FirstUp: PM Modi, Singapore’s Lawrence Wong to hold talks and other big news of the day

It is a busy Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is in India on a three-day official visit.

Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, also on an official trip, will take part in the Consecration Ceremony of the Royal Bhutan Temple in Bihar’s Rajgir.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate in the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has called for a statewide bandh in Bihar, protesting against the opposition for using abusive language against PM Modi and his late mother.

The Ministry of Education will release the 10th edition of the annual NIRF Rankings.

Let’s take a look at the events:

PM Modi, Singapore PM to hold meeting

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is in India on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Wong’s first trip to India since becoming Prime Minister.

He is accompanied by his wife, Lawrence Wong, and a high-level delegation of Cabinet ministers and senior officials.

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Arrived in New Delhi for my official visit to India. This trip is especially meaningful as we celebrate 60 years of Singapore-India relations.

Was warmly received by Indian Minister of State for Finance, @mppchaudhary. pic.twitter.com/AEMYUFjIFA

— Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) September 2, 2025

Today, PM Modi and Wong will hold bilateral talks and sign key agreements. Wong will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with other Cabinet ministers.

The visit comes as India and Singapore mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. The Ministry of External Affairs said it “reaffirms” the commitment of both nations to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Bhutan PM in India

Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, accompanied by his wife Aum Tashi Doma, is on an official visit to India from September 3 to 6.

His programme begins today with the consecration ceremony of the Royal Bhutan Temple in Bihar’s Rajgir

The temple, built on land provided by the Bihar government, reflects the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of Buddhism between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

On September 5, Tobgay will visit Ayodhya, where he will receive a red carpet welcome before offering prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.

Vladimir Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) being held in Vladivostok today and tomorrow.

The event is taking place in Russia’s Far East from September 3 to 6, 2025, under the theme “The Far East: Cooperation for Peace and Prosperity.”

At the 9th edition, more than 7,100 participants from 75 countries and territories, including over 1,500 journalists, attended.

This year’s programme features business dialogues between Russia and India, China, Thailand, Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

NDA’s Bihar bandh

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has called for a statewide bandh in Bihar today to protest against the opposition over abusive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during a joint event in the state.

BJP’s Bihar state president, Dilip Jaiswal, said the bandh will be observed for five hours, from 7 am to 12 noon.

Essential services, including emergency care and train operations, will not be affected during the shutdown.

NIRF Rankings 2025 to be published

The Ministry of Education will release the 10th edition of the annual NIRF Rankings today. The results will be available on the official website, nirfindia.org.

For the first time, a new category on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is being introduced, Hindustan Times reported. Institutions that wished to be considered in this category were asked to register with the ministry.

The results will be published by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

Each year, the NIRF rates universities and colleges across India based on teaching, learning, research, graduation outcomes, outreach and perception.

With inputs from agencies