Canada, the second largest country in the world, is a vast and rugged land that spans more than half the Northern Hemisphere. From east to west, it stretches almost 4,700 miles across six time zones. Despite its size, it only houses one-half of one percent of the world's population, with an estimated population of 37,808,000 in 2023.
The country has a rich history, marked by the interactions between the voyageurs and Canadian indigenous people, and the period under French Rule. Canada also played significant roles in both World Wars, which had profound impacts on the nation. Canada is unique for its bilingualism, with many citizens speaking both French and English.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa, and as of 2023, the head of government is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
A comprehensive panel discussion examined the evolving framework of global commerce, focusing on the proposed India-European Union free trade agreement and strategic bilateral relations. The dialogue addressed market access terms covering over two billion people and a quarter of global gross domestic product, with India offering ninety-two point five per cent of tariff lines and the European Union opening ninety-seven per cent, encompassing more than ninety per cent of bilateral trade value. Participants reviewed challenges regarding weaponised tariffs, supply chain disruptions, trade imbalances with China, stalled negotiations with the United States, and the shift from multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization toward bilateral agreements. The session also evaluated India's bilateral investment treaty framework, clean energy transitions, small modular nuclear reactors, and the implications of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Crucial attention centred on maritime security risks across the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, shipping insurance costs, fertilizer import expenses, agricultural safeguards, economic autonomy, and regulated migration and student mobility.
Mahatma Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary was commemorated globally as Indian diplomatic missions, diplomats, and diaspora members held events celebrating his message of peace, truth, and nonviolence. Tributes featuring floral offerings, music, and discussions on Gandhian values took place across Beijing, Tokyo, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Canberra, and Wellington. In Beijing, Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami joined the Indian community at the Jintai Art Museum, while ceremonies in Japan were held at Gandhi's statue in Edogawa. Commemorations spanning Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond highlighted ideals of service, harmony, and nonviolence, demonstrating the continuing global resonance of India's enduring message.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has added gangster Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, announcing a reward of up to one million US dollars for information leading to his capture. Brar is wanted on federal charges in the United States as an alleged leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime syndicate in North America. Authorities consider him armed and extremely dangerous, with operations spanning California and Canada. He was identified during Operation Hardball, an investigation tackling transnational organised crime syndicates. A past conversation revealed Brar admitting to the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala, citing gang brotherhood and perceived arrogance. The report outlines an escalating feud between Brar and the Bishnoi syndicate following legal mishandling surrounding Anmol Bishnoi's deportation from America to India in 2025. Gang rivalries spanning California, Dubai, and Chandigarh have triggered retaliatory attacks and shootings, including incidents targeting associates and celebrities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the United States in December to attend the G20 Leaders Summit hosted by US President Donald Trump at Florida. PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the summit. Following the US visit, the Prime Minister will undertake a bilateral visit to Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the upcoming visit, calling diplomatic and economic ties with India exceptionally important as both democracies explore deeper cooperation in energy resources, trade, and strategic partnerships.
India and Canada are moving towards finalising a landmark bilateral trade deal by December, aiming to achieve a 70 billion dollar push in trade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada around the middle of December, coinciding with the G20 Summit timeline to conclude the negotiations. The proposed agreement marks a reset in bilateral ties, shifting focus towards energy cooperation, defence, talent mobility, and market diversification. The two nations are seeking to move past previous diplomatic friction over the Nijjar issue to build a stronger economic partnership. Discussions highlight Canada's interest in supplying energy resources like oil and uranium to India's expanding market of 1.5 billion people. However, key challenges remain, including internal resource extraction regulations in Canada and bureaucratic hurdles in India. The potential pact follows several major trade agreements signed by India since 2021, presenting a new chapter of economic collaboration between both democracies.
The US House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, granting President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on nations purchasing Russian oil and gas. The move directly exposes major buyers like India and China, following the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi where leaders opposed unilateral coercive measures. Russian crude accounted for 30.3% of India's oil imports in fiscal 2026, making energy security vital for the nation. Simultaneously, rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa have led Canada to explore unprecedented associate membership with the European Union to diversify trade and strategic partnerships beyond North America. Additionally, social media rumours regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping suffering a medical emergency in New Delhi were debunked, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepares for its planned march to Islamabad amidst heightened administrative security.
