The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on October 10 expressed concern over reports of mass detentions during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan urged Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release those detained arbitrarily and respect peaceful protest rights. He said restrictions must meet the tests of necessity and proportionality. The UN also called for restraint by law enforcement and meaningful dialogue. More than 3000 detained by Delhi Police including youth leaders, opposition leaders, student activists, lawyers and journalists who were demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva rejected the concerns as “misplaced” and “unwarranted interference” in its internal affairs, saying constitutional protections, reasonable restrictions and courts safeguard citizens’ right to assembly. (PC: X)

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has defended H-1B visas and employment-based green cards, saying Indian Americans make up 1.5% of the US population but contribute 6% to its GDP. The forum criticised the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown following the suspension of 8 major technology companies from the PERM programme, a key step in employer-sponsored green card applications. The affected firms include Microsoft, Adobe, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. Citing 2022 US Census Bureau data, USISPF highlighted immigrants’ economic contributions while supporting efforts to prevent fraud and misuse of legal immigration programmes. (PC: X)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case into the alleged hijacking attempt aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, following a directive from the Central Government on October 10. The incident occurred on September 30 during a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. The Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, inflicting serious head and hand injuries. The aircraft reportedly made a sudden descent before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The investigation will examine the alleged attack and possible security implications. (PC: X)

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations on October 9, 2026, warning that nuclear weapons must not be used as routine instruments of statecraft. Responding after Pakistan raised Jammu and Kashmir, Indian representative Anmol Sher Singh Bedi asserted that India would not bow to nuclear blackmail. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and warned that any terrorist attack would receive a fitting response. India also defended Operation Sindoor as an act of self-defence and raised concerns about cross-border terrorism, nuclear proliferation and the Indus Waters Treaty. (PC: The Hindu)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk intensified his criticism of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani over delays in launching Starlink satellite internet services in India. In a sarcastic post on X, Musk addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani,” alleging that powerful business interests were restricting competition. He argued that Starlink could improve internet access for underserved communities, helping students access education and small businesses reach global markets. The Indian government rejected claims of preferential treatment, citing pending regulatory and security requirements. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia maintained that India would not allow monopolies in the satellite communications sector.

Elon Musk intensified his dispute with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani on October 9, sarcastically calling him the “real boss of India” amid delays in launching Starlink’s satellite internet services. Musk accused powerful business interests of obstructing competition and argued that Starlink could improve internet access in underserved areas, benefiting students and small businesses. The Indian government rejected allegations of favouritism, stating that all satellite communication providers must meet security requirements. Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are awaiting further regulatory clearances before commercial services can begin. Rahul Gandhi also called for fair competition. (PC: NDTV)

Elon Musk has escalated his dispute over Starlink’s entry into India, sarcastically addressing Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” and accusing him of seeking to preserve monopolistic control. In a post on X on Friday, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO argued that Starlink could connect underserved communities, expand educational opportunities and help small businesses reach global markets. He also claimed the satellite internet service had saved lives during natural disasters when other communication systems failed. The controversy began when Musk alleged that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink. India’s Communications Ministry rejected claims of discriminatory regulation, saying the country’s authorisation framework was fair and non-discriminatory. Starlink’s security assessment remains underway.

South African jurist Navi Pillay joked that she might share her 2026 Nobel Peace Prize with US President Donald Trump if the applause continued. The 85-year-old made the remark in Nuremberg, Germany, after colleagues congratulated her, in a moment captured in a video shared by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard. Pillay initially suspected the Nobel announcement was a joke and said she wanted to verify it, drawing on her experience as a lawyer and judge. The Nobel committee recognised her commitment to universal legal principles and strong moral compass. A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pillay also headed the tribunal investigating the Rwanda genocide.

India has criticised the US suspension of eight IT firms from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM), saying the move does not advance the shared ambitions of both countries. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called US Vice-President JD Vance’s description of H-1B foreign workers as “foreign indentured servants” “deeply offensive,” citing its painful historical and colonial connotations. India stressed that skilled Indian professionals contribute to American innovation, productivity, research and job creation. The MEA clarified that PERM is separate from the H-1B visa programme, so existing H-1B visas remain valid, although eligible employees of affected companies could face disruptions to their Green Card applications.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, an 85-year-old South African jurist of Indian Tamil descent, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The daughter of a Durban bus driver, Pillay began her journey during apartheid-era South Africa, where racial discrimination once prevented her from entering judges’ chambers because of her skin colour. She persevered to become the country’s first non-white woman High Court judge. Pillay, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is recognised for defending anti-apartheid activists and helping prosecute those responsible for the Rwanda genocide. Her career has spanned human rights advocacy, judicial service and efforts to uphold international justice. (PC: X)