Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The Modi Pezeshkian meeting would be their first face-to-face interaction since the latest West Asia conflict erupted, putting India-Iran ties, energy security and regional stability firmly in focus. India Iran Ties Modi and Pezeshkian last met in person in October 2024 during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. At that meeting, the leaders reviewed bilateral relations and highlighted the importance of the Chabahar Port project for trade links with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Their relationship has remained active despite the deterioration in regional security. The two leaders have spoken by phone several times during 2026, discussing developments in Iran and the wider region. India has consistently positioned itself as a partner of Iran while maintaining relationships with other major powers in West Asia. Hormuz Talks The Strait of Hormuz is expected to be one of the most important strategic issues surrounding the discussions. India depends heavily on secure maritime routes for energy imports, making any disruption in the Gulf a direct economic concern. During a March conversation with Pezeshkian, Modi stressed the importance of protecting Indian nationals and maintaining unhindered movement of energy and goods. He also reiterated India’s position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. In another conversation in June, Modi again called for lasting regional stability and freedom of navigation and commerce. SCO Bishkek Summit The bilateral engagement comes as Bishkek hosts the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1. India’s government has confirmed that Modi will hold meetings with several SCO leaders on the sidelines while highlighting India’s priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity. The 2026 gathering also marks the SCO’s 25th anniversary. Iran, India, Russia, China and Pakistan are among the organisation’s 10 full members, giving the summit added geopolitical weight as several regional conflicts remain unresolved. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also attending the Bishkek gathering, while Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the other major leaders expected to participate. Energy Security Energy cooperation remains central to India-Iran relations. New Delhi has repeatedly stressed that instability in West Asia can affect fuel supplies, shipping costs and the broader Indian economy. Connectivity is another major issue. Chabahar Port gives India a strategic route toward Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan, making the project important for both commerce and regional connectivity. The two sides are therefore expected to review trade, transport links and wider economic cooperation alongside the security situation. Dialogue and Diplomacy India is likely to continue urging de-escalation rather than taking sides in the conflict. Modi has repeatedly told Pezeshkian that New Delhi supports dialogue and diplomacy while calling for the protection of civilians, infrastructure and international shipping routes. The Bishkek interaction would also carry significance ahead of further BRICS engagement. Pezeshkian has previously supported a larger role for organisations such as BRICS and the SCO in addressing regional challenges. For India, the meeting provides an opportunity to protect practical interests—energy supplies, maritime security, connectivity and the safety of Indian nationals—while maintaining a diplomatic channel with Tehran during one of the most unstable periods in recent West Asian politics.

Actor Ram Kapoor has addressed the controversy surrounding his interaction with Shreya Kalra during Lock Upp 2, weeks after the incident became a talking point among viewers and on social media. The discussion began after Shreya spoke about Ram kissing her on the cheek following a task she won that helped protect him from elimination for the week. She later discussed the incident with fellow contestant Shilpa Shinde and spoke about the importance of respecting personal boundaries.

Meta has agreed to a landmark settlement with a bipartisan coalition of US attorneys general over allegations involving Facebook and Instagram's impact on children and teenagers. The Meta teen settlement could reach $17.1 billion, but the source material states that at least $12.1 billion is currently committed, with part of the larger amount dependent on future settlements involving other social media companies. Meta $12.1B Deal

The SCO Bishkek 2026 summit will bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders to Kyrgyzstan as the organisation marks its 25th anniversary. Modi-Putin talks and wider regional security issues are expected to draw particular attention. Bishkek Summit The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will hold its Council of Heads of Sta

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is beginning a significant diplomatic stretch with visits to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan ahead of India's BRICS Summit in September. The Modi SCO BRICS diplomacy agenda places security, connectivity, bilateral relations and wider Global South cooperation at the centre of India's engagement. Modi Tashkent Visit Prime Minister Modi will visit Tashkent on August 29 and 3

Meta teen safety trial testimony put Instagram’s Take a Break and Quiet Mode tools under scrutiny after internal data showed low early adoption. Adam Mosseri defended Meta’s safety record as 29 states pursue claims over youth engagement, privacy and public disclosures. Take a Break adoption draws courtroom scrutiny Instagram head Adam M

