PM Modi-Xi Jinping Bilateral Meet, BRICS Summit in Delhi & India-China Relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping is arriving in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to India in seven years and the first since the Galwan clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a crucial bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit in the national capital. The talks are expected to review the phased disengagement implementation along the Line of Actual Control, following previous discussions during the 2024 Kazan and 2025 Tianjin summits, corps commander-level meetings, and the Special Representatives' boundary process involving National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Key agenda points include border security, defining the status of the Line of Actual Control, and addressing bilateral economic ties, with bilateral goods trade exceeding 155 billion dollars in 2025 amid a heavy trade deficit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held extensive bilateral talks in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit, reviewing political, economic, defence, energy, and trade cooperation. The leaders discussed global conflicts, with India reiterating that dialogue and diplomacy are key to resolving the Ukraine conflict, alongside concerns over the situation in West Asia, the Black Sea, and maritime trade safety. Prime Minister Modi accepted President Putin's invitation to Russia for the next annual summit. At the BRICS Business Forum, Prime Minister Modi highlighted economic resilience and maritime security, while President Putin criticised Western sanctions and economic restrictions.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held crucial bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The flood situation in Malda has worsened after the rising water levels of the River Ganga completely inundated parts of Ratua and Manikchak, including Nakati. Local residents have endured severe waterlogging for nearly fifteen days, risking their lives on makeshift tin boats to transport rations and salvage belongings from flooded homes. With West Bengal Civil Defence Water Wing boats proving insufficient for the population, displaced villagers are taking shelter along roadsides and bridges. A special administrative team comprising the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and senior bureaucrats has been deployed by the Chief Minister to monitor the ground situation.