reduced taxes on bidis, was slammed by BJP and JD(U) leaders as an insult to the state and its people. The controversy has intensified ahead of Bihar's assembly elections, with the BJP-JD(U) alliance using it to attack Congress.
At the UNGA, India's envoy Parvathaneni Harish urged dialogue to resolve the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the human cost and advocating for humanitarian aid. He welcomed diplomatic efforts like the Alaska Summit and highlighted PM Modi's engagement with global leaders. Harish also addressed the conflict's global economic impact, particularly rising fuel prices.
Kaish Khan, a Samajwadi Party leader and former treasurer, was apprehended in Kannauj for violating a banishment order. Authorities had instructed Khan to remain outside the district limits on July 28. Acting on a tip, Kotwali police discovered him concealed in the loft of his residence.
Digantara, an Indian space company, and Japan's ispace are collaborating. They will develop cislunar infrastructure. This partnership aims to support lunar logistics and resource use. It will establish a sustainable lunar ecosystem. The collaboration aligns with the Quad framework. It focuses on safe lunar operations. This initiative marks a new phase in India-Japan space cooperation.
Heavy rains, floods, and landslides have caused widespread devastation across Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the central government to dispatch an inter-ministerial team to assess the damage. Landslides injured five at a power project in Kishtwar, while breaches in the Jhelum River's embankment led to flooding in Kashmir.
India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9 in 2023, below the replacement level of 2.1, while rural India's TFR reached the replacement rate for the first time. Bihar recorded the highest TFR at 2.8, and Delhi had the lowest at 1.2. The Gross Reproduction Rate (GRR) for India is estimated at 0.
The Supreme Court is set to investigate the alleged environmental violations in Himalayan development projects, suspected of causing recent devastating floods and landslides. The court issued notices to multiple government bodies and states, expressing concern over illegal deforestation. The PIL seeks an SIT to determine the causes of these disasters and suggest protective measures for the Himalayan ecology.
PM Modi engaged with EU leaders, emphasizing trade, technology, and defense cooperation, pushing for a swift conclusion to the India-EU FTA negotiations by year-end. EU leaders echoed this commitment, planning a joint strategic agenda for the 2026 summit. Discussions also covered the Ukraine conflict, with the EU urging India to leverage its influence for peaceful resolution and stability.
