- 7 weeks ago
In this India Today Programme video, anchor Akshita Nandagopal brings you the latest updates from the SCO Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership, trade imbalances, energy cooperation, Russian oil imports, fertiliser supplies and defence contracts.
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00:00Good evening, hello and welcome. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today.
00:04I'm Akshita Nandikopal. Over the next one hour this Monday evening, we're getting you all the top stories that we're
00:09tracking.
00:10But our focus this evening is on the SEO summit and the bilateral meeting that the world is watching out
00:16for between India and Russia,
00:18between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
00:21We're keeping the spotlight on this meeting. It's expected to happen anytime now, so we'll get you all of the
00:27highlights of that.
00:28Also coming up on the show this evening. At 6.30, we're going to be focusing on the fallout of
00:35the India Today mood of the nation survey in Tamil Nadu.
00:39With Vijay's name cropping up in the PM race, it's left the Congress feeling very jittery.
00:45Two Congress ministers in the Tamil Nadu government have now vowed that they will resign, step down,
00:50if the TVK doesn't declare that they are for Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.
00:55So, ripples of the mood of the nation survey being felt in Tamil Nadu, which we'll break down for you
01:00at 6.30 this evening.
01:01I'm Akshita Nandikopal. Here are the headlines.
01:07First Modi, Pazeshkian, bilateral meet in the backdrop of West Asia war.
01:12Both review recent developments in the Gulf region.
01:15Prime Minister Modi once again bats for dialogue, peace and stability.
01:30And as we stand by for the Modi-Putin bilateral, Modi-Pazeshkian bilateral meet takes place in the backdrop of
01:37the West Asia war.
01:4517-year-old class 11 student allegedly gang-raped inside a sleeper bus in Delhi's Kashmiri Gate area.
01:52Cops arrest 29-year-old driver Sandeep and conductor of the bus in a horrifying rerun of the Nirbhaya case.
02:02EC releases draft electoral roll in national capital.
02:06Over 47 lakh voters excluded from the list.
02:09Those not on list can file their claims till September 30th.
02:12ARP lashes out its centre over deletions.
02:19Global uncertainties fail to halt India's rise.
02:23GDP growth at 7.8% in the first quarter.
02:29Prime Minister Modi hails Herculean feet, says doomsayers were doomed and India bloomed.
02:40Nepal flood death toll crosses the 900 mark.
02:44Over 4,000 people still missing.
02:46180 Indians rescued so far.
02:49Sadhguru turns emotional at a solidarity event in Kathmandu calls for global support and a Himalayan multi-nation set-up.
03:26And we're standing by for the big bilateral meet between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
03:32It's happening on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.
03:36So any moment now we are hearing that that meet will kick off.
03:40Of course on the agenda is going to be defence, is going to be energy, is going to be also
03:46trade.
03:47Where there has been in fact a lot of work, progress to be made by both Prime Minister Modi and
03:53the Russian President.
03:54Now remember that the two leaders have always spoken of the respect that they have for each other.
04:00They've constantly referred to each other as very good friends.
04:03So it's not surprising that at the SCO summit where Vladimir Putin just landed a couple of hours ago,
04:08this bilateral is also set to take place.
04:12But there is also important repercussions of this.
04:15And the repercussions will be that Washington is watching extremely closely to see what is the takeaway of this particular
04:22relationship
04:22and this friendship between India and Russia.
04:25Pranayopadhyay of India Today Global is joining me with more details on this.
04:28Pranayopadhyay, we're standing by for that bilateral meeting to take place.
04:33Of course, as I highlighted, you know, a number of issues that will come up.
04:36Energy, you know, defence, trade and so much more.
04:41But run us through what's really expected.
04:43Can we watch out for a joint statement between the leaders, Pranayopadhyay?
04:47Certainly, you know, we should expect some kind of statement after this meeting.
04:51Because, you know, whenever Prime Minister Nareen Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met,
04:57there is always some significant outcome.
04:59You could recall that in Samarkand, when Prime Minister Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin,
05:05he mentioned about that this is not an era of war.
05:08Last year, when 2025 in Tianjin, Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin
05:13had a long, you know, car drive and they sat in a car and they had a long discussion of
05:19running over an hour inside the car.
05:22So, you know, every time when Prime Minister Modi and President Putin meets,
05:27there is always a significant outcome.
05:29Not in terms of some kind of agreement or some kind of a statement,
05:32but their meeting itself is a statement.
05:34But having said that, you know, in terms of the energy cooperation,
05:37the length and breadth of the partnership between our strategic relation between India and Russia
05:42is so wide that, you know, it encompasses various aspects,
05:48be it energy, trade, business, economy, investment, Arctic.
05:53There are various new horizons or areas where India and Russia are exploring their partnership
06:00from space to undersea capabilities.
06:04So, that is the wide spectrum of partnership.
06:07But this meeting is taking place, Akshita, at a time when there is a geopolitical turbulence,
06:12when, you know, countries are talking about an alternative world order.
06:17And, in fact, if you see, this meeting is taking place on the sidelines of the SCO summit
06:21and India's participation in the SCO's process itself is largely, you know,
06:29with a favor of Russia as well because India included,
06:33India became full member of SCO summit or SCO process.
06:37Way back in 2016, India became full member in 2017,
06:40but with the SCO summit of 2016 in Ufa, it was in Russia,
06:46where India was included in the SCO process as a permanent member.
06:51And that happened with the full support of Russia.
06:56Okay.
06:56Just stay with me, Pranay.
06:57I want to cut across to more breaking news coming in.
06:59As we're standing by for the bilateral that will take place
07:02between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Putin,
07:06here's the latest update that's coming in from Bishkek.
