1. Jaishankar Leads Push for Global South Solidarity at UNGA
2. Encouraging India-US Trade Talks Signal Possible Quad Summit by Year-End
3. UNGA: Global Diplomacy at UNGA: Kashmir, Ceasefire, and US-India Tensions Over Russia
4. Zelenskyy: India “Mostly” Supports Ukraine Amid Conflict with Russia
5. India Slams Pakistan at UN After Deadly Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

What Else

1. NIA Books SFJ’s Pannun for Plot Against PM Modi’s Independence Day Flag Hoisting
2. Bihar Needs Change, Say Congress Leaders Ahead of Assembly Elections
3. Tirah Valley Tragedy: Deadly Airstrikes and Rising Protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
4. Trump Meets Muslim Leaders Including Shehbaz Sharif to Address Gaza Crisis
5. Bangladesh to Build New Prime Minister’s Residence on Parliament Premises
6. Bangladesh Sets February 2026 for Transparent General Elections, Says Chief Adviser Yunus

Jaishankar Leads Push for Global South Solidarity at UNGA

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar convened a High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries on the sidelines of UNGA80 in New York, urging greater collaboration on climate justice, digital tech, and multilateral reforms.
• India proposed leveraging existing forums to enhance South-South consultation, share expertise in areas like vaccines and digital innovation, and pursue initiatives tailored for the Global South, especially on climate action.
• Jaishankar also held key bilateral discussions with ministers from Singapore, St. Lucia, Mauritius, and the Netherlands, strengthening India’s leadership in shaping the Global South’s priorities. (more)

Encouraging India-US Trade Talks Signal Possible Quad Summit by Year-End

• India and the US have shown fresh momentum in trade talks during meetings in New York this Sept after months of stalled negotiations triggered by US tariffs on Indian goods, especially related to Russian oil imports.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and lead negotiator Rajesh Agarwal held constructive discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, signaling a commitment to overcoming irritants.
• The talks follow groundwork laid during earlier New Delhi meetings and a USTR visit.
• Positive progress in trade discussions raises prospects for a Quad Summit hosted by India before the end of 2025, with US President Donald Trump potentially attending.
• Despite remaining issues, including tariffs and raised H-1B visa fees, both sides show willingness to find common ground, emphasizing broader strategic ties.
• On UNGA sidelines, EAM Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring the importance of ongoing collaboration amid trade and geopolitical complexities. (more)

UNGA: Global Diplomacy at UNGA: Kashmir, Ceasefire, and US-India Tensions Over Russia

• At the 80^th UN General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again raised the Kashmir issue, calling for a resolution “based on UN resolutions and through dialogue” for the “best of our brothers and sisters in Kashmir.”
• Erdogan expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire achieved between India and Pakistan following armed conflict in April 2025, underscoring the importance of peace, stability, and counter-terrorism cooperation in South Asia.
• India, as in previous years, has firmly dismissed foreign commentary on Kashmir, insisting it remains an internal matter and has protested Turkey’s repeated remarks. (more)
• Secretary of state Rubio participates in a Ministerial on Indo-Pacific Maritime Security: Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US, under President Donald Trump, imposed additional tariffs on India—raising duties to 50%—to penalize India’s ongoing purchase of Russian oil amid the Ukraine war.
• The US maintains that the India relationship is of critical importance and continues dialogue, defense, and trade cooperation despite these tensions.
• Recent meetings between EAM Jaishankar and Secretary Rubio emphasized shared priorities like security in the Indo-Pacific, but the visa fee hike and tariffs have generated unease among Indian professionals and businesses.
• President Trump’s administration continues to press allies to reduce Russian energy trade while pursuing global peace initiatives (more)
• Trump Again Claims Credit for Ending India-Pakistan Conflict at UNGA: At the 80^th UNGA, President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of ending seven major wars, including the India-Pakistan conflict, stating he achieved in seven months what “no other leader has done.”
• Trump criticized the United Nations for failing to help resolve such wars while highlighting his own alleged mediation.
• However, India has consistently denied US involvement, confirming the 2025 ceasefire with Pakistan was achieved through direct military talks, not US mediation.
• Both Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister stated that India-Pakistan issues remain strictly bilateral. (more)

Zelenskyy: India “Mostly” Supports Ukraine Amid Conflict with Russia

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism about India’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia during an interview at the UNGA.
• He acknowledged India’s position is “mostly” aligned with Kyiv, despite complexities related to India’s energy ties with Russia.
• Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic ties with India and warned against India drifting away from supporting Ukraine.
• He expressed confidence that India would eventually change its stance toward Russian energy imports, crediting US President Donald Trump for managing these issues.
• Zelenskyy contrasted India’s position with China’s, stating it is “more difficult” to engage Beijing due to its historic alignment with Russia.
• He praised Trump’s commitment to supporting Ukraine until the conflict’s resolution and criticized Russian President Putin’s narrative that Russia is winning, calling it false.
• Zelenskyy underscored a shared desire for peace while highlighting ongoing challenges in the conflict (more)

India Slams Pakistan at UN After Deadly Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• India strongly criticized Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council after Pakistani airstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed at least 30 people, mostly civilians, on Mon.
• Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, accused Pakistan of “bombing their own people” while misusing the UN platform with baseless claims against India.
• He urged Pakistan to focus on fixing its collapsing economy, military-controlled politics, and poor human rights record instead of exporting terrorism and occupying Indian territory.
• Reports said the Pakistan Air Force dropped eight bombs in the Tirah Valley, targeting Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants, which also destroyed civilian homes.
• Police claimed militants used civilians as human shields.
• The strikes sparked protests by nearly 2,000 locals, while videos showed children among the wounded.
• Pakistan’s government has yet to issue an official statement.
• India called for a collective, objective approach to human rights, avoiding selective accusations. (more)

