New Delhi | 09 Sep 2026

Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel on Wednesday as escalating US-Iran attacks threatened shipping and energy supplies near the Strait of Hormuz, increasing pressure on India’s oil-import bill and raising the risk of higher petrol, diesel and LPG costs.

US-Iran conflict drives Brent crude above $100

Brent crude rose about 3% to trade above $100 a barrel for the first time in nearly six weeks, while US West Texas Intermediate crude advanced beyond $95. Prices increased after attacks involving tankers and other vessels intensified concerns about further disruption to Gulf energy shipments.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the market’s concerns. The International Energy Agency estimates that about 25% of global seaborne oil trade passed through the waterway in 2025, while alternative export routes have limited capacity.

Indian crude basket rises above $106

India’s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell placed the Indian crude basket at $106.26 a barrel on 7 September. Its September average up to that date was $100.75, compared with $90.19 in August and $82.04 in July.

The increase raises costs for Indian refiners and places additional pressure on the country’s import bill. A weaker rupee compounds that burden because crude purchases are largely settled in US dollars. The rupee closed at 95.1050 against the dollar on Wednesday amid rising oil prices and wider market uncertainty.

Will petrol and diesel prices rise in India?

The crude oil surge does not automatically result in an immediate or proportionate increase in retail petrol and diesel prices. Pump prices also depend on international refined-product rates, the rupee-dollar exchange rate, freight, dealer margins, central excise duty and state taxes.

Oil marketing companies and the government may absorb part of a temporary increase through marketing margins or tax adjustments. However, if crude prices remain elevated for an extended period, pressure could build either for higher pump prices, lower taxes or financial support for fuel retailers.

No nationwide increase in Indian petrol or diesel prices had been officially announced in response to Wednesday’s market movement at the time of reporting.

LPG and inflation risks for India

India depends substantially on imported LPG, making domestic cooking-gas costs vulnerable to sustained increases in international prices and disruptions to Gulf shipping. The final retail effect would depend on import costs, government subsidy decisions and the pricing policies of oil companies.

Prolonged high crude prices could also increase transport, aviation, manufacturing and logistics costs, feeding into broader inflation. The scale of the impact will depend on how long the conflict continues, whether tanker traffic faces further restrictions and whether additional global supplies can offset losses from the region.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | 31 Aug 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an end to prolonged conflicts during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek on Monday, reaffirming India’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war and inviting Putin to the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Modi-Putin meeting focuses on ending Russia-Ukraine war

Modi and Putin held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit after exchanging a warm greeting. During their publicly televised remarks, Modi said every day of war pushed humanity backwards and that the international community must move from managing prolonged wars towards ending them.

The prime minister reiterated that India supported efforts to resolve disputes through peaceful means. The remarks were consistent with New Delhi’s stated position that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to secure a lasting settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Putin said India-Russia relations continued to strengthen under their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. No new bilateral agreement was immediately announced following the meeting.

The talks followed the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held during Putin’s state visit to New Delhi in December 2025. India and Russia maintain extensive cooperation in energy, defence, trade, fertilisers, education and multilateral forums, including the SCO, BRICS and the G20.

Putin invited to September BRICS Summit in New Delhi

Modi invited Putin and the Russian delegation to attend the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026. The two leaders are expected to continue discussions on bilateral and international issues during the gathering.

The Kremlin had confirmed before the Bishkek meeting that the leaders would review the broader India-Russia relationship. Modi’s invitation came as India holds the BRICS presidency for 2026.

Modi holds talks with leaders of Iran, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia

Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. According to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, they reviewed bilateral ties and discussed the conflict in West Asia.

Modi expressed concern over regional tensions and reiterated India’s position that disputes should be settled through dialogue and diplomacy. He also called for protecting freedom of navigation and commerce and said civilians, commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must not be harmed.

During separate talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, the two leaders reviewed their countries’ strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen economic, commercial and people-to-people cooperation, including student exchanges and cultural collaboration.

Modi also met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Their discussions covered defence, pharmaceuticals, mining, education, culture and economic cooperation. Pashinyan briefed Modi on the implementation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, according to the PMO.