07:09The Russian President has just met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
07:12And, in fact, this is the latest footage that's just emerged of that meeting
07:18between the Russian President and the Chinese President.
07:22Of course, Russia and China have also had a longstanding relationship,
07:25one that's been bolstered by both of them viewing America as a threat to their interests.
07:32And so, as we get to these images, we can also confirm for you
07:36that right now, as a part of that bilateral,
07:38Moscow has said that they're ready to work towards making visa-free travel arrangements
07:43between Russia and China as permanent.
07:46Now, the Russian President has also, in fact, expressed condolences
07:52to the families and friends of those who perished in the floods in China as well.
07:56Pranay is with us for more on this.
07:59Pranay, you know, this is a relationship that, of course,
08:02many would say the scales have tilted in a sense,
08:05that if previously China was more reliant on Russia,
08:08today Russia perhaps is more reliant on China in this relationship.
08:12You're absolutely right, Akshita.
08:14And, in fact, you know, global attention would be there on this big meeting.
08:18And, in fact, in past six months, this is for the first time,
08:22a big gathering is happening in Kyrgyzstan, in Bishigek,
08:25where the leadership of Russia, China, Iran,
08:28all are there for this SCO summit.
08:31And you can recall, Akshita, as we were also discussing just a while ago,
08:34that how President Donald Trump reacted to the Tianjin meeting
08:38and Tianjin visuals of Prime Minister Modi,
08:40President Putin and President Xi laughing together
08:44and holding their hands together.
08:47So, certainly, there is, there would be, you know,
08:49some kind of a reaction of these meetings
08:52and this entire SCO process.
08:55But you rightly pointed it out that in the last five years,
08:59we have seen that how Russia and China have come closer together.
09:03In fact, you know, after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict,
09:08the Russian dependence on China has grown up
09:11in terms of the economic partnership,
09:13in terms of the Russian crude oil,
09:15or their oil exports to China have grown up.
09:20And, in fact, in the last few months,
09:22China has emerged as a big buyer,
09:24or the most significant buyer of the Russian crude.
09:28In fact, you know, India has its own concern because of that,
09:31because we are losing on the discounted price benefits
09:35on count of that.
09:36So, that's why, you know,
09:37during Prime Minister Modi's interaction with President Putin,
09:41this issue is also likely to come up,
09:42that, you know, India,
09:45you know, how India can buy the Russian crude oil
09:47and what are the, you know,
09:49the Sakhalin gas project to various other
09:51Far East economic projects
09:53or the architect exploratory projects,
09:55how India and China can develop the energy sector,
09:58the nuclear power sector.
10:00So, there are various other things which are happening,
10:02but certainly this meeting of President Xi
10:04and President Putin has its own significance
10:08because, you know, this clearly signifies
10:11the alternative building of the alternative global order
10:15or the very process of the de-dollarization
10:18or reform of the global institution.
10:20There are various, you know, aspects or issues
10:23which are being debated at the global forums right now.
10:26And SCO will be, you know, succeeded by a process of BRICS.
10:30And, in fact, Russia, India and China,
10:32they are all three founding members of the BRICS process as well.
10:36So, you know, there we can find
10:39or we can see some kind of a continuation
10:40from Bishkek to New Delhi.
10:42Because, you know, in the span of 15 days,
10:46two important meetings, Bishkek and New Delhi,
10:49the BRICS process,
10:50you will find some kind of a continuation
10:52and world would be watching that
10:54is it for real that some kind of an alternative world order
10:59is being built,
11:00what kind of ideas are being, you know, put forth
11:02and are they for real
11:04or this is only a congregation of few countries.
11:07So, this is a real test for the BRICS process,
11:10for the SCO process as well
11:11and how they can collaborate together.
11:14Okay, Pranay, just stay with me.
11:16I want to once again,
11:17and as we continue getting those images
11:19of Xi Jinping's meeting
11:21with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
11:23I will remind our viewers
11:24that there is no meeting
11:26that's scheduled between the Chinese President
11:29and Prime Minister Modi.
11:31So, yes, there's a bilateral.
11:32They were standing by for
11:33with the Russian President,
11:34but no bilateral on the sidelines
11:35of the SCO summit with China.
11:38Let me bring the focus back
11:39to the India-Russia relationship
11:41and the key challenges to the ties.
11:44Yes, we've seen ties between the two countries
11:46blossom in the last few years,
11:48in the last few decades,
11:49but there are challenges.
11:50What are they?
11:52Well, your first, for starters,
11:53strategic ties are limited
11:55to only certain defence partnerships
11:57with Russia and nothing beyond that.
12:00What we've highlighted just now,
12:01the fact that Russia and China
12:03are extremely close,
12:04rely on each other heavily,
12:06that creates a persistent
12:08strategic discomfort,
12:09where India, of course,
12:10takes note of it,
12:12but knows full well
12:13that there's nothing beyond that
12:14that can be done as well.
12:16India is also now shifting
12:17key defence inputs
12:19towards Western suppliers.
12:21This is something Russia
12:23will be wary of.
12:23Moscow will try to ensure
12:25that they lure India
12:26with more offers
12:28as far as defence relations
12:30and defence ties are concerned.
12:32Now, one of the big points,
12:34really, that will come up
12:35in these talks is trade.
12:37And that's because trade
12:38is rather skewed
12:39by heavy imports
12:40of discounted Russian oil.
12:42This is something
12:43that both leaders
12:44will want to have a conversation
12:45on Ukraine war.
12:47And the fact that
12:48it's still ongoing,
12:49India has made it very clear
12:50that we're on the side of peace.
