India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan must demonstrate a firm commitment and take credible action against cross-border terrorism before its assurances are trusted internationally. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks on September 22 while responding to comments by Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who said Pakistan’s armed forces were determined to defeat terrorism. India has repeatedly called on Pakistan to end support for cross-border terrorism. Jaiswal’s comments came amid heightened regional tensions, including Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Afghanistan, which India condemned as harmful to regional peace and security. (PC: ANI)

US President Donald Trump again claimed at the United Nations General Assembly that his administration helped stop a full-scale India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. Trump said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for helping save “30 million lives.” He presented the episode as part of his foreign policy record and said US diplomatic efforts helped de-escalate tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. India, however, has repeatedly rejected the claim that Washington mediated the ceasefire. Indian officials have said the cessation of military action was agreed through direct communication between the Indian and Pakistani militaries. Trump’s latest remarks came during his September 22 UNGA speech.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said the US should not punish India or global oil markets over Russian oil purchases. Speaking in Mumbai, Dimon said sanctions could create problems for refineries that are designed to process specific types of crude. He said the US should focus on helping Ukraine and carefully consider how sanctions affect global markets. A new US law allows tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India. India has warned that such measures could affect its trade with the US and global energy markets. Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier.  

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, saying disputes including Kashmir should be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions. Erdogan said dialogue should guide efforts to address disputes in South Asia. His remarks marked another occasion on which he has referred to Kashmir during his UNGA speeches. In 2025, Erdogan had also called for resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue and UN resolutions. India had previously rejected such involvement, maintaining that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said there was no need for third-party mediation on bilateral issues between the two countries.

India on Tuesday urged Pakistan to take “credible action” against cross-border terrorism, saying statements alone were insufficient to demonstrate Islamabad’s commitment. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan must show concrete action before the world believes its claims about fighting terrorism. His remarks followed Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir’s assertion that the country’s armed forces remained determined to defeat terrorism. Jaiswal also strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces, saying several civilians were killed and expressing condolences for those who died. He said such aggression against a sovereign neighbour undermined regional peace and security. India reaffirmed support for Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the welfare of its people.

US President Donald Trump reiterated at the United Nations General Assembly that his administration helped halt the 2025 India-Pakistan confrontation surrounding India’s Operation Sindoor. Trump claimed that US diplomatic intervention prevented a conflict and said it “saved 30 million lives.” He presented the intervention as part of his foreign-policy record and a broader effort to prevent wars through diplomacy and pressure. The remarks repeated his earlier assertions that Washington played a decisive role in de-escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Trump’s comments were made while highlighting what he described as his administration’s peacekeeping achievements. The claim remains Trump’s own assertion about the potential human cost and US role in the confrontation.

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic have backed India’s call for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The support came during the first India-Visegrad Group meeting on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said the four countries agreed that India should become a permanent member of the UN’s top decision-making body. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the meeting as a “new historic occasion”. India and the Visegrad Group also agreed to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, technology, defence, education and connectivity. (PC: X)

Manipur fashion designer Robert Naorem showcased the State’s handloom and textile traditions at an international fashion event in Milan, Italy, on September 20. Held at the Meliá Milano Hotel, the event featured 27 designer shows from several countries. Naorem opened the showcase, presenting a collection that combined traditional Manipuri textiles with contemporary designs. A total of 22 models walked the runway wearing his creations made with textiles produced in Manipur. The event also marked 10 years since the launch of Naorem’s label. Organised with support from Manipur’s Department of Sericulture, the showcase gave Manipuri textiles an international platform in contemporary fashion.

Former US State Department official Evan A. Feigenbaum questioned Washington’s threat of tariffs up to 100% on countries such as India buying Russian oil, citing Trump’s proposed deal to purchase potash from Belarus, an ally. Feigenbaum said the approach could create an appearance of double standards, pointing to trade with Russia while Washington objects to countries maintaining economic ties. Trump said the United States was working on a “massive” Belarus potash deal at prices below what it pays Canada. The US imports potash, with Canada supplying 79% in 2024, while Russia supplied 11% and Belarus 4%. The legislation gives Trump tariff authority, but does not automatically impose 100% duties on India.  

India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council received support from the Visegrád Group (V4) countries including Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic during their first ministers’ meeting with India on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. Slovak Minister Juraj Blanár said the four countries agreed India, as part of the Global South and an Indo-Pacific power, should become a permanent member. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the meeting a “new historic occasion”. India and the V4 agreed to strengthen political, technology, defence and people-to-people ties, hold foreign ministers’ meetings and create a business forum. Discussions covered space, research, education, Ukraine and Gulf developments.