Modi pays tribute at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Bishkek

Before his diplomatic meetings, Modi laid a floral tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Bishkek and interacted with members of the Indian community. The ANI video of the visit can be viewed below.

<a href="https://

“>View ANI’s video from the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Bishkek

SCO Summit brings leaders of 10 member countries together

The Bishkek summit marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The group comprises India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Founded in 2001 as a regional security forum, the SCO has expanded its agenda to include counterterrorism, economic cooperation, connectivity, energy and cultural engagement. India became a full member in 2017.

Modi is expected to present India’s priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity during the summit. He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan.

Chitwan | 30 Aug 2026

The Nepal flood disaster has killed more than 800 people across Nepal and Tibet, while more than 3,000 remain missing as authorities begin temporary mass burials of unidentified victims. The catastrophe has also renewed scrutiny of cross-border early-warning systems after Nepali officials said they had sought broader glacier and river data from China months before the August 26 disaster, while Beijing maintains that it shared available warnings in a timely manner.

Nepal Flood Mass Burials Begin After Morgues Are Overwhelmed

Authorities have dug hundreds of graves in the Devghat forest in Chitwan district, nearly 200 kilometres downstream from the worst-hit valleys of Rasuwa, after floodwaters carried bodies far from the original disaster zone.

Officials began temporarily burying unidentified victims after taking DNA samples, photographs and other forensic records that could allow bodies to be identified and exhumed later if relatives establish a match.

Ninety-six unidentified bodies were buried on Saturday, with authorities preparing to bury more than 100 additional victims as recovery teams continued finding bodies in rivers and debris.

Many remains are severely decomposed after spending several days in floodwaters. Bharatpur Hospital and temporary facilities in Chitwan have struggled with numbers far beyond their normal mortuary capacity.

Nepal Police records also show numerous unidentified bodies recovered in connection with the Rasuwa disaster being held in facilities around Bharatpur for identification.

More Than 800 Dead Across Nepal and Tibet

The disaster struck on August 26 after a massive collapse of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border sent a torrent of water, mud, boulders and debris through Himalayan valleys and downstream river systems.

By late Sunday, Nepal Police had reported close to 800 bodies recovered on the Nepalese side alone, while Chinese authorities reported 16 deaths in Tibet. Taken together, the confirmed toll had risen above 800 and remained subject to further revision as recovery operations continued.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said about 2,500 people remained missing in Nepal. Chinese authorities separately reported more than 500 people missing in Tibet, taking the number unaccounted for across the affected border region above 3,000.

Hundreds of foreign nationals are among those still missing. Rescue teams from Nepal have been joined by specialists from India, China and other countries as authorities search devastated settlements and hydropower facilities.

Hundreds of Hydropower Workers Still Unaccounted For

Hydropower projects along the flood corridor remain a major focus of rescue operations. Nepalese authorities have reported hundreds of project workers missing, with rescuers attempting to reach people feared trapped inside tunnels blocked by mud and debris.

Heavy equipment, cameras, oxygen supplies and specialist tunnel-rescue personnel have been deployed. Poor weather, unstable slopes, debris and renewed flood risks have repeatedly complicated operations.

Nepal Had Sought More Glacier and River Data From China

The disaster has brought new attention to an earlier Nepal-China meeting on disaster monitoring. Officials and experts from both countries met in Kathmandu on May 27, about three months before the catastrophe, to discuss floods, weather hazards, glaciers and cross-border disaster preparedness.

According to Nepali officials involved in the discussions, Nepal sought more detailed and frequent information about glacier movements, river levels, avalanches and other hazards originating in Tibet. They said the information-sharing arrangements that followed did not provide all the data Nepal wanted.

Chinese representatives at the May meeting did not have authority to sign the proposed formal arrangement and indicated that further discussions would be required.

However, there is no verified evidence that inadequate Chinese data-sharing caused the August 26 disaster, and experts have cautioned against drawing that conclusion. Preliminary assessments indicate that the catastrophe was triggered by a large ice-and-rock collapse in an extremely difficult-to-monitor Himalayan area.

China Says Warnings and Information Were Shared

China has rejected suggestions that it failed to provide warnings. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal said the two countries had remained in close contact and made substantial progress on cross-border disaster information sharing.

