New Delhi: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has said a jammed firearm averted a potential massacre at a Hindu temple near Chicago where he and his family were worshipping, calling the malfunction “divine intervention” amid what he described as surging anti-Indian hate.&nbsp;Speaking to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, days after authorities charged 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, in connection with an alleged plot targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora on 11 October, Krishnamoorthi recounted the scene. “It was a beautiful fall day here in the Chicago area... countless families were celebrating inside the temple, including my own. Little did we know that a gunman was outside in the parking lot with his semi-automatic weapon and 300 rounds of ammunition intent on committing a massacre. He took one shot and his gun malfunctioned, jammed,” he said. “But if that had not happened, we would be having a much different conversation today.”&nbsp;Police said a vehicle registered to Paporakis entered the temple parking lot that afternoon. Prosecutors alleged he prepared an eight-page manifesto in which he expressed hatred for Indians, Jews, Black people and other minorities, describing them in dehumanising terms. He was arrested after a co-worker tip and faces charges including making a terrorist threat. No one was injured.&nbsp;Krishnamoorthi, who has long worshipped at the temple with his elderly parents, called the discovery “very shocking” and “horrifying”, noting the manifesto’s explicit targeting of Indians among other groups.&nbsp;The Illinois Democrat linked the incident to what he said was a sharp rise in anti-Indian rhetoric online and in politics over the past two years, directed even at figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Usha Vance. “I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat... we’ve got to condemn this hate,” he said.&nbsp;Krishnamoorthi accused some MAGA politicians of using “anti-Indian hate as a political tool”, calling it “a horrible sin, horrible political sin” that “plays on people’s fears and their bigotry toward Indians”.&nbsp;The Indian American congressman reacted sharply, when asked about US Vice-President JD Vance's recent comments, in which he referred to H-1B visa holders, predominantly Indian nationals, as “foreign indentured servants”.&nbsp;&nbsp;“JD Vance should know better,” he said. “JD Vance is married to an Indian American. He has children basically of Indian descent, and he needs to speak out and condemn this anti-Indian rhetoric... By participating in this type of rhetoric, he may think that is somehow enhancing his political viability, but quite frankly to me, he is hurting Indian Americans and endangering them, and I think it’s got to stop.” Vance has since then described his wording as imperfect and said his criticism targeted companies, visa system rather than workers, while emphasising he loves his Indian in-laws.&nbsp;On Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India this week for talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar focused on energy, trade and the strategic partnership, Krishnamoorthi said it would only help if Rubio and the Trump administration “listen carefully to concerns and address” issues. “If it’s merely... a situation where he’s delivering a one-way message, and he’s not listening... it’s not fruitful,” he added. He argued that US foreign policy conducted in a way that “pushes our friends, partners and allies away” risks damaging the relationship, while a partnership-focused approach would allow both countries to tackle common challenges.&nbsp;Krishnamoorthi also called for greater accountability for social media platforms that amplify hate.&nbsp;The US Congressman said the forthcoming midterm elections will deliver a clear advantage to Democrats in both the House and Senate.“It’s absolutely an edge for the Democratic [side], the House and the Senate in Congress,” he pointed. “I believe this will be a big rebuke to President Trump and his policies, and this election will then [provide] a check on his power, which I think the American people desperately want right now.”

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi accused some MAGA politicians of using anti-Indian hate as a political tool, calling it “a horrible sin, horrible political sin” that plays on people’s fears and their bigotry toward Indians.

New Delhi: US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has said a jammed firearm averted a potential massacre at a Hindu temple near Chicago where he and his family were worshipping, calling the malfunction “divine intervention” amid what he described as surging anti-Indian hate. Speaking to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, days after authorities charged 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, in connection with an alleged plot targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora on 11 October, Krishnamoorthi recounted the scene. “It was a beautiful fall day here in the Chicago area... countless families were celebrating inside the temple, including my own. Little did we know that a gunman was outside in the parking lot with his semi-automatic weapon and 300 rounds of ammunition intent on committing a massacre. He took one shot and his gun malfunctioned, jammed,” he said. “But if that had not happened, we would be having a much different conversation today.” Police said a vehicle registered to Paporakis entered the temple parking lot that afternoon. Prosecutors alleged he prepared an eight-page manifesto in which he expressed hatred for Indians, Jews, Black people and other minorities, describing them in dehumanising terms. He was arrested after a co-worker tip and faces charges including making a terrorist threat. No one was injured. Krishnamoorthi, who has long worshipped at the temple with his elderly parents, called the discovery “very shocking” and “horrifying”, noting the manifesto’s explicit targeting of Indians among other groups. The Illinois Democrat linked the incident to what he said was a sharp rise in anti-Indian rhetoric online and in politics over the past two years, directed even at figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Usha Vance. “I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat... we’ve got to condemn this hate,” he said. Krishnamoorthi accused some MAGA politicians of using “anti-Indian hate as a political tool”, calling it “a horrible sin, horrible political sin” that “plays on people’s fears and their bigotry toward Indians”. The Indian American congressman reacted sharply, when asked about US Vice-President JD Vance's recent comments, in which he referred to H-1B visa holders, predominantly Indian nationals, as “foreign indentured servants”. “JD Vance should know better,” he said. “JD Vance is married to an Indian American. He has children basically of Indian descent, and he needs to speak out and condemn this anti-Indian rhetoric... By participating in this type of rhetoric, he may think that is somehow enhancing his political viability, but quite frankly to me, he is hurting Indian Americans and endangering them, and I think it’s got to stop.” Vance has since then described his wording as imperfect and said his criticism targeted companies, visa system rather than workers, while emphasising he loves his Indian in-laws. On Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India this week for talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar focused on energy, trade and the strategic partnership, Krishnamoorthi said it would only help if Rubio and the Trump administration “listen carefully to concerns and address” issues. “If it’s merely... a situation where he’s delivering a one-way message, and he’s not listening... it’s not fruitful,” he added. He argued that US foreign policy conducted in a way that “pushes our friends, partners and allies away” risks damaging the relationship, while a partnership-focused approach would allow both countries to tackle common challenges. Krishnamoorthi also called for greater accountability for social media platforms that amplify hate. The US Congressman said the forthcoming midterm elections will deliver a clear advantage to Democrats in both the House and Senate. “It’s absolutely an edge for the Democratic [side], the House and the Senate in Congress,” he pointed. “I believe this will be a big rebuke to President Trump and his policies, and this election will then [provide] a check on his power, which I think the American people desperately want right now.”

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi accused some MAGA politicians of using anti-Indian hate as a political tool, calling it “a horrible sin, horrible political sin” that plays on people’s fears and their bigotry toward Indians.

