Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of a major international summit, strengthening diplomatic ties with key global leaders. During his meeting with UAE leadership, PM Modi hailed India-UAE relations as a "symbol of stability" in a volatile global landscape. He emphasized the growing strategic partnership spanning trade, energy, defense, and technology. Both nations discussed deepening cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Modi also engaged with other world leaders, focusing on counter-terrorism, climate action, and multilateral reforms, reinforcing India's proactive diplomatic outreach.

Authorities in Haryana's Nuh district seized 7,500 kg of adulterated paneer from four illegal dairies during raids conducted by the Food Safety Department. The paneer was found to be manufactured using harmful chemicals and substandard ingredients, posing serious health risks to consumers. Officials reported that the dairies were operating without proper licenses and violating food safety regulations. Samples were collected for laboratory testing, and cases were registered against the dairy owners under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The adulterated products were being supplied to local markets and restaurants. Authorities have intensified crackdowns on such illegal operations to ensure public health safety across the region.

At a recent DISHA (District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee) meeting, Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran raised concerns regarding the attendance system for workers under the VB-GRAM G (Visvesvaraya Bureaucracy Gram Panchayat) scheme. He urged authorities to streamline and simplify the attendance-tracking process to ensure transparency, reduce irregularities, and facilitate timely wage payments. Premachandran emphasized that a more efficient system would benefit rural workers and improve program implementation at the grassroots level.

# Gen Z Dominates EPFO New Enrollments in FY26

EPFO data reveals that 79% of new Universal Account Numbers (UANs) generated in FY2025-26 belong to Gen Z workers aged 18-30 years, highlighting the growing entry of young workforce into the formal economy. Notably, 28% of these new registrations are women, reflecting increasing female participation in organized sector employment. This trend underscores India's demographic dividend and the effectiveness of formalization efforts. The data signals a positive shift toward social security coverage among youth and gender inclusivity in the labor market, aligning with government initiatives to boost formal employment.

The BRICS bloc's latest declaration notably omitted any commitment to "Net Zero" emissions targets, signaling a significant departure from Western-led climate frameworks. Nations like China, India, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa prioritize energy security, economic growth, and sovereignty over binding decarbonization timelines. They argue Western climate models impose unfair burdens on developing economies still reliant on fossil fuels. BRICS advocates for "common but differentiated responsibilities," insisting developed nations bear greater costs given their historical emissions.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Yemen's Houthi rebels have requested the United States not to intervene militarily against them. This comes amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea region, where Houthis have been attacking commercial shipping routes, disrupting global trade. The Iran-backed group launched attacks in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Gaza conflict. The U.S. had previously conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi positions. Trump's statement suggests potential diplomatic engagement, though details remain unclear.

The Congress party took a jab at the Modi government after the 2023 BRICS summit declaration referenced the 1955 Bandung Conference's principles, which were championed by India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. Congress highlighted that the Bandung principles—promoting peaceful coexistence, sovereignty, and non-alignment—reflected Nehru's vision, which the BJP has often criticized. The party argued this proved Nehru's foreign policy legacy remains globally relevant, accusing the Centre of hypocrisy in endorsing ideals it politically opposes domestically.

India has consistently opposed turning BRICS into an anti-Western or anti-American bloc. As BRICS expands with new members, some nations like Russia and China push for countering US dominance. However, India maintains strategic partnerships with both the West and BRICS nations, balancing its interests carefully. New Delhi values BRICS for multilateral cooperation, trade, and reforming global institutions—not as a geopolitical tool against Washington. India fears an adversarial stance could harm its ties with the US, crucial for defense, technology, and economic growth.

# BRICS Summit 2026: शी जिनपिंग का भारत दौरा

BRICS शिखर सम्मेलन 2026 के अवसर पर चीनी राष्ट्रपति शी जिनपिंग भारत पहुंचे। PM मोदी से मुलाकात के दौरान शी ने कहा, "हम साथ मिलकर काम करें।" यह यात्रा भारत-चीन संबंधों में सुधार का संकेत है। LAC पर तनाव कम होने के बाद दोनों देशों के बीच कूटनीतिक संवाद तेज हुआ है। दोनों नेताओं ने व्यापार, सीमा शांति और बहुपक्षीय सहयोग पर चर्चा की। यह शी की कई वर्षों बाद भारत यात्रा है, जिसे वैश्विक स्तर पर अहम माना जा रहा है।

PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, acknowledging "steady progress" in bilateral ties. Both leaders emphasized resolving the ongoing border dispute through mutual dialogue and diplomacy. The meeting marked a significant diplomatic step amid years of strained relations following the 2020 Ladakh standoff. They agreed to maintain peace along the LAC and enhance communication. The talks signal a potential thaw, with both nations seeking stability and cooperation within the BRICS framework.

At the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, PM Modi strategically chose a backdrop featuring Tamil Nadu's iconic Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram while welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin during bilateral meetings. This subtle cultural diplomacy showcased India's rich Tamil heritage on a global stage. The temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, holds immense religious significance. Modi's gesture highlighted India's civilizational pride while engaging in crucial discussions on trade, border issues with China, and geopolitical cooperation.

The Kerala government faces mounting pressure to implement the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative launched in 2022 to upgrade 14,500 schools nationwide into model institutions with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, and NEP 2020-aligned pedagogy. Kerala initially hesitated, citing concerns over NEP implementation conditions tied to the scheme. With growing demand from schools and political opposition criticizing the delay, the state government is expected to announce its decision soon on adopting the scheme, balancing central guidelines with its own education policies.

**RBI ने टाटा संस का NBFC लाइसेंस सरेंडर करने का आवेदन खारिज कर दिया।** टाटा संस, जो टाटा ग्रुप की होल्डिंग कंपनी है, को 2021 में RBI ने 'कोर इन्वेस्टमेंट कंपनी' (CIC) के रूप में NBFC का दर्जा दिया था। टाटा संस इस लाइसेंस को सरेंडर कर अनलिस्टेड रहना चाहती थी, क्योंकि NBFC रहने पर RBI के सख्त नियम और IPO लाने की बाध्यता हो सकती थी। RBI ने आवेदन ठुकराकर स्पष्ट किया कि टाटा संस को नियामकीय ढांचे में बने रहना होगा। इसका मतलब है कि कंपनी पर RBI की निगरानी जारी रहेगी और भविष्य में लिस्टिंग का दबाव बन सकता है।

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The meeting followed the New Delhi declaration by BRICS nations emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the escalating West Asia conflict, particularly the Israel-Hamas war. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional stability, and de-escalation efforts. The BRICS bloc called for a two-state solution and condemned civilian casualties in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire.

The Pentagon is developing AI systems capable of identifying incoming missile threats within just 2 seconds, drastically reducing detection time before the critical response window closes. With hypersonic missiles and advanced threats shrinking reaction times, human decision-making alone is insufficient. The initiative, part of the Department of Defense's Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) strategy, integrates AI into sensor networks for rapid threat classification. While promising faster defense, concerns remain about entrusting life-or-death decisions to autonomous systems without human oversight in the loop.