SCO Summit: India-Iran Bilateral, West Asia Peace, Countering China Challenge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold a high-stakes bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek. The dialogue focuses on key pillars of the strategic partnership, including energy supplies, trade relations, and defence collaboration. India seeks to address a widening bilateral trade deficit exceeding 50 billion dollars by pushing for increased exports to Russian markets despite overall bilateral trade crossing 100 billion dollars. Energy security remains central, with discussions covering continued Russian oil deliveries and steady fertilizer imports vital for India and the Global South amid ongoing global supply disruptions. On the defence front, India's interest in acquiring five additional S-400 surface-to-air missile units is highlighted following their role in Operation Sindoor. The meeting unfolds against the backdrop of US pressure, geopolitical shifts, and upcoming engagements at the BRICS Summit in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's economic growth as gross domestic product expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27, calling it a Herculean feat. The Prime Minister stated that the collective strength of the people ensured strong growth despite global uncertainties, oil price shocks, and supply chain issues, remarking that doomsayers were doomed while India bloomed. The growth numbers surpassed projections, driven primarily by robust domestic consumption and substantial government capital expenditure in infrastructure, including railways expansion. Key industrial sectors reflected sharp upturns, with manufacturing growing at 9.2% compared to 8.3% a year earlier, and electricity recording 8.9% growth against a contraction previously. Economists noted that trickle-down impacts of past policy measures, welfare schemes, and resilient exports helped shield the domestic economy from international challenges, raising full-year growth expectations for the fiscal year toward 7%.

Gorakhpur’s traditional terracotta art is transforming lives and creating thriving businesses. With support from the Uttar Pradesh Government’s ODOP scheme, artisans have received training, toolkits and subsidies, helping take this centuries-old craft from local villages to markets across India and abroad. With a GI Tag adding to its identity, Gorakhpur’s terracotta is proving that traditional craftsmanship can become a powerful source of employment and entrepreneurship.

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.