US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi describes foiled temple attack as ‘divine intervention’, criticises Vance and MAGA rhetoric

In the hours after a missile or drone strike, the most important question for an air force is not always how many planes were hit. It is how fast the base can put out the fires, cool the fuel and munitions, and start flying again.&nbsp;During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Pakistan tried to hit several Indian air bases with drones and missiles. India later struck Pakistani bases in return. Most of the incoming attacks were intercepted, but the episode still showed a clear risk- fires in hangars, fuel farms or ammunition areas can shut down a base even if the runways stay intact. That is the job of a new Indian-made firefighting robot now being bought by the Air Force.&nbsp;The machine, called the FF Bot, is a six-wheeled, remote-controlled vehicle built by a small company near Ahmedabad called Swadeshi Empresa. Operators stay well outside the danger zone and drive it into the smoke and heat using cameras that can see through flames. It sprays water or foam, cools itself while it works, and can even drag a heavy hose or tow loads of several tonnes across rubble.&nbsp;The company has made firefighting equipment for decades and started building robots in 2017. The military version was developed under the government’s iDEX programme, which funds startups to solve problems for the armed forces. It was the first project of its kind under one of iDEX’s early challenges to get formal approval in 2023.&nbsp;iDEX, Innovations for Defence Excellence, is a programme started by India’s Ministry of Defence in 2018, and its main job is to help small companies, startups and individual innovators create new technology for the Army, Navy and Air Force.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-passenger-tries-to-flee-delhi-s-jama-masjid-metro-station-cisf-catches-him-1792415665374">Watch: Passenger tries to flee Delhi's Jama Masjid Metro station, CISF catches him</a>&nbsp;The Navy has already taken dozens of the robots. The Army signed a deal in January 2026 for 18 units, mainly for ammunition depots. The Air Force has ordered 80. The robot was also tested in live fire and debris scenarios during the Air Force’s big Vayu Shakti exercise in the Rajasthan desert earlier this year.&nbsp;In June 2026 the Ministry of Defence’s quality agency gave the FF Bot a formal certificate that it is “Fit for Indian Military Use.” The stamp confirms it passed official trials and can help the company sell the same machine abroad.&nbsp;For the Air Force, the robot is not a weapon. It is a tool for the hours after an attack, when crews need to get close to burning fuel or unstable munitions without risking more lives. Officials say the same machine could also be useful at civilian airports, power stations and oil depots.

The Indian Air Force has ordered 80 indigenous FF Bots developed under the iDEX programme to tackle fires at air bases and protect personnel during emergencies involving fuel, ammunition and debris.

In the hours after a missile or drone strike, the most important question for an air force is not always how many planes were hit. It is how fast the base can put out the fires, cool the fuel and munitions, and start flying again. During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Pakistan tried to hit several Indian air bases with drones and missiles. India later struck Pakistani bases in return. Most of the incoming attacks were intercepted, but the episode still showed a clear risk- fires in hangars, fuel farms or ammunition areas can shut down a base even if the runways stay intact. That is the job of a new Indian-made firefighting robot now being bought by the Air Force. The machine, called the FF Bot, is a six-wheeled, remote-controlled vehicle built by a small company near Ahmedabad called Swadeshi Empresa. Operators stay well outside the danger zone and drive it into the smoke and heat using cameras that can see through flames. It sprays water or foam, cools itself while it works, and can even drag a heavy hose or tow loads of several tonnes across rubble. The company has made firefighting equipment for decades and started building robots in 2017. The military version was developed under the government’s iDEX programme, which funds startups to solve problems for the armed forces. It was the first project of its kind under one of iDEX’s early challenges to get formal approval in 2023. iDEX, Innovations for Defence Excellence, is a programme started by India’s Ministry of Defence in 2018, and its main job is to help small companies, startups and individual innovators create new technology for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Also Read: Watch: Passenger tries to flee Delhi's Jama Masjid Metro station, CISF catches him The Navy has already taken dozens of the robots. The Army signed a deal in January 2026 for 18 units, mainly for ammunition depots. The Air Force has ordered 80. The robot was also tested in live fire and debris scenarios during the Air Force’s big Vayu Shakti exercise in the Rajasthan desert earlier this year. In June 2026 the Ministry of Defence’s quality agency gave the FF Bot a formal certificate that it is “Fit for Indian Military Use.” The stamp confirms it passed official trials and can help the company sell the same machine abroad. For the Air Force, the robot is not a weapon. It is a tool for the hours after an attack, when crews need to get close to burning fuel or unstable munitions without risking more lives. Officials say the same machine could also be useful at civilian airports, power stations and oil depots.

The Indian Air Force has ordered 80 indigenous FF Bots developed under the iDEX programme to tackle fires at air bases and protect personnel during emergencies involving fuel, ammunition and debris.

Indian Air Force turns to homegrown firefighting robot developed under iDEX programme

New Delhi: A baby Sumatran orangutan "Rocky" seized in India nearly two years ago has finally returned to Indonesia in a rare cross-border operation that offers a template for future rescues.The infant arrived at Kualanamu Airport in Medan on Monday after being flown from Gujarat, where it was rescued in November 2024. Officials from India’s consulate in Medan joined Indonesian forestry staff for a reception organised by the Ministry of Forestry.&nbsp;Indian Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement that the successful transfer “reflects the close bilateral ties between India and Indonesia and their shared commitment to the protection and conservation of endangered species,” and sets “a positive precedent for future cooperation in wildlife conservation.”&nbsp;Since its rescue, the orangutan received veterinary treatment and specialised housing from Indian wildlife authorities. In a goodwill gesture, India waived all costs of its care before the transfer. CITES Management Authorities in both countries oversaw the process to meet international rules governing the movement of endangered species.&nbsp;Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni welcomed the return. “Good cooperation between India and Indonesia..... along with existing institutions including the Centre for Orangutan Protection and Fauna Land, made this possible,” he said. He described the day as “very meaningful” because of the presence of public figure Kang Irfan Hakim, “who loves animals and tirelessly campaigns for the importance of wild animals and wildlife welfare.”&nbsp;Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered. Habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade have driven sharp population declines, with infants often smuggled out of Indonesia and sold as exotic pets. Successful repatriations remain uncommon.&nbsp;The case is not isolated. Five more young orangutans rescued in Odisha in September 2026 are currently under care at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Indonesian wildlife experts are due to visit India in November to help verify their origin and accelerate their return, according to the Indian embassy in Jakarta.Such operations depend on sustained coordination between enforcement agencies, zoos and governments. For this one infant, the long wait is over. Its journey home, officials hope, will not be the last.

Since its rescue nearly two years ago, the baby Sumatran orangutan "Rocky" received veterinary treatment and specialised housing from Indian wildlife authorities. In a goodwill gesture, India waived all costs of its care before the transfer.

New Delhi: A baby Sumatran orangutan "Rocky" seized in India nearly two years ago has finally returned to Indonesia in a rare cross-border operation that offers a template for future rescues. The infant arrived at Kualanamu Airport in Medan on Monday after being flown from Gujarat, where it was rescued in November 2024. Officials from India’s consulate in Medan joined Indonesian forestry staff for a reception organised by the Ministry of Forestry. Indian Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement that the successful transfer “reflects the close bilateral ties between India and Indonesia and their shared commitment to the protection and conservation of endangered species,” and sets “a positive precedent for future cooperation in wildlife conservation.” Since its rescue, the orangutan received veterinary treatment and specialised housing from Indian wildlife authorities. In a goodwill gesture, India waived all costs of its care before the transfer. CITES Management Authorities in both countries oversaw the process to meet international rules governing the movement of endangered species. Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni welcomed the return. “Good cooperation between India and Indonesia..... along with existing institutions including the Centre for Orangutan Protection and Fauna Land, made this possible,” he said. He described the day as “very meaningful” because of the presence of public figure Kang Irfan Hakim, “who loves animals and tirelessly campaigns for the importance of wild animals and wildlife welfare.” Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered. Habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade have driven sharp population declines, with infants often smuggled out of Indonesia and sold as exotic pets. Successful repatriations remain uncommon. The case is not isolated. Five more young orangutans rescued in Odisha in September 2026 are currently under care at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Indonesian wildlife experts are due to visit India in November to help verify their origin and accelerate their return, according to the Indian embassy in Jakarta. Such operations depend on sustained coordination between enforcement agencies, zoos and governments. For this one infant, the long wait is over. Its journey home, officials hope, will not be the last.

