ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Subhadra Yojana, a women-centric initiative by the Odisha government, and unveiled railway and national highway projects worth over $460 million in Bhubaneswar. He laid the foundation stones for railway projects valued at $345 million and launched national highway developments worth $120 million.

PM Modi is set to visit the U.S. from 21-23 September, with a packed schedule including the Quad summit in Wilmington hosted by President Biden. The leaders will review Quad progress and plan future initiatives for the Indo-Pacific region. Modi's itinerary also features a diaspora event, meetings with AI and semiconductor business leaders, an address at the United Nations Summit of the Future, and meet with other leaders present in New York. 

Delhi's next chief minister: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi is set to become Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister after Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena. Elected as the AAP legislature party leader, Atishi has formally requested to form the government. Currently serving as a Cabinet Minister, she holds many important portfolios, including Revenue, Education, and Public Works Department.

Modi 3.0: Home Minister Amit Shah announced that in the first 100 days of PM Modi's third term, projects worth ₹1.5 trillion, including ₹300 billion towards infrastructure, and increasing capital expenditure to ₹1,111 billion. According to Shah, the government has also focused on strengthening India's external, internal security, and defence systems while positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub.

Jammu and Kashmir begins first assembly elections in a decade: Voters in Jammu and Kashmir head to the polls today for the first assembly elections in 10 years. The Chenab Valley and South Kashmir regions are at the centre of the first phase. The second and third phases are scheduled for 25th September and 5th October, covering 26 and 40 seats respectively.

India’s trade deficit hits 10-month high: India's goods exports fell 9.32% to $34.71 billion in August, while imports surged 3.3% to a record $64.36 billion, driven by a sharp rise in gold imports, which doubled to $10.1 billion. This led to a trade deficit of $29.65 billion, the second-largest monthly gap in merchandise trade. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that the deficit is not alarming for a high-growth, developing economy without foreign exchange issues.

U.S.-India clean energy collaboration: U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri led the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) meeting in Washington, D.C. Both sides reviewed progress in areas such as power efficiency, renewable energy, oil and gas, and sustainable growth. In their joint statement, the ministers praised advances in clean energy innovation, energy security, and efforts to build resilient and diversified supply chains, with a focus on clean energy manufacturing.

India's renewable energy push attracts $391 billion investment: The fourth Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) has secured investment pledges totalling approximately $391 billion, as announced by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi. Commitments include 570 GW from developers and manufacturing capacity expansions in solar modules, cells, wind turbines, and electrolysers. 

Boosting exports: The Department of Posts has significantly enhanced its Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK) initiative, establishing over 1,000 centres across India to promote commercial exports. These centres offer exporters services like e-filing of postal export bills, self-booking, electronic customs clearance, packaging, free pickups, tracking, volume-based discounts, and support and guidance for exporters. This expansion aims to boost exports from smaller and remote locations, aligning with government schemes such as One District, One Product (ODOP), Geographical Indication (GI) Tag promotion, and Make in India, enhancing ease of business for Indian exporters.

Indian sectors sway as Bangladesh simmers: Recent political turmoil in Bangladesh is expected to have varied effects on Indian sectors, according to a CRISIL Ratings study. Whilst cotton yarn, power, footwear, soft luggage and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries may face minor setbacks, ship breaking, jute and readymade garments could see benefits. Most other sectors are likely to remain unaffected. CRISIL notes that these developments have not significantly impacted India's trade thus far and foresees no immediate effect on the credit quality of Indian businesses.

Delhi Today: Cloudy

Rajya Sabha: Not in session.

Lok Sabha: Not in session.