Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal linked climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to a Pakistani intelligence operative, justifying his NSA detention after deadly Leh violence. Four people died and over 80 security personnel were injured when 7,000 protesters pelted stones and torched buildings on September 24, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status. The DGP accused Wangchuk of sabotaging ongoing Centre talks and having "history of instigation" citing Nepal agitation, Bangladesh, and Arab Spring. A Pakistani Intelligence Operative allegedly "reporting" Wangchuk was detained with incriminating material. Foreign funding violations are being investigated. Forty-four people were arrested including ringleaders. Leh remains under curfew for four consecutive days as authorities conduct raids for absconding rioters.

Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old undocumented immigrant from Punjab, was deported from the US after 30 years. Despite paying taxes and reporting to ICE every six months, she was suddenly detained, denied food and medicine, and flown back to India in a detainee uniform. Her lawyer alleges she was denied basic facilities, given non-vegetarian food despite being vegetarian, and forced to sleep on the floor. Kaur’s asylum plea was rejected in 2012, yet she remained compliant. She now faces uncertainty in India, unaware why she was deported. Her only wish is to reunite with her grandchildren in the US. (PC: India Today)

At the 80th UN General Assembly, India delivered a fierce response to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s claims of triumph in the recent Indo-Pak conflict. First Secretary Petal Gahlot dismissed Sharif’s portrayal of damaged runways and hangars as “victory,” calling his narrative “absurd theatrics” and accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism. She challenged Pakistan to dismantle terror networks and hand over wanted perpetrators, rejecting third-party mediation and reaffirming India’s stand that resolutions must be bilateral. 

At the United Nations General Assembly, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, exercised India’s right of reply to criticize Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, accusing him of “glorifying terrorism” and spreading lies. She called Pakistan’s narrative “absurd theatrics,” citing Indian Army strikes on terrorist bases and questioning Islamabad’s record. Gahlot, appointed to her UN role in July 2023, had earlier worked at India’s Ministry of External Affairs and served in Paris and San Francisco. (PC: X)

India has strongly refuted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Moscow's strategy in Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labeled Rutte's statement as “factually incorrect and entirely baseless,” emphasizing that no such conversation took place. Rutte had suggested that U.S. tariffs on India were impacting Russia, prompting Modi to seek clarification from Putin on the Ukraine issue. India urged NATO leadership to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements, condemning speculative remarks that misrepresent diplomatic engagements.  

India has issued a sharp response to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the UN, calling his remarks “absurd theatrics” and asserting that “no degree of drama can conceal facts.” New Delhi accused Islamabad of using the international stage to deflect from its internal issues and inflate rhetoric against India. India reiterated that it will not accept misrepresentation of facts and defended its stance on ongoing bilateral disputes. (PC: X)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UN General Assembly that Pakistani fighter pilots “turned 7 Indian jets into scrap” during a military clash earlier this year. He praised the pilots as “falcons” of the nation. India has dismissed such claims as baseless, saying Pakistan has provided no proof. The conflict followed the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India said its response was targeted, avoiding civilians. Hostilities ended after talks between both armies. Sharif later met US President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. (PC: HT)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India in the second week of October at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be Starmer’s first official trip to India since taking office in July last year. He is expected to hold talks with Modi on trade, defence, and technology. The visit is seen as a step to strengthen ties between the two nations. Both leaders are likely to review recent developments in bilateral relations. Officials said the trip highlights India’s importance as a key partner for the UK in global politics and economic cooperation. (PC:X)

India has categorically rejected NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Moscow's strategy on Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the claim as "factually incorrect and entirely baseless," emphasizing that no such conversation took place. Rutte had suggested that U.S. tariffs on India were affecting Russia, prompting Modi to seek clarification from Putin. The MEA urged NATO leadership to exercise greater caution in making public statements.   

India is in talks with the US over the proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said skilled Indian workers have boosted innovation and growth in both countries. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the US has given stakeholders one month to submit feedback on the new rules. The fee, announced by US President Donald Trump, is meant to stop misuse of the programme but could heavily impact Indians, who receive most H-1B visas. India hopes concerns will be considered as trade and migration remain key issues in bilateral discussions. (PC: HT)