The Kremlin confirmed that the sale of Russia's Su-57 fighter jets to India is on the agenda for a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin on Friday, 11 September, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The discussion was described as part of a broader bilateral agenda that will include trade and economic cooperation, and India has not issued an official response while Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is expected to have a role if the matter advances.

India holds the BRICS presidency for 2026 and will host the 18th summit at Bharat Mandapam on 12 and 13 September, with other leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa among those expected to attend. The two leaders last met in person at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, and the meeting in New Delhi follows continuing diplomatic engagement between the capitals.

Separately, national infrastructure activity continued with transport and project announcements in Gujarat, where the prime minister launched major rail and road work funded by large allocations. The government said it would spend Rs 855.9 million (mn) on the Berhampore bypass repair, and announced projects amounting to Rs 350 billion (bn) for the state, including Western Dedicated Freight Corridor sections completed at a cost of over Rs 207 billion (bn).

Energy data for August showed total fuel consumption fell two point eight per cent to 18.61 million (mn) metric tonnes, with petrol consumption up eight point two per cent to three point eight four mn tonnes and diesel rising six point eight per cent to seven point zero two mn tonnes. Declines in liquefied petroleum gas and naphtha offset some gains, while bitumen sales rose nineteen point eight per cent, underlining continued road construction activity.

Policy adjustments were also under way as the 57th GST Council meeting was postponed to October 7 because of summit schedules, and officials will consider simplifying registration where businesses pass on tax credit exceeding Rs 0.25 million (mn) a month. The government has also eased foreign direct investment rules to permit inventory held by e-commerce platforms strictly for export, subject to transaction level compliance.