Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation through the 137th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The programme is scheduled to be broadcast at 11 AM, according to the official MyGov announcement.

The upcoming episode will give the Prime Minister an opportunity to connect with citizens and share his thoughts on issues, ideas and initiatives concerning the country. MyGov had invited citizens to submit suggestions and topics for the 137th episode ahead of the broadcast. 

137th Episode on August 30

The official MyGov page confirms that the 137th episode of Mann Ki Baat will be aired on August 30 at 11 AM. The programme remains a monthly platform through which the Prime Minister speaks directly to citizens and highlights stories and initiatives from different parts of India. 

MyGov describes Mann Ki Baat as a monthly radio programme through which the Prime Minister connects with citizens and shares stories, ideas and people-led initiatives. The programme also provides a platform for citizen participation and suggestions. 

Citizens Invited Suggestions

Ahead of the August episode, the government invited citizens to share suggestions on themes and issues they wanted the Prime Minister to address. The invitation for the 137th episode was open from August 3 to August 28.

Citizens were able to submit their views through the MyGov platform. They could also record their messages for the Prime Minister through the toll-free number 1800-11-7800. MyGov also provided a missed-call facility through 1922, followed by an SMS link for submitting suggestions. 

Focus on Citizen Participation

Mann Ki Baat has developed into a platform for highlighting stories of innovation, social initiatives, cultural heritage, sustainability, grassroots participation and nation-building. The official MyGov campaign page provides access to previous episodes, highlights and citizen contributions. 

The upcoming broadcast is therefore expected to continue the programme's established format of discussing issues and initiatives that have a connection with citizens and communities across the country.

When to Listen

The 137th episode of Mann Ki Baat will be broadcast on Sunday, August 30, at 11 AM. Citizens can follow the programme through the official channels associated with Mann Ki Baat and MyGov.

The official MyGov listing, created on August 29, confirms the August 30 broadcast and identifies it as the 137th episodeof the programme. 

Previous Episode

The previous episode, the 136th edition of Mann Ki Baat, was broadcast on July 26, 2026. MyGov's Mann Ki Baat archive lists the July programme alongside earlier monthly episodes. 

With the latest broadcast scheduled for August 30, listeners will be able to hear Prime Minister Modi's latest address and the issues he chooses to highlight in the 137th episode.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tashkent on August 30 as part of his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan, with India-Uzbekistan cooperation in trade, investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy and education among the key areas under discussion. The visit, which began on August 29 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is Modi’s fourth visit to Uzbekistan. 

The Prime Minister is holding delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev to review the progress of the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and set priorities for its next phase. The two sides are also expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation across several economic sectors and strengthen people-to-people ties. 

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment are among the central areas of the Tashkent discussions. According to the Uzbek government, the talks are expected to focus on expanding bilateral economic cooperation, with sectors including energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, mechanical engineering, chemicals and geology identified as potential areas for greater collaboration. 

The visit comes as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership through practical cooperation and new projects. Uzbekistan has also been developing its rare-earth sector, creating potential opportunities for technology, investment and industrial collaboration. 

Defence and Digital Ties

Defence and digital connectivity are also part of the bilateral agenda. The Indian government said the two leaders would review cooperation in defence and digital connectivity, alongside energy, education and other areas. Discussions are aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. 

The broader agenda also reflects India's interest in expanding its engagement with Central Asia through connectivity, technology and economic cooperation. Digital services and technology partnerships could provide additional avenues for closer India-Uzbekistan ties.

Shastri Memorial Visit

During his stay in Tashkent, Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit the Shastri Memorial, paying tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He is also scheduled to visit the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. 

The visits carry significance for the historical and cultural relationship between India and Uzbekistan. Shastri died in Tashkent in January 1966 after signing the Tashkent Declaration with Pakistan following the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

Cultural and People Ties

Education and people-to-people relations are another component of India's engagement with Uzbekistan. More than 16,000 Indian students are currently studying in Uzbekistan, while Indian university campuses have also been established in the country, according to recent reporting on the bilateral relationship. 

Both governments have also highlighted cultural and humanitarian exchanges as an important part of strengthening the strategic partnership.

Modi to Travel to Kyrgyzstan

After completing his Uzbekistan visit on August 30, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to travel to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he will participate in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit from August 31 to September 1. 

