NIMHANS Designated Nodal Body for BRICS Mental Health Centres of Excellence Under 18th Summit Declaration

India-China Special Representatives Discuss Boundary Delimitation, Set Stage for Sep 12-13 BRICS Summit

NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi, as special representatives, met in Beijing to push forward boundary delimitation talks. The meeting also set the stage for President Xi's likely visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, 2026, signaling a continued thaw in bilateral relations after the 2020 standoff.

18th BRICS Summit 2026 Adopts New Delhi Declaration; Condemns Pahalgam Attack, Launches Seafarers' Support Network

The 18th BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi on September 13, 2026, adopting a 45-page New Delhi Declaration covering trade, health, AI, and tourism. India pushed key initiatives like a Seafarers' Emergency Support Network and a BRICS Continuity Mechanism, while the grouping condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. Notably, the declaration avoided any mention of Ukraine or a common BRICS currency, signalling diplomatic calibration.

US Proposes $103,265 H-1B Fee: Impact on Indian IT Firms and Workers

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional $103,265 fee on H-1B visa petitions subject to annual caps, targeting Indian IT professionals who account for over 70% of approved petitions. This follows a court striking down a similar $100,000 fee imposed via presidential directive, now using formal rulemaking under a different legal provision. The move could significantly increase costs for Indian IT firms and reduce opportunities for Indian workers.

US Imposes 100% Tariff on Drones Over 25kg, 25% on Smaller Drones to Curb China Dominance

The US has imposed tariffs of up to 100% on large drones and 25% on smaller drones, effective September 3, 2026, to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. The executive order by President Donald Trump targets Chinese drone maker DJI, which dominates the global market. This move has significant implications for global supply chains and India's strategic positioning in the drone industry.

US Labour Dept Suspends Cognizant's PERM Green-Card Filings Amid Fraud Probe; IT Industry Faces Tougher Scrutiny

The US Department of Labour has suspended Cognizant's PERM green-card filings amid a fraud investigation, signalling heightened scrutiny on the H-1B-to-green-card pathway for Indian IT professionals. This move could trigger talent retention issues for Cognizant and push the broader IT industry toward local hiring and stricter compliance.

Australia's Digital Duty of Care: 'My Feed, My Way' Law, Fines Up to $79M for Algorithm Opt-Out

Australia proposes a new 'Digital Duty of Care' law that lets users choose between algorithmic and non-algorithmic feeds ('My Feed, My Way'). Social media firms face fines up to $79M for non-compliance and must protect minors from harmful content. This is a significant global move in digital regulation, similar to the EU's Digital Services Act, and is relevant for GS2 (governance, social justice) and GS3 (cybersecurity, technology).

BRICS Summit 2026: India Chairs 18th Summit, Adopts New Delhi Declaration with 140 Paragraphs on Trade, Health, Tourism

The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi under India's presidency adopted the New Delhi Declaration, expanding the group to 10 full members and 10 partner countries. Key initiatives include Seafarers' Emergency Support Network, NIMHANS as nodal mental health centre, and condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack. The summit avoided mention of a common BRICS currency or Ukraine, focusing instead on cooperation.

BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026: Condemns Unilateral Tariffs, Pahalgam Attack, Supports Two-State Solution

The BRICS New Delhi Declaration marks a key diplomatic achievement for India as chair, securing consensus on counter-terrorism (including specific condemnation of the April 2025 Pahalgam attack), opposition to unilateral tariff measures, and support for a two-state solution in West Asia. This is a must-know for IR and Economy sections, especially for India's multilateral diplomacy and Global South positioning.