India, U.S. Near $4 Billion P-8I Aircraft Deal as Modi Visits Manipur

Lead: India and the United States are finalizing a deal for six additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft worth about $4 billion, with U.S. delegates set to arrive in New Delhi on September 16-19, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured crisis-hit Churachandpur in Manipur today, underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to restoring normalcy.

Nut Graf: The nearly concluded P-8I agreement marks a significant deepening of Indo-U.S. defence cooperation amid ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, where the prime minister’s visit aims to reassure displaced communities and demonstrate the centre’s resolve.

Key Developments

U.S. Delegation to Visit New Delhi
Officials from Washington will hold talks at South Block from September 16 to 19 to finalize the purchase of six P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy.
Prime Minister’s Manipur Trip
Modi arrived at Imphal airport before driving to Churachandpur, where he met families displaced by ethnic clashes.
He praised the “courage and resilience” of Manipur’s people and vowed government action to restore peace.
Maharashtra ATS Arrests Two Suspected Pakistan Contacts
In Nagpur, the Anti-Terrorism Squad detained two individuals accused of maintaining links with handlers in Pakistan, seizing mobile phones and digital evidence.
Mizoram Joins Rail Map
In Aizawl, Modi inaugurated India’s first railway connection to Mizoram, calling it a “historic day” that will boost trade and development in the northeast.

Additional Headlines

After Israeli strikes, U.S. President Trump dined with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed.
Uddhav Thackeray on Indo-Pak cricket: “Our soldiers may die, but this match goes on.”
Astrology: Today’s color is red; remedy: chant Hanuman Aarti.
STFI raids cyber-fraud ring in Ghaziabad, arrest six with ₹2.56 million in illicit cash.

This article follows the inverted-pyramid structure for clarity and ease of editing.