India's Q1 GDP Hits 7.8%, Manufacturing Surges 9.2% As PM Modi Hails Herculean Growth

A major political row has erupted in Delhi following the publication of the draft electoral roll, which has reportedly excluded 47.7 lakh electors out of the city's 1.45 crore voters. Former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal criticised the central government and the Election Commission over the deletions. The Chief Electoral Officer stated that excluded electors can file claims and submit supporting documents using Form 6 until September 30, ahead of the final roll's release on November 4. The exclusion has raised significant concerns in Delhi due to its high migrant population, where many residents face challenges in tracing their antecedents back to 2002. The Election Commission affirmed that adequate opportunities will be provided to address appeals.

India's real GDP grew by 7.8% during the first quarter of the financial year, rising from 6.9% in the same period last year. Nominal GDP registered a 10.3% growth during Q1. In absolute figures, real GDP at constant prices reached 81.36 lakh crore rupees compared to 75.46 lakh crore rupees in Q1 of the previous year, while nominal GDP at current prices stood at 88.27 lakh crore rupees against 80 lakh crore rupees in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The expansion occurred despite global headwinds, including ongoing geopolitical unrest in West Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as international oil crunches. Government coordination across ministries and policy interventions contributed to shielding the domestic economy from international disruptions. The economic performance provides domestic political impetus to the government against opposition claims regarding economic decline, with further policy measures expected to maintain momentum and support the middle class.

United States forces struck two Iranian launchers on Iran's Larak Island, marking the first high-profile US attack on Iranian soil in nearly a month. The operation aimed to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines in the strategic waterway. Following the strike, US President Donald Trump shared AI-generated videos on social media claiming to depict bombings of Iran's Kharg Island oil hub. In retaliation, Iran targeted the King Hussein and Al-Azraq US airbases in Jordan, with all incoming missiles intercepted and destroyed by US forces.

A special broadcast reviews the multifaceted bilateral relationship between India and Russia, emphasizing strategic cooperation across defense, energy, space, and diplomacy. The discussion highlights key defense platforms underpinning ties, including BrahMos, Sukhoi aircraft, and S-400 anti-missile systems, alongside long-term projects such as the Kudankulam nuclear plant, Sakhalin-1, and the Gaganyaan space mission. Examining bilateral trade bolstered by discounted energy supplies, the analysis notes how India balances its partnerships amid Western scrutiny. Looking ahead to high-level diplomatic engagements at the SCO summit, the conversation outlines major anticipated discussion points, including the global energy crisis, shifting United States foreign policy dynamics, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and broader regional stability across Central Asia and Afghanistan. Additionally, the dialogue addresses diplomatic prospects regarding potential bilateral and informal leadership interactions involving India, Russia, and China ahead of the BRICS summit.