ModiWatch: Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet him next week during PM Modi's three-day visit to the U.S. from September 21 to 23. Despite criticising India as an “abuser” of import tariffs, Trump described Modi as a “fantastic man.”

Modi cabinet endorses unified election proposal: The Union Cabinet has endorsed the High-Level Committee's recommendations on simultaneous elections. Chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the committee has proposed a phased approach, initially holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together, followed by local body elections within 100 days. The plan includes a unified electoral roll and will be discussed nationwide with a dedicated implementation group to be formed. 

Union budget 2025-26: The process for formulating the Union Budget 2025-26 started on Tuesday with the Department of Economic Affairs issuing its annual Budget communique to central ministries and Union Territories. The directive includes instructions and deadlines for submitting revised spending estimates for this year and the next. Pre-budget meetings, led by the Secretary (Expenditure), will begin in the second week of October and run until mid-November

India’s next step in lunar exploration: The Union Cabinet has greenlit Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to develop and demonstrate the technologies for moon landings, including docking, undocking, and safe return to Earth. By testing lunar sample collection and analysis, Chandrayaan-4 will lay the groundwork for an Indian moon landing by 2040.

India's venus orbiter mission approved: The Union Cabinet has approved the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), advancing India's space exploration beyond the Moon and Mars. The mission, to be executed by the Department of Space (DoS), aims to study Venus’s surface, subsurface, atmosphere, and solar interactions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will develop and launch the spacecraft. The total budget of the mission is ₹12.36 billion, of which ₹8.24 billion is allocated for the spacecraft.

India's space ambitions reach new heights: The Union Cabinet  has approved the expansion of the Gaganyaan programme to include the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1). This approval covers the creation of the station's first module and missions to test technologies for BAS. Additionally, the Gaganyaan Programme's scope and funding will be updated to accommodate these advancements and ongoing mission requirements. The Gaganyaan Programme, approved in December 2018, aims for human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and to lay the groundwork for long-term Indian space exploration. The Cabinet has also approved the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which will significantly enhance payload capacity, reduce costs, and introduce reusability and green propulsion, supporting India's vision of crewed Moon landings by 2040.

Bio-RIDE Scheme to support India’s biotech and bio-manufacturing sector: The Union Cabinet has approved the unified Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme. With an outlay of ₹91.97 billion, Bio-RIDE combines three areas: biotechnology research and development, industrial  and entrepreneurship development, and biomanufacturing and biofoundry. This initiative aims to drive innovation, support bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s leadership in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, addressing national and global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, sustainability, and clean energy.

India's path to economic growth and green leadership: BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, has projected that India could double its economy by 2030. Speaking in New Delhi, Subrahmanyam noted that India, currently the fifth largest economy at $3.7 trillion, is set to become one of the youngest and most prosperous nations by 2047, with a projected per capita income of $20,000. He also highlighted climate change as an opportunity for India to lead in climate technology, with NITI Aayog developing a pathway to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070.

India-Denmark maritime pact: India and Denmark have strengthened their maritime collaboration with a focus on green shipping, digitalisation, and sustainable development. The memorandum of understanding, signed by India's Ports Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Morten Bodskov, Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs of Denmark, expands their 2019 partnership by establishing a Centre of Excellence for green maritime technologies in India. Denmark, a leader in sustainable maritime solutions, is supporting India’s goals under the Sagarmala initiative and Maritime Vision 2030. Both nations are working on decarbonisation, including the development of hydrogen and ammonia-based fuels.

India, EU water management cooperation: At the sixth European Union-India Water Forum during India Water Week in New Delhi, both sides committed to enhancing cooperation in sustainable water management. They agreed to collaborate on river basin management, promote innovation, and drive sustainable investments. The forum also discussed trilateral efforts between India, the EU, and East Africa to address water challenges in Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.

World Food India 2024 kicks off in Delhi: World Food India 2024 begins today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with participation from over 90 countries, 26 Indian states and Union Territories, and 18 Central Ministries. The event will showcase innovation, technology, and sustainability in the food processing sector. A CEO roundtable, co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan, will be held on the first day.

India participates in IFTM Top Resa 2024: The Indian Ministry of Tourism is showcasing the country's diverse attractions at IFTM Top Resa 2024, a leading travel exhibition in Paris. The Incredible India Pavilion, inaugurated by  India's Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, features representatives from state tourism departments and private tour operators. The pavilion aims to boost inbound tourism from key markets like France, which was the eleventh largest source of foreign visitors to India in 2023. 

Delhi Today: A few morning showers, followed by clouds breaking for some sunshine.

Rajya Sabha: Not in session.

Lok Sabha: Not in session.