The SCO summit marks the 25th anniversary of the organisation. India, which became a full member of the grouping in 2017, is expected to highlight its priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity during the summit. Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with other SCO leaders on the sidelines of the gathering. 

The Uzbekistan leg of the tour is therefore being seen as an important bilateral component of the Prime Minister’s wider Central Asia engagement, with the focus on strengthening strategic ties and translating existing cooperation into new areas of economic, technological and security partnership.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) completes 12 years on August 28, 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s financial inclusion drive. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 28, 2014, the scheme has expanded access to formal banking, digital payments, insurance and other financial services among previously unbanked sections of the population.

According to the latest figures released by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, as of August 19, 2026, a total of 59.09 crore PMJDY accounts had been opened across the country. The accounts together held deposits worth ₹3,16,513.80 crore, while 41.29 crore RuPay debit cards had been issued to account holders.

The data also highlights the reach of the scheme among women and people living outside major urban centres. Of the total PMJDY accounts, 32.92 crore, or 55.7 per cent, are held by women. Meanwhile, 45.95 crore accounts, or 77.8 per cent, are located in rural and semi-urban areas. These figures indicate the significant role of the scheme in extending formal banking services beyond metropolitan and urban centres.

PMJDY was launched as the National Mission for Financial Inclusion with the objective of providing affordable access to basic savings accounts, remittances, credit, insurance and pension services. The scheme allows eligible unbanked individuals to open basic savings bank deposit accounts without the requirement of maintaining a minimum balance.

The scheme has also been linked with several social security and financial services. PMJDY accounts can facilitate Direct Benefit Transfer and provide access to schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana. Eligible account holders can also receive an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000.

Deposits and account usage rise

The government said the growth in deposits indicates increasing usage of Jan Dhan accounts and greater adoption of saving habits among account holders. The average deposit per PMJDY account stood at ₹5,356 as of August 19, 2026. The latest official data also shows that deposits have increased substantially over the 12-year period, alongside continued growth in the number of accounts.

The expansion has been supported by public-sector banks, regional rural banks, private-sector banks and rural cooperative banks. The official PMJDY progress report records 45.58 crore accounts with public-sector banks, 11.10 crore with regional rural banks, 2.22 crore with private-sector banks and 0.19 crore with rural cooperative banks as of August 19.

JAM architecture strengthens delivery

The government has also highlighted the role of the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity in strengthening the delivery of welfare benefits. With bank accounts forming the financial-access component, JAM has enabled government benefits and financial assistance to be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ accounts, reducing dependence on intermediaries.

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, marking the 12th anniversary, said the significance of PMJDY should be viewed beyond the number of accounts opened and deposits mobilised, pointing to its role in extending financial services to people at the last mile.

As PMJDY enters its 13th year, the government continues to position the scheme as a key component of India's financial inclusion architecture. Its focus has expanded from opening basic bank accounts to connecting account holders with digital payments, insurance, pension, credit and government benefit transfers.

The latest figures underline the scale of that expansion: nearly 60 crore accounts, more than ₹3.16 lakh crore in deposits, over 41 crore RuPay cards, and a majority of accounts held by women or located in rural and semi-urban areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, 2026, with bilateral ties, regional cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) high on the agenda. The visit will begin with a state visit to Uzbekistan before Modi travels to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to attend the 26th SCO Summit.

Two-Nation Visit

According to the announced schedule, Modi will visit Uzbekistan on August 29 and 30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It will be his fourth visit to the Central Asian country.

During his stay in Tashkent, Modi is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with President Mirziyoyev. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening the India-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across several areas, including trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties. 

The two sides are also expected to discuss their respective long-term development visions, including India's Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan-2030.

Focus on Bilateral Ties

The Uzbekistan leg of the visit is expected to provide an opportunity for India and Uzbekistan to review the progress of their bilateral relationship and identify areas for further cooperation.

India's engagement with Uzbekistan covers sectors such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, defence, education, information technology and trade. Connectivity is also an important element of India's broader engagement with Central Asia, given the geographical challenges involved in expanding overland trade between India and the region. 

During the visit, Modi is also expected to visit the Shastri Memorial in Tashkent and the Mahatma Gandhi Centre at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies. 

SCO Summit in Bishkek

After completing his Uzbekistan visit, Modi will travel to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to participate in the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1.

