G20

A panel of strategic experts analyses the geopolitical and diplomatic fallout following the US midterm election results. Discussing the significant gains by Democrats, Strategic Affairs Expert Professor Brahma Chellaney notes that an opposition-controlled Congress cannot easily check presidential power over foreign policy, military action, or the ongoing Iran war. Chellaney observes that Donald Trump may attempt to reshape hostilities to redeem his legacy, while also warning of a systemic degradation in Washington's strategic view of New Delhi. Former diplomat Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar weighs in on potential congressional funding hurdles for the Iran conflict, domestic inflation pressures, and the unlikelihood of extreme tactical strikes, while highlighting the administration's unpredictable posture. The discussion also touches upon key political shifts including Texas, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the US following talks in Canada.

Discussions at the G20 platform focused on addressing major global conflicts, energy security, and supply chain disruptions affecting nations worldwide. Speaking on the discussions, the External Affairs Minister highlighted that global conflicts have widespread ramifications and asserted that there are no military solutions, noting that diplomatic pathways and dialogue must be pursued to bring an end to war. The meeting underscored that the Global South continues to bear the brunt of energy shortages, worsened by market distortions and politicisation of energy flows. In addition, food security concerns linked to grain shipments and fertilizer supply bottlenecks across the Black Sea and the Gulf-Red Sea regions were raised. Participants stressed the urgency of diversifying manufacturing, production, and supply chains globally to prevent excessive dependency on a single geography during international crises.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a forty-minute press conference at the end of the G20 ministerial summit in Atlanta. Key discussions centred on Iran attacking shipping vessels and Indian seafarers, global supply chains, and food security, where India and Turkey are working on food grain contingency plans. The summit also covered diplomatic efforts surrounding conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East. While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended, objections from Western nations led to the cancellation of the traditional family photo. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to the upcoming Leaders' Summit in Miami, though attendance remains unconfirmed.

At the opening plenary meeting of the G20 foreign ministers' gathering in Atlanta, discussions focused on countering China's dominance in rare earths and critical minerals through the Pax Silica Initiative. The host, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted interconnected economic and geopolitical crises threatening energy, food markets, global supply chains, and freedom of navigation, urging member states to strengthen economic resilience. The gathering also sets the stage for an upcoming meeting of Quad foreign ministers.

At the first plenary session of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, key concerns regarding global conflicts were highlighted, stressing that military solutions will not work and diplomacy must be given a chance. Attention was drawn to the disproportionate impact of civilian shipping attacks on the Global South, which jeopardise the availability and cost of fuel, food, and fertilisers amid the West Asian crisis. The address emphasised preserving freedom of navigation under international law, halting the weaponisation of supply chains, and building resilient connectivity. It was further asserted that tactical calculations must not lead to overlooking the dangers of terrorism.

This episode of Statecraft examines major global political battles and their geopolitical repercussions. In Israel, following an inconclusive general election where Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc secured 53 seats, the Likud party alleged widespread electoral fraud and foreign interference involving Arab parties, Qatar, and Turkey. Israeli election authorities and police found no evidence of systematic fraud or altered outcomes. Meanwhile, rival opposition factions and Arab parties hold potential kingmaker positions amid tense coalition maneuvers. Across the Atlantic, the upcoming US midterm elections threaten Republican control of Congress, presenting significant implications for India. With bilateral trade negotiations stalled over agriculture and Russian oil imports, shifts on Capitol Hill could reshape US tariff policies, trade scrutiny, and strategic ties. In diplomatic developments, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Atlanta for the G20 foreign ministers meeting and Quad deliberations chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, before heading to the Commonwealth summit. The show concludes with scenes of physical brawls erupting inside Armenia's parliament.

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, ITPO Chairman Javed Ashraf, India Today Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa, and former US trade official Mark Linscott analyze India-US relations, trade negotiations, and global energy dynamics on India Today with Rajdeep Sardesai. The panel examines bilateral agreements, Section 301 tariffs, duty structures, and legislative shifts during the Donald Trump administration. Amitabh Kant outlines why India must exercise strategic patience, assess trade policy consistency, and monitor developments past US midterm elections before formalizing pacts. Javed Ashraf addresses structural changes in Washington, highlighting the asymmetry of stakes, the necessity of sunset clauses, and non-discriminatory tariffs. The experts evaluate energy security developments, including the 60-day Lindsay Graham waiver on Russian oil purchases, Venezuelan crude imports, and Marco Rubio's visit to Reliance's Jamnagar refinery. The discussion also details diplomatic challenges surrounding H-1B visas, defense cooperation, and transactional trade policies impacting bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington.

The United States is exploring new sources of refined fuel amid domestic shortages and geopolitical tensions in West Asia and Eastern Europe. With American diesel prices climbing above six dollars per gallon, the upcoming midterm elections add political pressure on the administration to curb inflation. India's refining sector, notably Reliance Industries' facility in Jamnagar, has emerged as a key focal point for crude processing into diesel, along with planned collaborations in Texas. Meanwhile, bilateral talks examine ongoing trade deal discussions, sanctions bills, and agricultural protections. Discussions during the United States Secretary of State's visit to Mumbai and Jamnagar also involve prominent Indian business leaders and industrialists to strengthen broader economic, trade, and energy cooperation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Mumbai on a two-day official visit to India. During his visit, Rubio is scheduled to travel to Jamnagar to tour the Reliance oil refinery, highlighting energy diplomacy. He will hold bilateral discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Mumbai to review India-US relations, defence partnership, visa issues, and progress on a bilateral trade agreement. The visit serves as preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled trip to the United States for the G20 Summit in December 2026. Rubio will also pay homage to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the Taj Hotel and attend events marking the 250th anniversary celebrations of United States independence. Addressing media questions on energy and sanctions, Rubio noted that balancing foreign policy requires considering bilateral ties, global energy supplies, and trade deal negotiations, stating that efforts are underway to finalize a trade deal with India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Canada on December 11 and December 12, focusing on reinforcing diplomatic relations, trade ties, defense, strategic partnership, and energy cooperation. The visit to Ottawa and Toronto comes as bilateral ties seek improvement following past diplomatic turbulences. The trip is linked with his visit to the United States for the G20 Summit. Discussions between the two nations are progressing on strengthening cooperation across technology, security, and people-to-people connections, with Prime Minister Modi also likely to address a community gathering during the tour.