Chinese authorities had also warned Nepal about a period of enhanced rainfall before the catastrophe. An email sent to Nepali officials about 12 days before the disaster warned that heavy rainfall could produce secondary hazards including landslides and flash floods.

Nepali hydrologists have said China was already sharing heavy-rain forecasts, but Nepal wanted more detailed information on water levels, avalanches, landslides and glacier movement.

Nepal Seeks Faster Cross-Border Early-Warning System

Nepal now plans to pursue a more formal data-sharing arrangement with China that could provide much more frequent information on precipitation and river conditions.

Officials have indicated that Nepal wants data at intervals as short as 10 minutes, similar to mechanisms used in other cross-border river-monitoring arrangements, to increase the time available to warn downstream communities.

The need for faster alerts was underlined by the speed of the August 26 disaster. Nepalese officials said monitoring stations were damaged or stopped transmitting as the flood moved downstream, limiting the flow of real-time information during the emergency.

The torrent destroyed bridges, roads, homes and hydropower infrastructure, while fresh rainfall and newly formed lakes and landslide dams have continued to pose additional risks.

Fresh Flood Threat Keeps Rescue Teams on Alert

Nepal’s disaster authorities warned again on Sunday after water levels rose in the Bhotekoshi River. Residents and rescue personnel in vulnerable areas were advised to remain cautious.

China has also provided Nepal with hydrological and meteorological information following the disaster, including information about newly formed water bodies and conditions upstream. Beijing has supplied emergency financial assistance and deployed specialist rescue support.

Nepal’s government says locating missing people and rescuing those who may still be trapped remain its immediate priorities. Casualty and missing-person figures are expected to continue changing as teams reach previously inaccessible locations and forensic identification progresses.

New York | 29 Aug 2026

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat said in New York on Saturday that Hindu identity cannot be based on excluding Muslims and argued that India’s defining civilisational principle is “unity in diversity”. His remarks came during engagements with faith leaders and later at the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden, against the backdrop of protests and debate over the RSS and its ideology.

Mohan Bhagwat New York Speech Stresses Unity in Diversity

Addressing the Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden, Bhagwat contrasted the American idea of pluralism with what he described as Bharat’s tradition of unity in diversity. He said diversity did not weaken an underlying sense of oneness and should instead be celebrated and respected.

“Diversity has to be celebrated, has to be respected, has to be accepted.”— Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief

Bhagwat said every nation had a purpose and argued that Bharat’s role was to understand this underlying unity and periodically remind the world that differences could coexist with a shared human bond. He also urged members of the Indian diaspora to remain loyal and responsible citizens of the United States, which he described as their “karma bhumi”, while retaining a connection with their “janmabhumi”.

The gathering was organised by the American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, or AHEAD Forum. The organiser said more than 5,000 people were expected and that over 250 partner organisations were supporting the event, which was held around the theme of universal oneness and the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family.

Bhagwat Says Hindu Identity Cannot Be Based on Excluding Muslims

In a separate faith leaders’ conference in New York ahead of the Madison Square Garden programme, Bhagwat addressed questions surrounding Hindu Rashtra and the place of Muslims in India. Recalling a discussion from his 2018 lecture series, he said removing Muslims from the country was not consistent with his understanding of Hindutva.

“If any Hindu thinks there should be no Muslims in India, he will not remain Hindu.”— Mohan Bhagwat, RSS chief

He said a person calling themselves Hindu must recognise the dignity of every human being and accept that different spiritual paths can lead towards the same ultimate goal. Bhagwat also said diversity must be protected alongside one’s own identity, describing diversity as a feature of nature and unity as the underlying truth.

Bhagwat Calls for Dialogue and Society-Led Change

Bhagwat argued that lasting social change should begin within society rather than through political institutions. He said politics had become a “game of self-interest” and maintained that dialogue and service were necessary to build trust between communities.

He referred to discussions initiated with Muslim and Christian representatives after his earlier public lectures and said such engagement needed to continue even when immediate results were not visible. Bhagwat argued that public opinion ultimately influences politics in a democracy and that stronger social understanding could therefore shape policy over time.

New York Event Proceeds Despite Protests and Criticism

Bhagwat’s visit drew opposition from a coalition of interfaith, civil-rights and secular organisations in the United States. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also criticised the RSS, describing its ideology as exclusionary, while saying he was unsure whether the city had authority to cancel a privately organised event.

