This Week in Explainers: Is Trump ‘sacrificing’ ties with India for his family’s business interests in Pakistan?

It has been China’s week. After hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Taijin, the biggest ever gathering of the bloc, the country held a massive parade to mark the end of World War II. In a matter of days, Xi Jinping flexed his diplomatic and military might.

The huddle of Xi, PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin in Tiajin, and that of Putin, Xi and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in Beijing, sent a clear message to Donald Trump – that the world order was changing.

Trump, of course, was watching closely as China, Russia and North Korea, in his own words, conspired against the US. Things have not been going the President’s way recently. He had to make an appearance in the Oval Office to quell rumours about his death and ill health (they continue). And the US courts have been striking down some of the major orders issued by him, most recently the Harvard funding cuts.

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In a heartbreaking story from Afghanistan, a 6.0 earthquake struck the southeastern region. As the death toll crossed 2,000, the country continued to suffer from the aftershocks.

The world of fashion is facing a significant void following the death of Italian designer Giorgio Armani. The man, who revolutionised the way people dress, leaves behind a legacy and a massive business empire with no children to inherit it. So what happens to his wealth?

We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup.

1. The week started with the SCO Summit in Tiajin. The largest-ever gathering of the bloc saw some powerful world leaders share the stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the gathering was much talked about. It was the first time since Operation Sindoor that he would come face-to-face with Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif. While Modi was embraced, Sharif got little attention. This story explains.

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2. The SCO Summit gave us some of the top geopolitical moments of the year. PM Modi was seen huddling with Xi and Putin. Their bonhomie grabbed international headlines amid Donald Trump’s trade war with allies and rivals alike. The Indian leader also hugged Putin and then carpooled with him for a bilateral. We looked at the top photos from the Tianjin talks and analysed the message they sent to the world.

3. Days after the SCO Summit, China held its biggest military parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender, which ended World War II. Xi Jinping hosted Putin, Kim and other leaders of the Global South; there were almost no leaders from the West. The Asian giant showcased its military strength, unveiling its latest arsenal, from “robot woves” to the “Guam killer” and more.

4. North Korea’s Kim took a rare foreign trip to China to attend the parade. He also held bilateral talks with Putin. It’s what happened after the meeting that piqued the interest of many. Kim’s staff was seen cleaning all the surfaces he touched, from the armchair he sat on to the glass he drank from. Here’s why.

The staff accompanying the North Korean leader meticulously erased all traces of Kim's presence.

They took the glass he drank from, wiped down the chair's upholstery, and cleaned the parts of the furniture the Korean leader had touched. pic.twitter.com/JOXVxg04Ym

— Russian Market (@runews) September 3, 2025

5. Is Donald Trump dead? That’s the question the internet has been obsessing over. There has been a lot of speculation about the bruises on his arms. It didn’t help that JD Vance said in an interview that he was ready to be the next US president. Trump is doing everything he can to quell rumours. The White House has repeatedly assured that the president is in good health; Potus himself addressed the issue in the Oval Office. But conspiracy theorists are not listening. The death and health rumours refuse to die.

6. Talking about Trump, he and his team continue to attack India over tariffs and the purchase of Russian oil. What once seemed like a warm relationship between India and the US now seems to have turned icy. Amid this, former US National Security Advisor Jake recently accused the President of throwing away ties with India over his family’s business deals in Pakistan. What interests do the Trumps have in the nation? This explainer takes a deep dive.

7. “More Indians in 5 years than Greeks and Italians in 100…” That was a message on a flyer calling for protests against immigrants in Australia. The country’s largest cities, including Melbourne and Sydney, saw thousands of protesters taking to the streets, with the Australian government linking them to neo-Nazis. But why is there growing hate against those of Indian-origin in the country?

8. Tragedy struck Afghanistan close to midnight last Sunday (August 31). The 6.0-magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc in the southeastern region. The signs were ominous – the death toll would be high and the damage extensive. According to a Taliban government spokesperson, more than 2,200 people have died. But why was the quake so destructive?

9. Last week, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who belongs to Thailand’s most powerful political dynasty, was removed by the constitutional court as the country’s premier for ethical violations over her handling of the border dispute with Cambodia. Now, Thailand has a new prime minister – the third in two years. Business tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul was declared the winner after a vote in parliament. Who is Anutin, known as the ‘cannabis king’ of Thailand?

10. Our last story comes from the world of glamour. It lost a leading figure, Giorgio Armani, on Thursday to age-related illness. The Italian revolutionised fashion and built a big business empire. However, he leaves behind no children or heir. So here’s what happens to his inheritance.

That’s all from us this week. Hope our recommendations make your Sunday more insightful. You can find more such stories here.