Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to visit India in December 2025, as confirmed by the Kremlin, signaling deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Moscow and New Delhi . The announcement comes amid escalating U.S. tariffs of up to 50% imposed on Indian exports—primarily in response to New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil . During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss the details of this visit. The December talks are expected to focus heavily on energy cooperation, defense partnerships, trade, and counterbalancing Western pressure. (PC: Money Control)  

India has emerged as Ukraine’s largest diesel supplier in July 2025, accounting for 15.5% of Kyiv’s diesel imports, surpassing all other nations. Exports averaged 2,700 tons daily, routed mainly via Romania’s Danube ports and Turkey’s OPET terminal. From January–July, India’s share in Ukraine’s imports rose to 10.2%, compared to just 1.9% a year earlier. This surge comes even as the United States imposed 50% tariffs on Indian products in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of discounted Russian crude. The development highlights India’s growing influence in global energy trade while balancing complex geopolitical pressures.

During the second day of his official visit to Japan on August 30, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled on a Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Sendai alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba . Upon arrival, he met Indian locomotive pilots currently training at East Japan Railway Company (JR East) . The leaders also observed the advanced ALFA-X bullet train and were briefed by the chairman of JR East . Earlier, PM Modi had met governors of 16 Japanese prefectures, urging implementation of the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative launched at the summit. (PC: X)

India's postal department suspended all mail services to the United States, including letters, documents, and gifts under $100, following earlier parcel service halts. The suspension stems from Trump administration's August 29 elimination of the $800 "de minimis" rule, requiring customs duties on all US-bound parcels except gifts under $100. Airlines refuse carrying parcels due to undefined duty collection mechanisms and unclear regulatory frameworks. Deputy Director General LK Dash cited no alternatives amid customer inconvenience concerns. India Post processes 3 tonnes daily US-bound cargo, affecting 100-200 monthly tonnes. Over 25 countries have suspended US postal services citing transit uncertainties. The department promises service restoration efforts while offering postage refunds for undelivered items already booked.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced readiness for composite dialogue with India on all outstanding issues including Kashmir, emphasizing Pakistan "will not beg for talks." This follows recent escalations after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack killing 26 tourists, where terrorists targeted the scenic Baisaran meadow for maximum impact. India responded with Operation Sindoor precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK on May 7. Pakistan attempted retaliatory attacks on Indian military bases May 8-10, prompting fierce Indian counter-strikes. Both nations reached understanding to end four-day cross-border conflict on May 10. India maintains dialogue will only address Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and terrorism issues, not broader composite framework launched in 2003 but derailed after 2008 Mumbai attacks. (PC: AP)

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's China visit for the SCO Summit, the Chinese embassy strategically shared historical images of Lord Ganesha from ancient Chinese art, emphasizing centuries-old cultural connections between India and China. This diplomatic gesture aims to highlight shared heritage and artistic traditions that predate current geopolitical tensions. The timing appears calculated to create positive atmosphere before Modi's arrival in Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meetings. The embassy's cultural outreach demonstrates China's effort to leverage historical ties and religious symbolism to strengthen bilateral relations. Such cultural diplomacy often precedes high-level political engagements, suggesting both nations recognize the importance of their ancient connections despite contemporary border disputes and strategic competition in the region.

Prime Minister Modi and Japanese PM Ishiba took a historic bullet train ride to Sendai on Saturday, marking day two of Modi's Japan visit. Ishiba shared photos on X, writing they would continue their discussions during the journey. Modi met Indian train drivers currently training with East Japan Railway Company, highlighting deepening railway cooperation between nations. Earlier, Modi addressed governors from sixteen Japanese prefectures in Tokyo, launching the State-Prefecture Partnership Initiative for enhanced subnational collaboration. He emphasized cooperation potential in trade, innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, technology, and AI sectors. The visit reinforced bilateral ties through both high-level diplomacy and grassroots engagement, with Japan committing $68 billion investment over ten years, strengthening the strategic partnership through cultural exchanges and infrastructure development. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is “ready to advance bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.” In an interview with Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, he added, “Stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China… can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity.” Modi stressed that good ties are “crucial for a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world.” He will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. This is his first visit to China in 7 years. Modi will also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. (PC: X)

A Sikh man was shot dead by police in Los Angeles while performing gatka, a traditional martial art from Punjab. The victim, Gurpreet Singh, 35, was seen wielding a sword near Crypto.com Arena on July 13. Police said he refused repeated orders to drop the weapon and tried to attack officers. Footage shows Singh waving the sword, cutting his tongue, and later fleeing in a car before crashing. He then charged at police, who opened fire. Singh was taken to hospital but died from bullet injuries. Police called the sword a machete, though it resembled a traditional Sikh khanda. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping 50% tariffs on Indian goods—a combination of a 25% base reciprocal duty and an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s sustained Russian oil imports—deemed among the steepest ever against a trading partner . Jefferies strategist Chris Wood characterizes the tariffs as stemming from Trump’s “personal pique” after India rebuffed his offer to mediate the May India-Pakistan conflict, underscoring political rather than economic motivations . The tariffs threaten export-heavy sectors—textiles, gems, jewelry, shrimp, and carpets—potentially slashing Indian exports to the U.S. by nearly $36 billion and denting GDP growth by up to 1 percentage point. (PC: NDTV)