Since its rescue nearly two years ago, the baby Sumatran orangutan "Rocky" received veterinary treatment and specialised housing from Indian wildlife authorities. In a goodwill gesture, India waived all costs of its care before the transfer.

Baby orangutan rescued in India returns to Indonesia

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Mumbai on Tuesday for talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as Washington says a trade deal is “very close”. Rubio, on his second visit to India this year, is scheduled to land in the financial capital on Tuesday at around 2 pm. He is expected to meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at 3.30 pm IST.&nbsp;Later in the week, he will travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat, home to a private sector crude oil refining complex.Speaking in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, before flying on to India, Rubio linked the sanctions waiver and the trade talks. “We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” he said. “That’s one of the things we take into consideration when the president makes a decision about national security waivers and things of that nature.”&nbsp;He added that Washington had waived sanctions in recent months “because of looking at the global supplies, looking at global prices, the impact that was having on other countries.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Rubio noted high diesel prices in many places and said foreign policy must balance the war in Ukraine with other realities. “Every country has a complex set of factors that they have to take into account. Geography is real. For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all that has to be balanced… You also can’t unravel the economy of other countries because of one central issue,” he said.&nbsp;The waiver relates to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which President Donald Trump signed on 18 September. The law authorised tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, a list that includes India and China, if they continued new purchases after 18 October.&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump has paused the key provisions for 60 days while the administration studies the economic consequences. That review is expected to conclude around 15 December, when world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are due in Florida for the G20 summit.&nbsp;The visit comes against a backdrop of strained bilateral ties. Immigration and visa issues, along with rising anti-India rhetoric in the United States, remain points of concern for New Delhi. Last week Indian side expressed serious concern after US authorities foiled an alleged plot by a 19-year-old to attack a Hindu temple near Chicago. India has called on Washington to ensure the safety of the Indian community.&nbsp;US officials have described the trip as more business-focused than Rubio’s earlier visit in May, when he attended a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. This time he is skipping the capital, New Delhi. Energy cooperation, including India’s continued substantial imports of Russian crude and its efforts to diversify supplies, is expected to feature prominently alongside the status of the trade negotiations.

President Trump has paused the key provisions of the Graham Act for 60 days while the administration studies the economic consequences. That review is expected to conclude around 15 December, when world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are due in Florida for the G20 summit.

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Mumbai on Tuesday for talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, as Washington says a trade deal is “very close”. Rubio, on his second visit to India this year, is scheduled to land in the financial capital on Tuesday at around 2 pm. He is expected to meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at 3.30 pm IST. Later in the week, he will travel to Jamnagar in Gujarat, home to a private sector crude oil refining complex. Speaking in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, before flying on to India, Rubio linked the sanctions waiver and the trade talks. “We’re trying to finalise a trade deal with India right now. We’re very close to doing that,” he said. “That’s one of the things we take into consideration when the president makes a decision about national security waivers and things of that nature.” He added that Washington had waived sanctions in recent months “because of looking at the global supplies, looking at global prices, the impact that was having on other countries.” Rubio noted high diesel prices in many places and said foreign policy must balance the war in Ukraine with other realities. “Every country has a complex set of factors that they have to take into account. Geography is real. For some countries, it’s very difficult to acquire energy from alternative sources. That’s not an excuse, but all that has to be balanced… You also can’t unravel the economy of other countries because of one central issue,” he said. The waiver relates to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which President Donald Trump signed on 18 September. The law authorised tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, a list that includes India and China, if they continued new purchases after 18 October. Trump has paused the key provisions for 60 days while the administration studies the economic consequences. That review is expected to conclude around 15 December, when world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are due in Florida for the G20 summit. The visit comes against a backdrop of strained bilateral ties. Immigration and visa issues, along with rising anti-India rhetoric in the United States, remain points of concern for New Delhi. Last week Indian side expressed serious concern after US authorities foiled an alleged plot by a 19-year-old to attack a Hindu temple near Chicago. India has called on Washington to ensure the safety of the Indian community. US officials have described the trip as more business-focused than Rubio’s earlier visit in May, when he attended a Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. This time he is skipping the capital, New Delhi. Energy cooperation, including India’s continued substantial imports of Russian crude and its efforts to diversify supplies, is expected to feature prominently alongside the status of the trade negotiations.

President Trump has paused the key provisions of the Graham Act for 60 days while the administration studies the economic consequences. That review is expected to conclude around 15 December, when world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are due in Florida for the G20 summit.

‘Very close’ to trade deal with India, says Marco Rubio ahead of his Mumbai arrival on Tuesday

The Indian Navy has escorted commercial vessels carrying cargo valued at Rs 16,000 crore through the West Asia and Arabian Sea region as part of Operation Urja Suraksha, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, said on Monday.&nbsp;The operation, launched in March amid west Asia war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, has focused on protecting India-bound energy shipments and other critical supplies. Naval warships have provided escorts, navigational guidance, and layered security to merchant vessels navigating the sensitive waters, ensuring the continued flow of essential goods to Indian ports.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/india-s-naval-priorities-ex-navy-chief-calls-for-third-aircraft-carrier-more-warships-and-submarines-1792073185585">India’s naval priorities: Ex-Navy Chief calls for third aircraft carrier, more warships and submarines</a>&nbsp;Vice Admiral Kochhar, speaking at a media interaction ahead of the Navy’s flagship Swavlamban seminar, noted that ongoing crises in the region have kept the force “engaged thinking and deployment wise.” He also outlined the Navy’s modernisation efforts, stating that 42 platforms are currently on order, with Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) granted for projects worth Rs 2.14 lakh crore.&nbsp;Swavlamban 2026, scheduled for 26-27 October at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, is the fifth edition of the Navy’s innovation and indigenisation platform. It brings together the Navy, industry, startups, MSMEs, and academia to translate operational needs into practical capabilities. Participation has grown sharply since the first edition, reaching nearly 3,000 last year, with over 100 stalls expected this year.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/defence-pulse/indian-navy-could-operate-indigenous-underwater-drones-within-a-year-says-ankur-shah-1791196745954">Indian Navy could operate indigenous underwater drones within a year, says Ankur Shah</a>&nbsp;Through the iDEX framework, the Navy has received more than 4,000 proposals, involving around 1,150 MSMEs and startups. Focus areas include quantum systems, high-power microwave and directed-energy weapons, autonomous underwater vehicles, and indigenous ramjet engines.&nbsp;Vice Admiral Kochhar emphasised the need for both speed and “spiral development”, faster pathways from concept to deployment, combined with continuous improvement based on user feedback and technological advances. “Keeping pace with changes is not simply about adopting new technologies. It is also ensuring how we can develop, integrate, and employ the capabilities needed to meet our operational requirements,” he said.He urged industry and innovators to bring forward “disruptive solutions grounded in operational understanding, supported by sound engineering and a commitment to reliable delivery.” The goal, he added, is for domestic enterprises to emerge as dependable partners capable of designing, manufacturing, sustaining, and upgrading critical maritime technologies within India.&nbsp;The seminar will feature plenary sessions, exhibitions, and interactions involving domain experts, other services, and security agencies, reinforcing the Navy’s push toward a multi-domain, networked force amid evolving maritime threats.

