SC SEEKS TIMELINE FOR FSSAI’S FOOD WARNING LABEL ROLLOUT SATURDAY 12 Supreme Court has asked FSSAI to come up with more clarifications on its planned labels of nutrients of concern — fat, sugar and salt SEPTEMBER, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard AI WEAPONS ANTHROPIC BLOCKS BIO-WEAPONS BID Anthropic has said it has blocked efforts by bad actors to use its artificial intelligence models for malicious activity like research on bio weapons A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 1 Modi suggests study to remove the bloc’s top 10 trade barriers, supporting 100 startups a year to expand into other BRICS markets and creating 1,000 new business partnerships annually  NEW DELHI   J8.00 2 Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed phased implementation of ‘Clarify front-of-package labelling threshold (FoPL) on packaged foods levels of high in added saturated nutrients’ fat, added sugar and salt. PAGES 12 3 Maritime security mandatory for expanding global trade, says PM, warning economic growth and supply-chain resilience could not be separated from the security of shipping routes Putin highlights BRICS’ growing economic weight relative to G7, saying the former accounted for over 40% of global GDP over the past five years, compared with 29% for the G7 The bench asked FSSAI how it proposed to identify sweetened beverages which fall under Phase I; and what are threshold levels of the specific nutrients for such beverages 4 Modi holding Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s hand and walking side-by-side along with other global leaders showed not just solidarity, it sent a loaded message to the US Big PM push for BRICS trade integration Security, peace, minerals widen ties with Russia P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a threepillar strategy to deepen trade within the expanded BRICS grouping, while stressing that stronger economic integration would depend on secure sea lanes, open supply routes and the safety of seafarers as geopolitical conflicts increasingly disrupt global commerce. Addressing the BRICS Business Forum here, Modi urged the BRICS Business Council to identify and remove the bloc’s top 10 trade barriers, support 100 startups every year to expand into other BRICS markets and create 1,000 new business partnerships annually with progress reviewed every year. , “As BRICS enters its third decade, I would like to urge the BRICS Business Council: Can you prepare a report on removing the top 10 trade barriers among BRICS nations? Can we support 100 BRICS startups annually to scale up in other BRICS markets? Can we forge a thousand new partnerships among our businesses? We should review our progress on these three parameters every year,” Modi said. At the same time, Modi placed maritime security at the heart of his vision for expanding global trade, warning that economic growth and supply-chain resilience could not be separated from the security of shipping routes. This carries significance as conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea have disrupted shipping routes, raised freight Global trade can and insurance costs and exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains. only progress if Modi’s proposals came against a sea lanes are broader backdrop of rising protectionsecure, supply ism, sanctions and geopolitical fragroutes remain mentation, with emerging economies open, and seeking to build more resilient trade and investment links within the Global seafarers are safe. South. His pitch was to move BRICS toIndia is a staunch wards measurable economic supporter of integration. freedom of “The economic strength of BRICS has grown at nearly twice the pace of the navigation and rest of the world,” Modi said, describing safety of seafarers BRICS nations as emerging hubs for inNarendra Modi novation and solutions. The economic agenda unfolded alongside a sharper geopolitical message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who criticised sanctions and what he described as coercive economic pressure. Putin also sought to highlight BRICS’ growing economic weight relative to the Western-led G7. “Over the last five years, more than 40% of the world GDP has been produced by the BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called G7, the Group of Seven—I don’t know why they call that the Group of Seven—stands at only 29%,” he said. Putin stressed that Russia is not working against anyone. “What we are doing is not against anyone. We are in favour of our interests,” he said while calling for greater cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, finance and technology . ON P7 XI JINPING’S FIRST VISIT TO INDIA IN SEVEN YEARS TODAY J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks hand-in-hand with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along the red carpet of the BRICS Business Forum. Russian President Vladimir Putin and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also seen in the picture | PTI India, Iran seek long-term ties J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA and Iran have agreed to pursue a long-term, ‘win-win’ approach to their bilateral relationship as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held talks against the backdrop of an escalating conflict in West Asia. