Modi May Visit US In September Amid Strained Ties With Trump; Bullet Train Project Set For 2029 Launch; China Cracks Stealth Drone Design Problem That Stumped US; And More

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Amid Strained Ties With Trump, Modi May Visit US in September

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is tentatively scheduled to visit the United States in late September, as he appears on the provisional list of speakers for the UN General Assembly’s general debate. Modi is slated to address the 80th UNGA session on September 26. While speaker lists are confirmed in consultation, countries may nominate alternate representatives closer to the date.

Modi’s appearance at UNGA follows a packed diplomatic schedule that includes visits to China and Japan in August–early September, hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year, and a Quad leaders’ summit in November, which may include the US President. Although no bilateral meeting with the US is yet confirmed for September, his visit could coincide with the signing of a pending trade deal currently under negotiation.

China Cracks Stealth Design Problem That Stumped US Drone Engineers

Chinese scientists claim to have overcome a long-standing barrier in stealth aircraft design, one that contributed to the failure of the US Navy’s X-47B programme. In a peer-reviewed study, researchers from China say their new software platform allows engineers to optimise hundreds of design variables, such as drag, radar signature, and engine airflow, without overwhelming computational costs.

The breakthrough tackles the “curse of dimensionality,” a challenge that made it nearly impossible to balance stealth and aerodynamics at scale. The Chinese team demonstrated their method using the X-47B’s airframe as a case study, achieving significant performance gains. The innovation could accelerate China’s next-gen stealth fighter and drone projects, including the rumoured J-36 and J-50.

Bullet Train Project To Be Operational By Dec 2029

The Centre on Wednesday said the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor is expected to be fully operational by December 2029, with the Gujarat section ready by December 2027. The railway ministry told the Lok Sabha that the 508-km corridor’s first phase, the Vapi to Sabarmati stretch, will be completed ahead of the rest.

The project has faced delays due to land acquisition and forest clearance issues. The Rs 1.08 lakh crore project is being built with Japanese financial and technical assistance. As of June 2025, Rs 78,839 crore has been spent, with major civil work and tunnelling underway.

Other Developments

Ladakh's Nyoma Airfield To Be Operational By October

India’s upgraded high-altitude airfield at Nyoma in eastern Ladakh is set to become operational by October, significantly enhancing military logistics and combat readiness near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Located at 13,700 feet, the Rs 230 crore project includes a 2.7 km all-weather runway capable of handling transport aircraft, attack helicopters and fighter jets. Work on allied infrastructure, including the ATC complex, hangars and watch towers, is nearly finished.

Nyoma will become a critical forward base alongside Leh, Kargil, Thoise, and DBO. The upgrade, launched during the 2020 Ladakh standoff, is part of India’s broader push to counter China’s expanding air infrastructure along the LAC. China has built a number of dual-use airports and is expanding runways in Tibet.

Net FDI Plunges 98 Per Cent As Repatriation Surges

Net foreign direct investment into India fell 98 per cent year-on-year to just 35 million dollars in May, driven by a 24 per cent rise in repatriation and an 11 per cent drop in gross inflows, according to RBI data. Compared to April, net FDI declined 99 per cent. Outward FDI also rose to 2.1 billion dollars from 1.8 billion dollars a year earlier.

Singapore, Mauritius, the UAE and the US accounted for over three-fourths of total inflows. Top recipient sectors included manufacturing, financial services and computer services. Outward investments were mainly in transport, manufacturing and business services. Meanwhile, net portfolio inflows reached 1.6 billion dollars. India’s foreign exchange reserves now stand at 696.7 billion dollars, covering over 11 months of imports.

India-UK Free Trade Pact To Be Signed Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the UK on 24 July, with India and Britain set to sign a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement. This will be India’s first major bilateral trade deal with a developed economy in over a decade. The pact will eliminate tariffs on Indian exports like leather, garments and footwear, and reduce duties on UK whisky and cars. It aims to double bilateral trade to 120 billion dollars by 2030.

Nearly 99 per cent of Indian products will get duty-free access. India and the UK will also inc a social security deal that exempts Indian workers in the UK from making social security contributions. PM Modi will next visit the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu.

CBDT To Deploy AI, Analytics In New Drive Against Tax Evasion

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) plans to use artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to clamp down on tax evasion as part of the new Income‑Tax law, said Chairman Ravi Agrawal. With access to over 6.5 billion domestic digital transactions and growing exchange of data with global agencies, the department aims to identify reporting gaps and discrepancies more rapidly.

Agrawal assured that digital record access is limited to search-and-seizure cases, not routine surveillance. Since April 2022, nudges and pre-filled returns have encouraged voluntary compliance, yielding Rs 11,000 crore in updated filings. Over 30,000 taxpayers declared Rs 29,000 crore in foreign assets between November 2024 and March 2025.

White House Rejects Reports Linking Trump To Epstein Files

The White House has denied media reports claiming Donald Trump’s name appears in sealed US Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed the claims as “fake news” and politically motivated, while the Justice Department called the reports “falsehoods and innuendo.”

Although the White House has not denied that Trump’s name appears in the documents, it insists this is not evidence of wrongdoing. A judge has blocked the release of Florida grand jury records in the case, citing legal restrictions. Meanwhile, Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell may testify before Congress next month, as Republican lawmakers push for further disclosures. Trump previously said he had no knowledge of the files naming him.

From The States

Bihar: Tejashwi Threatens Poll Boycott Over Voter List Revision

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday said his party may consider boycotting the upcoming Bihar assembly elections if the alleged irregularities in the ongoing special revision of electoral rolls are not addressed. Speaking at a joint press conference with INDIA bloc allies in Patna, Tejashwi claimed the revision was being manipulated to benefit the BJP and “undermine the democratic process.”

“If the elections are to be won fraudulently, then what’s the point?” he asked, saying a poll boycott was “possible,” though a final decision would be taken after consulting allies. Congress and CPI-ML backed his concerns, while the JD(U) dismissed the remarks as “fear of defeat.”

Delhi Gets Rs 24,000 Crore Plan To Cut Congestion

The central and Delhi governments have joined hands to decongest the capital with six major infrastructure projects spanning 128km and costing Rs 23,850 crore. Executed by NHAI, the plan includes a 65km eastern extension of Urban Extension Road II linking the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway to Noida via Ghaziabad and Faridabad, and a 17km connector to Tronica City.

Other projects include a 5km tunnel from Dwarka Expressway to Nelson Mandela Marg, a 20km elevated corridor from AIIMS to Faridabad Road, a new Kalindi Kunj interchange, and the extension of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. The initiative aims to divert long-distance traffic from central Delhi and ease pressure on arterial routes like NH44, NH48 and Outer Ring Road.

You’re all caught up—until next time.