India reacts --- MEA clear its "determination" to take all necessary steps to protect its trade and Economic interests ::::: US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clears way for tariffs on India, China

 US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clears way for tariffs on India, China

The legislation allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. India and China have been specifically identified in the House debate as major buyers potentially affected by the provision.  

"The Government of India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress. We are monitoring further developments on this matter," the MEA said in a statement.

"As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. 

"It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics. This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors," the statement said. 

MEA further said:

"Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side.

 The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests. 

"The Govt will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments," MEA said. 

The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that gives President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries including India and China over their purchases of Russian oil and gas.

The House approved the bill 262-159, with dozens of Democrats joining most Republicans in supporting sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, with fighting continuing ever since.  

The bill faced last-minute hurdles in Congress as members of the Republican party’s isolationist wing were joined by Democrats who warned that Trump could use the bill’s new tariffs authority against allies instead.

The bill would mandate new sanctions on Russian political and military officials, and foreign networks helping to supply Russia’s war machine and evade existing sanctions. 

It would also target Russia’s so-called fleet of “shadow tankers”, which have allowed the country to continue to ship crude around the world despite sanctions on its energy exports.

It would also allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top purchasers of Russian energy, including China, as well as other countries helping the Kremlin evade sanctions.

Senior Democrats voiced opposition to the bill during a heated floor debate. 

“Why in the world would this Congress give this president additional authority to visit that kind of economic harm on the American people?” said Hakeem Jeffries, the leading Democrat in the House. 

"My daughter ran short of cash. She asked the delivery boy to pass QR code to my number and the payment was made" :::: This is 'new India' --- "Happy Birthday Modi ji"

On Sept 16th, 2026 -- hours before Narendra Modi's 76th birthday - I spent Rs 130 for my daughter's 'samosa treat' for her hostel mates. Within five-seven minutes the payment was done. 

She is out of station and yet I could do it from the comfort zone of our Ghaziabad residence. Thanks to UPI -- the Unified Payments Interface. The process involved in the bargain - was the 'tech' savvy Indians and our Digital India initiatives of the Modi Govt. 

My daughter ran short of cash. She asked the delivery boy to pass the QR code to my number and within no time -- the payment was made. This is Modi's 'New India'.  ---- Happy Birthday Modi ji. 

 

Come to think of it ... most of the schemes and welfare measures under PM Modi have an 'underlying philosophy' --  

Identify problems affecting ordinary citizens and 

Ensure delivery systems capable of reaching the last mile target -a faceless India.  

Take these samples - The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (for the unbanked people) launched in 2014, has grown from 14.72 crore accounts in 2015 to 59.09 crore accounts by August 19, 2026.

Women account for more than 32.9 crore of total accounts and deposits have risen from Rs 15,670 crore in March 2015 to Rs 3.16 lakh crore in August 2026. 

Some more schemes - include - Startup India, PM Awas, Swachh Bharat, Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat, Digital India, Jal Jeevan Mission, Mudra ... and so on.  

The BJP has drawn out a month long programme Seva Sankalp Abhiyan from Sept 17th to October 17th. In between - comes Oct 7th. 

On that day, Modi will complete 25 years as 'chief executive' in governance (as chief minister and as PM together) 'uninterrupted'.

Looking back  .... 

Modi first was sworn in as chief minister on Oct 7, 2021. Gujarat was  reeling under the devastation caused by Bhuj earthquake. Rebuilding of Gujarat was the first defining administrative challenge. From the rubbles of Bhuj came BRICS diplomacy in 2026. 

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan would now see 'mobilisation' around the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. - A dream of a 'developed India' -- for my daughter's generation and their future.  

Basic infrastructure of a common man or woman's household life -- now get priroties.

-  Jal Jeevan Mission seeks to bring piped water to rural homes. 

- Ujjwala targeted clean cooking fuel for poor women.

PM Awas Yojana - permanent housing. 

-- Startup India to create an ecosystem in which young Indians could turn ideas into businesses - money spinner and also job provider. 

** Mudra -- designed to provide credit to small entrepreneurs.

Blogger : Ground Zero - reporting 

"Whether one agrees with every claim is not our issue. Let the media scan it and opposition analyse it. But as I see, the scale and continuity of PM Modi ji's executive journey starting as a chief minister in 2001 and then as Prime Minister since 2014 are difficult to ignore," says a minister in one of the north eastern states. 

Modi has a huge fan following. Some like his developmental journey. The 'Gujarat model' and then the extended version punctuated with right dosage of Hindutva politics has worked well. 

