The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three major decisions involving a total financial outlay of around ₹2.79 lakh crore, including a significant increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season.

The decisions were announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following the Cabinet meeting. The measures cover agricultural support, renewable energy infrastructure and intelligent traffic management in the national capital.

MSP Hike for Six Rabi Crops

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the MSP of six mandated rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season. Safflower has received the highest increase of ₹675 per quintal.

The revised MSPs are:

• Wheat: Increased by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal
• Barley: Increased by ₹136 to ₹2,286 per quintal
• Gram: Increased by ₹83 to ₹5,958 per quintal
• Lentil (Masur): Increased by ₹390 to ₹7,390 per quintal
• Rapeseed and Mustard: Increased by ₹413 to ₹6,613 per quintal
• Safflower: Increased by ₹675 to ₹7,215 per quintal

According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, the estimated margin over the cost of production at the all-India level stands at 106% for wheat, 96% for rapeseed and mustard, 92% for lentil, 59% for gram, 58% for barley and 50% for safflower.

The government said the MSP hike is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices for farmers and encouraging crop diversification.

₹1.86 Lakh Crore Renewable Energy Grid Plan

In another major decision, the Union Cabinet approved an investment of ₹1.86 lakh crore under the PM DRAH scheme for developing grid and smart-grid infrastructure required for renewable energy.

The proposed inter-state transmission system is expected to facilitate the integration and transmission of 135 GW of renewable energy, supported by 50 GWh of battery storage capacity.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the country’s power transmission infrastructure and supporting the integration of increasing renewable energy capacity into the national grid.

AI-Based Traffic Management for Delhi

The Cabinet also approved an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for Delhi to improve traffic management and road safety in the national capital.

The technology-driven system will use intelligent monitoring and traffic-management tools to help regulate vehicular movement, address congestion and improve road safety.

The ITMS is expected to assist authorities in monitoring traffic conditions in real time and managing vehicle movement more efficiently across Delhi.

The three decisions together mark major government interventions in agriculture, renewable energy infrastructure and urban mobility, with the MSP decision directly targeting farm income support while the other initiatives focus on energy infrastructure and technology-based traffic management.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the government is taking strict and decisive action against forces that pose a threat to India’s security, including terrorism and Naxalism.

Speaking at an event in Delhi, Singh said both internal and external security challenges are being dealt with firmly under the government’s security policy. He said the Indian armed forces have demonstrated their ability to strike terrorists at their own bases, citing such operations as examples of India’s strong response to terrorism.

Rajnath Singh Appeals Against Politicising Military Sacrifice

The Defence Minister also expressed concern over attempts to question the courage and valour of the armed forces for political gains. He appealed to political parties and others not to politicise the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers.

Singh described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an example of good governance and said the government has accorded the highest priority to the country’s unity, sovereignty and the safety of its citizens.

Claim of End of Naxalism

On Left-Wing Extremism, Singh made a strong claim that India has now been freed from Naxal violence and that Naxalism has come to an end.

He also rejected the argument that poverty was the primary reason behind the growth of Naxalism. According to Singh, the reality was the opposite in several affected areas, where Naxalism itself contributed to the persistence and expansion of poverty by disrupting development.

Security Remains Government’s Priority

Singh said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, national security—whether internal or external—has been made a central priority of governance. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting India’s unity, sovereignty and citizens while taking firm action against threats to national security.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a stronger role for the Global South in the international system and urged immediate reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Addressing the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi called on BRICS nations to move beyond simply following existing rules and play a greater role in shaping global rules and standards. He stressed that the grouping should use its growing influence to build a more representative, inclusive and balanced international order.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that BRICS is not directed against any particular country or bloc. Instead, he said the group should focus on taking everyone along and working towards a more inclusive global system.

“We should not move against anyone, but think about moving forward by taking everyone along,” Modi said, highlighting the need to translate BRICS’ unity and consensus into tangible outcomes at the global level.

The Prime Minister also called for a new, forward-looking and ambitious agenda for the next 20 years. He said the changing global landscape requires stronger cooperation among BRICS members and greater efforts to ensure that developing nations have a meaningful voice in global decision-making.

10-Point Roadmap for Global Governance

Modi proposed a 10-point roadmap for reforms in global governance. The roadmap broadly focuses on three key priorities — representation, responsiveness and rule-making.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for international institutions to become more representative and responsive to the realities of the contemporary world. He also underlined the importance of giving emerging and developing countries a greater role in shaping global rules.

Alongside global governance reforms, Modi highlighted the need to maintain strong institutional continuity within BRICS. He said sustained cooperation and institutional mechanisms would be crucial for translating the grouping’s shared vision into concrete results.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid growing calls for reforms in global institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, to reflect the changing geopolitical and economic realities of the world.

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: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in India on Saturday aboard a special aircraft, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years. He landed at the New Delhi airport as India and China prepare for high-level engagements on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold bilateral talks during the visit. This will be the third meeting between the two leaders in the past three years. They had earlier met in Kazan and Tianjin.

The bilateral discussions are expected to focus on strengthening India-China relations, improving connectivity and cooperation, and addressing outstanding differences between the two countries. The two sides are also likely to discuss measures to promote stable ties and work together as good neighbours.

According to diplomatic sources, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on Saturday evening.

Xi is undertaking a 24-hour visit to India and is accompanied by a 67-member official delegation. The delegation includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and a close aide of Xi, as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

A separate business delegation is also accompanying the visit, highlighting the economic and commercial dimension of the India-China engagement.