The Indian Navy has escorted commercial vessels carrying cargo worth Rs 16,000 crore through West Asia and the Arabian Sea under Operation Urja Suraksha, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar said. Ahead of Swavlamban 2026, he also outlined naval modernisation and indigenous defence technology initiatives.

The Indian Navy has escorted commercial vessels carrying cargo valued at Rs 16,000 crore through the West Asia and Arabian Sea region as part of Operation Urja Suraksha, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, said on Monday. The operation, launched in March amid west Asia war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, has focused on protecting India-bound energy shipments and other critical supplies. Naval warships have provided escorts, navigational guidance, and layered security to merchant vessels navigating the sensitive waters, ensuring the continued flow of essential goods to Indian ports. Also Read: India’s naval priorities: Ex-Navy Chief calls for third aircraft carrier, more warships and submarines Vice Admiral Kochhar, speaking at a media interaction ahead of the Navy’s flagship Swavlamban seminar, noted that ongoing crises in the region have kept the force “engaged thinking and deployment wise.” He also outlined the Navy’s modernisation efforts, stating that 42 platforms are currently on order, with Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) granted for projects worth Rs 2.14 lakh crore. Swavlamban 2026, scheduled for 26-27 October at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi, is the fifth edition of the Navy’s innovation and indigenisation platform. It brings together the Navy, industry, startups, MSMEs, and academia to translate operational needs into practical capabilities. Participation has grown sharply since the first edition, reaching nearly 3,000 last year, with over 100 stalls expected this year. Also Read: Indian Navy could operate indigenous underwater drones within a year, says Ankur Shah Through the iDEX framework, the Navy has received more than 4,000 proposals, involving around 1,150 MSMEs and startups. Focus areas include quantum systems, high-power microwave and directed-energy weapons, autonomous underwater vehicles, and indigenous ramjet engines. Vice Admiral Kochhar emphasised the need for both speed and “spiral development”, faster pathways from concept to deployment, combined with continuous improvement based on user feedback and technological advances. “Keeping pace with changes is not simply about adopting new technologies. It is also ensuring how we can develop, integrate, and employ the capabilities needed to meet our operational requirements,” he said. He urged industry and innovators to bring forward “disruptive solutions grounded in operational understanding, supported by sound engineering and a commitment to reliable delivery.” The goal, he added, is for domestic enterprises to emerge as dependable partners capable of designing, manufacturing, sustaining, and upgrading critical maritime technologies within India. The seminar will feature plenary sessions, exhibitions, and interactions involving domain experts, other services, and security agencies, reinforcing the Navy’s push toward a multi-domain, networked force amid evolving maritime threats.

The Indian Navy has escorted commercial vessels carrying cargo worth Rs 16,000 crore through West Asia and the Arabian Sea under Operation Urja Suraksha, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar said. Ahead of Swavlamban 2026, he also outlined naval modernisation and indigenous defence technology initiatives.

Indian Navy escorts cargo worth Rs 16,000 crore in West Asia under Operation Urja Suraksha

Pakistan’s federal government has suspended the elected provincial administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, imposing a state of emergency and governor’s rule in the northwestern province that borders Afghanistan. The move, formalised by President Asif Ali Zardari on 11 October on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, places Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in charge of the province’s affairs, deploys the army to support civil administration under Article 245 of the Constitution, and creates a special federal-supervised secretariat for 12 districts, most of them in the former tribal areas. The federal cabinet cited a sharp deterioration in security. Officials told parliament and the public of a 195 per cent rise in terrorist incidents in the province between March 2024 and September 2026, with a majority of attacks directed at police and security forces, increased use of drones and improvised explosive devices, and alleged failure by the provincial government to co-operate fully with counter-terrorism efforts. But it is well known that terrorism is Pakistan's own making - Frankenstein &amp; its neighbours, all 3 of them-Iran, Afghanistan &amp; India can vouch for that.&nbsp; The decision effectively removes the last provincial government controlled by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. PTI has governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for more than a decade, and the province remains its principal political base. The timing coincides with PTI plans for a protest march to Islamabad demanding Khan’s release. Khan has been in prison since 2023 on corruption and other charges that he and his party maintain are politically motivated. A media blackout has limited independent reporting from the province. Critics, including PTI leaders and some analysts, portray the measures as the latest step in a broader concentration of power by the military establishment under field marshal Munir. They point to constitutional amendments that have constrained judicial independence, the prolonged incarceration of a former prime minister, and the displacement of an elected provincial government.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-us-ukraine-in-nonstop-communication-after-talks-with-witkoff-and-kushner-amid-tensions-with-trump-1792339476161">Zelensky says US, Ukraine in ‘nonstop communication’ after talks with Witkoff and Kushner amid tensions with Trump</a>&nbsp;In the former tribal districts, already scarred by successive military operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, the imposition of direct federal control and the blending of executive and judicial functions under emergency provisions have revived longstanding grievances about displacement, civilian casualties and limited rehabilitation.&nbsp; Pakistan’s security establishment has historically pursued a policy of “strategic depth” in Afghanistan, supporting certain terror groups while combating others. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s well-known warning that “you can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours” is frequently invoked by Pakistani and foreign commentators as a description of the blowback that followed. Periods of engagement and crackdown on the TTP have alternated; under previous army leadership, some TTP cadres were allowed to relocate into former tribal areas. The current surge suggests that earlier distinctions between “good” and “bad” terrorists have not produced lasting stability. The federal government maintains that the emergency is a temporary, constitutional response to an internal disturbance beyond the capacity of the provincial administration, and that an 11-member advisory council of technocrats will help restore order and development.&nbsp; Whether the measures will reduce the militant threat or further alienate Pashtun communities and deepen perceptions of democratic backsliding remains the central question. For now, the displacement of an elected government by unelected military authority in Pakistan’s most conflict-affected province has made the security establishment’s role in civilian governance more visible than at any point in recent years.

Pakistan has imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, removing the PTI-led provincial administration amid rising militant violence and renewed concerns over military influence, democratic governance and the alienation of Pashtun communities.

