India news: Gandhi's notes sold for $1.7 million at auction

Here are some of the top headlines out of India on Saturday, August 22, 2026:

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Is India falling short on sugar supplies ahead of festive season?

While the mammoth Indian festivals of Dussehra and Diwali are still weeks away, a sharp rise in sugar prices is setting off alarm bells. That's despite the government’s assurances that it is taking measures to assuage concerns.

The all-India modal retail price of sugar rose to Rs 65 per kilogram on Friday from Rs 45 on July 21 and Rs 50 on July 31, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs. The rise has been attributed to lower-than-expected sugar production and stocks at a nine-year low.

Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association had initially estimated gross domestic sugar production for the 2025-26 season at 343.5 lakh tons, the Indian Express reported. After diversion of 34 lakh tons for ethanol production, net output was projected at 309.5 lakh tons.

Sugarcane farming fuels water crisis in Maharashtra

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Opposition Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over rising prices and declining stocks, highlighting the decision to divert sugarcane toward ethanol production.

India is one of the world's largest sugar producers and exporters. However, current exports have been halted, and the government has allowed the duty-free import of 1 million tons of sugar.

Neeraj Chopra back with second place at Lausanne Diamond League

Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra snagged second place at the 2026 Lausanne Diamond League, close behind Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

The Sri Lankan took the top spot with a throw of 88.14 meters, nine centimeters ahead of Chopra's season-best throw of 88.05.

"I didn't realise it was only nine centimetres (apart), it was really close, but I'm happy with the 88-metre throw," the Indian Express quoted Chopra as saying after the competition on Friday night. "To be honest, it didn't feel like it went 88 metres because I felt very relaxed. I tried really hard and later focused on my technique. With every competition, I feel that I’m coming back."

The two-time Olympic medalist spent nine months out of the sport over an injury before making a comeback at the Doha Diamond League in June this year, where he finished fourth.

Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar set for Russia visit

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is set to make an official visit to Russia on August 23-24, the ministry said in a statement.

In addition to co-chairing a session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, he is also expected to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during the trip.

India and Russia share a relationship that spans decades and is deeply rooted in history, trade and defense. Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, India has been under pressure from Kyiv's Western allies over its unwillingness to disengage with Moscow.

In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to reporters at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, called India a "great country" and a "reliable partner."

India's special relationship with Russia explained

Confusion surrounds Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's reported visit to India

Bangladesh has not decided whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India later this month, his press secretary said Friday, after Indian media reported he was expected in New Delhi on August 23-25.

Press secretary Saleh Shibly told Reuters "no decision has yet been made on the visit," saying Dhaka is waiting on New Delhi's response to requests for the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina and other "absconding offenders."

India's foreign ministry spokesperson said he had nothing to share on the visit.

Adding to the confusion, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, published a statement on Friday afternoon canceling Saturday's routine Change of Guard ceremony for rehearsals tied to Rahman's "ceremonial welcome," the Indian Express reported.

As the visit was not formally confirmed, the office withdrew the statement less than an hour later without explanation.

This would be Rahman's first India visit since taking office in February after his party's landslide win.

It comes as the neighbors try to rebuild ties that became strained after Hasina fled to India following her 2024 ouster after a student-led uprising. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition; India says the request is under review.

Last week, Rahman's government signaled that conditions needed to improve before the trip, especially after Hasina held a press event which Dhaka condemned.

Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November over the deadly crackdown on 2024 protests. She denies the charges and has said she'll return to Bangladesh in December.

Gandhi's personal notes sell for $1.7 million, setting auction record

A collection of handwritten notes by Mahatma Gandhi has sold for $1.7 million in Mumbai, the highest price ever paid for an Indian historical document at auction, auction house Saffronart said.

The 688 notes were written by Gandhi to his close associate Anand Hingorani between 1944 and 1946, following the death of Hingorani's wife, Vidya. Later compiled into a book titled "A Thought for the Day," the writing touched upon a number of themes including truth, God and non-violence, offering personal insights on principles that Gandhi was closely associated to publicly.

The collection, preserved by Hingorani's family, was sold under the title "Gandhi: From the Collection of Anand T Hingorani." Gandhi's portable spinning wheel, notes on the discipline of spinning, manuscripts, letters, photographs and other personal items were also part of the auction.

Hingorani first met Gandhi in 1930 and later joined him on the Salt March, a campaign of peaceful resistance against Britain's salt monopoly.

"What makes this collection particularly compelling is the opportunity to see one of the most significant figures in India's history through the lens of a close, personal relationship," Saffronart co-founder Dinesh Vazirani said.

Gandhi led India's non-violent struggle for independence from British rule and influenced similar movements worldwide. He was assassinated in January 1948.

Hello! This is Seerat Chabba from DW's Studio Delhi, bringing you the latest from across India.

After a night of incessant rain in the capital, I am back in the hot seat, but not making nearly enough to buy a collection of notes by India's "Father of the Nation," Mahatma Gandhi, which was sold for a record $1.69 million (about €1.47 million) at a Mumbai auction.

Meanwhile, New Delhi and Dhaka have been offering mixed signals about Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's reported visit.

India is grappling with a potential sugar shortage ahead of the upcoming festive season, as prices soar and production as well as stocks fall.

Arguably one of India's favorite athletes, Neeraj Chopra, seems to be regaining his mojo, finishing second behind Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage at the men's javelin event at the 2026 Lausanne Diamond League.

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