The US House of Representatives has passed legislation allowing President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, sending the bill to Trump's desk. The proposed measures could directly affect India, where Russian crude accounted for 30.3% of oil imports in fiscal 2026, valued at nearly $41 billion. In July, Russia supplied more crude to India than the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Brazil, Oman, and the United States combined. New Delhi has stated it is monitoring developments while maintaining its focus on energy security. Sourcing replacement crude from alternative markets could result in changes to shipping distances, freight charges, insurance costs, and procurement prices. The development introduces fresh complexities into bilateral trade discussions between India and the United States, raising questions about potential tariff categories and broader strategic alignments amidst shifting global partnerships.
Geeta Mohan examines shifting geopolitical strategies in Statecraft, beginning with European nations relocating gold reserves from North America. The Netherlands has moved 86 tonnes of gold away from the United States and Canada to London and domestic vaults to enhance accessibility during potential crises, reflecting broader European moves to reduce dependence on Washington amid policy divergences. In Ukraine, lawmakers are pushing to legalise and tax the adult entertainment industry, projecting annual revenues of up to 25 million dollars to purchase approximately 30,000 combat drones, while curbing underground corruption. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force has initiated a massive 17-day combat exercise over Rajasthan near the international border, coinciding with the multinational Tarang Shakti drill, triggering heightened vigilance and emergency meetings across Pakistan's defence establishment. Additionally, US diplomatic envoys held substantive talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, while Germany's far-right AfD achieved a major electoral victory in Saxony-Anhalt.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the Willesden Swaminarayan Mandir and the Khalsa Jatha British Isles Gurudwara during his tour of the United Kingdom. His visit to the UK marks the final leg of a global tour following visits to the United States and Canada. Bhagwat is scheduled to remain in the UK until September 7th. During this visit, discussions regarding the upcoming Punjab elections are expected to take place.
This news report covers key geopolitical, economic, and strategic developments involving India, Russia, West Asia, and North America. During a bilateral meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the world must transition from endless wars to an end of war regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing peace and dialogue. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties, trade, and defence cooperation while travelling together to the Nomad Games opening ceremony. Additionally, the broadcast analyzes India's strategic partnership with Russia ahead of the SCO and BRICS summits, focusing on Arctic shipping routes, trade imbalances, and currency mechanisms. The report also highlights India's first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8 percent, driven by domestic consumption and exports. Further coverage includes escalating West Asia tensions following United States military airstrikes on Iranian installations on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, alongside PM Modi's diplomatic engagement with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Finally, it details Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat's global outreach tour across the United States and Canada.
This news report covers key geopolitical, economic, and strategic developments involving India, Russia, West Asia, and North America. During a bilateral meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the world must transition from endless wars to an end of war regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing peace and dialogue. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties, trade, and defence cooperation while travelling together to the Nomad Games opening ceremony. Additionally, the broadcast analyzes India's strategic partnership with Russia ahead of the SCO and BRICS summits, focusing on Arctic shipping routes, trade imbalances, and currency mechanisms. The report also highlights India's first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8 percent, driven by domestic consumption and exports. Further coverage includes escalating West Asia tensions following United States military airstrikes on Iranian installations on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, alongside PM Modi's diplomatic engagement with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Finally, it details Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat's global outreach tour across the United States and Canada.
Speaking on the RSS centenary global outreach, Dr. Bharat Barai, chairman of the US-India Community Foundation, highlighted Mohan Bhagwat's addresses in the United States and Canada. Barai affirmed, 'RSS is a cultural and civilization service-oriented organization. It's not a religious organization,' clarifying that temple matters remain with the VHP. He noted that the diaspora has felt energized by the call for Hindus to become model citizens and serve their communities. Addressing criticism from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Barai dismissed the objections as political grandstanding. He reiterated the civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, emphasizing that true Indian philosophy views the entire world as one family.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat delivered a message of universal oneness, civilisational duty, and global service during his visits to Canada and the United States as part of the centenary outreach of the RSS. Speaking at the Hindu Vishwa Bandhu event in Toronto, Bhagwat highlighted that offering assistance is inherent to India's identity, explaining that the country attained the status of a Vishwa Guru through selfless humanitarian service rather than functioning as a military superpower. Reflecting on his earlier address in New York, he advocated for unity in diversity, asserting that Hindu philosophy does not exclude Muslims. However, the tour has triggered a political dispute in India. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the outreach and questioned the stance of the RSS on democracy, minority communities, and the uniform civil code. The Congress also alleged inconsistencies between the messaging abroad and domestic politics, while the Bharatiya Janata Party defended Bhagwat against opposition criticism.