The RSS rejected that characterisation of the gathering. Senior RSS functionary Sunil Ambekar described the Universal Oneness Celebration as an interfaith event intended for dialogue with a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith audience. AHEAD Forum similarly presented the programme as an initiative centred on unity, mutual respect and civic responsibility.

The Madison Square Garden programme went ahead as scheduled on August 29. Bhagwat’s United States visit forms part of a wider overseas outreach during the RSS centenary period, with engagements also planned in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Washington | 28 Aug 2026

US President Donald Trump announced a US-Venezuela oil deal on Friday that he said would give the United States majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven reserves. However, the agreement’s legal structure, participating companies and implementation timetable have not been publicly disclosed.

US-Venezuela oil deal covers 17 fields

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth negotiated the agreement with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez and private businesses. He claimed the arrangement would impose no cost on American taxpayers.

“The United States of America has just entered into an Agreement with the Country of Venezuela on, THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY!”— Donald Trump, US President

Rodríguez’s government said the agreement covered the development of 17 strategic oilfields with proven potential of 65 billion barrels. An unnamed US official told the Associated Press that the plan envisaged a new company involving the United States and a private operator, with the US receiving 55 per cent of its effective output through ownership and rights to purchase crude at cost.

The official said the company would receive 100-year development rights. Neither government had published the full agreement or identified the private operator by Saturday.

Venezuela projects $100 billion in private investment

The Venezuelan government said the agreement could attract nearly $100 billion in private investment and generate more than $209 billion in tax revenue. Rodríguez said it would help modernise the country’s oil industry, increase production and support economic growth.

Rubio said the arrangement would provide the United States with stable, lower-cost oil while creating jobs and investment in Venezuela. Oil purchased through the proposed company could also be used for the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve and military requirements, according to the US official cited by the Associated Press.

Legal and infrastructure questions remain unresolved

Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of crude reserves, among the largest proven holdings globally, but produces about 1.25 million barrels per day after years of underinvestment, sanctions and deteriorating infrastructure.

Energy analysts cautioned that Venezuela’s constitutional and petroleum laws could complicate any arrangement giving a foreign government operational control over oilfields. Trump did not explain how majority control would be exercised or whether the agreement required further legislative or regulatory approval.

A rapid reduction in US fuel prices is also uncertain. Venezuela’s heavy crude requires specialised production, transport and refining infrastructure, and a substantial increase in output could take years and require significant capital.

The announcement expands an energy arrangement introduced in January, when Washington began facilitating sales of Venezuelan crude and selectively easing sanctions covering trade and transportation. Existing sanctions on crude production were not fully removed under that earlier authorisation.

Kathmandu | 29 Aug 2026

Poor weather halted helicopter operations and disrupted wider rescue efforts in flood-hit Nepal on Saturday, as authorities searched for thousands of missing people and Infosys confirmed that senior executive Lax Gopisetty remained unreachable.

Nepal flood rescue operations face severe weather

The disaster struck the Nepal–Tibet border region on 26 August after a glacier collapse sent a torrent of water, rocks, ice, mud and debris through mountain river systems, destroying homes, bridges, roads and power facilities.

Nepal’s disaster agency said the death toll in the country had reached 626, with 2,426 people reported missing. Seven deaths and hundreds of missing people were reported in Tibet. More than 3,700 people had been rescued in Nepal, according to the latest official figures cited by the Associated Press.

Rain, fog and difficult terrain prevented helicopters from operating in affected areas on Saturday. Ground teams continued working at several locations, including the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa district, where authorities believe more than 100 people could be trapped inside a mud-filled tunnel.

Infosys Public Services chief Lax Gopisetty remains unreachable

Infosys said Lax Gopisetty, who heads its subsidiary Infosys Public Services, had travelled to the affected region in a personal capacity and could not be contacted. The company said it was coordinating with relevant agencies and supporting his family.

“We can confirm that our colleague Lax Gopisetty, who was visiting the region in a personal capacity, is currently not reachable.”— Infosys statement

Infosys Public Services primarily works with public-sector organisations in the United States and Canada. No confirmed information about Gopisetty’s location or condition had been released by Saturday.