Importantly, there is a much bigger number of people who are convinced that Namo is the most credible alternative to the Opposition alliance and the Congress - that gave a decade of non performance and doomsday between 2004 and May 2014.  

In 2019 after the poll results came in - Modi had tweeted : 

“Together we grow .... Together we prosper. Together we will build a strong and inclusive India. India wins yet again!”  Critics and BJP's political opponents may have their version of the story. But it's a fact that 'the political soul' of India is with Modi.  

Twenty-five years of power makes a political milestone. As suggested by Namo himself on a number of occasions, the political pundits of India will have to 'leave behind' their ideas of the past. 

The Hindu population is not fed up of Modi's development and politics. We are in a 'new era' of Hindu nationalist hegemony as demonstrated in the West Bengal mandate --- rightly and in 'right balance' - fuelled by Narendra Modi’s extraordinary popularity.

 

ends 

 

Versatile Anant Nag conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award

"Congratulations to the legendary Anant Nag Ji on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. For several decades, his effortless performances, remarkable versatility and brilliance have left a very strong mark on Indian cinema, particularly Kannada cinema. In whichever role he has played, he brought rare depth and authenticity. 

This is indeed a richly deserved honour for a truly distinguished artist," Prime Minister Narendra Modi write on X. 

The award will be presented to Anant Nag at the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on Sept 22. 

The Govt announcement said - "On the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, the Government of India is pleased to announce that the Actor will be conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his contribution to Indian cinema and an illustrious cinematic journey that has inspired generations."   

After Dr Rajkumar conferred the award in 1995, Anant Nag becomes the second Kannad star to get the honour.   

Nag made his film debut with the Kannada feature ‘Sankalp’ and entered Hindi cinema with ‘Ankur’. 

Over a career that marked its golden jubilee in 2023, the 78-year-old star has appeared in more than 300 films across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Marathi. 

His television work includes ‘Malgudi Days’, adding another dimension to a career distinguished by its range of characters and languages.  

His cinematic journey has really “inspired generations of artists and enriched the cultural landscape of the nation”. 

Nag became known for his collaboration with Syam Benegal following 'Ankur' in films such as Nishant (1975), award winning 'Manthan' (1976), Kondura (1978) and Kalyug (1981).  

He famously describes acting as "behaving," conveying deep or complex emotions with an air of casualness and realistic elegance.  

He is most loved for his natural, under-playing style of acting. Anant Nag also said once --  “An actor should be like water. Ego-less. Only then can he mould his talent or fit into the skin of different characters and stories.”   

Anant Nag, who was a minister in Karnataka's J. .H Patel government, has spoken about being influenced by the JP movement at its peak.

In 2004, Nag unsuccessfully contested the Chamarajpet constituency, Bangalore assembly election from Janata Dal (Secular).

Nag also introduced his brother Shankar Nag to cinema.

Anant Nag started his career in the 1970s and became popular for his natural acting style and versatile roles in both art films and commercial movies. 

Some of his notable films include Sankarabharanam, Ganeshana Maduve, and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. 

ends

Middle East war spreads ::::: Saudis pound Yemen, Houthis fire at Saudi

In a sign of the worsening conflict in a new theatre, the United States tightened its travel warning for Saudi Arabia, banning government employees from travelling within 20 miles of the Yemen border.

The Houthis, who since last week have swept through Yemeni towns along the Red Sea coast and seized islands in the Bab el-Mandeb strait at its mouth, released battlefield video overnight of fighters seizing armoured vehicles from Saudi-backed forces. Warplanes flew overhead and huge explosions billowed into the sky from desert dunes, the video showed.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had launched fresh drone and missile strikes on the major Saudi Red Sea oil port of Yanbu, and at a southern Saudi airbase at Khamis Mushait.  

He did not say when the strikes had taken place. Both cities were among a wide range of locations where Saudi Arabia announced alerts on Tuesday.  

Saudi warplanes pounded Yemen and Houthi fighters launched drones and missiles at Saudi cities, the Iran-backed movement said on Wednesday, after a lightning advance that has extended Tehran's reach in the Middle East war.   

Saudi officials and oil company Aramco did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Earlier, Saree said the Houthis had also shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet. No immediate evidence was presented of that incident.

Saree said the Saudis had carried out as many as 450 air strikes on Yemen this week. Officials in the Saudi-backed government that controls southern Yemen have acknowledged that their forces and those of Saudi Arabia were conducting air strikes on Houthi positions, though Riyadh itself has not confirmed them.  