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, was the second interaction between the two leaders in two weeks. They had met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. “From Bishkek to Delhi, the productive discussions continue,” Modi said after the meeting. He said the two sides discussed the India-Iran friendship and agreed on the need to take the relationship forward with a Local currency pitch Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the existing global financial system remains vulnerable because of its concentration on a limited number of currencies. He called for a stronger shift toward local currencies in BRICS trade long-term perspective. The escalating situation in West Asia figured prominently in the discussions. “The prevailing situation in the region was also discussed. India remains steadfast in its commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace,” Modi said. According to the official readout, Modi reiterated India’s INDIA LINES UP 15 BILATERAL ENGAGEMENTS IN THREE DAYS consistent position that all issues in the region must be resolved through “dialogue and diplomacy”. He underscored the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability while safeguarding free, dom of navigation and commerce and the safety and well-being of seafarers. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum, Pezeshkian called for greater use of national currencies in trade among BRICS members. “One of the most important steps is to expand the use of national currencies in trade among the members,” he said, stressing that the move should be accompanied by mechanisms for managing currency risks and enabling reciprocal settlements. MODI GIFTS PUTIN A RUSSIAN TRANSLATION OF THIRUKKURAL PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said “dialogue and diplomacy” remained the way forward to resolve conflicts as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin reviewed an expanding India-Russia agenda spanning maritime security, critical minerals, industrial partnerships and civil nuclear cooperation. Modi said India was ready to assist in peace efforts. In a post on X after the meeting, Modi said the two leaders discussed closer trade ties, including implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030, as well as cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and culture. Prime Minister According to the official readout, the leaders “shared perspectives on key reonce again gional and global issues of mutual interreiterated that est, including the conflicts in West Asia dialogue and and the Black Sea region which have imdiplomacy was pacted maritime trade and the safety and the way forward security of Indian seafarers.” The talks also covered the broader Inin resolving dia-Russia strategic partnership. The two conflicts and leaders “agreed to remain engaged ... to India stood ready further strengthen the Special and Privito assist in peace leged Strategic Partnership between the two countries”, which they said continefforts ued to show “significant growth”. Trade MEA readout and economic diversification are expected to shape the next phase of the relationship. India and Russia are working towards a $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, even as the sharp increase in Russian energy imports has widened the trade imbalance. The economic agenda is moving beyond oil and defence. Rail and tunnelling cooperation is being explored as part of an industrial push. Critical minerals is another strategic priority Officials said . the two sides are looking at cooperation across exploration, processing and recycling. Both countries are also examining a potential steel value-chain partnership, spanning raw materials to finished products. Civil nuclear cooperation remains another key pillar. Discussions also covered nuclear fuel-cycle cooperation and life-cycle support for existing Russian-designed reactors in India, while keeping alive talks on a second Russiandesigned reactor site. UNIFIED DIGITAL PAYMENT SYSTEM CALL FOR THE BLOC RUSSIA EXPLORING SERVICES, PHARMA IMPORT FROM INDIA 108 dips in lake prove fatal for elderly sisters in Badrinath SC stays HC order on IAS BUILDINGS ALTERED FROM INSIDE MCD faces blind spots during razing officer’s reinstatement N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun THE Supreme Court has stayed the Delhi High Court order reinstating IAS officer Rinku Dhugga, who was compulsorily retired following the controversy over allegedly clearing athletes from Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi to walk her dog. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued notice to Dhugga on the Centre’s appeal and ordered that her reinstatement, upheld by the HC remain stayed. TWO elderly sisters from Rajasthan died after losing consciousness while bathing in the sulphur-rich waters of Tapt Kund at Badrinath on Friday. The women had reportedly resolved to take 108 dips before visiting the temple. The deceased were identified as Prema Devi, 63, and Ramu Devi, 71. Both were part of a pilgrim group that reached Badrinath on September 4, police said. Initial information suggests the sisters entered the hot-water pool in the morning and repeatedly immersed themselves while attempting to complete 108 dips. They became unconscious, possibly after experiencing breathing difficulty sources said. , Badrinath Station House Officer Mahadev Uniyal said four women and one man from the group had gone to the kund for a pre-dawn bath. “After bathing, the man left for the temple, while the four women continued taking dips,” he said. At around 5 am, the two sisters were found unconscious inside the pool. Other pilgrims alerted the police, he added. S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi The case relates to a 2022 incident involving Dhugga and her husband Sanjeev Khirwar, who were accused of asking athletes to leave Thyagaraj Stadium so that they could walk their dog there. Khirwar is the MCD commissioner. Athletes protested the treatment meted out to them. The Centre later compulsorily retired Dhugga, citing the dog controversy and unauthorised absence. Dhugga challenged it before CAT, which quashed her compulsory retirement and directed her reinstatement. The Delhi HC upheld the CAT order. A D I T I R AY C H O W D H U R Y @ New Delhi THE Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) building enforcement machinery faces a basic challenge in detecting unauthorised alterations: changes inside a building may leave no visible sign on the facade, making them difficult to detect during routine inspections. The issue has come into sharper focus following the Satya Niketan building collapse. An MCD official told this newspaper that the corporation carries out routine checks and can act against unauthorised construction, but cannot Repairs need no okay The MCD official said ordinary repairs, such as plastering and re-roofing, do not require permission. Alterations requiring a building permit need approval from the department, for which users can apply through its official website. physically monitor every property in the city. “People are smart. They do not change the facade while making internal changes, so it’s very difficult to detect it,” he said. The official said ordinary repairs, such as plastering and re-roofing, do not require per- mission. Alterations requiring a building permit need approval from the department through its official website. The department is required to approve or reject an application within 30 days, after which it is deemed approved. The challenge is identifying when work has moved beyond permissible repairs or involved unauthorised changes inside a building. As per the civic body , “No MCD building permit or notice is required for minor repairs and alterations that do not change built-up area or cubic content or violate structural, fire-safety or building norms.” CONTINUED ON P4 EXPRESS READ US Homeland Security removes ‘Mr Singh’ post The US Department of Homeland Security has removed the AI-generated advertisement about “Mr Singh”. It featured a Transformers-themed cartoon about a brown man with tagline “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive, Mr Singh”. P8 Pune liquor ban order for Ganesh Chaturthi void The Bombay High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Maharashtra government’s decision to ban liquor sale in Pune for 12 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. The HC said a blanket order prohibiting licence holders from carrying on their trade for 12 days could not be passed. P8 Gauhati High Court upholds talaq-e-hassan, says it is a valid form of divorce EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Guwahati THE Gauhati High Court has ruled that talaq-e-hassan is a valid form of divorce and is not prohibited in India. Justice Arun Dev Choudhury passed the order on September 8 after hearing a petitioner, Rakibul Bhuyan, who sought registration of his divorce pronounced through ta- How is it different from talaq-e-biddat Talaq-e-hassan spaces three pronouncements of divorce by at least a month each; the first two are revocable, permitting reunion, while the third makes divorce irrevocable, as clearly prescribed in the Quran. Talaq-e-biddat means instant triple talaq, which the SC banned laq-e-hassan, where a husband pronounces the word talaq once a month over three straight months. According to the petitioner, he got married in 2016 but his wife left him and returned to her parental home in 2018 following differences with him. Despite efforts by the petitioner, she did not return to her husband’s house. Later, the man pronounced talaq-e-hassan on three different days in March, April and May this year in the presence of witnesses. The petitioner argued that following the pronouncement of the third talaq-e-hassan, the marriage had become void. However, the state government submitted that since the 1935 Act for divorce registration had been repealed and the post of Registrar of Muslim Marriages and Divorce consequently abolished, the petitioner’s divorce could not be registered under the repealed law. The government further submitted that the petitioner could approach the jurisdictional marriage and divorce registrar. The court held that if the petitioner satisfies the requirements under Section 12 of the Act of 2024 and its proviso, the jurisdictional registrar will record the divorce in the divorce register and if it is refused, he may seek recourse under Section 17 of the Act. The court said the wife, who was not present, was free to challenge the talaq-e-hassan before an appropriate forum.