India sends relief and offers technical support

India has dispatched three flights carrying about 60 tonnes of relief supplies, including medicines, blankets, food and water-purification tablets. New Delhi also plans to send tunnel-rescue specialists and a medical team.

Nepal has requested specialised international assistance for tunnel rescues, restoring damaged transport and communication links, identifying bodies through DNA testing and improving temporary storage facilities. Authorities are also monitoring two upstream lakes because the danger of further flooding has not completely passed.

Kathmandu | 28 Aug 2026

At least 84 Indian nationals have been rescued after catastrophic Nepal floods devastated the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli river basin, while about 290 Indians remained uncontactable in the latest Indian government updates. Nepal Police said on Friday that the death toll had risen to 469 as search teams continued operations across flood-hit districts and authorities monitored the risk of further flooding from the Tibet side.

84 Indians rescued as authorities trace stranded pilgrims and workers

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 63 Indian nationals working at the Trishuli-I hydropower project had been rescued. They joined 21 people from Tamil Nadu, who were travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and were rescued earlier, taking the confirmed number of rescued Indians to 84.

The number of Indians still out of contact has been changing as communications are restored and rescue teams verify the whereabouts of different groups. The MEA initially put the figure at 288 on Thursday and subsequent updates and reports citing the ministry placed it at about 290.

Officials have stressed that “uncontactable” does not necessarily mean confirmed missing or dead. Communications and road links were severely disrupted across the disaster zone, complicating efforts to establish the location of travellers and workers.

Around 200 other Indian nationals on the Tibet side, many associated with the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, have also sought assistance for evacuation. Indian authorities are coordinating with officials in Nepal and China.

Nepal flood death toll rises to 469

Nepal Police said on Friday that 469 bodies had been recovered following the devastating flash flood. It also reported that 1,545 people had been rescued from affected areas.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority had listed 977 people as missing or out of contact in its latest status report available from Thursday. The figures remain subject to revision as bodies are identified, survivors are located and information arrives from areas where communication systems were damaged.

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in search-and-rescue operations, while helicopters, drones and ground teams are being used to reach isolated settlements and search riverbanks and debris fields.

Flood surged into Nepal from Tibet after Himalayan collapse

The disaster struck on 26 August when a massive surge entered Nepal from the Tibet side and moved through the Bhote Koshi river system into the Trishuli, devastating areas including Timure, Syaphrubesi and Rasuwagadhi before causing destruction farther downstream.

Preliminary assessments by Nepali authorities and geological analysis indicate that an ice-and-rock or glacial collapse generated a major debris flow and flood. Early reports had raised the possibility of an earthquake, but subsequent analysis indicated that the seismic signal was associated with the collapse rather than being the primary cause of the disaster.

The flood destroyed critical infrastructure. Nepal’s Department of Roads said the 42-kilometre road between Betrawati and the Rasuwagadhi border was damaged at multiple locations, with several bridges also swept away.

New barrier lake keeps downstream areas on alert

Authorities have also warned of a continuing risk from a barrier lake formed upstream on the Tibetan side. Nepal’s hydrological authorities said they had received information from China about the development and advised people along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors to remain away from riverbanks and follow official warnings.

The possibility of another sudden release of water has added urgency to rescue work in areas already cut off by collapsed roads, destroyed bridges and heavy deposits of mud and debris.

India sends 47.5 tonnes of emergency assistance to Nepal

India has sent 47.5 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster-relief supplies to Nepal aboard two military transport aircraft. The assistance includes temporary shelters, tents, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps, dewatering pumps, generators, medicines and food supplies.

The MEA has also said India is mobilising Bailey bridges to support relief and connectivity requirements if requested by Nepal. Indian and Nepali authorities remain in contact over rescue operations and assistance for affected nationals.

Indian Embassy issues emergency helplines

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has asked Indian nationals affected by the flash floods or their families seeking information to contact its emergency numbers: +977 985 131 6807, +977 970 910 7500 and +977 981 032 6117. The embassy says the numbers can also be contacted through WhatsApp.

Search, rescue and identification operations remain under way, and casualty and missing-person figures are expected to change as authorities receive verified information from the affected region.