In the meanwhile in US,  the ranks of Republicans signaling the conflict is a liability for their party continues to grow.

When the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening considered its sixth war powers resolution intended to force Donald Trump to withdraw troops from the conflict, three Republicans who had not supported the previous efforts broke with their party to vote this one to passage. 

Earlier that day, a Republican who had lost his primary after repeatedly clashing with Trump proposed impeaching the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, alleging a variety of constitutional transgressions including prosecuting the war against Iran without congressional authorization. 

ends

On his birthday ... Narendra Modi should be more aware of challenges than achievements ::: "world has changed since 2014 - when he became PM first and since he took oath for third time in 2024

Can the Winds evade our wings !!

Unpredictability has become a strength of the 'Moditva' phenomenon and also for the BJP as a big political party.

No journalistic genius and political pundit could predict that in Nagaland, the BJP could try a revolution by nominating S Phangnon Konyak - a woman - to the Rajya Sabha. The Christian state has so far had only one female MP in the 1970s and no woman legislator in the state assembly between statehood timeline 1963 and 2023. 

It was only after Phangnon's election in March 2022, the state now has two women legislators - with one being a minister. 

The BJP also experimented a first timer in 2021 Bhupendra Patel as its Chief Minister in of India's 'show-case' state Gujarat. 

In 2014 if one was asked 

- Why did India succumb to Modi mania?

The response would have been : "It’s the hunger for change. Modi and BJP played

‘dream merchants’ at a time when people’s mood was down-slide and everyone, even in villages,

was feeling demoralized. ....Modi represented different aspirations to different sets of people and

perhaps that’s the yardstick of a mass appeal of a leader".

With an artisian 

This has remained a constant factor in Indian polity during the last eight years. While Moditva as a phenomenon is still being associated with generation next and aspirational Indians (if not the youths per se since 2026), ....

the opposition Congress party has turned to be an image of old - something stale and outdated. 

Enthusiastic Modi admirers - Sept 13, 2013 rejoice as he becomes PM-candidate  

This is why the 'July protest' of 2026 is vital to analyse. Have the youngsters in India actually 'protested' against the Education Model and the Economic Model ?  

PM Modi and Italian counterpart Miloni 

Here lies a catch. Firstly, India is no China. Secondly, PM Modi was attacked (and is still being attacked) for allegedly running a authoritarian regime. But the 'July protest' showed that the Indian democracy has enough space to 'raise issues and question accountability' of those in power.  

Maybe July 2026 has laid a foundation for a change in economic and even political policies. Should 'young India' get into the focus of everything ?

Should India 'not' bother much about jobless growth and instead try out a new experiment for growthless jobs ?

 But 'job' also ought to be defined and redefined ?

Every individual must get opportunities to develop and grow according to his or her potentials and aspirations. The 'neo-middle class' is only one part of the story.  That was 2014. 

In 2026 .. its more than aspirational India. Sociologists say - not it is 'neo aspirational class'.

Those in their teens and early twenties (like my daughter) do not know how trains ran late ? They do not know what was loadshedding or power cuts. They know Whatsapp, they have luxury train coaches. 

And they have parents with more money and 'less and lesser time'.  

Modi in Mumbai Metro with youngsters 'who may know old local trains' 

 

The BRICS 2026 hosted by India has been an evidence by itself that the largest democracy is now walking a tightrope.  This table strengthens India's case for 'strategic autonomy'. Keep friendship with Iran, Russia and China and yet maintain healthy ties with Americans.

But BRICS does not have solution of every Indian or all of New Delhi's problems. It cannot ensure a new era of 'Indi-Chini bhai bhai'. The trade deficit with China too cannot be resolved. 

The BRICS has its own sets of problems. Most - if not all countries - has different political problems.

Russia has leadership. China has Xi and India's Modi or without Modi we have a vibrant democracy.  All members have different economic models, social set ups and varying strategic interests. 

On his birthday we may again ask -- Why Moditva thrives ?  

Expectations are high. They are - nevertheless - built around the man called Narendra Modi himself. 

The word 'gatekeeper' or Chowkidar has stuck to Modi vis-a-vis his delivery on issues of national security and projecting India's image abroad.

Security at Ayodhya - Ram temple inauguration on Jan 22, 2024 

Modi remains a leader of the people, importantly also the defender of 'Hindu values'. Even other BJP and NDA chief ministers emulate him and have remained firm about their commitment to both Hindutva and nationalism. 