In a major development in the murder case of Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Baliyan, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Shamli Police shot dead two of the four alleged shooters in an encounter in Shamli district. The deceased shooters have been identified as Sumit and Mohit, residents of Sonipat, Haryana. Ankit Baliyan was killed outside a gym in Shamli on August 26 after assailants fired around 12 rounds at point-blank range. According to police investigations, six people were involved in the crime, including four shooters and two accomplices who conducted recce. Gangster Bholu Shahpuria, allegedly based in Canada and linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the murder. The killing was reportedly motivated by resentment over a song released by Balayan following the death of gangster Jitendra Singh Gogi. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining two shooters and their accomplices.
An address by the RSS chief at Madison Square Garden in New York marked part of a global outreach celebrating the centenary of the RSS, with planned visits to Canada and the United Kingdom. The event, titled Universal Oneness Celebration, drew about 5,000 Indian-American attendees and featured cultural performances, food distribution, and discussions centered on unity, harmony, and multi-faith tolerance. During the speech, the RSS chief stated that Hindu Rashtra does not mean driving Muslims out of India and described Hindutva as a cultural idea that does not exclude any community, asserting that public opinion brings change rather than political power. The event drew mixed reactions, generating opposition and protests outside the venue. The mayor of New York criticized the RSS as an exclusionary organization, while protesters outside labeled the address a political stunt. Similar opposing sentiments are brewing in Canada ahead of the next leg of the tour.
An interfaith convention in New York featured a keynote address by the RSS chief emphasizing unity, diversity, and inclusion. Addressing the gathering organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue as part of the Universal Oneness celebrations, the leadership highlighted that the core philosophy of Hinduism embraces everyone and does not exclude Muslims. The address aimed to dispel ongoing controversies and narratives surrounding an exclusionary vision, particularly following criticism from local political leadership. Outside the venue, demonstrators gathered to protest against the organization's historical track record, alleging concerns regarding minority rights in India. Simultaneously, supporters assembled in large numbers for the cultural and interfaith programs scheduled across the three-nation international tour covering the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The event showcased musical and artistic performances reflecting harmony, while the organizational leadership reiterated the principle that treating all paths with dignity remains central to society, ahead of a major address planned at Madison Square Garden.
The Indian Overseas Congress chief for the United States of America and Canada has called on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to embrace the founding principles of India. Speaking amidst the visit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to New York, the representative stated that India belongs to all communities including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Dalits. The remarks emphasized eliminating the caste system, ending discrimination, respecting women, providing free education and healthcare, and upholding equality, justice, non-violence, and liberty as fundamental national values.
Donald Trump may have the world’s biggest economic weapon: the power to impose tariffs. But Canada is showing that even a smaller country can fight back. Prime Minister Mark Carney has suspended US-Canada trade talks after accusing American negotiators of making last-minute demands that were unfair and uneconomic. Ottawa has now unveiled retaliatory tariffs on more than 700 US products worth C$27.6 billion.
Following flash floods in Nepal, an official list released by authorities has identified 133 Indian tourists missing in the impacted Rasuwa area. The dynamic list continuously updated by the Nepalese government control room includes missing nationals from several countries, including Canada, Malaysia, Australia, France, Germany, and Nepal. Relief and rescue personnel have been deployed on the ground to carry out search operations using foot patrols and aerial surveillance. Authorities have set up helpline numbers for families to report information regarding unaccounted individuals as search efforts continue.
A leaked audio clip circulating on social media features fugitive gangster Goldy Brar claiming responsibility for the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, attributing it to gang rivalry and drug networks. In an interview on News Track with Marya Shakil, former Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Verma stated that if verified, the tape vindicates India's stance that Nijjar's death was tied to gang conflict rather than state action. Verma said Canada owes an official apology to India, its leadership, and diplomats who were falsely accused and declared persona non grata under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Former Canadian Minister Ujjal Dosanjh noted that the tape highlights the nexus between Khalistani elements and organized crime, adding that ties between Ottawa and New Delhi are now improving under Mark Carney. Both guests emphasized the need for stronger intelligence sharing and transparency regarding original allegations.