12:52And so it's very delicate
12:53diplomatic balancing,
12:55especially because
12:55Prime Minister Modi
12:56has constantly said
12:57that whether it's an attack
12:58on Ukraine,
12:59whether it's an attack
12:59on Russia,
13:00it's simply unacceptable
13:01that India is on the side
13:03of peace
13:04and that India is willing
13:05to do whatever
13:06is needed
13:07as far as dialogue
13:08is concerned.
13:10Let's listen in
13:11to External Affairs Minister
13:12Dr. S. Jai Shankar
13:13of what he said earlier today
13:15on the big Modi-Putin meet.
13:17Our economic cooperation
13:19has grown
13:19very significantly.
13:22Prime Minister Modi
13:23looks forward
13:24to meeting you
13:25at the SCO Summit,
13:27then welcoming you
13:28in India
13:29for the BRIC Summit
13:30and in due course
13:32as per your mutual convenience
13:34having the annual summit.
13:36So we have,
13:37Excellency,
13:38I think,
13:40a very strong picture
13:42of cooperation
13:43to present.
13:46Let me take this
13:47back across
13:48to Pranay Upadhyay
13:49for more details.
13:50Pranay,
13:51you know,
13:51even as we speak of,
13:53yes,
13:53the progress
13:54that's been made
13:54between India and Russia,
13:56there are also challenges
13:58that need to be addressed.
13:59One of those
14:00is Russia and China
14:02as well.
14:03You know,
14:03and the fact
14:03that even just now
14:04we've seen that bilateral
14:06between the Russian president
14:07and the Chinese president
14:08just before Vladimir Putin
14:09sits down
14:10with Prime Minister Modi.
14:12Absolutely, Akshita.
14:13but, you know,
14:14there are concerns
14:15and there are issues
14:16on the bilateral front
14:18as well.
14:18So, you know,
14:19Prime Minister Nareen Modi
14:19is likely to take up
14:20those issues bilaterally
14:22with both the leaders,
14:23you know,
14:24with Russian president
14:25Vladimir Putin,
14:26he would be meeting
14:27in Bishkek
14:28as well as in New Delhi
14:29and, you know,
14:31the Chinese president
14:32is likely to meet
14:34in Delhi
14:35on the sidelines
14:35of the BRIC Summit.
14:36But having said that,
14:38you know,
14:38as far as the
14:40SEO summit
14:41or the RIC process,
14:43the Russia-India-China process,
14:45in fact,
14:45Russia has played
14:46a role of a balancer
14:48even during the time
14:49of the disputes
14:50or, you know,
14:51confrontation
14:51or tensions
14:52between India and China.
14:53And we have seen
14:54that how the first meeting
14:56between the Russian,
14:58the Chinese defense minister
15:00or Chinese foreign minister
15:01and the Indian foreign minister
15:03took place in Moscow
15:05for the SCO foreign ministers
15:08meeting way back
15:09after, in 2020,
15:10after the Galwan clashes
15:12and, you know,
15:13how the Indian
15:15and Chinese defense minister
15:16had, like,
15:17their conversation
15:17on the sidelines
15:18of, you know,
15:20some multilateral engagement
15:21in Moscow.
15:22So, definitely,
15:22you know,
15:23Russia played
15:24an important role
15:25in keeping ties
15:27with both India
15:28and China equally
15:30and keeping,
15:31you know,
15:31that kind of relationship
15:32with both the countries.
15:33But coming back
15:34to the bilateral part
15:35of India-China,
15:37India-Russia engagement,
15:38Akshita,
15:39the recent widening gap
15:42of a bilateral trade deficit
15:43between India and Russia
15:45is a matter of concern.
15:46Our bilateral trade
15:48has gone up
15:49or grown
15:50over $100 billion.
15:51but the widening gap
15:52of over $53 billion
15:54in terms of the trade deficit
15:56is a matter of concern
15:57because a trade deficit
15:58clearly shows
15:59that we are buying
16:00more stuff,
16:01more, you know,
16:01including oil
16:02from Russia,
16:03but we are not being able
16:04to export,
16:05you know,
16:05to that tune
16:06with,
16:08to Russian markets
16:09and Russia remains
16:10an important market
16:11or a big market.
16:12There is a lot of potential
16:14in Russian market
16:15and definitely
16:16at a time
16:17when India
16:17is trying to explore
16:19new shows,
16:20new avenues,
16:21new markets,
16:23you know,
16:23we are kind of,
16:25you know,
16:25the spree of making FTAs
16:27for a free trade agreement,
16:29bilateral trade agreements.
16:31India certainly want
16:32to explore
16:32the market of Russia
16:33with Indian goods
16:34and greater market access.
16:36So that is going
16:36to be an important area.
16:38Besides that,
16:39as Gaurav was earlier
16:40also mentioning
16:40about the fertilizer crisis,
16:42you know,
16:43Russian President
16:43Vladimir Putin
16:44is aware
16:45about the fact
16:46that, you know,
16:46India need fertilizers
16:47and in the past
16:49as well,
16:50during the December
16:51summit of 2025,
16:52President Vladimir Putin
16:53did assure
16:54that Russia
16:55will do everything
16:55possible
16:56to make sure
16:57that the Indian farmers
16:58do not face
16:59any shortage,
17:00any problems
17:01with the fertilizer access
17:02or the fertilizer supplies.
17:05And, you know,
17:06recently
17:07when India's
17:09Existence Minister
17:09was in Moscow,
17:10he also raised
17:11the same issue
17:11with the Russian leadership
17:13and Russia again assured
17:15that, you know,
17:17the fertilizer supply
17:17remains an issue
17:19of priority
17:19for Russia-India collaboration
17:22and Russia
17:22is aware about the fact.
17:23So certainly
17:24from agriculture
17:25to aerospace,
17:27the spectrum
17:28of partnership
17:29between India
17:30and Russia
17:30is wide-ranging
17:31and wide-spectrum.
