Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have begun high-level bilateral talks in New Delhi, with trade, defence, economic cooperation and strategic ties at the centre of the India-Russia agenda. A major highlight of the meeting was Modi's presentation of a Russian translation of the Thirukkural to Putin, bringing Tamil classical literature and India's cultural heritage into the diplomatic engagement. The Thirukkural, comprising 1,330 couplets, added a significant cultural dimension to the leaders' discussions. The talks also focus on an ambitious $100 billion India-Russia bilateral trade target by 2030, with New Delhi seeking greater access to Russian markets and expanded industrial cooperation across sectors including railways and tunnelling. WATCH

Belgium has given India assurances after New Delhi raised concerns over arms supplies to Pakistan, even as India-Belgium strategic ties enter a new phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi, with defence, trade, technology, clean energy and critical minerals emerging as key areas of cooperation. The two sides are also pushing deeper defence-industrial cooperation, including collaboration linked to the Zorawar light tank, while India and Belgium aim to significantly expand bilateral trade.