Pakistan’s federal government has suspended the elected provincial administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, imposing a state of emergency and governor’s rule in the northwestern province that borders Afghanistan. The move, formalised by President Asif Ali Zardari on 11 October on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, places Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in charge of the province’s affairs, deploys the army to support civil administration under Article 245 of the Constitution, and creates a special federal-supervised secretariat for 12 districts, most of them in the former tribal areas. The federal cabinet cited a sharp deterioration in security. Officials told parliament and the public of a 195 per cent rise in terrorist incidents in the province between March 2024 and September 2026, with a majority of attacks directed at police and security forces, increased use of drones and improvised explosive devices, and alleged failure by the provincial government to co-operate fully with counter-terrorism efforts. But it is well known that terrorism is Pakistan's own making - Frankenstein & its neighbours, all 3 of them-Iran, Afghanistan & India can vouch for that. The decision effectively removes the last provincial government controlled by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. PTI has governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for more than a decade, and the province remains its principal political base. The timing coincides with PTI plans for a protest march to Islamabad demanding Khan’s release. Khan has been in prison since 2023 on corruption and other charges that he and his party maintain are politically motivated. A media blackout has limited independent reporting from the province. Critics, including PTI leaders and some analysts, portray the measures as the latest step in a broader concentration of power by the military establishment under field marshal Munir. They point to constitutional amendments that have constrained judicial independence, the prolonged incarceration of a former prime minister, and the displacement of an elected provincial government. Also Read: Zelensky says US, Ukraine in ‘nonstop communication’ after talks with Witkoff and Kushner amid tensions with Trump In the former tribal districts, already scarred by successive military operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, the imposition of direct federal control and the blending of executive and judicial functions under emergency provisions have revived longstanding grievances about displacement, civilian casualties and limited rehabilitation. Pakistan’s security establishment has historically pursued a policy of “strategic depth” in Afghanistan, supporting certain terror groups while combating others. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s well-known warning that “you can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbours” is frequently invoked by Pakistani and foreign commentators as a description of the blowback that followed. Periods of engagement and crackdown on the TTP have alternated; under previous army leadership, some TTP cadres were allowed to relocate into former tribal areas. The current surge suggests that earlier distinctions between “good” and “bad” terrorists have not produced lasting stability. The federal government maintains that the emergency is a temporary, constitutional response to an internal disturbance beyond the capacity of the provincial administration, and that an 11-member advisory council of technocrats will help restore order and development. Whether the measures will reduce the militant threat or further alienate Pashtun communities and deepen perceptions of democratic backsliding remains the central question. For now, the displacement of an elected government by unelected military authority in Pakistan’s most conflict-affected province has made the security establishment’s role in civilian governance more visible than at any point in recent years.

Pakistan has imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, removing the PTI-led provincial administration amid rising militant violence and renewed concerns over military influence, democratic governance and the alienation of Pashtun communities.

KPK emergency becomes symbol of Pakistan's hybrid power structure

The United States will use a 60-day period to review waivers under a new Russia sanctions law before deciding whether to impose additional tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, including India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday temporarily waiving key provisions of the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which authorised tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the largest importers of Russian oil and gas. The move provides temporary relief to India, China and others ahead of deadlines that could have triggered the measures. Speaking to reporters in Washington on Saturday before departing for Uzbekistan and India, Mr Rubio said the sanctions “were not just sanctions on Russia. They include tariffs on a number of countries - India, for example, and others.” “I think the President wants to take the 60-day period of time to sort of analyse what imposing both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the US economy,” he said. He added that waivers were included in the legislation precisely so the administration could study the effects amid multiple pressures on global energy supplies, including the West Asia conflict, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and strikes on energy infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine war. Mr Rubio specifically addressed India’s position. “You’ve got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it’s hard to pivot from one day to the next, but they’re also an important ally and partner of the United States,” he said. The waivers are temporary and will be reviewed before the end of the 60-day window, which concludes on 15 December, around the time of the G20 summit in Florida. PM Modi is expected to attend the summit. The comments come as US Secretary of State Rubio begins his second visit to India this year. He is due in Mumbai and Jamnagar next week and will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on 20 October. Discussions are expected to cover energy, trade, investment, defence and other bilateral issues. His visit comes as ties remain complicated on several fronts, from trade to increased racism against Indian, Indian Americans. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced the administration’s focus on ending the Ukraine conflict while criticising Europe’s continued purchases of Russian energy. “President Trump has made it clear he wants the killing to stop,” he said, noting that the law gives the president flexibility and 60 days to assess the situation. Mr Bessent argued that Europeans have provided more money to Russia than to Ukraine through energy imports and said that Washington DC got no support over plans to put secondary tariffs on India, China for importing Russian energy. “We have asked in the spring. I ask our European allies to join us in putting secondary tariffs on China, on India. They refused. So why should the US bear the burden?” he said. India has previously raised concerns about the Russia sanctions legislation and has stated that its energy sourcing decisions will be guided by national interests. Indian officials have pointed to the efforts to diversify supplies while emphasising the practical difficulties of rapidly reducing reliance on Russian crude amid global market constraints.

The comments come as US Secretary of State Rubio begins his second visit to India this year. He is due in Mumbai and Jamnagar next week and will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on 20 October.

The United States will use a 60-day period to review waivers under a new Russia sanctions law before deciding whether to impose additional tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, including India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday temporarily waiving key provisions of the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which authorised tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the largest importers of Russian oil and gas. The move provides temporary relief to India, China and others ahead of deadlines that could have triggered the measures. Speaking to reporters in Washington on Saturday before departing for Uzbekistan and India, Mr Rubio said the sanctions “were not just sanctions on Russia. They include tariffs on a number of countries - India, for example, and others.” “I think the President wants to take the 60-day period of time to sort of analyse what imposing both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the US economy,” he said. He added that waivers were included in the legislation precisely so the administration could study the effects amid multiple pressures on global energy supplies, including the West Asia conflict, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and strikes on energy infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine war. Mr Rubio specifically addressed India’s position. “You’ve got countries like India, for example, that have voluntarily diversified their energy portfolio but are still getting a substantial amount of energy from Russia because it’s hard to pivot from one day to the next, but they’re also an important ally and partner of the United States,” he said. The waivers are temporary and will be reviewed before the end of the 60-day window, which concludes on 15 December, around the time of the G20 summit in Florida. PM Modi is expected to attend the summit. The comments come as US Secretary of State Rubio begins his second visit to India this year. He is due in Mumbai and Jamnagar next week and will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on 20 October. Discussions are expected to cover energy, trade, investment, defence and other bilateral issues. His visit comes as ties remain complicated on several fronts, from trade to increased racism against Indian, Indian Americans. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced the administration’s focus on ending the Ukraine conflict while criticising Europe’s continued purchases of Russian energy. “President Trump has made it clear he wants the killing to stop,” he said, noting that the law gives the president flexibility and 60 days to assess the situation. Mr Bessent argued that Europeans have provided more money to Russia than to Ukraine through energy imports and said that Washington DC got no support over plans to put secondary tariffs on India, China for importing Russian energy. “We have asked in the spring. I ask our European allies to join us in putting secondary tariffs on China, on India. They refused. So why should the US bear the burden?” he said. India has previously raised concerns about the Russia sanctions legislation and has stated that its energy sourcing decisions will be guided by national interests. Indian officials have pointed to the efforts to diversify supplies while emphasising the practical difficulties of rapidly reducing reliance on Russian crude amid global market constraints.

The comments come as US Secretary of State Rubio begins his second visit to India this year. He is due in Mumbai and Jamnagar next week and will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on 20 October.

