Prime Minister Narendra Modi has articulated a strong vision for India's economic trajectory and global standing, stating that the nation is now in a position to help lift the world out of slow growth. Addressing a media event in New Delhi on Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Prime Minister emphasized India's commitment to reform, perform, and transform, reiterating the goal of becoming the world's third-largest major economy and a developed nation by 2047. He also indicated that the next-generation GST reform process, aimed at simplifying the law and reducing prices, would be completed before Diwali. Additionally, PM Modi urged the private sector to increase investment in research and development across critical sectors like clean energy, quantum technology, battery storage, and biotechnology.
On the occasion of National Space Day, Prime Minister Modi called upon India's private sector and startups to aim for launching 50 rockets annually. He affirmed the government's intent to implement next-generation reforms to achieve this ambitious vision and announced that India would build its own space station in the coming years. Modi highlighted the increasing integration of space technology into governance, citing examples such as satellite-based assessments for crop insurance and geospatial data use in national master plans.
Meanwhile, several regions across India have been severely affected by heavy monsoon rains, floods, and landslides over the past 24 hours. Incidents of flash floods have been reported in areas like Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir, where continuous heavy rainfall caused the Sahar Khad river to swell and reportedly damaged a bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. Nationally, at least 11 people were killed in rain-related incidents, with Jharkhand being among the worst-hit states. Authorities are engaged in relief and rescue operations as the continuous downpour disrupts daily life and causes damage to infrastructure and property.
In international relations, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a four-day visit, accompanied by his spouse. Also, US President Donald Trump has nominated Sergio Gor as the next US ambassador to India, a move expected to influence India-US ties. Separately, former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley commented on India's stance regarding Russian oil, urging India to take the US's point seriously and work towards a solution to the tariff war.
On the defence front, India is set to jointly manufacture advanced jet engines with French aerospace major Safran, a significant boost for India's fifth-generation fighter aircraft program. Furthermore, India has cleared a substantial Indo-German deal worth Rs 70,000 crore for six advanced submarines, aimed at enhancing the Navy's fleet. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also successfully conducted maiden flight tests of an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System.
Other notable news includes the temporary suspension of postal services from India to the United States starting August 25. In sports, veteran Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. In legal news, an FIR was lodged against former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav for allegedly making defamatory and socially divisive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The CBI also conducted raids on industrialist Anil Ambani's offices in connection with a loan fraud case, allegations which Ambani has denied.