A special retrospective reviews Narendra Modi's 25 uninterrupted years as an elected head of government, marking the milestone since he first took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001. After rebuilding the state following the Bhuj earthquake, Modi established a governance blueprint focused on infrastructure, administrative efficiency, and investment through initiatives like Krishi Mahotsav and the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit. Transitioning to the national stage in May 2014, his twelve-year tenure as Prime Minister expanded these frameworks nationwide through digital public infrastructure, direct benefit transfers, highway expansion, and Make in India. The report details significant economic growth, rising domestic electronics and defence production, and last-mile welfare delivery via schemes such as PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, and Jyoti Gram Yojana. Furthermore, it outlines a transformed national security paradigm featuring targeted counter-insurgency, the abrogation of Article 370, border infrastructure modernization, and the replacement of colonial-era criminal laws with contemporary legal codes.

On News Track, Maria Shakil reviews Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 25 continuous years in government, tracing his journey from Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 to Prime Minister.

In an exclusive interview, former NITI Aayog CEO and ex-G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant reflected on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administrative philosophy and transformative governance model. Recalling their early interactions over Dholera City, Kant emphasized Modi's risk appetite and willingness to think big, noting how the Prime Minister dismantled the Planning Commission to build outcome-oriented institutions and foster competitive federalism. Kant pointed to flagship initiatives such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, the Production Linked Incentive scheme, and India's G20 Presidency, detailing how Modi empowered bureaucrats by setting clear strategic visions while leaving execution details entirely to administrators. Looking ahead to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 amidst global supply chain disruptions and technological disruption, Kant stressed that India's leapfrog into a $30-plus trillion developed economy hinges on digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and clean energy missions like green hydrogen.

In this India Today broadcast anchored by Gaurav Sawant, the programme reviews the completion of 25 years of Narendra Modi in public governance, encompassing 13 years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and 12 years as Prime Minister of India.

A special broadcast reviews Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in governance, marking a quarter of a century since he took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001. The bulletin traces his 13 years in Gujarat and his tenure as Prime Minister since 2014, becoming the first leader after Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms. The broadcast highlights his five targets for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, including becoming a top three global economy, expanding Atmanirbhar Bharat, establishing India as a global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympic Games, and advancing space exploration. It covers major policy shifts including GST, Jan Dhan accounts, UPI adoption, the abrogation of Article 370, and strategic security responses against cross-border terrorism. In his speech, the Prime Minister contrasts earlier policy paralysis with ongoing economic reforms, export growth, and saturation governance.

A special broadcast traces Narendra Modi's 25 uninterrupted years as an elected head of government, beginning on 7 October 2001 when he assumed office as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Inheriting a state recovering from the devastating Bhuj earthquake, he rebuilt Gujarat over four terms, developing an administrative and infrastructure model that positioned it as a key industrial and investment destination. Following consecutive electoral mandates in 2002, 2007, and 2012, this governance framework transitioned nationally with the Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary majority in May 2014. As Prime Minister, his administration rolled out sweeping reforms, including digital public infrastructure like UPI, direct benefit transfers, rural housing, national highways, the Goods and Services Tax, and the Make in India initiative. While supporters praise the decisive, delivery-focused administration and foreign policy milestones such as the G20 presidency, critics cite concerns over economic inequality and political polarization.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump, marking their first direct contact since meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in June 2026. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across key sectors including trade, defense, energy, and critical technologies, while also discussing regional and global developments, particularly the ongoing situation in West Asia and international peace efforts. The exchange comes ahead of scheduled multilateral interactions, including the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Manila, followed by the G20 summit in Florida, United States. Discussions also focused on bilateral trade relations, tariff negotiations, and pharma exports, with sources indicating that significant progress has been achieved towards a bilateral agreement.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders discussed developments in the Middle East and addressed proposed sanctions targeting nations that engage in economic trade with Russia or Iran. The US State Department affirmed Washington's readiness to assist regional partners with energy security challenges. Crucial concerns surround the Russia and Iran Sanctions Act, which seeks to target Russian oil and gas revenues while authorising tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers, potentially impacting countries like India and China. India has stressed that such measures could strain bilateral relations, especially given its significant energy dependence. In August, Russian oil accounted for 45% of India's oil imports at 2.1 million barrels per day, following a record 2.82 million barrels per day in July. High-level engagements between both nations are set to continue in the coming months.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor has gained renewed focus following support from US President Donald Trump amidst ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions to shipping routes at Bab el-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz. First unveiled during India's G20 presidency in September 2023, the multimodal network combines rail, road, sea routes, pipelines, and digital cables linking India, the Gulf, and Europe. With attacks threatening critical energy flows, fertilizers, and commercial vessels, IMEC is viewed as an alternative route to diversify global supply chains away from vulnerable maritime chokepoints, though ongoing regional instability and infrastructure demands present operational delays.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to the United States in December to attend the G20 summit in Florida, where a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Donald Trump is scheduled. Both nations remain focused on addressing key issues, including trade negotiations. Dr Jaishankar is also expected to address the UNGA in the coming days.