The Meta bellwether trial in Oakland is much bigger than one lawsuit. It sits inside MDL 3047, a federal social media addiction proceeding that had 3,137 pending actions by early August. The result could influence school claims, family lawsuits and settlement values across the wider litigation. Meta bellwether trial tests the wider MDL The

The Meta youth addiction trial now underway in Oakland could reshape Instagram and Facebook far beyond financial penalties. Twenty-nine states allege Meta harmed young users and violated child privacy laws, while four states are leading consumer-protection claims seeking major platform changes. Meta youth trial targets platform design Openi

China’s commercial space sector has reached a major milestone with the Zhuque-3 landing. LandSpace successfully recovered the reusable rocket’s first stage, strengthening China’s rocket ambitions and its challenge to SpaceX as booster reuse becomes central to cheaper satellite launches. Zhuque-3 landing Chinese startup LandSpace successfully recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocke

The Kharge Vande Mataram row intensified on Tuesday, August 18, as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the version of the national song followed by his party and rejected BJP allegations of disrespect. The dispute has also fuelled a wider Congress-BJP clash as Kharge focuses on strengthening the party in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Vande Mataram Row Intensifies Kharge t

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra have received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to an official statement cited on August 18, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report and forwarded it to the temple trust for further consideration.

Former West Bengal Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office near his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday. Police have begun an investigation, while a purported note recovered from the scene is also being examined. Asish Banerjee Found Dead at TMC Office Senior Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found h

India will celebrate India Independence Day 2026 on Saturday, August 15, marking the country's 80th Independence Day and 79 completed years of freedom. The national ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi will highlight Vande Mataram, Viksit Bharat and India's freedom history while looking toward the country's future. 80th Independence Day: Why India Completes 79 Y

India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, with the national ceremony centred on Delhi’s Red Fort. The Prime Minister leads the Independence Day flag ceremony, while the President plays a different constitutional role. The reason comes from the events of 1947 and the traditions that developed after India became independent. Red Fort tradition The Red Fort has become th

The Rekha Gupta Tiranga Yatra brought young participants to Kartavya Path in New Delhi ahead of Independence Day. The event highlighted Har Ghar Tiranga, patriotic Delhi events, youth participation and the national flag as a symbol of unity and sacrifice. Kartavya Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta joined a Tiranga Yatra at Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 12, as the capital steppe

As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, India freedom struggle sites offer a powerful journey through the nation’s past. From the Red Fort and 1857 revolt landmarks to Gandhi sites, Jallianwala and Kala Pani, these places preserve stories of courage, resistance and sacrifice. India officially celebrates Independence Day every August 15 to mark freedom from British colonial rule. Red Fort: From Rebellion to I

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has again put US-India trade tensions in the spotlight after saying he was “firebombed” online by Indians over his criticism of New Delhi's tariff policies and purchases of Russian oil. His latest comments revive a controversy that began last year but come as Washington and New Delhi continue trying to manage their broader strategic and economic relationship. India backlash follows Navarro's trade criticism

Peter Navarro says Donald Trump and Narendra Modi can manage the Russian oil tariff dispute as Congress advances a sanctions package targeting major Russian energy buyers. The Senate passed the bill 86-11, while an identical House companion was introduced on August 11, 2026. A bipartisan U.S. sanctions push targeting major buyers of Russian energy is putting renewed pressure on India-U.S. trade ties, but White House Senior

The Jharkhand exam stir intensified in Ranchi after JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto was admitted to hospital following a major student march toward the state Assembly. Aspirants protesting alleged JPSC and JSSC recruitment irregularities are seeking greater transparency and a CBI investigation. Mahto ill after nine-day hunger strike Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Ma

Hyderabad Police Warn of ‘Rent a Boyfriend’ Online Scam Hyderabad, August 11, 2026: Hyderabad Police have warned women and young girls about a “rent a boyfriend” online scam spreading through social media. Fraudsters are allegedly using attractive advertisements, fabricated companion packages and fake discounts to collect advance payments and personal information. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajja