Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to the United States, attending the Quad Leaders’ Summit, addressing the UN ‘Summit of the Future,’ and engaging in bilateral meetings with US President Biden and other key figures. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora and American business leaders, highlighting the strong India-US partnership.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a three-day visit to the United States from September 21 to 23, packed with high-level engagements and meetings. From the annual Quad Summit to bilateral discussions with President Biden and UN engagements, PM Modi’s agenda is diverse and impactful.
Russia has confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not meet with his US counterpart Antony Blinken at the UN General Assembly in New York. Tensions between the two countries have escalated since Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, and the US is considering whether to allow Ukraine to strike targets in Russia. Despite facing widespread sanctions and travel bans, Russia insists it is not isolated and has a busy agenda at the UNGA.
Russia has voiced its support for China’s actions to defend its sovereignty over Taiwan, criticizing the West’s pressure on Beijing and US arms sales to the island. Moscow accuses the US of undermining regional stability and international security with its actions.
Russia has warned the United States about the risks of escalating the conflict in Ukraine, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stating that there is no need for a meeting between Russian and US officials as there is nothing to discuss. Moscow expressed concern about the potential for long-range strikes deep into Russia, warning that this could dramatically change the nature of the conflict and have dangerous consequences for the world.
Amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the US has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. Recent attacks attributed to Israel, including explosions triggered by pagers belonging to Hezbollah militants, have raised concerns about a potential regional conflict. While the US has emphasized its unwavering support for Israel, it has also cautioned against a full-blown war and urged a diplomatic solution.
This week’s data-driven insights delve into the impact of abundant rainfall on Indian kharif crops, the US Federal Reserve’s rate cut, the bankruptcy of Tupperware, plummeting crude oil prices, rising retail investor interest in IPOs, the Chandrayaan-4 mission, the expansion of Ayushman Bharat, and India Inc’s dividend payouts.
The Indian government has been summoned in a US court over a civil lawsuit filed by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, alleging a conspiracy to assassinate him. The lawsuit names several Indian officials and individuals, including the National Security Advisor, former R&AW chief, and an Indian businessman. The US had previously thwarted a similar plot against Pannun, and India has launched a high-level probe into the allegations.
The Quad Leaders’ Summit, hosted by US President Biden in Delaware, will showcase the growing strategic alignment of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia against Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific. The summit signifies the Quad’s evolving role as a key player in promoting a rules-based order and countering China’s influence in the region.
The House of Representatives has passed 25 bills targeting Chinese economic and technological intrusions into the US, aiming to counter the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This ‘China Week’ effort, likened to battling a Hydra, seeks to address vulnerabilities in drones, network routers, seaport cranes, batteries, and biotech contracts with Chinese firms, aiming to protect US national security and economic independence.