New York | 27 Aug 2026

The Hindu American Foundation has issued a security advisory ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s 29 August appearance in New York, urging attendees to remain vigilant and calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to protect their safety and civil rights after he publicly opposed the event.

• HAF issues security alert for attendees
• Why Mayor Mamdani opposes the event
• Protests planned outside Madison Square Garden
• Scrutiny surrounding Mohan Bhagwat’s US visit

HAF Security Alert Urges Vigilance and Restraint

The Hindu American Foundation said it issued the community advisory before the Universal Oneness Celebration at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Bhagwat is scheduled to address the gathering on Saturday.

“Stay vigilant, remain situationally aware, and keep interactions civil.”— Hindu American Foundation

HAF advised attendees to respect the rights of others to assemble, protest and express their views. It asked people to report suspicious activity to security personnel or law enforcement, leave the area if they felt threatened and avoid confrontations with anyone making provocative or threatening statements.

The organisation alleged that activists targeting Hindu Americans had attempted to disrupt or cancel the celebration. Its public advisory did not identify a specific imminent threat.

HAF also urged Mamdani to uphold his responsibility to protect all New Yorkers, including those attending the programme, and guarantee their safety and civil rights.

Mamdani Opposes Mohan Bhagwat’s New York Event

Mamdani said he did not support the gathering but acknowledged that New York City might not have the authority to prevent a private event from proceeding.

“I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event.”— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

The mayor said his understanding of India was rooted in a pluralistic and secular republic where every person belonged. He expressed concern about what he described as the rise of an exclusionary political vision.

No cancellation of the event had been announced as of 27 August, and the programme remained scheduled for 29 August.

Protests Planned Outside Madison Square Garden

Hindus for Human Rights and other organisations opposing Bhagwat’s participation have announced demonstrations outside Madison Square Garden on the day of the event. The Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York are among the groups that have criticised the planned appearance.

American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, the event’s organiser, describes the Universal Oneness Celebration as a gathering promoting shared heritage, interfaith engagement and unity among Hindu Americans and other communities.

The RSS has said the programme will involve a diverse, multicultural and multi-faith audience. The organisation rejects allegations that it promotes intolerance and describes itself as a Hindu-centred cultural and civilisational movement.

US Panel Adds Pressure During Bhagwat’s Visit

The controversy has intensified during Bhagwat’s US visit after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended targeted sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials it accused of involvement in religious-freedom violations. The commission also called for Bhagwat’s US visa to be revoked.

USCIRF is a bipartisan government body, but its policy recommendations are not binding. The United States government had not announced sanctions in response to the latest recommendation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has rejected USCIRF’s assertions, describing the commission as biased and lacking credibility. The Indian government denies discriminating against religious minorities and maintains that its welfare policies benefit citizens across communities.

New York | 26 Aug 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opposed an August 29 event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden, triggering divided reactions from Indian political leaders and civil rights organisations.

• Mamdani opposes Bhagwat’s event
• Universal Oneness Celebration
• Indian political leaders respond
• Groups seek cancellation

Mamdani opposes Mohan Bhagwat’s New York event

Mamdani said he did not support the private gathering but acknowledged that the New York City administration might not have the authority to prevent it from taking place.

“I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction on cancelling a private event.”— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim and Indian-American mayor, said his family had taught him to view India as a pluralistic and secular republic in which every citizen belonged equally. He described movements based on what he called an exclusionary vision as troubling and said they conflicted with New York’s commitment to diversity.

His comments did not amount to an order cancelling the programme, and no cancellation had been announced as of August 26.

Universal Oneness Celebration scheduled for August 29

Bhagwat is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Universal Oneness Celebration on August 29. The programme is being organised by the AHEAD Forum, formally known as American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue.

Organisers describe the gathering as an initiative promoting shared heritage, interfaith harmony and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “the world is one family”. The AHEAD Forum said more than 200 Hindu American organisations were supporting the programme.

The event coincides with Raksha Bandhan and is part of the RSS’s centenary-year international outreach. Bhagwat’s overseas itinerary also includes visits to Canada and the United Kingdom.