17:33Okay,
17:33Fran,
17:34just stay with me.
17:35I'll just break down
17:36for our viewers
17:37what's really on the agenda
17:38when this meeting happens.
17:39First, of course,
17:41strategic partnership
17:42and the fact
17:42that India and Russia
17:43are expected
17:44to discuss ways
17:45to deepen
17:45that long-standing
17:47strategic partnership
17:48across key sectors.
17:50Energy cooperation
17:51on Russian oil.
17:53There will be a focus
17:54on this,
17:55on continued energy
17:56supplies,
17:57on Russian oil imports
17:58and on strengthening
17:59broader energy cooperation.
18:02Defense deals
18:03and the fact
18:04that there have been
18:05delayed deliveries,
18:06both sides
18:06will in all likelihood
18:08conduct a review
18:09of the ongoing
18:10defense contracts.
18:11This includes
18:11concerns
18:12over delayed delivery
18:14as well as
18:15future military cooperation.
18:17What can smoothen
18:18that out?
18:18How to iron out
18:20any issues?
18:21Like Pranay and I
18:22have been highlighting,
18:23one of the issues
18:24in the India-Russia ties
18:26and relationship
18:26is trade imbalance.
18:28There is going to be
18:29a detailed discussion
18:31on that
18:31to address
18:32that trade imbalance,
18:33to also expand
18:34market access
18:35for Indian
18:36and Russian businesses.
18:38What about
18:38economic cooperation?
18:40Well, discussions
18:40may also seek
18:41to boost investments,
18:42to boost industrial
18:44partnerships
18:44and economic ties,
18:46therefore,
18:46between the two countries.
18:47There is also,
18:48of course,
18:49a global crisis.
18:50I'm referring to
18:51the two conflicts,
18:52war with Ukraine
18:54that Russia is engaged in
18:55and West Asia.
18:56Both of these
18:57are expected
18:58to feature prominently
18:59with both sides
19:00exchanging views
19:01on regional developments
19:02in India,
19:02sending across
19:03that very clear message
19:04that as far as
19:05these conflicts
19:06are concerned,
19:07we are on the side
19:08of peace.
19:09Regional security,
19:11SEO cooperation,
19:12India and Russia
19:13may discuss
19:14regional security challenges
19:15and also
19:16closer coordination,
19:17how the SEO plays
19:19a role in that.
19:21Russian President
19:22Vladimir Putin
19:23hailed his friendship
19:24with Prime Minister Modi,
19:27with India,
19:27in that exclusive conversation
19:29from months ago
19:30when he's spoken
19:30to India today.
19:32Here's an excerpt
19:33of that.
19:35The Prime Minister
19:36of India
19:38have had a huge,
19:40huge role to play
19:41in the strengthening
19:42of India-Russia ties.
19:44Who do you think
19:45in your span
19:46of being a leader
19:48here in Russia
19:49really made that difference
19:51since you were in power
19:53in enhancing
19:55India-Russia ties?
19:56Which are the Prime Ministers?
19:59Well,
20:00you have already asked me
20:01to characterize
20:02other leaders
20:03of other countries.
20:05I do not think
20:06it is very polite.
20:07You know,
20:08now we are working
20:09with Prime Minister of India,
20:11His Excellency Narendra Modi.
20:13Indeed,
20:14we have very trustworthy
20:15and friendly relations.
20:17He is a very reliable person.
20:20In that sense,
20:22I am speaking very sincerely.
20:24India got lucky.
20:25He lives India.
20:27I am talking to him
20:28and I know him.
20:30I hope he won't be cross with me.
20:32I am just saying
20:33what I am seeing
20:33and what I am thinking.
20:35It is very pleasant
20:36to me to talk
20:37to such a person.
20:38A person of integrity,
20:40you know.
20:41And that is number one.
20:43Number two,
20:44indeed,
20:45he is very sincere
20:46when it goes about
20:47strengthening
20:48India-Russia ties
20:49across the whole range
20:50of areas,
20:51especially crucial issues
20:53of economy
20:53and defense
20:54and humanitarian cooperation
20:56development of high tech.
20:58It is very interesting
20:59to meet with him.
21:01He traveled here
21:02and we sat with him
21:03at my residence
21:04and we drank tea
21:05for the whole evening
21:06and we discussed
21:07different topics.
21:08We simply had
21:09an interesting conversation,
21:11purely like humans.
21:14OK, so that was
21:16the Russian president
21:16speaking about
21:17his previous meetings
21:18with Prime Minister Modi
21:20and since then,
21:21of course,
21:22we have also seen
21:22the two leaders
21:23once again engage
21:25on different occasions
21:26at the SCO summit
21:27also that opportunity
21:29coming up
21:30for both the leaders
21:30to meet.
21:31But Pranay,
21:31one of the questions
21:32that is constantly
21:33being asked
21:34and we will put out
21:34those images
21:35once again
21:36of Vladimir Putin
21:37meeting with
21:37the Chinese president
21:38Xi Jinping
21:39is on why
21:40there has been
21:40no bilateral
21:41between India
21:42and China
21:42on the sidelines
21:43of SCO, Pranay?