A large number of people in states like Assam and Gujarat say the Congress and especially the leadership provided by Nehru and his successors represented a different notion of patriotism.

The fact of the matter is people believe a section of the Congress even during pre-Independence days was too close to the British colonizers.

People in Nagaland in 2022 also clamour with their version of 'hunger for change'; they want Solution to the 29-year-old Naga peace talks.

If one believes Naga veteran politician S C Jamir, the Prime Minister has "guts" and it is essential to deal with the Naga peace talks.  

But Solution has not come. Manipur is still burning.  

West Bengal has written a new chapter this year. 

Jhalmuri session - West Bengal campaign  

But for him challenges remain. Narendra Modi allegedly suffers from overconfidence in his own instincts and - critics and admirers say - he pooh-poohs 'advice' more often.  Time has not yet come to suggest, we do not know - how 'future historians' will judge Namo.

It's good, he is decisive. He has determination and displays guts. It is also good that more often the buck stops with him. 

But he has to 'acknowledge' a few lapses. He needs to make amends for mistakes.

Engaging with experts has perhaps not happened as sincerely as it should be. Modi has delivered many promises but he needs ensure better delivery mechanisms to match expectations and promises.

India cities are unlivable due to multiple urban problems - pollution to sanitation. 

The Hindutva politics is his strength but there are others - who feel the 'sectarian ideology' has polarised India. 

ends 

Modi hosted Delhi Summit of BRICS with 'DDC' formula ... Over to Xi Jinping for 2027, he has to sustain the power of Consensus ::: The next test will be whether China can sustain the consensus India built, as Beijing takes over the presidency for 2027

Ideally it is a festive season for Indian diplomacy. 

The New Delhi Declaration not only recorded consensus on geopolitical questions but it also contained a wide range of institutional and economic commitments.

This has been a year of war and economic fragmentation. The tariffs from the US made it more complex, in such a situation "nationalism" can tempt one to be more radical. 

The perceived 'great-power' rivalry could have threatened to pull BRICS apart. None can be sure that the US did not try any trick.

But New Delhi - in the ultimate - managed to help reach consensus and secure outcomes important to the Global South. 

The BRICS has remained functional despite profound differences.

Now comes the next stage. There is a 'test' ahead - on whether China can sustain the consensus India as the chair built.  

Addressing on the concluding day of the BRICS Summit (Sept 13th), PM Modi said the world was now looking to the grouping for outcomes rather than just commitments. 

“BRICS is poised to enter its third decade. The world now expects concrete results from us, not just ideas and commitments,” he said.

Modi also congratulated China, which will host the next BRICS summit in 2027.

The next test will be whether China can sustain the consensus India built, as Beijing takes over the presidency for 2027. Even for Beijing, these are easier said than done. 

Their boundary dispute remains, but India and China are working hard to stabilise ties. The fact of the matter either in the context of India and China and other countries amongs BRICS family; none of the tensions we knew before Delhi Summit has vanished.

But as diplomats tried to tell - 'images' of leaedrs smiling and repeatedly holding one another's hands showed -- the challenging time has arrived and there is now a neo- willingness to engage constructively.  

Modi and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian at Bharat Mandapam, Sept 12 

China has its own challenges.  On the domestic front, internal consumer is not much even as it is a trade surplus country. In the recent past, China has been compelled to release a staggeringly high 54,000 $ bailout package for its eight banks and financial institutions. 

One survey in 2023 found that in China between the age of 16 and 24 -- at least 20 percent people are jobless. 

China is also smart about thing -- on how to keep its growth graph growing. Despite Galwan clash, the trade between China and India has gone up gradually from 2020, 2021 and 2022. Most tier-2 and tier-2 business operatives in China depend a lot on India market. Post-Galwa even as India slapped restrictions; China did not.   

Hence Xi Jinping is expected to keep BRICS follow all norms of consensus building even in 2027 and beyond. 

The Delhi Declaration was important. That matters because a summit declaration is more than a ceremonial document for a grouping.

The consensus adoption demonstrates that disagreements can be contained without making the institution itself irrelevant.  

Beijing will have to work for greater Global South Empowerment.

It has to put up an agenda that would be "amplifying" the voices of developing nations and prevent them from falling behind in emerging technologies.   

Beijing Action Plan for 2027 would revolve around:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) --  Building shared AI models and governance frameworks for the Global South.

Upgrading traditional sectors and expanding digital cooperation.

Creating innovation incubators and advancing the new industrial revolution.

