Kemi Badenoch, former UK business and trade secretary, has claimed she blocked the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) due to demands for increased visas from India. Badenoch, a frontrunner to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party chief, stated, “India kept trying to bring in migration, and I said no.” However, some Tory colleagues countered that Badenoch aimed for a deal at all costs and downplayed migration concerns. Reports suggest that FTA negotiations may resume under Labour leader Keir Starmer, with officials expressing commitment to securing a trade deal with India in the near future.

Vasundhara Oswal, 26, daughter of Indian billionaire Pankaj Oswal, was detained in Uganda by armed men at her family’s ethanol plant on October 1. Her arrest is linked to an investigation into a missing person case, with allegations of her involvement in kidnapping and fraudulent activities. The Oswal family claims she is being held in poor conditions and suffered an anxiety attack. Pankaj Oswal has appealed to the UN for her release, asserting that the detention stems from false accusations by a former employee. Vasundhara, an award-winning executive, leads Pro Industries, a major ethanol producer in Africa.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that the remaining Indian diplomats in Canada are “clearly on notice” after the expulsion of six Indian diplomats earlier this week. This diplomatic rift follows Canada naming Indian diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder. Joly asserted that Canada will not accept any diplomats who violate the Vienna Convention or threaten Canadian safety. The expelled diplomats included the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa and others primarily based in Toronto and Vancouver. Joly warned that further expulsions may occur if violations are identified.

A Vistara flight from Delhi to London was diverted to Frankfurt on October 18, 2024, following a bomb threat. The airline confirmed that flight UK17 received a security threat on social media, and in accordance with protocol, the pilots decided to divert the flight as a precaution. The plane landed safely at Frankfurt airport, where security checks are being conducted. All relevant authorities were informed immediately. The flight will resume its journey to London once cleared by the security agencies. The nature of the bomb threat is under investigation, and all passengers are reported safe.

India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, emphasized the importance of India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) in a recent article for The Telegraph. He highlighted the rapid digitalisation in India, with over 60% of the population now online, and how India’s DPI has revolutionized governance, FinTech, and public services. The system's interoperability, privacy-by-design approach, and scalability were noted as crucial for replication in other countries, including the UK. Doraiswami underscored the potential for UK-India collaboration in developing future digital services, particularly in AI-driven innovations, benefiting both countries and emerging markets globally.

US prosecutors have identified Vikash Yadav, referred to as CC-1 in previous filings, as the key conspirator in a plot to assassinate pro-Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Yadav, an Indian government official with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), is charged with murder-for-hire and money laundering. His co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, was previously extradited. Yadav, who remains at large, allegedly provided Pannun’s personal information and facilitated a $100,000 payment for the assassination. The FBI has listed Yadav on its wanted list. US authorities emphasized accountability for attempts to target American citizens.

The UAE has introduced a new visa-on-arrival policy for Indian citizens holding valid visas or residency from the US, UK, or EU. This policy allows a 14-day stay, which can be extended. Travelers can also choose a non-extendable 60-day visa. The Indian mission in the UAE shared the update, which aims to boost tourism. Travel agents expect a 10-17% rise in business as more Indian travelers will now opt to stay in the UAE for a few days while transiting to other countries. The move comes as the busy travel season approaches.

Swiss-Indian industrialist Pankaj Oswal has appealed to the United Nations over the alleged illegal detention of his daughter, Vasundhara Oswal, in Uganda. On October 1, about 20 armed men reportedly detained the 26-year-old at Oswal’s extra-neutral alcohol (ENA) plant without presenting identification or a warrant. Vasundhara’s arrest is said to be related to a missing person case. A post on her Instagram described her "unlawful detainment" and highlighted poor conditions in her cell. An urgent appeal was filed with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, requesting intervention in her release.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia for the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, scheduled for October 22-23, following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit, themed "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," will focus on global issues and cooperation among BRICS nations. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the summit will review progress on existing BRICS initiatives and identify new areas for collaboration. This meeting offers an opportunity for leaders to discuss global development and security, as well as strengthen multilateral ties within the BRICS framework.

An Air India Boeing 777 from Mumbai to London faced a bomb threat, prompting the Royal Air Force (RAF) to scramble Typhoon fighter jets. As the flight approached Heathrow, the pilot alerted air traffic control, saying, "There is a suspected bomb on board." RAF jets escorted the plane, which landed safely. This follows multiple bomb threats against Indian airlines, leading to increased security measures. India’s aviation minister confirmed the arrest of a minor responsible for issuing threats. Vistara Airlines also reported a security threat earlier this week on a Frankfurt-Mumbai flight.