21:44Because neither side
21:45sought this meeting
21:47and also Chinese president
21:48Xi Jinping
21:49is expected
21:50to visit India
21:51in the next two weeks
21:53and it would be better
21:55to have a bilateral meeting
21:56with the Chinese leadership
21:57on the Indian soil
21:59because last time
22:01when both leaders met
22:02it was on the Chinese side
22:03that was on the Chinese soil
22:05and, you know,
22:06this would be
22:07a very significant,
22:07very important meeting
22:08especially post-Galwan
22:10a recent meeting
22:11of Indian NSA
22:13and SR level talks
22:14so there are
22:14a lot of bilateral agendas
22:16so it would be prudent
22:17to have that kind
22:18of a meeting
22:19and an engagement
22:20on Indian soil
22:20and in fact
22:22when he would be
22:22expected in India
22:24in only just a matter
22:25of two weeks
22:26then,
22:26so neither
22:28the Indian side approach
22:29this is what
22:30I have been given
22:30to understand
22:31that neither
22:32Indian side
22:32sought a meeting
22:33nor the Chinese side
22:34sought a meeting
22:35and in any case
22:36Prime Minister Modi's
22:37visit in Vishkek
22:38is only
22:39of less than 48 hours
22:41so that's why
22:42you know
22:43there's only limited time
22:44to accommodate
22:45the various meetings
22:46and Prime Minister Modi
22:47had already met
22:48the Armenian leadership
22:50he met the Kyrgyz leadership
22:52the Iranian leadership
22:53and Russian leadership
22:54today evening
22:55and tomorrow
22:57there will be
22:57a summit
22:58related events
22:59tomorrow
23:00starting tomorrow morning
23:01and tomorrow evening
23:02Prime Minister Modi
23:03flies out of Vishkek
23:06okay
23:07Pranay
23:07thanks for those details
23:08we're going to stand by
23:09for that big bilateral
23:11between Prime Minister Modi
23:12and President Putin
23:13we're going to relieve you
23:14for the moment
23:15so you can give us
23:16a quick sense
23:16of what's really happening
23:17in Vishkek
23:18the bilateral
23:20expected at any moment
23:21now the Russian president
23:22as you see on your screens
23:23has just met
23:24with Chinese President
23:25Xi Jinping
23:26up next is the bilateral
23:27between India
23:28and Russia
23:29let's get you
23:30the latest updates
23:31coming in
23:31from the southern states
23:32we're putting the
23:33focus right now
23:34on Tamil Nadu
23:35where last week
23:36India Today
23:37putting out the
23:37Mood of the Nation survey
23:38had highlighted
23:39how Chief Minister Vijay
23:41has also come up
23:43in the preferred
23:44Prime Minister list
23:45that the people
23:46of the country
23:47have chosen
23:48and since then
23:48it's created ripples
23:50across Tamil Nadu
23:51what am I talking about
23:52well the Congress
23:53an ally of the TVK
23:55seems to be rather shaken
23:56at least going by
23:58two Congress Ministers
23:59in the Tamil Nadu government
24:00both of whom
24:01have said now
24:02that we will resign
24:03we will leave
24:05this government
24:05and we will withdraw
24:06support
24:07if the TVK
24:08doesn't recognize
24:09that Rahul Gandhi
24:10is the Prime Minister
24:11candidate in 2029
24:13TVK hasn't reacted
24:15they haven't responded
24:15they haven't even chosen
24:16to go ahead
24:17and say that
24:18yes we back
24:19Rahul Gandhi
24:20let's get you
24:21all the details
24:21in the story
24:24Joseph Vijay
24:26has come in
24:27as the new entrant
24:28I don't think
24:29India Today
24:29mood of the nation
24:30and even factored him
24:31till the other day
24:32at 9%
24:34India Today's
24:35mood of the nation
24:36survey continues
24:37to make headlines
24:40Vijay is just months
24:41into his first stint
24:42as Tamil Nadu
24:43Chief Minister
24:43but the latest
24:45India Today
24:45sea voter mood
24:46of the nation poll
24:47has already placed him
24:49at number 3
24:50in the national
24:51Prime Minister
24:51preference race
24:52behind Prime Minister
24:53Narendra Modi
24:54and Rahul Gandhi
24:55and that ranking
24:57appears to have
24:58triggered fresh friction
24:59between TVK
25:00and its allies
25:01the Congress
25:02TVK leaders
25:03have repeatedly
25:04projected
25:05Vijay as the party's
25:06PM's face
25:07for the 2029 polls
25:23national level
25:25national level
25:54But now, the Congress has drawn a clear red line, asking TVK to back Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister
26:01candidate, or the party will walk out of the lions.
26:09In the DVDK, the Kryeans have chosen a clear red line.
26:17In the bowing direction, the Congress has told me that they are here.
26:43The Congress stand has also found support from MDMK Chief Vaiko.
27:05The DMK has mocked the Congress pitch for Rahul Gandhi.
27:17While the TV can Congress perv, the big question is, can Vijay's growing popularity translate into votes across India?
27:24Bureau Report, India Today.
27:54Several other senior Congress leaders have dismissed all of this, saying that it simply doesn't matter, that the TVK can
28:01endorse who they want.
28:02Ultimately, the face will be Rahul Gandhi.
28:12And today in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, there was a war of words that played out between the DMK and
28:16the TVK.
28:17While, in fact, you had Chief Minister Vijay making big announcements,
28:22the leader of opposition, Udeniti Stalin, took a jibe with the Vijay government,
28:25saying the DMK had created a global sports city project.
28:30And he said that, like Parandur, the TVK government has cancelled this too.
28:35The Tamil Nadu government has responded, clarifying that the TVK government has cancelled this
28:40because they're coming up with a different plan to create an Olympic city.
28:44Adhavarjuna, speaking in the Assembly, said Tamil Nadu hasn't won a single medal in 100 years
28:48and that the TVK government is focusing on this rebuilding basic sports infrastructure in the state.
28:54There have, however, been jibes from the DMK that multiple of their projects, their schemes have been targeted by the
29:02TVK.
29:27Thank you very much.
29:43Thank you very much.
30:09Thank you very much.
30:21And, in fact, as we get you those reactions, we'll also play out for you what Minister Adhavarjuna has said
30:28in the Assembly on this particular issue.