US to review Russia sanctions waiver within 60 days as Rubio cites India’s ‘substantial’ Russian energy imports

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to host high-level talks in Mumbai next week with the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State, a move the government says continues a long practice of taking diplomacy beyond Delhi.&nbsp; On 19–20 October, Jaishankar will receive UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for an official visit. The following day, he is scheduled to hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence as guest of honour. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UAE visit would review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity, along with the situation in West Asia. "There will naturally be a detailed exchange of views on the situation in West Asia as also on global and multilateral issues", he said. On the US side, he noted that Rubio’s visit would allow both sides to discuss energy, trade, defence, critical technologies and regional developments under the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The upcoming meeting between India and the American side in Mumbai has become politically charged. India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the choice of Mumbai for the meeting. &nbsp;The government has pointed to a decade-long pattern of hosting foreign dignitaries outside the capital. The Prime Minister has received the Spanish prime minister in Vadodara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad and the Mauritian prime minister in Varanasi. EAM Jaishankar himself has previously hosted the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa, etc. Fellow Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned why the announcement of the Indian minister’s participation appeared to come from the American side rather than the MEA itself. US Ambassador Sergio Gor had given details about the visit to a media outlet. Important to know, India's foreign minister gives details of the visit of any visiting foreign minister closer to the date. &nbsp; The episode echoes an earlier controversy. On 9 March 2013, then External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid hosted a private working lunch for visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace. Ashraf was en route to the Ajmer Sharif shrine. The visit drew protests, with the then opposition questioning the government’s decision to extend hospitality to the Pakistani side. The visit was boycotted by the spiritual head of the Ajmer Shrine, over the killing and mutilation of 2 Indian soldiers earlier that year near Jammu.&nbsp;

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UAE visit would review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity, along with the situation in West Asia.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to host high-level talks in Mumbai next week with the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State, a move the government says continues a long practice of taking diplomacy beyond Delhi. On 19–20 October, Jaishankar will receive UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for an official visit. The following day, he is scheduled to hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attend celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence as guest of honour. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UAE visit would review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity, along with the situation in West Asia. "There will naturally be a detailed exchange of views on the situation in West Asia as also on global and multilateral issues", he said. On the US side, he noted that Rubio’s visit would allow both sides to discuss energy, trade, defence, critical technologies and regional developments under the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The upcoming meeting between India and the American side in Mumbai has become politically charged. India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the choice of Mumbai for the meeting. The government has pointed to a decade-long pattern of hosting foreign dignitaries outside the capital. The Prime Minister has received the Spanish prime minister in Vadodara, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad and the Mauritian prime minister in Varanasi. EAM Jaishankar himself has previously hosted the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa, etc. Fellow Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned why the announcement of the Indian minister’s participation appeared to come from the American side rather than the MEA itself. US Ambassador Sergio Gor had given details about the visit to a media outlet. Important to know, India's foreign minister gives details of the visit of any visiting foreign minister closer to the date. The episode echoes an earlier controversy. On 9 March 2013, then External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid hosted a private working lunch for visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace. Ashraf was en route to the Ajmer Sharif shrine. The visit drew protests, with the then opposition questioning the government’s decision to extend hospitality to the Pakistani side. The visit was boycotted by the spiritual head of the Ajmer Shrine, over the killing and mutilation of 2 Indian soldiers earlier that year near Jammu.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the UAE visit would review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity, along with the situation in West Asia.

EAM Jaishankar to host US, UAE counterparts in Mumbai

India’s top diplomat in Kabul has held talks with Afghanistan’s foreign minister, with both sides highlighting growing trade and the need for closer cooperation, against a backdrop of substantial Indian development assistance. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met Yatin Patel, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy, in a courtesy call in the Afghan capital. According to an Afghan readout of the meeting, Muttaqi wished Patel success in his new assignment and said the Islamic Emirate, “in line with its balanced policy, attaches importance to relations with India.” He noted that the volume of trade between the two countries is increasing and called for greater contact and cooperation between government and private-sector actors “to make maximum use of the capacities of both sides.” Patel, for his part, said India wishes to expand its engagement and relations with Afghanistan in the economic, political, and humanitarian fields. While India has not formally recognised the Islamic Emirate administration that came to power in 2021, it has maintained regular diplomatic contact and sustained humanitarian and development support. The exchange comes as India continues a long-standing development partnership that has encompassed more than 500 projects across all 34 Afghan provinces. In recent months, visits by Afghan ministers to India have focused on practical cooperation in humanitarian assistance, healthcare, food security, capacity-building, counter-narcotics, education, trade, and connectivity, aimed at addressing the needs of Afghanistan’s population of more than 48 million.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-inflation-hits-3-7-as-rising-fuel-prices-pose-challenge-for-trump-ahead-of-midterms-1791990738117">US inflation hits 3.7% as rising fuel prices pose challenge for Trump ahead of midterms</a>&nbsp;On the healthcare front, India has supplied specialised equipment including neonatal and paediatric care devices, ventilators, patient monitors, and surgical kits, along with additional essential medicines and consumables. It has also supported maternity clinic construction and, working with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, provided medical supplies and social-support items for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Since August 2021, New Delhi has delivered more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat, over 450 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and 40,000 litres of pesticides. Education links have expanded as well: more than 3,000 Afghan students, including 1,000 women, have received opportunities in India since 2023, with a further 1,000 scholarships offered for the current academic year. India has also extended financial and logistical support to women-led self-help groups. New Delhi withdrew its diplomats and shut the mission amid the chaotic US-led withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. In June 2022, it deployed a limited “technical team” to facilitate humanitarian aid, medical support, trade and consular services. In October 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the upgrade during the first high-level visit by Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi to Delhi. India formally restored embassy status with immediate effect later that month. The mission is headed by a chargé d’affaires.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met India's Chargé d’Affaires Yatin Patel in Kabul, stressing the importance of ties with New Delhi as both sides called for greater trade, economic engagement and cooperation.

India’s top diplomat in Kabul has held talks with Afghanistan’s foreign minister, with both sides highlighting growing trade and the need for closer cooperation, against a backdrop of substantial Indian development assistance. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met Yatin Patel, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy, in a courtesy call in the Afghan capital. According to an Afghan readout of the meeting, Muttaqi wished Patel success in his new assignment and said the Islamic Emirate, “in line with its balanced policy, attaches importance to relations with India.” He noted that the volume of trade between the two countries is increasing and called for greater contact and cooperation between government and private-sector actors “to make maximum use of the capacities of both sides.” Patel, for his part, said India wishes to expand its engagement and relations with Afghanistan in the economic, political, and humanitarian fields. While India has not formally recognised the Islamic Emirate administration that came to power in 2021, it has maintained regular diplomatic contact and sustained humanitarian and development support. The exchange comes as India continues a long-standing development partnership that has encompassed more than 500 projects across all 34 Afghan provinces. In recent months, visits by Afghan ministers to India have focused on practical cooperation in humanitarian assistance, healthcare, food security, capacity-building, counter-narcotics, education, trade, and connectivity, aimed at addressing the needs of Afghanistan’s population of more than 48 million. Also Read: US inflation hits 3.7% as rising fuel prices pose challenge for Trump ahead of midterms On the healthcare front, India has supplied specialised equipment including neonatal and paediatric care devices, ventilators, patient monitors, and surgical kits, along with additional essential medicines and consumables. It has also supported maternity clinic construction and, working with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, provided medical supplies and social-support items for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Since August 2021, New Delhi has delivered more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat, over 450 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and 40,000 litres of pesticides. Education links have expanded as well: more than 3,000 Afghan students, including 1,000 women, have received opportunities in India since 2023, with a further 1,000 scholarships offered for the current academic year. India has also extended financial and logistical support to women-led self-help groups. New Delhi withdrew its diplomats and shut the mission amid the chaotic US-led withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. In June 2022, it deployed a limited “technical team” to facilitate humanitarian aid, medical support, trade and consular services. In October 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the upgrade during the first high-level visit by Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi to Delhi. India formally restored embassy status with immediate effect later that month. The mission is headed by a chargé d’affaires.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met India's Chargé d’Affaires Yatin Patel in Kabul, stressing the importance of ties with New Delhi as both sides called for greater trade, economic engagement and cooperation.

