ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the tenth anniversary of Jan Dhan Yojana — the government’s financial inclusion program. The initiative, open to all Indian citizens, aims to provide affordable access to financial services such as bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance, and pensions. Modi emphasised the scheme's role in boosting financial inclusion and empowering millions, particularly women, youth, and marginalised communities, by granting them financial dignity and opportunities.

Over 24,000 Indian diaspora have registered for the “Modi & U.S. Progress Together,” a community event that will be addressed by PM Modi on September 22. PM Modi is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly session on September 26.

India to lead global economic growth in 2024: PM Modi has celebrated India’s strong economic performance, highlighting the country’s projected top ranking among the fastest-growing major economies in 2024. According to the July 2024 World Economic Outlook update from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India’s real GDP is expected to grow by 7%, outpacing the U.S. and China, which are forecasted to grow at 2.6% and 5%.

Boosting India’s hydro power capabilities: The Union Cabinet has approved Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to support State Governments in the North Eastern Region (NER) for their equity participation in hydroelectric projects developed through Joint Ventures between State entities and Central Public Sector Undertakings. This initiative aims to harness the hydro power potential of the North East, attract significant investment, create direct and indirect employment opportunities, and contribute to India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

India's industrial future: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Modi, has approved 12 new projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with an investment of ₹286.02 billion. These projects, spanning 10 states and strategically placed along 6 major corridors, aim to create a network of industrial smart cities that will transform India's industrial landscape, boosting economic growth and global competitiveness.

SIG716 rifles for the Indian Army: Ammunition and pistol maker SIG Sauer has secured a second contract with India's Ministry of Defence to provide an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles. This new agreement builds upon a previous order, bringing the total number of these rifles to 145,400.

India and Brazil's strategic partnership: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira met in New Delhi to strengthen energy cooperation. They discussed bilateral hydrocarbon trade, Indian investments in Brazil's upstream sector, and collaboration on energy transition, particularly in biofuels. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar co-chaired the ninth India-Brazil Joint Commission with Vieira, reviewing bilateral ties across sectors such as trade, defence, health, agriculture, space, and technology.

Mixed outlook for India's vehicle sales: Vehicle sales in India are set to show mixed results in August-September 2024, with two-wheeler sales expected to grow by 8% and tractor sales by 4%. Mass-market manufacturers like Honda, TVS, Suzuki, Bajaj, and Hero are predicted to perform well, while Eicher Motors-Royal Enfield may see flat growth. In 2023-2024, India exported 4.5 million vehicles, with 76.8% being two-wheelers. The country aims to double its automobile industry size to ₹1.5 trillion by the end of this financial year.

Apple-Airtel deal: Apple is teaming up with Bharti Airtel to offer its music and video streaming services for free to Airtel's premium customers, giving Apple access to millions of users in India. As competition intensifies and a major $8.5 billion merger between Reliance and Walt Disney reshapes the market, Apple TV+ will be bundled with Airtel's premium WiFi and postpaid plans, while Apple Music will be available for premium Wynk users. This partnership aims to expand Apple's digital footprint through Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator with 281 million subscribers.

India and Chile collaborate on sustainable practices: India’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur met with Chile’s Agriculture Minister Esteban Valenzuela in New Delhi to discuss key areas of collaboration, including the implementation of an MoU on Agricultural Cooperation, the Horticulture Action Plan, and the e-certification of phytosanitary certificates. Both ministers addressed agricultural challenges and opportunities to boost trade, emphasising sustainable practices and reaffirming their commitment to deepening their bilateral partnership.

Delhi Today: Mostly cloudy

Lok Sabha: Not in session.

Rajya Sabha: Not in session.