BRICS Summit Countdown: India is gearing up to host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin among expected leaders and a busy schedule of ministerial sessions ahead of the handover to China. Uzbekistan–US Dialogue: Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met US Ambassador Sergio Gor in New Delhi, discussing higher-level dialogue, C5+1 cooperation, and preparations for upcoming joint events. Parliament-to-Parliament Ties: Saidov also met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to deepen inter-parliamentary cooperation, friendship groups, and people-to-people exchanges—linking legislative experience with trade, investment, education, culture. India Visit Aims at PM Modi’s Trip: Saidov said his four-day India visit is specifically to prepare for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Uzbekistan, reviewing progress across energy, infrastructure, defence, trade, education and culture. Social Support Expansion: President Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to expand education and social services for children with special needs, strengthen support for homeless people and trafficking victims, and digitalise transport benefits, including a pilot needs-assessment system starting Oct 1, 2026. Border Villages Transfer: Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have begun procedures to transfer Chon-Gara and Tash-Dobo to Kyrgyzstan under border demarcation, with residents’ registration underway and Kyrgyz citizenship steps to follow. Contemporary Uzbek Music Goes Global: Clarinetist Sayyod Mirzomurodov and pianist Mariya Akhadjanova released “Contemporary Uzbek Music for Clarinet and Piano,” a first commercial album spotlighting contemporary Uzbek repertoire with world-premiere recordings. Sports Spotlight: Uzbekistan’s tennis player Kamilla Rakhimova beat Venus Williams in a rain-delayed National Bank Open match, while chess and boxing coverage continues to highlight Central Asia’s growing presence in major events.