30:31Before that, here's a look at the multiple projects and the allegation that the DMK has put forth that many
30:38of the projects that they've kicked off have been scrapped.
30:41One of those is, of course, the Parandur Greenfield Airport, which the government said is to safeguard water bodies, to
30:47safeguard farmlands,
30:48and they've cancelled that the hunt is on to find another site.
30:52Two sites have been proposed.
30:53The Global Sports City, which is what the leader of opposition of Dedede Stalin has raised.
30:58Now, the TVK government says that's because the site will be redesigned, but the intent is still the same, to
31:05go ahead and set up a sports city.
31:07See, 46 temple-funded projects.
31:10Now, reportedly, this was also cancelled to conserve temple infrastructure.
31:16The TVK government said this money wasn't meant for, in fact, these kind of projects, and so cancelled it.
31:22In Chennai itself, several development projects has led to a showdown, like the Veilichiri flyover, where the tender has been
31:28cancelled.
31:29The TVK government says it's because of a conflict with the Chennai Metro Rail.
31:32The DMK says the development is being stalled for political reasons.
31:37The Kanchipuram New Town Plan.
31:39Now, this also scrapped because of commercial growth being curbed and to protect heritage.
31:46Again, this was something the DMK came up with.
31:48The TVK has scrapped it.
31:49The ECR elevated corridor.
31:52Allegations of inflated costs has led to it reportedly being cancelled.
31:57Though the TVK government maintains that they are not completely against this particular project
32:02and will perhaps re-look into it after looking into the tenders that were assigned.
32:07Listen in to Minister Adhavarjuna.
32:09The TVK government says,
32:49We're cutting across a big breaking news that's coming in right now in the bilateral
32:54that took place between Prime Minister Modi and the President of Iran, Pazeshkian.
32:58The issue of seafarers was raised by India.
33:03This is the information we're picking up right now
33:06with inside details of what really was brought up.
33:09Remember that multiple Indian seafarers have borne the brunt of this conflict, of this war.
33:16There have been incidents of Indian sailors being targeted
33:20as vessels travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
33:22This issue has now been brought up formally by India with Iran.
33:28It came up in the bilateral meeting that took place just a couple of hours ago
33:31between Prime Minister Modi and the President of Iran.
33:34India has confirmed to us that this issue was raised.
33:38I want to bring in Pranay Upadhyay to understand how Iran chose to respond.
33:43This has been an issue, Pranay, that India has taken strong, strong objection to.
33:47The manner in which some of our seafarers have also borne the brunt of this conflict
33:52in the Strait of Hormuz.
33:54How has Iran chosen to respond?
33:56Has there been any formal statement?
33:58Obviously, Iran has only expressed its concern and in fact, you know, this is a conflict zone.
34:04So there is no direct answer by Iran because there is a shifting of blame by either side.
34:10We have seen that, you know, how Indian seafarers and their life got jeopardized
34:15in the crossfire in the Strait of Hormuz.
34:17But having said that, this remains a reality that India, after Iran, if someone, if any country
34:24has, you know, sustained the biggest losses in terms of the civilian life loss, that is India.
34:29And India is a neutral country.
34:31India has not taken any side in this conflict.
34:36But still, India has sustained losses in terms of the civilian life loss,
34:39in terms of, you know, the cargo ships, in terms of seafarers.
34:42And some of the Indian seafarers have also lost their lives.
34:46And you can recall, Akshita, that way back in June, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met
34:50U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Prime Minister raised this issue.
34:55And now, in a meeting with the Iranian leadership, Prime Minister also raised the same issue
35:01of the security and safety of the seafarers and wider seafaring community of India,
35:06you know, which is facing a lot of challenges because of this ongoing conflict in and around
35:12state of Hormuz.
35:13Okay, let me bring in Geeta Mohan also on this broadcast.
35:16Geeta, if I'm not wrong, when, in fact, these incidents had occurred of Indian seafarers
35:20being targeted, they were condemnations that came in from both America and from Iran on
35:25this.
35:26So, really, the fact that India is raising this also formally with Iran sends across a
35:30very strong message that we take this extremely seriously.
35:35Well, that's right.
35:36India has been raising this issue.
35:37In fact, when Indian seafarers were hurt, injured, and we lost some of them, the issue
35:45was raised with the Iranian side.
35:48Iran has been maintaining that the fault of the security issue that now, the security challenge
35:56that now the Gulf states and the Persian Gulf really faces is because of America.
36:01Having said that, there is an assurance that India requires and wants from Iran when it
36:06comes to safety of seafarers.
36:08Remember, no matter what the flag of a merchant vessel or vessel looks like, the people and
36:14the crew on board are primarily Indian.
36:16And most of them are Indian.
36:18And therefore, there is a need to ensure security of Indian seafarers who are a lot, quite a few
36:26of them still stuck since the war began with the ship stuck and stranded in the Strait of
36:31Hormuz or beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
36:35And therefore, the Indian side quite worried about them who are already stuck and have not
36:41seen or come home in a very long time.
36:44And those who have come under harm's way as well.
36:47Okay, just stay with me, Geeta Pranay.
36:50We're going to cut across to more news coming in because even as the information has come
36:54in on the bilateral between Prime Minister Modi and Pazeshkian, I'll cut across to what's
36:58expected in the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.
37:03That's expected to kick off any moment now.
37:06And here's what we're picking up.
37:08There is going to be a conversation in all likelihood on alternative supply routes, on
37:13regional connectivity, on multilateral cooperation.
37:16Now, the messaging is going to be very clear from Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.
37:21Sanction or no sanction, India-Russia solidarity is there to stand.
