So Sorry: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 76th birthday, completing 25 years in public life as an elected leader. Taking office as Prime Minister in May 2014 after serving as Gujarat Chief Minister, his administration oversaw significant economic and policy transformations. India's economy expanded from tenth to fifth largest globally, supported by initiatives including the Goods and Services Tax, the JAM trinity, Unified Payments Interface, and production-linked incentives. Social welfare delivery expanded through direct benefit transfers alongside schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and Ayushman Bharat. In infrastructure, the government rolled out Vande Bharat trains, expanded airports under the UDAN scheme, and developed the PM GatiShakti platform. On foreign policy, India hosted the G20 presidency, advanced space exploration through the Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan missions, and deepened ties across the Global South. Entering his third term, the administration addresses domestic coalition management, youth employment, and global trade dynamics while pursuing the Viksit Bharat framework.

The US administration is reportedly planning a 2.8 billion dollar arms sale to Israel involving highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs, including 20,000 Mark 84s, 20,000 BLU-117s, and 2,000 penetration warheads. The proposed transaction has raised concerns over civilian destruction in areas like Gaza, alongside criticism regarding the indirect use of American taxpayer funding. Israel maintains that its use of weapon systems is strictly for self-defence and safeguarding sovereignty. The deal is described as an effort by Donald Trump to reinforce ties between the United States and Israel following earlier strategic divergences during conflicts in the region.

The military conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia continues to escalate, with hundreds of attacks reported between both sides. The Houthis claimed to have downed a Saudi F-15 fighter aircraft and targeted multiple cities across Saudi Arabia, focusing on oil facilities and military sites. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported that a drone was intercepted heading towards Mecca, describing the holy city as an absolute red line. The ongoing hostilities have severely disrupted maritime traffic along the Red Sea coast, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Hormuz, causing mounting pressure on global crude oil prices despite US-mediated peace talks in Oman.

A Pakistani naval corvette, PNS Hunain, suffered external damage after colliding with a frontline Indian warship during an unprofessional and close approach in the Northern Arabian Sea on 15 September. The Indian vessel was carrying out a routine surveillance mission when the Pakistani ship came dangerously close. Following the incident, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan's chargé d'affaires in New Delhi and raised the issue in Islamabad, highlighting the violation of the 1991 bilateral agreement. While the Indian warship sustained no damage and continued its mission, PNS Hunain had to return to harbour for repairs.