Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Jaishankar Visits Russia as Padikkal Scores Colombo Century
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar went to Russia for important meetings about cooperation between the two countries.
He was also scheduled to meet Russian officials Sergey Lavrov and Denis Manturov.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with leaders of 20 space startups before National Space Day.
A Chinese humanoid robot reportedly ran 100 metres faster than the time associated with Usain Bolt.
Iran and Qatar gave different accounts about Iranian pilots who may be in Qatar’s custody.
In cricket, Devdutt Padikkal scored another Test century in Colombo.
Former Indian cricketer Karn Sharma announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Indian Railways began operating a long double-stack container train between Maharashtra and Gujarat.
The NTA will hold another AIAPGET exam for 49 students whose test was interrupted by a power failure.
A new digital platform in Ahmedabad also presents the 125-year history of India’s pharmaceutical industry.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Russia on August 23–24 for the India-Russia intergovernmental commission meeting and discussions with Russian officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met CEOs of 20 Indian space startups ahead of National Space Day and encouraged growth in the space sector.
A Chinese humanoid robot reportedly completed 100 metres in 9.39 seconds at the World Humanoid Robot Games, surpassing Usain Bolt’s stated world record.
Devdutt Padikkal scored his second Test century of the India-Sri Lanka series in Colombo, while Karn Sharma announced retirement from all cricket.
Indian Railways launched a 1.3-kilometre double-stack container train, and education authorities announced an AIAPGET re-exam for 49 candidates affected by a power failure.
- Who
- S. Jaishankar, Narendra Modi, Devdutt Padikkal, Karn Sharma, Indian and international officials, and organizations including Indian Railways and the National Testing Agency.
- What
- The roundup covers diplomatic meetings, space-sector initiatives, a reported humanoid-robot record, cricket developments, rail freight, tax appeals, an entrance-exam re-test, and a pharmaceutical-history platform.
- When
- The events and announcements were reported for August 23–24, 2026, with some developments occurring on August 21 and September 1.
- Where
- The events involve Russia, India, Colombo, Beijing, Qatar, Iran, Mumbai, Vadodara, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad.
- Why
- The activities were undertaken for bilateral cooperation, space-sector development, sporting competition, freight transport, examination fairness, tax appeals, and preservation of pharmaceutical history.
Iran’s Account
Qatar’s Account
Status of Iranian pilots
Iran’s Account
Iran urged Qatar to move detained Iranian pilots from water to a hospital on land, saying they were reportedly in poor physical condition and being held in an unsuitable location.
Qatar’s Account
Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots and said the individuals had earlier violated Qatari airspace and did not respond to contact attempts. Qatar agreed to coordinate with Iran and invited an Iranian delegation to review search-and-rescue operations.
- Jaishankar’s visit
- August 23–24, 2026, to attend the 27th India-Russia IRIGC-TEC session.
- Space-startup interaction
- Narendra Modi interacted with CEOs of 20 Indian space startups ahead of National Space Day.
- Reported robot time
- Tiangong Ultra reportedly completed 100 metres in 9.39 seconds in Beijing.
- Padikkal’s achievement
- Devdutt Padikkal scored his second century of the India-Sri Lanka Test series in Colombo.
- Container train
- The 360-TEU train travelled 422 kilometres from JNPT near Mumbai to Varnama in Vadodara Division.
- AIAPGET re-exam
- The NTA scheduled a September 1 re-examination in Jaipur for 49 candidates affected by a power failure.
- India Pharma Archives
- The IIMA-IPA platform presents 125 years of Indian pharmaceutical history.