Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah used his first United Nations General Assembly address to warn that climate change and conflicts are disproportionately affecting South Asian nations. Referring to Nepal’s August floods, Shah said Nepal, Bangladesh, India and other nations in South Asia were “hit by the climate we did not warm, and hit again by the wars we did not start”. He contrasted weapons deliveries with shortages of food, fuel and fertiliser, describing “flawless logistics for war and broken logistics for food”. Shah proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China, focusing on satellite data sharing, glacier monitoring, joint early-warning systems and coordinated cross-border disaster assistance efforts.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded to a Pakistani reporter who questioned India over terrorism during an interaction on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. While speaking alongside Liberia’s Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Jaishankar was asked when India would stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. He replied, “A terrorist country is asking me that question,” before leaving. The exchange followed Jaishankar’s remarks at the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, where he highlighted repeated attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea. He said such attacks were “no longer exceptional occurrences” and called for stronger cooperation.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised concerns over attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said such attacks in the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea are “no longer exceptional occurrences”, citing incidents involving Indian sailors. Jaishankar highlighted the killing of an Indian sailor aboard the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV Cape Dao in the Gulf of Oman and attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea. He urged countries to “close ranks” to deter attacks and strengthen security. Jaishankar also highlighted Narendra Modi’s proposed seafarers emergency support network for distress alerts, medical assistance, family communication and evacuation support.

Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah placed India and China at the centre of his first UN General Assembly address, proposing a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism led by Nepal, India and China. The initiative would focus on satellite data sharing, glacier monitoring, joint early-warning systems and coordinated cross-border disaster assistance. Shah said climate change does not recognise borders, highlighting the recent floods that affected communities across the Nepal-China border and downstream India. He thanked India and China for their assistance after the disaster. Shah’s proposal reflects Nepal’s effort to deepen regional cooperation while maintaining balanced ties with its two major neighbours. He also called for climate finance and international responsibility.

Bangladesh is unlikely to export Hilsa to India this Durga Puja season and has stopped importing it from India. The move follows India’s export of around 500 metric tonnes of Hilsa to Bangladesh over the past two months, reversing the traditional trade flow. Fish traders in Kolkata said Bangladesh cancelled import permits through a September 23 circular and is not allowing Hilsa imports this year. The annual export window to India, usually announced before Durga Puja, has not been opened. A delegation from the Fish Importers Association visited Dhaka in August and sought permission to import Hilsa. Bangladesh restricted Hilsa exports to India since 2012, while allowing festive windows since 2019. (PC: X)

A Delhi court has allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to leave India for one month after granting them default bail in an NIA case. The court released their passports and permitted VanDyke to travel to the US and the six Ukrainians to Ukraine, subject to conditions. They must return to India after the permitted period and provide overseas contact details to investigators. The NIA is continuing its investigation into allegations involving a drone-warfare training programme linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The agency’s September 8 chargesheet invoked immigration-related offences, while the UAPA investigation remains ongoing. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping began a three-day visit to the United States, meeting President Donald Trump amid tensions over trade, technology, Taiwan and the Iran war. Xi’s visit comes just two weeks after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, highlighting India’s growing strategic relevance in the US-China relationship. Washington and Beijing have also extended their trade truce by two months. Experts cited by India Today say China’s improving ties with India could influence its wider strategy toward the US, while New Delhi continues balancing relations with both major powers. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly has triggered fresh friction in India-US relations by reviving two contentious issues. Trump warned Iran that it must accept a new deal or face “annihilation”, while saying a major decision could follow the US midterm elections. His remarks came as India has raised concerns over Washington’s new sanctions law targeting countries buying Russian energy, including India. Trump said the law gives him tariff powers over Russian-oil buyers. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s economic and strategic concerns to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during UNGA talks. Both sides discussed Middle East developments and reaffirmed their strategic partnership. (PC: Reuters)

Bangladesh has resumed significant wheat purchases from India after a four-year gap, as Russia-Ukraine war-related attacks disrupt grain shipments through the Black Sea. Wheat flour prices in Dhaka have risen by around 17% in the past month, increasing pressure on consumers. Supplies from Australia, Canada and other distant markets have become more expensive, making Indian wheat attractive because of lower transport costs and shorter delivery times. Since India relaxed its wheat export restrictions in August, Bangladeshi buyers have booked at least 200,000 tonnes. India’s record 2025–26 harvest is also expected to boost exports substantially in 2026–27. (PC: AP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a new Russia-Iran sanctions law gives President Donald Trump power to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. He said the tariffs could be used to influence the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-related issues. The law allows duties of up to 100% on certain major buyers of Russian energy. Rubio spoke after meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the UN General Assembly in New York. Jaishankar said he raised India’s “interests and concerns” about the law. The legislation also allows national security waivers in individual cases.