The summit assumes particular significance as the SCO marks its 25th anniversary this year. India has been a full member of the organisation since 2017.

At the summit, Modi is expected to present India's priorities on security, connectivity and opportunity while participating in discussions with other SCO leaders. Bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summit are also expected to take place on the sidelines. 

World Nomad Games

Modi's Kyrgyzstan visit will also include participation in the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games. The event is expected to showcase the cultural traditions and heritage of Central Asia and provide another opportunity for people-to-people engagement. 

Central Asia Engagement

The two-country visit comes as India continues to strengthen its engagement with Central Asia amid growing geopolitical and economic interest in the region. New Delhi has been expanding cooperation with Central Asian countries in areas including connectivity, defence, trade, healthcare, education and technology.

The upcoming visit is therefore expected to serve both bilateral and multilateral objectives, with the Uzbekistan meetings focused primarily on strengthening the strategic partnership and the Kyrgyzstan leg centred on the SCO Summit and regional cooperation. 

The deadline for citizens to share their suggestions for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming 137th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ is August 28, 2026. The programme is scheduled to be broadcast on August 30, 2026, with the government inviting people to send their ideas and inputs through the MyGov platform.

According to the invitation issued through MyGov, citizens can submit their suggestions for the upcoming episode until 11:45 pm on August 28. The initiative provides an opportunity for people to share issues, ideas, achievements and subjects that they would like to see highlighted during the Prime Minister’s monthly radio programme.

Suggestions Through MyGov

Citizens can submit their inputs through the dedicated Mann Ki Baat page on the MyGov portal. The online platform allows people to share their views and suggestions directly for consideration for the upcoming episode.

Over the years, public participation has remained an important feature of Mann Ki Baat. Suggestions received from citizens have covered a wide range of subjects, including social initiatives, education, environment, innovation, culture, youth-related issues and local achievements.

137th Episode on August 30

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 137th Mann Ki Baat is scheduled for August 30, 2026. Through the programme, the Prime Minister addresses citizens and discusses developments, initiatives and issues of wider public interest.

The monthly programme has also served as a platform for highlighting stories and initiatives from different parts of the country, particularly those involving community participation and individuals working on social and public-interest causes.

Deadline Ends Tonight

With August 28 being the final date for submissions, citizens interested in sharing their ideas have time until 11:45 pm to submit their suggestions through MyGov.

It began as satire. It became a protest movement. And then it became a political warning.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) emerged from an online joke after a controversial remark about unemployed young people being compared with cockroaches. Young Indians adopted the insult as an identity, turning it into a symbol of resistance. What initially looked like internet humour eventually moved into the streets, with examination failures, unemployment and government accountability becoming central demands.

That transformation is politically significant.

The movement demonstrated something India's political establishment has sometimes underestimated: digital-native young people do not necessarily need traditional party structures to organise. A meme can become a slogan. A social-media account can become a mobilisation platform. And an issue that begins with examinations can quickly become a broader argument about governance.

The most important moment came when Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after weeks of protests. Multiple analyses have described the resignation as a significant concession by the Modi government and a major victory for the movement.

But calling that the end of the story would be premature.

The government has responded not only through political concessions but also through institutional reform. Parliament passed amendments to the public-examinations law, while the government has proposed further measures to strengthen examination integrity. A high-powered panel led by Nandan Nilekani has also been tasked with guiding examination reforms using technology.

Yet the protest movement has already shown that the grievance is larger than one minister.

The CJP has now announced another Delhi protest march for September 5, saying that several demands linked to its earlier mobilisation remain unresolved. The proposed march is expected to focus on accountability, student grievances and allegations concerning police action during earlier demonstrations.

That is where the political significance of the movement lies.

The BJP can respond to a protest by replacing a minister. It can launch youth outreach programmes. It can pass legislation. But none of those measures automatically restores trust among students who believe the system has repeatedly failed them.

The opposition, meanwhile, faces its own challenge. The Cockroach movement has not simply behaved like a conventional political organisation. Its appeal has been rooted in anger over issues that cut across party lines — examination integrity, employment, transparency and the treatment of protesters.

That makes it difficult to absorb into traditional political narratives.

