US President Donald Trump claimed Sunday he spoke with PM Narendra Modi about halting Russian oil imports, warning "massive" tariffs would continue until India complies. "I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. When informed India denied any such conversation, Trump responded, "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that." Russian oil purchases remain a key tension point in Washington-New Delhi trade talks. India's External Affairs Ministry earlier stated no recent phone call occurred between the leaders.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced plans for a "strategic alliance" with India, strengthening cooperation across political, economic, and technological domains. Following Vice President Geraldo Alckmin's recent India visit, Lula called India "an exceptional market" for collaboration in space, entrepreneurship, and economics. Major announcements include Embraer opening an Indian office and electronic visa introduction for business travel. Alckmin emphasized "economic complementarity" rather than competition amid US tariff hikes. The initiative aligns with BRICS' agenda promoting multipolarity and reducing Western market dependency. During PM Modi's July Brazil visit, leaders targeted $20 billion bilateral trade within five years. Current India-Brazil trade stands at $12.19 billion annually. (PC: X) 

US President Donald Trump renewed threats of "massive tariffs" against India over Russian oil imports, claiming PM Modi assured him New Delhi would halt such purchases. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated Modi told him India wouldn't continue "the Russian oil thing," warning of severe tariffs otherwise. When informed India denied recent conversations, Trump replied they'd "continue to pay massive tariffs." His remarks follow Wednesday's Oval Office statement where he called Modi's alleged commitment "a big step." India's External Affairs Ministry clarified no recent phone call occurred, emphasizing their energy policy focuses on "broad-basing and diversifying" sources to ensure stable prices and secured supplies amid volatile global markets, prioritizing consumer interests. (PC: Firstpost & TRT Global)

The holy city of Ayodhya set two Guinness World Records during Deepotsav 2025 by lighting 26,17,215 diyas along the Saryu river and for the most people performing diya rotation. The spectacular event, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, filled the city with devotion and celebration. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the Guinness certificates and said the festival reflects the victory of truth and faith. The evening featured dazzling laser, light, and drone shows, watched by thousands of devotees. Deepotsav, which began in 2017, continues to grow each year as a global symbol of Ayodhya’s spiritual pride. (PC: India Today)

Less than 10 days after a ceasefire, Israel launched new airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday, killing at least 33 people. The Israeli Defence Forces said the strikes targeted Hamas positions in response to a ceasefire violation. Israel also stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of firing missiles and gunfire at its troops. The US earlier said it had “credible information” that Hamas was planning an attack, which Hamas denied. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the war would not end until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is fully demilitarised. Tensions remain high in the region. (PC: HT)

Air India will operate a special flight from Milan to Delhi on Sunday to bring back over 250 passengers stranded after their flight was cancelled on Friday due to a technical fault. The cancelled flight, AI138, was to be operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline said it expedited repairs and secured approvals for a replacement flight, AI138D, departing Milan at 7 pm local time. The passengers will arrive in Delhi on Monday morning, just in time for Diwali. Air India said affected travellers were also offered options to rebook or take today’s special flight. (PC: NDTV)

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi condemned Florida politician Chandler Langevin's calls for mass deportation of Indians, stating such rhetoric "echoes the cruelty of Donald Trump's mass ICE raids." Krishnamoorthi warned that normalizing hate speech and scapegoating communities weakens democracy, urging leaders to protect all Americans regardless of race, accent, or origin. Langevin, a Palm Bay city council member, posted on X demanding Trump "revoke every Indian visa and deport them immediately" as a birthday wish, claiming Indians "exploit us financially." He wrote "There's not a single Indian that cares about the United States." The comments sparked criticism from civil rights groups and the Indian American community amid Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown.

Indian tourists in Japan will soon make digital payments using UPI apps following an MoU between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and NTT DATA Japan. Merchants acquired by NTT DATA will accept UPI-based payments via QR code scanning, reducing tourists' reliance on cash or foreign exchange cards. This marks UPI's first introduction in East Asia. Between January-August 2025, Japan welcomed over 208,000 Indian tourists, making familiar payment options crucial. NTT DATA Japan's Head of Payments noted this will enable convenient shopping for Indians while creating new business opportunities for Japanese merchants. Indian travelers currently use UPI in France, UAE, Nepal, Mauritius, Peru, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Qatar, and Bhutan.

Canada is on track for record-high forcible removals of Indian nationals in 2025, with 1,891 removed by July 28, surpassing 2024's total of 1,997. This marks a dramatic increase from just 625 in 2019. Indians rank second after Mexicans (2,678) in forced removals. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed plans to expedite deportations with better resources and tracking as part of broader immigration reforms. The surge reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment in Canada. Indians top the removal inventory at 6,837, with most being refugee claimants. Peel Regional Police now actively collaborates with border services to pursue removal of accused foreign nationals during judicial processes, including recent mail theft arrests. (PC: India Today)

Florida politician Chandler Langevin was censured Saturday by city council for inflammatory social media posts calling for mass deportation of Indians from the US. The censure requires council consensus before agenda items, removes him from committees, and bars commissioner comments. Langevin wrote "There's not a single Indian that cares about the United States" and called Indians exploiters enriching themselves at America's expense. He requested Trump revoke all Indian visas as a "birthday wish" and claimed Indians "don't assimilate" but "drain our pockets." After backlash, he clarified remarks targeted temporary visa holders, not Indian Americans. Multiple Indian American groups demanded his resignation. Langevin called the censure a free speech violation.