Following his arrival, Xi is scheduled to reach Bharat Mandapam at around 2 pm on Saturday, where Prime Minister Modi will welcome him. His 24-hour visit is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, with the Chinese President expected to depart India at around 12:20 pm.

The visit is being closely watched amid efforts by India and China to improve bilateral relations, enhance communication and cooperation, and manage differences through continued diplomatic engagement.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Putin received a warm welcome at the airport following his arrival in the national capital.

During his visit, Putin is expected to hold a key bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are likely to focus on India-Russia bilateral trade, energy security, local currency transactions and enhanced defence cooperation, including collaboration related to Sukhoi fighter jets.

Ahead of the summit, Putin is also scheduled to address the BRICS Business Forum and visit an exhibition jointly with Prime Minister Modi. His visit comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and evolving geopolitical developments in West Asia, adding significance to the high-level engagement between the two countries.

The 18th BRICS Summit will bring together leaders of major member countries under India’s chairmanship. New Delhi is expected to highlight its priorities in areas such as exports, digital payments, technology and economic cooperation.

India exported goods worth around $82 billion to BRICS countries during the 2025-26 financial year. Increasing exports of pharmaceuticals, engineering products and energy, while improving access to credit for MSMEs, are among India’s key priorities.

India is also expected to promote cross-border trade through local currencies and UPI, along with initiatives such as the BRICS Startup Innovation Fund and a Digital Centre of Excellence.

Delhi Police and traffic authorities have made extensive security and traffic arrangements for the summit. Around 7,000 security personnel and 4,800 traffic police personnel have reportedly been deployed to ensure security and smooth movement during the high-profile event.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India in two days, ahead of the BRICS meeting. During his visit, Putin will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, the Kremlin has confirmed.

The Russian President’s visit comes at a significant time for India-Russia relations, with the two countries continuing to maintain close strategic ties. The Kremlin has described India as a “strategic partner” and reaffirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation.

Ahead of Putin’s arrival in Delhi, Kremlin spokesperson and Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov held a virtual media interaction on Tuesday. A major focus of the discussion was the longstanding relationship between India and Russia.

Peskov said the interaction between the two leaders would be particularly important, highlighting the close and pragmatic relationship between Modi and Putin. He said the two leaders have maintained a level of openness that allows them to discuss sensitive issues related to global affairs and bilateral relations in a constructive manner.

The Modi-Putin meeting is taking place against the backdrop of major geopolitical developments, including the shift towards a multipolar world order, Western sanctions against Russia and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Peskov also highlighted the significance of the BRICS grouping. Clarifying Russia’s view of the bloc, he said BRICS should not be viewed as a conventional organisation but rather as a “club” of countries sharing a broad vision on how global affairs should function and how cooperation can be expanded across different sectors.

According to Peskov, BRICS does not have a formal charter, fixed rules or a permanent headquarters. Instead, it serves as a platform for countries to exchange views and cooperate on issues of common interest.

Putin’s upcoming India visit and his meeting with Modi are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral ties and discuss key regional and international developments. The talks are also likely to underline the continuing importance of the India-Russia strategic partnership amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly called for a united global approach against terrorism at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Addressing the gathering of world leaders, Modi said terrorism remains a serious challenge to humanity and called for a policy of zero tolerance against it. He stressed that there should be no room for double standards on such a sensitive issue.

The Prime Minister called for dismantling the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism, including terror financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens. He also urged the international community to send a strong message to countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy or provide shelter and support to terrorists.

Modi highlighted three key pillars for the SCO—security, connectivity and opportunity. He said reliable connectivity among SCO member states is essential for shared progress and prosperity.

Referring to conflicts in West Asia, Modi said security challenges have expanded significantly in an interconnected world. Regional conflicts can affect energy security, maritime trade and global supply chains. India, he reiterated, believes that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than on the battlefield.

India also called for preparing a 25-year roadmap for the SCO to strengthen cooperation among member states.

A notable moment came during the group photograph, when Modi stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visual of Modi holding hands with the two leaders drew attention, with the scene being seen as a reflection of India’s growing diplomatic influence.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present at the summit, though the group photograph generated considerable attention over the positioning of the leaders.

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A controversy has erupted over Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love in India, after Penguin Random House India (PRHI) said it would not publish the book in India.

The book was scheduled to be released on November 10 and reportedly covers Sonia Gandhi’s political journey, along with details surrounding her decision not to accept the post of Prime Minister after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

Reports suggested that the publisher decided against releasing the book after the author refused to make certain editorial changes. However, Penguin Random House India has denied that this was the reason for its decision.

In a clarification, the publisher said it would be inaccurate to claim that the book was rejected because the author refused to make editorial changes. It stated that as a publisher, it has both the right and responsibility to fact-check the contents of a book and make suggestions to the author as part of the normal publishing process.

The development has drawn criticism from several Congress leaders. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi have opposed the publisher’s decision.

Gehlot alleged that pressure had been put on the publisher to remove references concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the issue of Chinese occupation. He also questioned whether there were other reasons behind Penguin India’s decision.

The controversy has now sparked a wider debate over editorial freedom, the role of publishers in fact-checking and editing political memoirs, and whether sensitive political references influenced the decision not to publish the autobiography in India.

The book’s future publication plans and whether it will be released through another publisher remain a matter of interest.

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