The movement's future, however, is not guaranteed. Street mobilisation can lose momentum. Internal disagreements can emerge. A movement built around satire can struggle to translate protest energy into sustainable institutional reform. Analysts have also cautioned against assuming that the movement represents an imminent nationwide political revolution.

But the warning has already been delivered.

India's youngest voters are not politically passive simply because they communicate differently. They can organise outside established party structures, and they can punish institutions they believe have ignored them.

The government may have succeeded in containing the immediate crisis. But the bigger question is whether it can solve the conditions that created it.

If examination reforms remain slow, recruitment remains opaque and employment anxiety continues, the cockroach may prove difficult to sweep away.

As UPI completes a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted its scale and reach, while official data shows a sharp rise in transaction volumes and value since 2016.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday marked 10 years of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), describing the platform as a “major turning point” in India's digital payments journey and urging users to share how it has changed their everyday lives. The milestone comes as UPI has grown from a limited banking initiative into a central part of India's digital payments ecosystem. 

In a post on X, Modi said the scale and reach achieved by UPI were something every Indian could be proud of. He also invited people to share their experiences of using the platform and its impact on their lives. 

From Pilot to Mass Payments

UPI was launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The system initially began with 21 banks and has since expanded across India's banking and digital commerce ecosystem.

According to government data, annual UPI transaction volume rose from around 2 crore transactions in 2016-17 to more than 24,162 crore in 2025-26. Transaction value increased from about ₹0.07 lakh crore to nearly ₹314 lakh crore over the same period. 

The figures underline how rapidly digital payments have moved into routine transactions, ranging from person-to-person transfers to payments at physical and online merchants.

Record Scale in 2025-26

The Union Finance Ministry said UPI processed 24,161.69 crore transactions during 2025-26, with a total value of about ₹314 lakh crore. There were 703 active banks on the platform as of March 2026. 

March 2026 recorded UPI's highest monthly transaction volume at 2,264 crore transactions, while the monthly transaction value reached ₹29.53 lakh crore, according to the government's decade review. 

The platform accounted for about 85 per cent of India's digital payment transactions by volume in 2025-26, according to the Finance Ministry's data.

UPI's Global Expansion

UPI's growth has also extended beyond India's borders. The payment infrastructure has increasingly been adopted for cross-border payments and by countries seeking to enable UPI-based transactions for Indian travellers and other users.

The government has described UPI as the world's largest real-time payment system by transaction volume, citing its scale and interoperability. Official data also puts India's share of global real-time payment transaction volume at around 49 per cent in 2025. 

The expansion has made UPI an important component of India's broader Digital Public Infrastructure and an increasingly visible element of the country's digital diplomacy.

What Changed for Users

For consumers, UPI brought multiple banking functions into a single interoperable payment framework, allowing users to transfer money directly between bank accounts and make merchant payments using participating applications.

Its rapid adoption has also reduced the dependence on cash for many small-value transactions. QR-code payments have become common across shops, service providers and other businesses, allowing even small merchants to accept digital payments without requiring conventional card-payment infrastructure.

A Decade of Digital Payments

The 10-year milestone comes as India continues to expand its digital public infrastructure across banking, government services and commerce. UPI's trajectory has been closely associated with that wider shift towards real-time, interoperable digital services.

The next phase will involve expanding the system's international footprint, improving digital payment capabilities and ensuring that its growth remains accessible across different sections of the population.

For now, the decade milestone offers a measure of how dramatically India's payment habits have changed since UPI's public rollout in 2016.

The possible September visit would be Xi Jinping’s first trip to India in seven years and comes as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties after the 2020 border crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, with around 400 Chinese officials expected to accompany him, according to people familiar with preparations. If confirmed, it would be Xi's first visit to India in seven years and a potentially important step in the gradual thaw in relations between the two Asian powers. 

The visit has not yet been officially confirmed by Beijing. China's Foreign Ministry has said it attaches importance to BRICS cooperation and supports India's role as host, but has not provided details of Xi's travel plans. Reuters reported that Chinese officials were working on arrangements including hotel bookings and security preparations in New Delhi. 

The possible visit comes at a particularly important point in India-China relations. Both countries have sought to maintain dialogue after years of military tensions along their disputed Himalayan border, while differences over the boundary and broader strategic issues remain unresolved.