Afghan FM Muttaqi to CdA Yatin Patel: We attach importance to relations with India

New Delhi: The decision by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca rather than in any of their capitals was never merely logistical. By gathering Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for both the signing, the three governments converted a military compact into a claim of broader Islamic legitimacy. The text itself, however, remains strikingly thin on operational detail.&nbsp;Supporters describe the pact as a pragmatic instrument of collective deterrence at a time of regional instability. Pakistan already has several thousand troops, aircraft and air defence systems in the kingdom under a bilateral arrangement from September 2025; the trilateral document simply widens the political umbrella. Turkey brings the weight of a large NATO army and advanced technical capabilities, while Saudi Arabia supplies the geographic and financial centrality. Pakistani officials have since suggested that six or seven other Muslim-majority states may seek to join, framing the arrangement as open-ended rather than exclusive.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rise-up-young-patriots-american-singer-mary-millben-says-us-donors-funding-cjp-backs-modi-govt-1791978203856">‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt</a>&nbsp;Yet the absence of a named adversary is both the pact’s selling point and its principal weakness. Without a clear definition of the threat it is meant to address, the threshold for activation remains opaque. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has insisted that any Pakistani role will be supportive and that Saudi forces will conduct direct combat. What “supportive” covers, reconnaissance, air defence, logistics or something broader, has not been spelt out.&nbsp;&nbsp;The same ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question. Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-not-a-middle-power-but-a-power-in-the-middle-says-eam-jaishankar-cites-pm-modi-s-definition-1791974178456">India not a ‘middle power’ but a power in the middle, says EAM Jaishankar, cites PM Modi’s definition</a>&nbsp;Turkey’s posture adds a further layer of uncertainty. Ankara has so far limited its public commitments to air defence and technical assistance, and its parliament had not ratified the agreement two months after the Mecca ceremony. If the political weight of the pact rests disproportionately on Islamabad and Riyadh, the arrangement risks becoming less trilateral than bilateral in practice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-seeking-to-attack-iran-again-before-the-israel-election-says-benjamin-netanyahu-1791986105697">‘Not seeking to attack Iran again before Israel elections,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;Domestic considerations in Pakistan also deserve scrutiny. The country hosts a large Shia minority whose security has repeatedly been tested by sectarian violence. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s reported remarks to Shia clerics in Rawalpindi, warning that loyalty to foreign causes would not be permitted to create disorder at home, were widely read by community leaders as signalling an uncompromising line. Whether a Saudi-led defence framework can remain insulated from Pakistan’s own sectarian tensions is an open question that officials have so far declined to address in detail.&nbsp;Financial context is equally difficult to separate from the security one. Saudi deposits arrived shortly before Pakistani aircraft reached the kingdom in April; the Mecca pact followed weeks later. No official has linked the money to the military commitments, yet the sequence invites scrutiny of the conditions under which Pakistan’s resources are being committed abroad.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-flydubai-co-pilot-attack-air-france-bans-pakistani-muslim-majority-crew-on-israel-flights-1791993498720">After flydubai co-pilot attack, Air France bans Pakistani, Muslim-majority crew on Israel flights</a>&nbsp;The Mecca agreement has succeeded in projecting unity and resolve. What it has not yet done is define the precise circumstances in which that resolve would be tested, or how the three capitals would share the political and military costs. Until those questions are answered, the pact remains more a declaration than a doctrine. The ongoing Houthi attacks have only raised more questions, especially on Islamabad's commitment, given it faces several challenges at home, including separatist one in restive Balochistan province.

Ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question also as Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.

New Delhi: The decision by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to sign a joint defence agreement in Mecca rather than in any of their capitals was never merely logistical. By gathering Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for both the signing, the three governments converted a military compact into a claim of broader Islamic legitimacy. The text itself, however, remains strikingly thin on operational detail. Supporters describe the pact as a pragmatic instrument of collective deterrence at a time of regional instability. Pakistan already has several thousand troops, aircraft and air defence systems in the kingdom under a bilateral arrangement from September 2025; the trilateral document simply widens the political umbrella. Turkey brings the weight of a large NATO army and advanced technical capabilities, while Saudi Arabia supplies the geographic and financial centrality. Pakistani officials have since suggested that six or seven other Muslim-majority states may seek to join, framing the arrangement as open-ended rather than exclusive. Also Read: ‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt Yet the absence of a named adversary is both the pact’s selling point and its principal weakness. Without a clear definition of the threat it is meant to address, the threshold for activation remains opaque. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has insisted that any Pakistani role will be supportive and that Saudi forces will conduct direct combat. What “supportive” covers, reconnaissance, air defence, logistics or something broader, has not been spelt out. The same ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question. Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap. Also Read: India not a ‘middle power’ but a power in the middle, says EAM Jaishankar, cites PM Modi’s definition Turkey’s posture adds a further layer of uncertainty. Ankara has so far limited its public commitments to air defence and technical assistance, and its parliament had not ratified the agreement two months after the Mecca ceremony. If the political weight of the pact rests disproportionately on Islamabad and Riyadh, the arrangement risks becoming less trilateral than bilateral in practice. Also Read: ‘Not seeking to attack Iran again before Israel elections,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu Domestic considerations in Pakistan also deserve scrutiny. The country hosts a large Shia minority whose security has repeatedly been tested by sectarian violence. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s reported remarks to Shia clerics in Rawalpindi, warning that loyalty to foreign causes would not be permitted to create disorder at home, were widely read by community leaders as signalling an uncompromising line. Whether a Saudi-led defence framework can remain insulated from Pakistan’s own sectarian tensions is an open question that officials have so far declined to address in detail. Financial context is equally difficult to separate from the security one. Saudi deposits arrived shortly before Pakistani aircraft reached the kingdom in April; the Mecca pact followed weeks later. No official has linked the money to the military commitments, yet the sequence invites scrutiny of the conditions under which Pakistan’s resources are being committed abroad. Also Read: After flydubai co-pilot attack, Air France bans Pakistani, Muslim-majority crew on Israel flights The Mecca agreement has succeeded in projecting unity and resolve. What it has not yet done is define the precise circumstances in which that resolve would be tested, or how the three capitals would share the political and military costs. Until those questions are answered, the pact remains more a declaration than a doctrine. The ongoing Houthi attacks have only raised more questions, especially on Islamabad's commitment, given it faces several challenges at home, including separatist one in restive Balochistan province.

Ambiguity surrounds the nuclear question also as Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed party; the published text is silent on whether its deterrent is included, and no official has ruled the possibility out. In the absence of explicit language, speculation fills the gap.

