An international seminar in Delhi today reportedly aims to tarnish Bangladesh’s image and increase pressure on the caretaker government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Organized by a Delhi think tank, the event includes senior Indian military officials and four Bangladeshi participants known for pro-Awami League and anti-Bangladesh stances. Discussions will cover minority persecution, fundamentalism, secularism, and regional stability. Analysts warn India seeks to use this platform to influence Bangladesh’s politics and stress unity among July uprising supporters is crucial to counter these efforts.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. Instead, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India and deliver the country’s address on September 27 in New York.

Earlier schedules had indicated that Modi would speak on September 26. Modi last visited the United States in February this year, where he held bilateral talks with then-President Donald Trump. However, ties between the two leaders soured soon after, with Trump imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods following India’s purchase of Russian energy.

This year’s UNGA session is expected to witness a landmark moment as several Western countries—including France, Canada, and Belgium—prepare to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state. In response, the United States has reportedly canceled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visa to block his participation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a fiery attack on the ruling BJP from the state assembly floor, branding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP as “thieves.”

Her remarks came in response to the central government’s recent notification allowing minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before December 31, 2024, to stay without valid documents. BJP has framed the decision as a humanitarian step, but Mamata questioned its legitimacy.

“Was this law discussed in Parliament? Did it go through a standing committee? How can such a major decision be taken unilaterally? This is nothing but BJP’s attempt to manipulate voter lists before elections,” she said, adding, “But BJP will not win. Others will remain in this seat. BJP will cease to exist here.”

As Mamata spoke, BJP legislators disrupted proceedings by throwing papers, prompting the Speaker to suspend four of them. The Chief Minister accused BJP of being “anti-Bengali,” while BJP members retaliated with slogans branding Mamata a thief—sparking her direct counterattack naming Modi and Amit Shah.

Ahead of Durga Puja, West Bengal’s fish markets are flooded with hilsa from Gujarat, with nearly 4,000 tons arriving in just six weeks. Traditionally, hilsa from Bangladesh’s Padma and Meghna rivers are prized for their unique aroma and sweetness, but supply remains uncertain. Experts and traders say Gujarat’s catch lacks that signature flavor. With Odisha’s catch limited and juveniles still being sold illegally in local markets, Bengalis are reluctantly turning to less flavorful alternatives.

India will maintain its fuel imports from Russia, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed in an interview. She emphasized that decisions on fuel procurement depend on price, logistics, and national requirements, especially concerning foreign exchange. Fuel accounts for the largest share of India’s import expenditure. Russia’s share in India’s fuel imports has risen from under 1% pre-Ukraine conflict to nearly 40% now. Indian refineries process discounted Russian fuel, while Europe bans Russian crude but imports refined products from India. Sitharaman also noted government support for industries affected by high duties.

India has witnessed a significant demographic shift over the past five decades, with both birth and death rates halving. The birth rate fell from 36.9 per 1,000 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023, while the death rate dropped from 14.9 to 6.4. Urbanization, family planning, and female education drove this change, alongside improved healthcare and life expectancy. Infant mortality also declined. Regional disparities remain, but experts say the trend could ease population pressure and boost India’s economic growth through a demographic dividend.

Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, faces a fresh court case alleging she was registered as a voter before becoming an Indian citizen.

Complainant Vikas Tripathi claims Gandhi appeared on the electoral roll in 1980, though she only received Indian citizenship in 1983. Her name was removed in 1982 but reentered in 1983, according to the complaint.

The BJP argues this raises questions about the legitimacy of Congress leadership, while Congress dismisses the issue as a diversion from pressing concerns such as inflation, unemployment, and agrarian distress. Analysts see the case as part of BJP’s strategy to undermine Congress credibility ahead of elections.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, presenting four major demands: a separate All India Service cadre for the state, inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), and naming a Delhi road after late leader P.A. Sangma. Analysts view the meeting as reflecting both Meghalaya’s cultural-political aspirations and the BJP’s strategic vigilance in the Northeast. Sangma expressed optimism about quick central action.

A BJP leader has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police against Anirban Bhattacharya and members of his Bengali rock band Hooliganism, accusing them of hurting religious sentiments through a recent satirical song.

The nine-minute political satire, which went viral on social media, pokes fun at voter list revisions ahead of elections, temple–mosque disputes, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh’s temper, and BJP figures Rudranil Ghosh and Dilip Ghosh. BJP leader Tarunjoyti claimed the band sought publicity by offending people’s faith, warning that legal action would follow in court if the police fail to act.

Interestingly, TMC’s Kunal Ghosh praised the song, while BJP leaders faced online mockery for their lawsuit announcement.

Facing a 50% U.S. tariff on its goods since August 27, India has chosen diplomatic and strategic measures over direct retaliation. Experts warn prolonged tariffs could cost up to 0.8% of GDP and threaten millions of jobs in textiles, leather, and jewelry. India is focusing on diversifying export markets, strengthening trade with Mexico, Canada, China, Europe, and Latin America, while supporting exporters with technology and tax relief to maintain competitiveness against rivals like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

India has announced that minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who entered the country before December 31, 2024, fleeing religious persecution or fear thereof, may stay without valid travel documents.

The Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that even those who entered with passports or visas that have since expired will be protected.

Analysts argue that the move serves two political goals for the ruling BJP: consolidating non-Muslim communities as a permanent vote bank and reinforcing India’s tilt toward a Hindu-nationalist state. In West Bengal, BJP junior minister Shantanu Thakur welcomed the order, calling it a breakthrough for the Matua community, a key vote bloc in the region.

Severe floods have hit Punjab after continuous rainfall in hilly areas caused the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers to overflow. So far, 29 people have died and over 250,000 are affected across multiple districts. Over 1,000 villages are submerged, and tens of thousands are stranded or relocated to shelters. Agriculture and livestock have suffered major losses. Rescue operations by the army, NDRF, and police continue, but experts warn long-term planning is needed to prevent future climate-related disasters.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on September 12 as part of a three-day Northeast tour, following mounting criticism from opposition parties. The state has faced deadly ethnic clashes since May 2023, leaving over 100 dead and thousands displaced. Modi’s absence had fueled controversy, with opponents accusing him of ignoring the crisis. BJP leaders say he will inaugurate projects and call for peace, but critics argue the visit is too late and demand real measures for rehabilitation, security, and justice.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced that the state plans to supply drinking water to 51 wards of Agartala Municipal Corporation using water from Bangladesh’s Titas River. He said local rivers and canals eventually merge into the Titas, making it a viable source. If the plan succeeds, it will be raised with India’s central government. Saha also highlighted ongoing development projects, including the formation of the Tripura Urban Development Authority to support modern infrastructure and high-rise construction.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin following rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting will take place in Tianjin, China, immediately after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which runs from August 31 to September 1. Kremlin spokesperson Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the leaders will discuss key bilateral issues and strategic partnership matters, also preparing for Putin’s visit to India in December, highlighting continued cooperation between the two nations.