Why Xi's India Visit Matters

Xi's possible arrival in New Delhi would be significant beyond the BRICS agenda. It would provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese president to hold direct discussions on bilateral ties, including the border situation, trade and other areas where the relationship has remained difficult.

The two leaders last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Xi's potential return to India would come seven years after his previous visit to the country, when he travelled to India in 2019 for the second informal summit with Modi.

The proposed delegation of about 400 officials would also be considerably larger than the fewer than 200 officials who accompanied Xi during his 2019 India visit, according to sources cited by Reuters. 

Border Issue Still Central

The improvement in diplomatic engagement does not mean the core differences have disappeared.

Relations deteriorated sharply after the deadly 2020 confrontation in eastern Ladakh, which led to a prolonged military standoff and a significant increase in troops and infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control.

Although the two sides reached a disengagement arrangement in October 2024 and subsequently stepped up diplomatic contacts, the boundary dispute remains the biggest strategic issue in the relationship.

That issue is again at the centre of high-level talks on Tuesday, August 25, when National Security Adviser Ajit Dovaland Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to hold the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives talks in Beijing. China has officially confirmed the meeting, saying the discussions will cover the boundary question as well as bilateral, regional and international issues. 

The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 to address the long-standing boundary dispute and provide a channel for political-level dialogue.

Doval-Wang Talks Before BRICS

Doval's Beijing visit is therefore significant in the run-up to the possible Xi visit.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two sides would continue communication in the spirit of understandings reached by their leaders, with the aim of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas. 

India has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the broader relationship to move forward. The outcome of the latest talks could consequently provide an indication of the diplomatic environment ahead of the BRICS summit.

BRICS Connects to Bhopal

India's BRICS chairship has already brought the grouping's activities to Bhopal, providing Madhya Pradesh with a direct connection to this year's BRICS process.

The BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting was held in Bhopal in August, following three meetings of the BRICS Culture Working Group under India's chairship. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, focused on strengthening cultural cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries. 

Xi's possible New Delhi visit would now place the diplomatic dimension of India's BRICS chairship in sharper focus, particularly given the parallel effort by India and China to manage their bilateral differences.

What Happens Next

For now, Xi's participation remains unconfirmed. The Chinese president's attendance is expected to become clearer as preparations for the September 12-13 summit progress.

If he does travel to New Delhi, the visit could provide Modi and Xi with another opportunity to discuss how to consolidate the recent stabilisation in ties while keeping the unresolved border dispute from derailing broader engagement.

The immediate focus, however, will be on the Doval-Wang talks in Beijing and whether the two sides can maintain peace along the border as they prepare for a potentially important Modi-Xi interaction in New Delhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday and conveyed a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India and Russia discussed bilateral cooperation and preparations for upcoming high-level engagements.

Jaishankar, who was on a two-day visit to Russia, also briefed Putin on the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The meeting comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and the BRICS Summit, where Modi and Putin are expected to meet.

Modi looks forward to Putin meeting

During the Kremlin meeting, Jaishankar conveyed Modi’s greetings to Putin and said the Indian prime minister was looking forward to meeting the Russian president at the upcoming SCO Summit.

Jaishankar also conveyed Modi’s invitation to Putin to visit India for the BRICS Summit.

“Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting you at the SCO Summit, then welcoming you to India for the Brics Summit,” Jaishankar said, according to ANI.

Putin, in response, asked Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to Modi and expressed hope of meeting the Indian prime minister at the SCO Summit. He also indicated that another meeting between the two leaders could take place later this year.

Trade and economic ties discussed

The talks also focused on the growing economic relationship between India and Russia.

Jaishankar highlighted developments in bilateral cooperation following the recent intergovernmental commission meeting. Areas discussed included trade, energy, fertilisers, nuclear energy and high-technology cooperation.

Putin pointed to the rise in bilateral trade and said Moscow was working to maintain and increase fertiliser supplies to India.

Fertilisers remain an important area of cooperation for India, particularly given the role of imported supplies in supporting the country’s agricultural sector.

Energy remains key priority

Energy cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions.

India and Russia have maintained significant energy ties, while both sides have continued to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation across the broader energy sector. Nuclear energy was also identified as an area of continued bilateral engagement.

The discussions come as New Delhi and Moscow seek to deepen economic and strategic cooperation while navigating an increasingly complex global geopolitical environment.