37:27Now, beyond that, what we're hearing is that both leaders could be traveling together to
37:31the ongoing Nomad Games, which is happening in Kyrgyzstan, and SEO Summit leaders are going
37:36to be a part of that particular games.
37:40And so both leaders could travel to the venue together.
37:43What's become the new normal?
37:45Car diplomacy could play out once again in just some time from now.
37:49Pranay, I'll just come to you quickly for an update on that.
37:52But, you know, this is clearly going to be all about the optics as much as, you know, what
37:56are the big takeaways.
37:57It's also going to be about the photo ops between the two leaders, the warmth, the friendship
38:01that we've gotten so used to seeing when they meet.
38:05Akshita, you mentioned about the car diplomacy.
38:07And you can recall that, in fact, the first edition of this car diplomacy actually started
38:12between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi in Tianjin.
38:15And after that, we have seen that at various foreign visits of Prime Minister Modi, he was
38:20driven by various other global leaders.
38:23And in fact, when President Vladimir Putin came to India, Prime Minister Narendt Modi not
38:28only received him at the airport, but in fact, both the leaders drove together in a car
38:32to Prime Minister's resident at Lokal Yanmarg in New Delhi.
38:36So, you know, what we are learning from our sources that yet another edition of car diplomacy
38:40between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin can be seen on the roads of Vishkek when
38:46both leaders are expected to be there in the Nomad Games-related event there.
38:52But having said that, Akshita, the larger message is clear that, you know, at a time when the
38:58United States is imposing higher tariffs on doing business or trade with Russia, when they
39:04are, you know, giving out a message of outcasting Iran, Prime Minister Narendt Modi has given
39:09out a larger, a louder message here that India's foreign policy has its own element of sovereignty
39:16and its independence.
39:17And in fact, Prime Minister Narendt Modi did meet the Iranian president.
39:21He is going to meet the Russian president as well.
39:23And in fact, the special privilege, strategic partnership of India and Russia is, has tested,
39:30you know, has stood on various tests of time.
39:33And in fact, the solidarity is there to stand by, as you rightly said, Akshita.
39:38And this clearly shows that, you know, on various areas of cooperation, be it the alternative
39:44routes, at a time when the supply chains are being strained, at a time when the supply routes
39:50are getting disrupted, how India and Russia can collaborate together.
39:53The idea of linking Chaba to INSTC, International North-South Trading Corridor, the regional connectivity
39:59architecture, how India can participate in the Arctic northern route, where the Russia
40:05controls the larger territory and controls the Arctic Council influence as well.
40:10How India can invest in far east of Russia, Vladivostok, how India and Russia can collaborate
40:16in the exploratory, you know, projects of far east as well as in the Arctic region, which
40:21is so rich in minerals and energy.
40:24So all these areas and all these issues will be on table.
40:27And as, as we were, we have been discussing, Akshita, that whenever Prime Minister Modi and
40:32Russian President Vladimir Putin have met, something significant has always come out.
40:36So we can expect some kind of, in terms of optics as well, in terms of, you know, the outcomes
40:41as well.
40:42In the course of this conversation, Gita, we've constantly been referencing what will Washington,
40:47you know, think of this?
40:48How will they view this meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin?
40:52And that messaging is very apt, that sanction or no sanction, India-Russia solidarity is
40:58here to stay.
40:59Nothing changes on that front.
41:01And there's no question of buckling to any Western pressure.
41:05Well, that has been the case for a very long time, since actually the, the, the conflict
41:10between Russia and Ukraine.
41:11And that was primarily one of the biggest, biggest takeaways from what India's strategic
41:19autonomy really spells out.
41:20Before, we've had instances where India was listening to, despite saying that India does
41:27not accept country-based sanctions, India was listening to America when it comes to Iran.
41:33But Russia was the tipping point.
41:35When Russia-Ukraine started and America wanted India to stop, or Europe also wanted India to
41:43stop buying Russian oil or stop all the engagement with Russia, India did not do that.
41:49India continued engagement because it is historic.
41:51It is, the defense framework and architecture is absolutely entrenched and embedded within
41:58each other.
41:59So there, there can be no way that India can pull out of Russia and does not want to.
42:03And that's the decision that India showed very firmly to the West, that no matter what
42:09the sanctions are, India is not going to cut off ties and will continue remaining engaged
42:15with Moscow.
42:16So that messaging now is paying off in many ways than one, where so many fronts have opened
42:21up and many countries are now looking to and looking at countries like Russia and China, where
42:26India has already built an old relationship and has ensured that it strengthens, if not
42:32so much with China, but certainly with Russia.
42:35You know, on the issue of conflicts, Pranay, you know, India has, of course, played very clearly
42:41as far as both conflicts are concerned, has said very clearly, we're on the side of peace
42:45and we've very delicately handled this entire situation.
42:48Even now, the information coming in is that there was a mention of the conflict with Ukraine
42:52in the conversation that President Putin had with his Chinese counterpart, with Xi Jinping
42:58as well.
42:58And there's no doubt that that will come up even today when there's a conversation between
43:03Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.
43:05And India's stand is very clear, nothing changes on that front.
43:10Akshita, I can tell you, first of all, that the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and
43:14President Vladimir Putin has just begun.
43:16And in fact, as you rightly mentioned, that if you see the consistency of India's viewpoint,
43:21be it meeting with President Putin or President Zelensky, or be it meeting with US President
43:26Donald Trump or meeting with the Iranian President Masood Pazashkian, India has always maintained
43:31that we are not neutral.
43:32We are on the side of peace and impact.
43:34The dialogue in diplomacy is the only way forward.
43:38And that's why, you know, both the leaders, you know, with all the leaders, wherever India
43:45has always maintained that, you know, the dialogue in diplomacy is the only way forward.
