Haldwani Shudhikaran Row Escalates, FIR Filed, Congress and BJP Face Off Over Caste Politics

A live news broadcast detailed the bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Discussions focused on India's stance in support of peaceful efforts and diplomatic engagement to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Key takeaways highlighted the strengthening relations between Russia and India, aided by personal engagement between both leaders, alongside a reported sixteen percent increase in tourist exchanges between the two nations in 2025. The broadcast underscored the broader geopolitical context, including the global impact of regional conflicts on wheat and fuel supplies, diplomatic optics, and international scrutiny surrounding multilateral summits.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek. The bilateral meeting focused on critical areas including trade, economy, defence cooperation, energy partnership, and security amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions and sanctions. Prime Minister Modi also engaged with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the summit, discussing mutual security and Indian seafarers. During discussions with President Putin, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that every day of the war sets humanity back, reiterating that countries must work towards ending hostilities. Addressing the regional security landscape and global conflicts, India maintained its consistent position prioritising dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiations as the only viable way forward. Both leaders are also expected to attend the Nomad Games opening ceremony in Bishkek.

The India Today Group campaign 'Pollution ka Solution' highlights an innovation designed to combat vehicular pollution in Delhi. A city-based innovator has introduced 'Poll Red', a multipurpose air pollution and heat reduction device developed to be mounted on public transport buses. The system captures particulate matter, non-exhaust emissions, road dust, tyre wear debris, and greenhouse gases through multiple filtration layers without releasing captured pollutants back into the environment. Designed with an internal water mechanism and multi-stage layered filters, the unit traps solid particles while releasing filtered air to passengers. Operating continuously on public transit vehicles, the innovation aims to purify millions of litres of ambient air daily during routine bus journeys across the national capital.

In a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, India formally raised the critical issue of the safety and security of Indian seafarers navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple Indian sailors have borne the brunt of the ongoing conflict, with Indian crew members caught in crossfire, stranded on vessels, and suffering casualties despite India's neutral stance. With a large proportion of merchant ship crews being Indian nationals, New Delhi sought assurances from Iran regarding maritime security in the Persian Gulf region.