Trade and Investment --- Facilitate hassle-free smoother commerce and better market connectivity.

And Fostering joint talent cultivation and knowledge sharing.  

All these make one thing clearer - Several countries within BRICS and outside will be looking at it with a high degree of optimism.

New Delhi Summit showed an increasingly fractious grouping could also produce a common document. In 2027, stakes will be high for China to ensure that it also ensures a good Statement.  

The New Delhi Declaration says Brics members "condemn in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed and many more injured. 

This will mean - Pakistan is already irked. 

Islamabad is awaiting BRICS green flag to enter the forum. 

Technically, Pakistan is not alone. It is only one among 29 countries that have applied to join BRICS. Pakistan is facing economic crisis and is looking towards BRICS also for funds.  For obvious reasons, New Delhi's strong opposition has kept Islamabad outside the bloc. 

India favours expansion but wants to follow some policies for that.  This debating issue will remain a special attraction for BRICS 2027 and that too to be hosted by China. 

Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, became part of BRICS-plus in 2024. Saudi Arabia and Argentina were also invited; but Argentina later declined to join. 

Of course, the Delhi declaration does not name Pakistan. 

But it does specifically identify the Pahalgam attack and collectively condemn it as a terrorist attack. It says - "all those involved in terrorist activities and their supporters must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with relevant national and international law". 

Islamabad got its message, we suppose. 

The declaration was to the satisfaction of Team Modi and that allowed New Delhi to isolate the issue of terrorism from the wider geopolitical disagreements within the grouping. Because China is a key mover and shaker in the BRICS, the joint statement was particularly significant.

PM Narendra Modi hosted Delhi Summit of BRICS with 'DDC' - Dialogue, Diplomacy and Consensus formula.

Now, over to Xi Jinping for 2027, he has to sustain the power of this Consensus.

New Delhi meanwhile is keen to make broader attempts to make counter-terrorism a central part of its diplomatic agenda. 

New Delhi also did not make Pahalgam India-Pakistan issue at the BRICS table. It placed the Pahalgam attack within Brics' existing language on terrorism, financing, safe havens and international accountability.

In 2027, China will also have to appreciate how India navigated things as the chair of BRICS.

New Delhi used its Brics presidency to amplify the concerns of developing countries, but did not turn the grouping into an anti-US or anti-Western alliance.

ends 

'It was certain that Trump had gone into a serious mental decline in the aftermath of the election of 2020" -- says a book 'Peril'

"Peril" is a book based on more than 200 interviews with firsthand participants and witnesses, and it paints a chilling picture of Trump's final days in office. 

The book, Woodward's third on the Trump presidency, recounts behind-the-scenes moments of a commander in chief unhinged and explosive, yelling at senior advisers and aides as he desperately sought to cling to power," the CNN report says. 

Predictably, the information about the 'book' and its contents - days before its scheduled release on September 21 has generated enough comments and angry outbursts in the social media.

One tweet ran - "You know, you really shouldn't have to protect your country from your own President.  I've slept better these past 9 months than I did the previous 4 years."

"Absolutely horrifying that the Joints Chief are allowed to more power over the Military than the President. This act of leaking information makes the country more vulnerable than the patriotic Gen and Trump haters will ever realise," wrote another netizen.

Some however raised basic technical questions and wondered how a serving General had exercised more powers than the President in office.

"It’s not about whether Trump was right or wrong. How is it acceptable that Government and Military Classified information like this be allowed to be published for financial gain," wrote one Johan.

Penned by noted journalist Bob Woodward and veteran 'Washington Post' reporter Robert Costa. the book says 'it was certain that Trump had gone into a serious mental decline in the aftermath of the election, with Trump now all but manic, screaming at officials and constructing his own alternate reality about endless election conspiracies." 

It was around that time Trump's top military adviser, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, single-handedly took secret action to limit Trump from potentially ordering a dangerous military strike, according to CNN. 

Milley was worried that Trump could 'go rogue,' the authors claim. 

"You never know what a president's trigger point is," Milley told his senior staff, according to the book.

"In response, Milley took extraordinary action, and called a secret meeting in his Pentagon office on January 8 to review the process for military action, including launching nuclear weapons. 

Speaking to senior military officials in charge of the National Military Command Center, the Pentagon's war room, Milley instructed them not to take orders from anyone unless he was involved," says CNN report quoting the book.

"No matter what you are told, you do the procedure. You do the process. And I'm part of that procedure," Milley told the officers, according to the book.