Morning Digest: Nepal seeks to import power earlier from India after flood devastation, asks for approvals; PM Modi arrives in Uzbekistan on two-day official visit, and more

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being tied a Rakhi by a member of the Indian diaspora in Tashkent on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ANI

In the wake of the devastating flash flood that severely impacted Nepal’s power infrastructure , Kathmandu has asked India to give the requisite approvals for the transmission of electricity to Nepal earlier than usual, senior officials in the Union Power Ministry said on Saturday (August 29, 2026).

A tunnel rescue team from India has reached Nepal on Saturday (August 29, 2026) to help the ongoing search-and-rescue operations in the aftermath of the flash floods, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. In its latest move, India has sent three aircraft carrying relief materials to Nepal since the disaster hit Bhote Kosi river region on August 26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 29, 2026) arrived in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan , where he will hold delegation-level talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, aiming to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr. Modi is embarking on a visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, 2026.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday (August 29, 2026) said that Hindutva does not envisage a Bharat (name he uses for India) without Muslims, asserting that a person who believes Muslims should have no place in the country would cease to be a Hindu.

India and China have yet to announce the locations of the two additional Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, government sources said that at least two rounds of meetings between local commanders of the two countries have been held at Kepang La in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district over the past year

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (August 29, 2026) cited testimonies of two Scheduled Caste eyewitnesses to claim that they exposed Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s narrative over an alleged incident in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, earlier this month. The attack came after Mr. Gandhi targeted the party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that a “purification” ceremony was organised at a rally venue addressed by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Haldwani. Mr. Gandhi also sought a First Information Report (FIR) on the incident.

HDFC Bank’s Sashidhar Jagdishan has conveyed his decision not to seek his re-appointment as the managing director & chief executive officer (MD&CEO) of the Bank, the largest private sector bank, said in an exchange filing. “At its meeting held today, the Board of Directors took note of Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan’s communication not to seek reappointment. Despite persuasion, Mr. Jagdishan reiterated his decision to not seek reappointment.