Jaishankar also meets Lavrov

During his Moscow visit, Jaishankar also held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation as well as regional conflicts, global challenges and issues on the multilateral agenda.

The meetings are part of continued high-level diplomatic engagement between India and Russia, with both countries maintaining regular communication on bilateral and international issues.

SCO and BRICS meetings ahead

The upcoming SCO and BRICS summits are expected to provide opportunities for Modi and Putin to discuss bilateral ties as well as wider regional and global developments.

The possibility of another meeting between the two leaders also comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen economic cooperation with Russia across trade, energy, fertilisers, technology and other sectors.

Jaishankar’s meeting with Putin therefore assumes significance as New Delhi prepares for a series of high-level engagements involving key international partners.

India had requested that journalists be allowed to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in France, but without a full question-and-answer session, according to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi, Gor said the request was conveyed to Trump before the June 17 meeting, but the US president later invited reporters to ask questions, turning what was expected to be a limited media interaction into an extended press conference.

Gor said he discussed the planned meeting with Trump and asked whether the Indian side had any specific requests. According to the ambassador, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had made only one request: allow the media into the room, but avoid a full press conference. Gor said he subsequently told Trump that the Indian side preferred “no questions”, to which the US president initially agreed. However, when the meeting began, journalists and cameras were allowed into the room as planned. After Modi and Trump made their opening remarks, Trump turned towards the reporters and asked, “Any questions?” Gor said that moment changed the format of the interaction, which eventually continued for around 45 minutes, with a wide range of issues discussed in front of the media. The Indian government has not officially commented on Gor's account.

What happened at the meeting

The Modi-Trump meeting took place on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. The interaction came at a sensitive point in India-US relations, with the two countries engaged in negotiations over a bilateral trade agreement and the wider West Asia conflict affecting shipping and energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz was among the issues discussed. Modi raised concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-affected region, particularly after three Indian mariners were killed in a US Navy attack on a commercial vessel. Trump responded by describing seafaring as a difficult profession while discussing the risks faced by those working in the region.

Trade and security discussions

Trade relations also featured prominently during the meeting. Trump said the United States and India were “very close” to reaching a trade agreement as both sides continued negotiations. The two leaders also discussed regional security and the broader implications of the conflict in West Asia.

Trump further offered assurances that Washington would support India if the country came under attack from another nation, although he added a qualification about whether the same commitment would apply under a future Indian leader. The remarks came against the backdrop of wider discussions on security cooperation and the evolving strategic relationship between New Delhi and Washington.

Gor's account offers a behind-the-scenes explanation of how the media interaction unfolded. What India had reportedly sought as a controlled media presence without questions instead became a much longer exchange after Trump invited reporters to participate. The episode highlights the unpredictability of Trump's public interactions with the press and provides additional context on the format of a meeting that covered trade, maritime security and regional developments.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for closer coordination between India, the United Kingdom and the United States to help end the ongoing conflict involving Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Johnson also described the US military action against Iran as a mistake and argued that a negotiated settlement was needed to prevent further escalation.

Johnson said Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism, but argued that political change in the country could not be achieved through air strikes. He said any long-term solution would have to come through an agreement with Tehran and greater diplomatic coordination among major powers.

Johnson calls for Iran deal

According to Johnson, the immediate priority should be to bring the conflict to an end and restore the movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world's most important energy corridors, making any prolonged disruption a concern for oil markets and countries dependent on energy imports.

Johnson said India, Britain and the US should work together to find a way forward with Iran. He also stressed the need for countries to cooperate to reduce pressure on oil prices and restore normal shipping activity in the region.

Criticism of US military action

The former British prime minister criticised Washington's decision to launch military action against Iran without sufficiently consulting its allies. He said the US had walked into what he described as an "obvious trap" and argued that the conflict had created a situation from which Washington now needed a diplomatic exit.

At the same time, Johnson said he continued to prefer a US-led international order over one dominated by China. He argued that America's allies should help Washington find a way out of the current crisis rather than allow the confrontation to deepen.

Modi's role highlighted

Johnson also spoke positively about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recalled his interactions with US President Donald Trump during Johnson's time in office.

He said Trump had previously been more willing to consult friends and listen to advice, including from Modi. Johnson's comments came as India faces a complicated strategic environment, maintaining relationships with the US, Russia and countries across West Asia while protecting its own economic and security interests.