43:51Only lately other countries have realized that, you know, ultimately they have to come to the
43:54negotiating table to find a negotiated solution to those challenges and those confrontations.
43:59It just confirmed for us once again, Pranay, you're saying the bilateral has begun between
44:03Prime Minister Modi and President Putin?
44:06You know, there is some kind of a confusion here, but that they're about to start.
44:11So let me get this confirmation again.
44:14But I'll give you a moment.
44:15Pranay, let me give you a moment so you can go ahead and reach out to your sources and find
44:20out what's really happening in Bishkek.
44:22Because we are hearing that that meeting has begun between Prime Minister Modi and President
44:27Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit at Bishkek.
44:32Lots expected, big takeaways expected in that particular meeting.
44:36And what we're hearing is that there is going to be a visit by both the leaders together at
44:43the Nomad Games, which is underway right now in Kyrgyzstan, where all of the SCO summit leaders
44:48have also been present.
44:50So that's again messaging, a great deal of messaging by both leaders right now that, you
44:56know, this is a friendship that continues to prosper, that we have great regard, great
45:00respect for each other and that that is shown to the world, for the world to see, essentially.
45:07But Geeta, one of the issues that will be focused on in this particular bilateral is what
45:13of the takeaways on trade and addressing that trade imbalance?
45:19Well, absolutely.
45:21The trade imbalance, this is with China or Russia, Akshita, I apologize.
45:27This is between Russia and India.
45:29Russia and India.
45:31So the trade imbalance, there is a trade imbalance between the two countries, but not so significant
45:38or in a manner in which that it cannot be addressed.
45:41The fact is that over here, the two countries are looking at cooperation to enhance ties between
45:48the two countries when it comes to trade.
45:50But there are difficulties.
45:51There's one issue when it comes to defense cooperation that we cannot really move away from.
45:59But the other structure, Akshita, when it comes to absolute trade cooperation between Russia
46:03and India, there are a lot of problems, particularly to do with payments, particularly to do with
46:09the fact that Russia is no longer part of the SWIFT system, which is the international
46:13financial system for payments, so on and so forth.
46:16So there are a lot of issues when it comes to how the payments are going to be made in
46:21should
46:22the two countries want to enhance trade between the two sides.
46:26So we have to look at that aspect as well when it comes to India and Russia, and that is
46:34certainly
46:34something that has been discussed for a long time now.
46:39Rupee-ruble payment structure is something that has not just been a part of discussion,
46:44but also how to make it happen, how to get it implemented.
46:48In certain spaces and in spurts and in certain exchanges, we do see that rupee-ruble payment
46:57is something that the two countries are looking at.
46:59But in terms of a viable option where it's absolutely smooth and the payments take place
47:05without a problem and a itch, that certainly has not happened so far.
47:10And also for India, the hesitation is that should India start paying or receiving payments
47:17in rupee-ruble, then that currency remains only for Russia or maybe probably for China.
47:25There is no other country where that currency can be used to make payments.
47:31So right now, the international financial system still depends a lot on the SWIFT financial system
47:38and dollars.
47:39So that's one area where the two sides will have to really sit down and see whether if they
47:45can actually enhance trade, look at the imbalance in trade by looking at how to make those payments
47:52happen.
47:54All right, Geeta and Pranay stay with us.
47:56We're going to continue tracking what's really taking place in Bishkek.
47:59We're moments away from the bilateral between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.
48:04And we're getting you all the live updates coming in right now from Kyrgyzstan.
48:08Over the weekend, we've seen a very dramatic protest in the iconic Lal Bagh Park in Bengaluru.
48:16Residents who usually come together at the park to enjoy the weekend, to have a picnic,
48:22to enjoy the weather.
48:22And it's so intrinsic to really what Bengaluru stands for and the lifestyle in Bengaluru,
48:28were there for a different reason.
48:29They, along with some BJP leaders, came together, hugged rocks off the park, held up these placards
48:37saying, save Lal Bagh, save our parks.
48:40Why?
48:41To protest against an amendment brought by the government, the state government.
48:45This outrage is basically about a change to Karnataka's 1975 parks protection law.
48:51The amendment passed now allows the government to use or to transfer up to 5% of protected
48:58park land for public infrastructure for utilities.
49:02So, for example, where the protest happened in Lal Bagh, it's about 240 acres.
49:085% of that would be roughly 12 acres.
49:11The government can take it, use it for whatever they deem fit.
49:14Carbon Park is about 197 acres.
49:17Roughly 10 acres could theoretically fall within the limit of what the government can go ahead
49:22and take.
49:23Bengalurians are calling this out.
49:25As I told you, it's part of, in fact, their daily life to spend time in these beautiful
49:32parks because it's the only green space left in the city.
49:35They're suggesting that the government can now go ahead and remove that green cover, take
49:39the park land, build roads, buildings and other projects in the city.
49:44And mind you, this 5% of park land has been handed over legally to the government.
49:50Bengaluru already has shrinking green space.
49:53There's a booming population.
49:56And so the government says the lack of infrastructure needs to be addressed.
50:01Where does the land come from?
50:02From the parks.
50:03The only pockets of greenery that the people of Bengaluru get to enjoy.
50:09Now we'll have to see whether their movement has any traction, whether it leads to action
50:14by the government.
50:15But as of now, legally, the government can go ahead and take land from these iconic, historic
50:22heritage parks of the city.
50:27Some food for thought for you right there for every Bengalurian watching this broadcast
50:31or whether they're for or against this particular amendment.
50:35As I wrap up this edition of Super 6, coming up on the other side, we're going to continue
50:39focusing on what's happening in Bishkek, where we're standing by for the big Modi put in bilateral.
51:01We'll see you next time.