Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- India says it will protect its trade and economic interests as the US Congress passes its Russia sanctions bill
- India’s foreign ministry denies claims that foreign leaders fell ill after BRICS summit in New Delhi
- The Indian Supreme Court has pulled up the government over denial of disability pension to veterans
Here is a roundup of some of the top headlines from across India on Thursday, September 17.
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Skip next section Supreme Court rejects government’s appeals against disabled veterans’ pensions09/17/2026September 17, 2026
Supreme Court rejects government’s appeals against disabled veterans’ pensions
India’s Supreme Court dismissed 271 appeals filed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government challenging disability pensions awarded to former armed forces personnel, ruling that the government still bears the burden of proving a serviceman’s disability was unrelated to military service, local media reported.
A two-judge bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe held that while the 2008 pension rules removed an earlier presumption that a soldier was fit upon entering service, this did not shift the entire burden of proof onto the serviceman.
The court said the “onus to prove that the member’s disability is not attributable to service still lies on the employer.”
The appeals stemmed from cases where military release medical boards had classified disabilities as “neither attributable nor aggravated” by service, only for the Armed Forces Tribunal or high courts to overturn those findings and grant pensions.
The bench also criticized the government for pursuing appeals it said were largely time-barred, and cited Right to Information data showing the vast majority of departmental pension appeals from ex-servicemen are rejected at earlier stages.
The court referenced a 2015 defense ministry report that had recommended withdrawing such litigation against disabled soldiers, noting the recommendation was never fully implemented.
https://p.dw.com/p/5MlzxSkip next section India’s Foreign Ministry slams reports that world leaders fell ill after BRICS summit09/17/2026September 17, 2026
India’s Foreign Ministry slams reports that world leaders fell ill after BRICS summit
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has rejected social media claims that several world leaders fell ill after attending the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi on September 12-13, calling the reports “fake” and warning against “malicious” posts.
The MEA’s fact-checking unit posted on X: “Fake Alert!!! 🚨🚨🚨 We caution against such malicious posts on social media platforms!” This included a social media post by Polymarket, one of the world’s largest prediction market platforms.
The clarification followed genuine confirmation from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office that he had withdrawn from public engagements after returning from the summit, having been advised to rest due to ill health.
Separately, unverified posts claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping fainted and left the summit early for medical treatment. The claim originated from Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, and was not confirmed by Chinese or Indian officials. Beijing has banned the party.
Xi is confirmed to have attended the summit and met bilaterally with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Ml2aSkip next section India vows to protect trade and economic interests amid threat of US’s Russia-linked tariffs 09/17/2026September 17, 2026
India vows to protect trade and economic interests amid threat of US’s Russia-linked tariffs
India said Thursday it remains committed to securing energy supplies for its 1.4 billion people and will keep sourcing oil from diverse suppliers, hours after the US House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas, including India, along with new sanctions tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for signature.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement responding directly to the legislation: “India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics.”
The ministry said it had raised the issue with US officials in recent months, adding, “Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side.”
“The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” the statement added, saying it would work with trade and industry bodies on the legislation’s implications.
India is the world’s third-largest oil importer, and Russia has become one of its largest suppliers as well as a longstanding strategic and military partner. New Delhi has consistently defended the relationship as necessary for its energy needs, resisting outside pressure to scale it back.
What do we know about the sanctions?
The package targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, old tankers it uses to circumvent sanctions.
More controversially, the legislation allows Trump to impose secondary sanctions on countries that rely on Russian oil and gas, in the form of tariffs. Beijing and New Delhi are expected to be the main targets of such measures.
The bill would also extend sanctions on Iran.
To learn more about the bill passed by the US Congress, click here.
https://p.dw.com/p/5MjiNSkip next section Welcome to our coverage09/17/2026September 17, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Hello! This is Seerat from DW’s Studio Delhi, once again bringing you the latest from across India.
….And we start with the United States. The US Congress has passed its Russia sanctions bill, and the repercussions are being felt far and wide, including in India, where the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the country will protect its trade and economic interests.
The MEA has also been busy debunking the narrative that several world leaders have fallen sick after their trip to India for the BRICS summit.
In other news, the Indian Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Prime Minister Modi’s government to deny disability pension granted to veterans.
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