Daily Current Affairs - 12-09-2026

International News

India-Russia Bilateral Trade Target Set at ₹9.56 Lakh Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 11, 2026, during which they reaffirmed the target of increasing India-Russia bilateral trade from $65 billion (₹6.21 lakh crore) to $100 billion (₹9.56 lakh crore) by 2030. The two countries reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, security, energy, critical minerals, nuclear energy, fertilizer supply, space, and skilled-labour mobility. President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on a three-day official visit to attend the BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to another country for a BRICS summit since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. Prime Minister Modi presented Putin with a Russian-translated edition of the Thirukkural. Putin invited Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, and Modi accepted the invitation. The two leaders also discussed regional and global developments, including the West Asia conflict and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emphasized resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Defence-related discussions included Su-57 fighter aircraft, delivery of the remaining S-400 air-defence systems, BrahMos missile upgrades, and cooperation in railway and infrastructure projects.

BRICS Business Forum: Free Navigation and Seafarers’ Safety

At the BRICS Business Forum meeting held in New Delhi on September 11, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and seafarers' safety for improving global trade. India has more than 1 lakh startups and 120 unicorns valued at over $1 billion each. Since 2014, India has entered into free trade agreements with 40 countries. The BRICS member and partner countries together account for about 50% of the world's population, while BRICS accounts for about 40% of global economic output and more than one-fourth of global trade. Over the past 20 years, the BRICS economy has grown significantly faster than the global economy. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was ready to contribute to global energy security and food security and that BRICS trade cooperation was focused on the interests of its member countries. He also stated that during the previous five years, BRICS countries accounted for about 40% of global production, compared with 29% for the G7 countries. The BRICS Business Forum was held ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026.

National News

Supreme Court Seeks FSSAI Explanation on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels

The Supreme Court sought an explanation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on the implementation of front-of-pack warning labels indicating the levels of fat, sugar and salt in food products. A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran heard a petition filed by the non-profit organisation 3S and Our Health Society, seeking mandatory disclosure of these nutrition levels on the front of food packets. FSSAI informed the court that the proposed nutrition warning labels would be implemented in two phases, including for specified sweetened beverages. The court also sought details of the procedures used by FSSAI to determine the relevant nutritional measurements and considered the inclusion of nutrition information through text and images. The Supreme Court directed FSSAI to file a counter-affidavit within 10 days and adjourned the matter for further hearing to September 28, 2026.

Bihar Food Items Featured in BRICS Summit Welcome Kit

Sattu and Makhana Ladoo, popular food items of Bihar, are included in the welcome kits for guests and journalists attending the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. The welcome kit includes a water bottle, coffee cup, BRICS Summit diary, pen, badge, Sattu, and Makhana Ladoo, along with Koraput coffee powder from Odisha and handicraft products from Gujarat. Makhana from Bihar received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, while Sattu is prepared from roasted gram flour and is known for its high nutritional value.

BRICS Summit: ‘Namaste Lotus’ Logo

The 18th BRICS Summit begins at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with the ‘Namaste Lotus’ logo as its official visual symbol. The logo features the lotus, with a ‘Namaste’ shape at its centre, representing India’s national flower and the themes of welcome, hospitality and unity. The petals of the lotus are displayed in different colours corresponding to the national flags of the founding BRICS member countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Personalities, Awards and Events

BRICS Summit Begins in Delhi

The BRICS Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, under the chairmanship of India. The 11 BRICS member countries are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam are partner countries. BRICS countries account for about 40% of global economic production and 26% of global trade. The summit is being conducted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and the Delhi Declaration is scheduled to be released at the conclusion of the summit. Major participating leaders include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, among others. India is currently holding the BRICS chairmanship and is hosting the summit in New Delhi.

India–EAEU Trade Agreement Talks Intensify

India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are holding intensive negotiations for a trade agreement, according to Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development, at the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi on September 11, 2026. The EAEU comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. The share of the US dollar and euro in Russia’s export transactions has declined from 85% three years ago to 11%. Russia has established financial connections with thousands of banks across different countries. Discussions at the BRICS Business Forum also included establishing a grain trade market platform and special economic zones among BRICS countries.

Tamil Nadu News

Po. Shankar Appointed as Commissioner of Archaeology Department

Po. Shankar, an IAS officer who was serving as Secretary of the Agriculture Department, has been transferred and appointed as the Commissioner of the Archaeology Department, Tamil Nadu. The appointment was announced by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Saikumar. Following the transfer, N. Subbaiyan, Secretary of the Social Justice Department, has been given additional charge of Agriculture Department Secretary. Po. Shankar had been appointed as Agriculture Department Secretary in May 2026.

Famous Debate Moderator Solomon Pappaiah Passes Away

Professor Solomon Pappaiah, renowned Tamil scholar and debate moderator, passed away at the age of 90 in Madurai on September 11, 2026. He was born in Madurai on February 22, 1936, and belonged to Gnanavolipuram, Madurai. He studied at Corporation Vellingiriar School and completed his higher education at Thiagarajar College, later serving as a Professor at The American College, Madurai. He was known for transforming Tamil debate forums (Pattimandram) into platforms for knowledge and social awareness. For his contribution to the Tamil language, the Tamil Nadu Government conferred the Kalaimamani Award in 2000, and the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2021. His wife Jeyabai, a retired teacher, passed away in 2025. He is survived by his son Thiagamurthy and daughter Vimala. His last rites are scheduled to be held at the Thathaneri Electric Crematorium, Madurai.