PM Modi Meets Kyrgyzstan & Iran Presidents at SCO Summit, Focuses on West Asia & Bilateral Ties

A 16-year-old girl was raped inside a moving luxury sleeper bus while travelling from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida to Kashmiri Gate in Delhi on August 4. The minor, travelling from Mainpuri to visit her cousin in Noida, boarded the bus amid heavy rain after the driver and conductor offered her a lift. During the 47-kilometre journey, the conductor made obscene gestures, and both the driver and conductor raped the girl while threatening to kill her if she resisted. Delhi Police registered a case, arrested both accused, and sent them to judicial custody. The survivor received counselling from the Child Welfare Committee before being reunited with her family. The incident has raised serious questions regarding police vigilance across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as the bus travelled 47 kilometres flouting mandatory safety norms, including closed curtains and switched-off lights. Separately, All India Imam Association chief Maulana Sajid Rashidi sparked controversy by claiming Islamic law is needed to prevent rape.

With financial support, training, exhibition opportunities and better packaging and marketing, local perfume entrepreneurs are reaching bigger national and international markets, including the Gulf.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, holding key bilateral discussions on the sidelines. The Prime Minister met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss energy supplies, the safety of Indian seafarers, the Strait of Hormuz situation, and the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The Iranian leadership is set to brief India on security matters and negotiations regarding the region. Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and Russian President Vladimir Putin. With Russia, China, and India sharing the platform, the West and the White House are closely watching the diplomatic optics and the final joint declaration. Discussions also focused on India's diplomatic balancing act amid American sanctions, upcoming engagements ahead of the BRICS summit, and regional dynamics involving China and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking their first in-person bilateral meeting since the West Asia crisis escalated. The high-level discussions focused on regional security, diplomatic solutions to ongoing conflicts, energy security, and disruptions along critical transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. The leaders addressed concerns regarding fuel supplies from Gulf nations, including oil and LNG shipments vital to India. The safety of Indian seafarers navigating merchant vessels in conflict zones and India's strategic investments in the Chabahar Port were also key topics on the agenda. India reiterated its consistent call for dialogue and peace to resolve regional tensions while acknowledging Iran's cooperation regarding the Indian community.