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.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, his first visit in seven years. Leaders from 10 member states will participate on August 31 and September 1. Modi is set for bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit comes amid U.S.-India trade tensions and signals a potential restoration of India-China relations, crucial for trade, regional balance, and India’s multidimensional foreign policy strategy.

Amid tensions over U.S. tariff hikes, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has declared that “national interest comes above all else—India has no permanent friends or enemies.”

Speaking on defense growth, Singh said India does not view any country as an enemy but will not compromise its people’s interests.

He highlighted India’s defense export boom—from less than ₹700 crore in 2014 to ₹24,000 crore today—signaling the country’s rise from a buyer to a major supplier.

“Under self-reliance, India now builds all its warships domestically, and the Navy has pledged not to buy from abroad,” he added.

The statement comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian products.

Following the release of the inquiry report on the Sambhal riots in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed the findings proved the violence was a “planned conspiracy” targeting Hindus.

Yogi said, “At independence, Hindus made up 45% of Sambhal’s population. Today that figure has fallen to 15%, while Muslims now make up 85%. Under SP and Congress rule, Hindus were repeatedly attacked. But under the double-engine government, appeasement is over.”

The commission reported that outside instigators were brought in to fuel unrest, with extremist groups exploiting arms and drug smuggling.

However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi dismissed the findings, calling them politically motivated. “In a region like Sambhal, known for its multi-religious heritage, it is unfair to pin the blame solely on Muslims. If outsiders carried out the violence, where was the administration? Why does the report not highlight security failures? This report is nothing but election politics,” Owaisi said.

Human Rights Watch has accused India of abusing and forcibly displacing Rohingya refugees since May 2025. Hundreds have been arbitrarily detained, and many reportedly tortured. Authorities allegedly confiscated their belongings and UNHCR registration cards, while some were forced to swim to Myanmar’s coast. The BJP-led operation targeted Rohingyas and Bengali-speaking Muslims, reflecting the party’s portrayal of them as “illegal immigrants.” Many fled to Bangladesh, where HRW interviewed nine refugees in Cox’s Bazar who recounted harassment, confiscation of property, and forced displacement.