India urged to press Russia

Johnson also turned his attention to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and urged India to use its relationship with Moscow to encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

He rejected the view that Russia was in a position to ultimately prevail and argued that greater pressure on Moscow was required for negotiations to produce a lasting outcome. Johnson acknowledged India's longstanding relationship with Russia and its "particular position" on the conflict.

He also backed stronger military support for Ukraine, including the possible provision of Tomahawk missiles and the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Push for closer India-West ties

Johnson concluded by advocating deeper defence and strategic cooperation between India, the UK and the US. He said stronger military cooperation among the three countries would be more practical as global security challenges become increasingly interconnected.

His remarks also reflected his broader assessment of India's growing international role. Johnson praised India's economic and democratic trajectory and described the country's future as highly promising.

He also welcomed the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, negotiations for which began during his tenure as British prime minister. His comments come at a time when India is increasingly being viewed as an important partner in discussions involving global trade, energy security and geopolitical stability.

Prime Minister discusses education, AI, defence, maritime development, ports, manufacturing and exports during third high-level meeting with secretaries

Modi reviews key policy areas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held the third high-level meeting with Central government secretaries in New Delhi on Thursday, reviewing a range of issues related to infrastructure, connectivity, security, foreign affairs, education, technology and manufacturing.

The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Modi called for stronger engagement between government departments, universities and young people to bring new ideas into policy-making.

The focus on youth comes amid the government's recent efforts to increase engagement with students following protests in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination-related concerns.

Focus on youth and education

Modi stressed the need for government officials to establish greater dialogue with universities and young people.

The Prime Minister said such engagement could help policymakers receive fresh perspectives and develop new approaches to existing challenges.

The government has also increased its use of social media to communicate with young audiences. Modi recently interacted with students through Instagram reels and has encouraged ministers to maintain an active presence on social media platforms.

The emphasis on direct engagement reflects an attempt to connect policy discussions more closely with students, researchers and younger citizens.

Data and AI use discussed

Another major focus of the meeting was the use of data and artificial intelligence in governance.

Modi called for better utilisation of data and AI while stressing that human oversight and decision-making must remain an important part of AI-based systems.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to increase research and innovation across sectors, with particular attention to defence-related research.

Officials were asked to focus not only on immediate challenges but also on the country's long-term requirements.

Infrastructure and connectivity

Infrastructure and connectivity were also discussed during the meeting.

Modi called for infrastructure planning to be aligned with future requirements and stressed better coordination between different ministries.

He also discussed the need to improve connectivity for manufacturing and export-oriented industries.

The objective, according to the meeting's agenda, was to ensure that infrastructure development supports broader economic activity rather than being pursued in isolation.

Defence and maritime strategy

The meeting also covered security and foreign policy, with officials discussing future priorities for the ministries handling these areas.

In the defence sector, Modi emphasised research and innovation as important tools for making India more competitive globally.

The maritime sector was another key area of discussion. The Prime Minister called for a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening India's maritime capabilities.

The focus comes as India seeks to expand its role in shipping, shipbuilding, ports and related industries.

Shipbuilding gets attention

Modi also reviewed the government's shipbuilding priorities.

Shipbuilding has recently received infrastructure status, and the Prime Minister asked officials to monitor whether the targets set for the sector are being achieved.

The move is aimed at strengthening domestic shipbuilding capacity and improving India's competitiveness in the global maritime industry.

Officials were also asked to look beyond simply increasing the number of ports and instead focus on broader port-led development.

Manufacturing and exports

Manufacturing and exports formed another important part of the discussions.

Modi stressed the importance of providing better connectivity to manufacturing centres and export units. Improved infrastructure and logistics can help reduce transportation costs and improve the competitiveness of Indian products in international markets.

The discussions therefore linked infrastructure development with wider industrial and export objectives.

Focus on present and future

Sharing details of the meeting on X, Modi said the discussions covered the work of ministries dealing with infrastructure, connectivity, security and foreign affairs.

The Prime Minister asked secretaries to address current problems using available data while simultaneously keeping the country's future requirements in mind.

The meeting brought together several policy priorities — from youth engagement and education to AI, research, defence, maritime development, shipbuilding, ports and exports — with the broader objective of improving coordination and long-term planning across government departments.