A Mecca defence pact that leaves more questions than answers

New Zealand’s first resident defence advisor in New Delhi has described the rapidly expanding India–New Zealand military relationship as moving beyond novelty, with both sides planning a first bilateral naval exercise next year and deeper involvement in India’s Tarang Shakti air exercise in 2028.&nbsp;Commodore Andy Dowling said the relationship has been revived after New Zealand commanded Combined Task Force 150 and India served as deputy commander. Subsequent high-level visits, including by New Zealand’s prime minister in March last year and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to New Zealand in July, produced a Defence Cooperation Agreement. A strategic dialogue has since produced a joint plan covering the next two to three years.&nbsp;“I’m now here as the first resident, so we are taking this relationship very seriously,” Dowling said. “The aim is to remove the novelty so that we see each other as business-as-usual partners who are happy and comfortable working together.”New Zealand’s participation in the recent Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise, hosted by India, offered a practical test. Dowling praised the Indian Air Force’s organisation of a complex event involving multiple nations and aircraft types, saying it generated genuine training value in a geographical setting unfamiliar to New Zealand crews.&nbsp;“That was good. That was something we want to do,” he said. “When it comes back again in a couple of years’ time, then we’d like to be more involved.” He expressed hope that New Zealand aircraft would take part in a more substantial way in 2028.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-politicians-mistakenly-use-indian-russian-warship-images-for-navy-s-birthday-posts-1791955000426">US politicians mistakenly use Indian, Russian warship images for Navy's birthday posts</a>&nbsp;Maritime cooperation is expected to remain the central pillar. Under the maritime cooperation agreement signed in July, the two navies are already discussing the shape of a bilateral exercise next year. Dowling said the aim was not merely to hold an activity for its own sake but to produce relevant training for both forces. “We’re both maritime nations by heart; we’re both trading nations. We depend on free and open oceans,” he noted.&nbsp;On defence industry, Dowling highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s production and export base, citing systems such as the BrahMos missile supplied to the Philippines. With the India–New Zealand free-trade agreement entering into force on 20 October, he said the framework would make defence-industry partnerships easier to operationalise. “It offers opportunities for us to partner together and not be transactional,” he said. “The FTA for us will be really good. The trick is now to operationalise it and to use it.”&nbsp;Dowling also pointed to a longer shared military history, from Gallipoli and the two world wars to the wartime service of a New Zealand ship that later became the Indian Navy’s flagship.

Under the maritime cooperation agreement signed in July, the two navies are already discussing the shape of a bilateral exercise next year. Dowling said the aim was not merely to hold an activity for its own sake but to produce relevant training for both forces.

New Zealand’s first resident defence advisor in New Delhi has described the rapidly expanding India–New Zealand military relationship as moving beyond novelty, with both sides planning a first bilateral naval exercise next year and deeper involvement in India’s Tarang Shakti air exercise in 2028. Commodore Andy Dowling said the relationship has been revived after New Zealand commanded Combined Task Force 150 and India served as deputy commander. Subsequent high-level visits, including by New Zealand’s prime minister in March last year and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to New Zealand in July, produced a Defence Cooperation Agreement. A strategic dialogue has since produced a joint plan covering the next two to three years. “I’m now here as the first resident, so we are taking this relationship very seriously,” Dowling said. “The aim is to remove the novelty so that we see each other as business-as-usual partners who are happy and comfortable working together.” New Zealand’s participation in the recent Tarang Shakti multinational air exercise, hosted by India, offered a practical test. Dowling praised the Indian Air Force’s organisation of a complex event involving multiple nations and aircraft types, saying it generated genuine training value in a geographical setting unfamiliar to New Zealand crews. “That was good. That was something we want to do,” he said. “When it comes back again in a couple of years’ time, then we’d like to be more involved.” He expressed hope that New Zealand aircraft would take part in a more substantial way in 2028. Also read: US politicians mistakenly use Indian, Russian warship images for Navy's birthday posts Maritime cooperation is expected to remain the central pillar. Under the maritime cooperation agreement signed in July, the two navies are already discussing the shape of a bilateral exercise next year. Dowling said the aim was not merely to hold an activity for its own sake but to produce relevant training for both forces. “We’re both maritime nations by heart; we’re both trading nations. We depend on free and open oceans,” he noted. On defence industry, Dowling highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s production and export base, citing systems such as the BrahMos missile supplied to the Philippines. With the India–New Zealand free-trade agreement entering into force on 20 October, he said the framework would make defence-industry partnerships easier to operationalise. “It offers opportunities for us to partner together and not be transactional,” he said. “The FTA for us will be really good. The trick is now to operationalise it and to use it.” Dowling also pointed to a longer shared military history, from Gallipoli and the two world wars to the wartime service of a New Zealand ship that later became the Indian Navy’s flagship.

Under the maritime cooperation agreement signed in July, the two navies are already discussing the shape of a bilateral exercise next year. Dowling said the aim was not merely to hold an activity for its own sake but to produce relevant training for both forces.

New Zealand aiming to firm up defence ties with India, says Defence Advisor Commodore Andy Dowling

New Delhi: India has firmly rejected Chinese comments on the Union Territory of Ladakh and New Delhi’s formal identification of 28 places and geographical features on official maps, declaring that no amount of “denial” can change the established fact of India’s sovereignty over the territory.&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “It is reiterated that the UT of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact.”&nbsp;He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs press release on the matter was self-explanatory. The announcement, made earlier this month, stated that the 28 places and features located in the Union Territory of Ladakh had been identified with standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India. This was done in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh and local stakeholders.&nbsp;“Identifying these places formally on the Survey of India map of UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large,” the spokesperson noted.&nbsp;The Chinese Foreign Ministry had earlier objected to the exercise. Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China had never “recognized” Union Territory of Ladakh. The 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir created the Union Territory of Ladakh as a distinct administrative entity.&nbsp;&nbsp;The list of 28 features includes peaks, mountains, passes, glaciers, valleys, rivers, lakes and land areas, including in China occupied Ladakh-Aksai Chin. Among them are locations such as Gogra and Hot Spring, sites associated with the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control, as well as culturally resonant names linked to Buddhist heritage and historical figures. The exercise follows a similar standardisation of names for places in Arunachal Pradesh earlier this year, which is part of New Delhi’s aim of official mapping and public awareness.

The announcement stated that 28 places and features in the Union Territory of Ladakh had been identified with standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India. This was done in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh and local stakeholders.

New Delhi: India has firmly rejected Chinese comments on the Union Territory of Ladakh and New Delhi’s formal identification of 28 places and geographical features on official maps, declaring that no amount of “denial” can change the established fact of India’s sovereignty over the territory. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “It is reiterated that the UT of Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India. No amount of denial by the Chinese side can change this established fact.” He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs press release on the matter was self-explanatory. The announcement, made earlier this month, stated that the 28 places and features located in the Union Territory of Ladakh had been identified with standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India. This was done in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh and local stakeholders. “Identifying these places formally on the Survey of India map of UT of Ladakh is aimed at facilitating their accurate recognition and better awareness among the public at large,” the spokesperson noted. The Chinese Foreign Ministry had earlier objected to the exercise. Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China had never “recognized” Union Territory of Ladakh. The 2019 reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir created the Union Territory of Ladakh as a distinct administrative entity. The list of 28 features includes peaks, mountains, passes, glaciers, valleys, rivers, lakes and land areas, including in China occupied Ladakh-Aksai Chin. Among them are locations such as Gogra and Hot Spring, sites associated with the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control, as well as culturally resonant names linked to Buddhist heritage and historical figures. The exercise follows a similar standardisation of names for places in Arunachal Pradesh earlier this year, which is part of New Delhi’s aim of official mapping and public awareness.

The announcement stated that 28 places and features in the Union Territory of Ladakh had been identified with standard place and feature names on the official map of the Survey of India. This was done in consultation with the Union Territory of Ladakh and local stakeholders.

New Delhi rejects Beijing’s claims and remarks on Ladakh location naming exercise

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