NIA Books SFJ’s Pannun for Plot Against PM Modi’s Independence Day Flag Hoisting

• India’s premium Investigation Agency has filed a major case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Khalistani terrorist and general counsel for the banned Sikhs For Justice group, for his alleged scheme to prevent PM Modi from hoisting the national flag on Independence Day.
• During a press event at Lahore Press Club in Pakistan, Pannun announced a reward of ₹11 crore to “Sikh soldiers” who would stop PM Modi from unfurling the tricolour at the Red Fort.
• He also unveiled a map for “Khalistan”, including Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, and claimed SFJ formed a “Shaheed Jatha” to fight against India.
• The FIR cites disruption of India’s sovereignty and security, spreading disaffection among Sikhs, and criminal conspiracy under the UAPA and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• The case was registered following a directive from the Union Home Ministry. (more)

Bihar Needs Change, Say Congress Leaders Ahead of Assembly Elections

• Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid emphasized the need for change in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, stating the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Patna aims to bring new leadership to the state.
• Other Congress leaders, including M Veerappa Moily and Bhupesh Baghel, voiced strong anti-incumbency sentiments against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the ruling double-engine govt, citing public dissatisfaction over poverty, inflation, unemployment, and alleged vote theft.
• Rahul Gandhi and top leaders are actively engaging in the election battle. Congress youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar criticized the current government for alleged vote rigging and called the fight against it essential to preserving democracy.
• The elections are expected in November 2025, with campaigning focusing on governance, social justice, and electoral reforms.
• The CWC’s strategic discussions in Bihar highlight the party’s resolve to challenge the long-standing ruling coalition and push for transformative political change in the state. (more)

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Tirah Valley Tragedy: Deadly Airstrikes and Rising Protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tirah Valley, Pakistani Air Force jets using China-made J-17 fighters dropped eight LS-6 laser-guided bombs early Monday, targeting a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bomb-making facility.
• The strike killed at least 30 people, including women and children, flattening homes near militant hideouts.
• The military justified the attack as a necessary counterterrorism effort against militants hiding among civilians, who reportedly acted as human shields.
• Initial conflicting accounts included an explosion in the facility, but evidence confirmed the airstrike’s devastating civilian toll [30].
• The tragedy sparked widespread protests demanding accountability from KP’s Chief Minister and military leadership, coupled with calls for impartial investigations by human rights groups, including Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International.
• Opposition parties challenged the government’s failure to safeguard civilian lives amid ongoing militant threats and cross-border tensions with Afghanistan.
• This incident underscores KP’s volatile security situation, where rugged terrain and complex militant networks hinder counterterrorism, and civilian casualties have intensified local anger and criticism of the state’s approach. (more, more)

Trump Meets Muslim Leaders Including Shehbaz Sharif to Address Gaza Crisis

• US President Donald Trump convened a multilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York with leaders from Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, Turkey’s Erdogan, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Qatar’s Emir, and others.
• Discussions focused on halting hostilities in Gaza, the release of hostages, and Israel’s eventual withdrawal from the territory.
• Trump outlined Washington’s vision for Gaza’s post-war governance, explicitly excluding Hamas from control.
• The US urged Arab and Muslim nations to consider military support for facilitating Israel’s withdrawal and financial aid for Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilization.
• Trump commended the leaders’ efforts, calling their work “excellent and commendable” amid escalating international concern over the conflict.
• This meeting reflects a key diplomatic push by the US to seek regional cooperation for peace and rebuilding in Gaza while navigating complex geopolitical challenges (more)

Bangladesh to Build New Prime Minister’s Residence on Parliament Premises

• Bangladesh plans to build the next Prime Minister’s official residence inside the National Parliament complex by merging the existing Speaker’s and Deputy Speaker’s residences, located side by side on the parliament grounds.
• These two red-brick buildings will be connected by a two-story corridor.
• The decision follows the conversion of the previous PM’s residence, Gonobhaban, into the “July Uprising Memorial Museum” after Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted in August 2024 amid protests and vandalism.
• A high-level government committee has been formed to finalize the new residence, with inspections confirming the buildings are structurally sound requiring mainly interconnections and enhanced security.
• The Speaker’s and Deputy Speaker’s residences, originally built in 2002, were controversial due to deviations from the parliament’s original design by architect Louis I. Kahn.
• The committee also considers state guest house Jamuna and other bungalows as alternatives for ministerial residences.
• The new prime minister’s residence will symbolize a fresh phase in Bangladesh’s governance while preserving historic architectural excellence. (more)

Bangladesh Sets February 2026 for Transparent General Elections, Says Chief Adviser Yunus

• Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding one of Bangladesh’s most transparent and credible elections in early February 2026.
• Speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York during high-level meetings with global leaders, Yunus expressed hope for widespread international observer presence to ensure electoral integrity.
• He discussed various reforms undertaken by the interim government and highlighted the importance of connectivity with the growing Bangladeshi diaspora, particularly in Australia.
• Yunus also emphasized financial inclusion and healthcare through innovative social business models during meetings with UN officials and advocates.
• Honored with the Unlock Big Change award at Theirworld’s Global Education Dinner, Yunus stressed that financial empowerment and education are key to eradicating poverty.
• He advocated for education that fosters creativity and entrepreneurship from an early age and called for universities to nurture problem-solving through business initiatives.
• The elections mark a crucial step for Bangladesh’s political stability and democratic progress (more, more)