Indian political leaders divided over Mamdani’s position

Mamdani’s opposition prompted contrasting responses from Indian political parties. BJP leaders Syed Zafar Islam and Bhola Singh criticised his position and defended the RSS as an organisation involved in social service and nation-building.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC accused Mamdani of appeasement politics and questioned what she described as double standards towards the RSS and organisations associated with its community work.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey also called the opposition unwarranted. Although acknowledging his party’s political differences with the RSS, Dubey argued that those disagreements should not result in opposition to an Indian leader visiting another country.

Congress MP Imran Masood questioned the purpose of the programme and the message its organisers intended to convey internationally. Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, meanwhile, said opposition to the event was understandable in a religiously diverse city such as New York.

Interfaith and civil rights groups seek cancellation

Several interfaith, civil rights and community organisations have urged Madison Square Garden to cancel Bhagwat’s appearance. Groups involved in the opposition include Hindus for Human Rights, the Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Center of New York.

The organisations have raised objections to the RSS’s ideology and record. The RSS rejects allegations of intolerance and describes itself as a Hindu-centred cultural and civilisational movement focused on social organisation and national development.

The AHEAD Forum has maintained that the programme is intended to promote mutual respect, unity and dialogue across communities. With Mamdani questioning the city’s jurisdiction over a privately organised indoor event, any decision affecting the booking would rest with the venue or organisers unless a valid legal or public-safety ground emerged.

Rasuwa | 26 Aug 2026

A sudden Rasuwa flood left 28 security personnel out of contact on Wednesday after the Bhote Koshi River surged through Timure and Syabrubesi, damaging settlements, police posts and power infrastructure and triggering downstream warnings across five Nepalese districts.

• Search begins for 28 security personnel
• Rasuwa flood alert extends downstream
• Homes and power infrastructure damaged
• Flood cause and rescue response

Search begins for 28 security personnel

The personnel include 19 members of Nepal Police and nine from the Armed Police Force, according to information presented at an emergency meeting of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Thirteen of the 22 officers assigned to the Rasuwagadhi Police Post remained unreachable, while six of nine officers stationed in Syabrubesi were also out of contact. Nine Armed Police Force personnel deployed at the Timure Border Outpost had not established contact.

The flood struck at about 9 am after water entered the Bhote Koshi from the Tibetan side of the Nepal–China border. Officials were still assessing the overall casualty toll and the full scale of the destruction.

Rasuwa flood alert extends downstream

Authorities placed communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers on high alert in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan. Residents near riverbanks, markets and other vulnerable areas were instructed to move to safer ground.

The government advised people to avoid the Prithvi Highway, the Galchhi–Nuwakot–Rasuwa–Syabrubesi road and the Mugling–Narayangadh corridor while emergency operations continued.

Floodwater entered Nuwakot District Prison, but its inmates were transferred to a safe location. The water level there later began receding, according to the prison administration.

Homes and power infrastructure damaged

Preliminary assessments indicated that approximately 60 houses near Trishuli Bazaar in Nuwakot were swept away. Two concrete bridges across the Trishuli River were also destroyed. No deaths had been reported in Nuwakot at the time of the district administration’s initial assessment.

The Nepal Electricity Authority reported damage to six major power facilities: Rasuwagadhi, Chilime, Trishuli 3A, the Trishuli 3B Hub 220-kilovolt substation, Trishuli Hydropower Station and Devighat Hydropower Station. Electricity distribution infrastructure was also affected.

Markets, houses, hotels and vehicles were reported damaged in Timure and Syabrubesi. Three Nepal Police offices—the Timure Area Police Office, Syabrubesi Police Post and Rasuwagadhi Police Post—also sustained damage.

Flood cause and rescue response

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said rainfall was not considered the cause of the flood. Senior meteorologist Meen Kumar Aryal said rainfall in parts of Rasuwa had not exceeded seven millimetres during the preceding 24 hours.

Officials were investigating whether a glacial lake outburst or another upstream event caused the sudden surge. No definitive cause had been established.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah ordered intensified search, rescue and relief operations. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and district authorities mobilised personnel, while two military helicopters and medical teams were deployed to the affected region.

The government also convened emergency disaster-management and Cabinet meetings to coordinate evacuations, relief supplies and the search for those who remained unreachable.