Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused a crucial security cabinet meeting on October 9, 2025, to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Gaza peace agreement. The discussion focused on the first phase of the US-brokered 20-point plan, which includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages. PM Modi congratulated Netanyahu on the progress and welcomed the agreement, emphasizing India's commitment to peace and humanitarian aid. The Israeli government has approved the ceasefire, with immediate implementation expected. (PC: NDTV)  

In a pivotal diplomatic push, the Taliban are urging India to formally recognize the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” as their government, coinciding with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s six-day visit to New Delhi. This is the first high-level Afghan government engagement in India since the Taliban takeover. Taliban envoy Suhail Shaheen indicated bilateral relations should be elevated via recognition. Despite this, India continues to tread carefully, balancing domestic concerns and alignment with the international community. Reconstruction, development, and security cooperation are expected to dominate talks. (PC: X)  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate them on the Gaza peace deal. Modi praised Trump’s 20-point plan that aims to end the 2-year Gaza war and secure hostage release. He said India supports peace and stronger global cooperation. Modi also discussed ongoing India-US trade talks, which had slowed after the US raised tariffs on Indian goods. Both sides agreed to review progress and stay in touch. Netanyahu thanked Modi for his support and called India a valued friend of Israel. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump to congratulate him on the success of the historic Gaza peace plan. The plan, brokered by the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, aims to end the two-year-long Gaza war. It includes provisions for the release of hostages and prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. During their conversation, Modi and Trump also reviewed the progress in ongoing trade negotiations between India and the U.S., agreeing to stay in close touch over the coming weeks. (PC: India Today) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer enjoyed a live performance of Arijit Singh and Ed Sheeran’s song Sapphire at a cultural event in Mumbai. Modi shared the video on X, calling it “a great example of India-UK cultural partnership.” The fusion track, blending Indian classical and Western pop sounds, quickly went viral online. Earlier, Starmer visited Yash Raj Films studio in Mumbai, welcomed by actress Rani Mukerji and producer Aditya Chopra. The visit highlighted growing ties in film, music, and trade between India and the UK under the Vision 2035 roadmap.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s partnership with the UK is key to global stability and economic growth after talks with British PM Keir Starmer in Mumbai. Both leaders praised the new trade deal and launched the Technology Security Initiative to boost cooperation in AI, defence, and critical minerals. They announced joint defence projects, including the supply of lightweight missiles and training between the Indian and Royal Air Forces. The UK also confirmed new university campuses in India. Modi and Starmer called for zero tolerance toward terrorism and stressed peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza. (PC: X)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made his first official India visit October 8-9, greeting audiences with "Namaskar doston" and thanking PM Modi for the warm welcome. The leaders reviewed progress under the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's Vision 2035 roadmap, a ten-year plan covering trade, technology, defense, climate, health, education, and people-to-people ties. Modi emphasized the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will create jobs, expand trade, and benefit industries in both nations. Starmer called it a "new, modern partnership" focused on future opportunities. The leaders discussed West Asia, welcoming Gaza peace plan steps, and addressed Ukraine stability and Indo-Pacific security. Both met UK university vice chancellors in Mumbai.

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrives in India for a week-long visit, the first by a top Taliban leader since their 2021 return to power. He'll likely meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. However, India faces a diplomatic protocol dilemma: since New Delhi doesn't recognize Taliban rule, it refuses official status to their flag. The Afghan Embassy in Delhi still flies the Islamic Republic's flag from the Ashraf Ghani era. During previous Dubai meetings, officials avoided flags entirely. Muttaqi's visit follows India's stance against foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan and demands that Afghan soil not be used for terrorism, particularly after Operation Sindoor. (PC: X)

The Indian Air Force's 93rd anniversary celebration featured a viral dinner menu naming dishes after Pakistani airbases targeted during anti-terror operations. Items included 'Rawalpindi' Chicken Tikka Masala, 'Balakot' Tiramisu, 'Muzaffarabad' Kulfi Faluda, and 'Muridke' Meetha Pan, referencing locations struck during Operation Bandar (2019) and Operation Sindoor (2025). BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala praised the menu as representing PM Modi's "Naya Bharat" and "ghar me ghus ke maarenge" doctrine, stating it conveys a "new normal" from "serving dishes to serving justice." He contrasted this with Congress's alleged prevention of military response after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, accusing the party of weakening India's counter-terrorism stance.

Six UK universities will open campuses in India following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's two-day Mumbai trade mission. The institutions include University of Southampton (Gurugram), Liverpool (Bangalore), York (Mumbai), Aberdeen (Mumbai), and Bristol (Mumbai, opening summer 2026). Bristol received UGC approval in July, marking a "pivotal transformation" in its 150-year history. Starmer arrived with 125 prominent business leaders, university vice chancellors, and ministers including Trade Minister Peter Kyle and Investment Minister Jason Stockwood. The educational expansion aligns with India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap and follows PM Modi's July UK visit where both nations signed a comprehensive trade deal strengthening strategic cooperation in education, defense, climate, and health. (PC: Times Now)