Indian content creator Arunima IP was released after spending several hours in Taliban custody while travelling alone in Afghanistan. Arunima said she was detained because women are not allowed to travel alone under Taliban rules.   In an SOS message, she asked for help contacting the Indian embassy and later posted, “I am safe now.” Describing the incident, she said, “I was completely terrified” and felt she “could have died.” Arunima said armed Taliban members questioned her documents and told her she needed a special permit to travel between provinces. She questioned why she was granted a visa despite travelling alone. Neither the Taliban nor the Indian embassy has commented. (PC: The Independent)

US President Donald Trump welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government’s efforts to address illicit opium poppy cultivation and strengthen supply chain integrity. The statement came as India was included in the US list of “major illicit drug producing countries” on Wednesday. Trump said he looked forward to continued cooperation through the United States-India Drug Policy Framework. India was among 23 countries designated by the US as “major drug transit or major illicit drug producing” nations. Pakistan and China were also included in the list. Other countries named included Afghanistan, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Laos, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Burma and others.

Bangladesh said handing over prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League Secretary Obaidul Quader and others in India is an important condition for improving bilateral ties. Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Dhaka expects New Delhi to consider the issue while establishing a “working engagement” between the neighbours. His remarks followed Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentencing Quader and six others to death in a case linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising. Zahed said he raised the handover issue with High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. Hasina has stayed in India since her ouster, while Dhaka has repeatedly sought her return. The demand comes amid efforts to navigate a phase in relations. (PC: AFP)

India rejected the China-Pakistan Joint Boundary Commission after it became operational, saying the body has no legal basis and Pakistan cannot enter arrangements concerning Indian territory under its illegal and forcible occupation. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position remained clear, asserting there is no boundary between Pakistan and China. India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India and that it has never recognised the 1963 China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement, which it considers illegal and invalid. Jaiswal said boundary cooperation concerning Indian territories would be unacceptable and would not affect India’s sovereignty. He urged Islamabad to vacate the areas it holds under occupation.

India has rejected a new Pakistan-China boundary commission, saying it has no legal basis. The commission held its first meeting in Islamabad to discuss border management, surveys, trade and connectivity. India said it does not recognise the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement and considers it illegal and invalid. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan cannot make agreements involving territory that India claims as its own. India also opposed any move to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. New Delhi said such cooperation between Pakistan and China would not affect India’s claims over the disputed territories.

India has expressed concern over a drone intercepted near Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences destroyed the drone south of the holy city on September 15. Saudi officials said it was a Houthi drone and claimed it was stopped before entering restricted airspace. However, the Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites. India condemned attacks on Saudi territory and actions that could endanger civilians and key infrastructure. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident was especially concerning because of Mecca’s importance to Muslims worldwide. India also called for peace and stability in the region.  

A Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian frontline warship during a routine surveillance mission in the north Arabian Sea on September 15, according to officials. Hindustan Times reports that former Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma described the incident as “unacceptable” and said ships must maintain prescribed safety distances and follow maritime rules. He warned that such unsafe manoeuvring could quickly escalate into a dangerous situation. India summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires and lodged a strong protest, calling the conduct unprofessional. The Ministry of External Affairs said the collision occurred in international waters and caused no major damage. 

New Zealand’s Parliament on September 16, 2026, passed legislation implementing its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India by a 93–29 vote. The agreement will eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs on about 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India once fully implemented. Around 57% of exports will receive duty-free access from the start, rising to 82% over time. Key sectors benefiting include forestry, sheep meat, wool, kiwifruit, apples, seafood and wine. India will receive duty-free access for all its goods entering New Zealand. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. (PC: X)

India summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires on Wednesday and lodged a strong protest after a Pakistani Navy vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in international waters in the Arabian Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs said the incident caused no major damage but alleged that the Pakistani vessel’s conduct breached Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement. The provision requires naval ships and submarines of both countries to maintain a distance of at least three nautical miles in international waters to prevent accidents. The agreement also requires advance notice of major military exercises and troop movements through diplomatic channels. (PC: HT)

The US House of Representatives has advanced a Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a procedural vote by 214-211 after two Democrats joined Republicans. The bill had already passed the Senate with an 86-11 vote in August. A final House vote is expected on Wednesday. If passed, the legislation would give the US president authority to impose higher tariffs on countries buying Russian energy, including India. (PC: NDTV)