US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from October 17 to 22, 2026, marking his second official visit this year. After visiting Uzbekistan, he will travel to Mumbai and Jamnagar to meet senior Indian officials and business leaders. Discussions will focus on strengthening strategic ties, expanding energy cooperation, and promoting commercial investment. The visit comes amid ongoing trade negotiations and disagreements over tariffs and Russian energy imports. Both countries aim to deepen economic cooperation and address regional and global challenges. The meetings are expected to play an important role in advancing bilateral relations. (PC: Reuters)

UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to international students, including applicants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, amid stricter student visa rules, according to a Financial Times report cited by Firstpost. Under the Basic Compliance Assessment framework introduced in June 2026, institutions must keep student visa refusal rates below 5 per cent, down from 10 per cent, or risk disciplinary action and losing their student sponsor licences. Financial Times analysis of Home Office data found 10.5 per cent of UK study visa applications were withdrawn in the first half of 2026, against 2.3 per cent in 2025. Pakistan’s rate reached 40.9 per cent, Bangladesh’s 23.5 per cent, Nigeria’s 22.7 per cent and India’s 5.2 per cent. (PC: Pixabay)

Japan’s largest bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), is considering investing over $10 billion to gain majority control of Shriram Finance, Bloomberg reported. MUFG currently holds around 20% of the Indian financial services company. The bank is exploring ways to raise its stake above 50%, but talks remain at an early stage. If completed, the investment would take MUFG’s total commitment to over $14 billion. Shriram Finance shares rose 6% after the report. The company attracts MUFG through its strong presence among small businesses, truck operators and customers in rural India.  

India on Tuesday rejected China’s claims over Ladakh and said the Union Territory is an integral part of the country. The response came after China opposed India’s decision to name 28 locations in the region. India said the locations were officially identified on the Survey of India map in consultation with local stakeholders. The 28 features include peaks, mountains, glaciers, passes, rivers and water bodies. China called India’s move illegal and invalid. The latest exchange comes amid ongoing border tensions between the two countries, which have been working to improve ties since the 2020 military standoff.  

London-based Sikh restaurateur Harman Singh Kapoor has appealed to customers to save his restaurant, Singh’s Dining, citing financial pressure and possible court action over unpaid rent. Kapoor alleges that Google is accepting fake one-star reviews while rejecting genuine five-star ratings, but these claims have not been independently verified. He previously announced the closure of his 16-year-old restaurant, Rangrez, following controversy over its non-halal meat policy, online harassment and alleged threats. Kapoor has urged customers to book tables and share his appeal. His restaurant’s latest struggle comes amid continued debate over religious identity, food choices and online reviews in the UK. (PC: India Today)

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Kolkata’s Durga Puja pandals and praised the creativity, community spirit and warmth of the celebrations.   “I can see why this celebration is so special,” Gor said in a post on X on October 12. He said he was happy to be back in Kolkata and had visited some of the city’s beautiful pandals.   Gor also wished everyone celebrating a happy Durga Puja. The festival is one of West Bengal’s biggest cultural events, bringing people together through artistic pandals, traditional rituals and community celebrations. (PC: X)

Around 100 Harvard University alumni, students, faculty members and staff have condemned the Delhi Police action against protesters during the October 10 demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups. In a statement, they alleged police brutality, unlawful detention and violations of constitutional rights. The signatories demanded an immediate end to alleged abuses, protection for peaceful protesters, access to legal assistance and accountability for responsible officials. They also raised concerns over the alleged manhandling of lawyer Shadan Farasat and the detention of Harvard Kennedy School-associated Mehr Pasricha. More than 7,000 people were reportedly detained during the crackdown. (PC: India Today)

2 Indian seafarers are missing after a drone attack on the tanker MT Petro Dolphin off Oman on October 11. The vessel, which flies the Nicaragua flag, was carrying 11 Indian crew members. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said nine crew members had been rescued and were safe. Search operations are underway to find the two missing sailors. The Indian Embassy in Muscat is in contact with local authorities and is monitoring the situation. In a separate incident, another tanker carrying 11 Indian seafarers was hit by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire onboard.  

India on Sunday condemned attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region after two Indian seafarers went missing when a drone struck the MT Petro Dolphin. Nine of its 11 Indian crew members were rescued, while search-and-rescue operations continued. In a separate incident, the Marshall Islands-flagged MT Valthera was hit by an unknown projectile, triggering a fire; all 11 Indian seafarers aboard were reported safe. The Indian embassy in Muscat is coordinating with Omani authorities and ship managers to locate the missing crew and assist seafarers. The MEA called the attacks deeply concerning, demanding they cease and urging immediate de-escalation, dialogue, diplomacy, and safe navigation under international law.

India has accused the UN human rights office of double standards and interference in its internal affairs after it raised concerns about mass detentions during protests in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva defended the police response, saying peaceful assembly is constitutionally protected, subject to reasonable restrictions, and authorities acted lawfully. The UN office urged India to respect peaceful assembly and immediately release anyone arbitrarily detained. The protests, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party and other groups, demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities affecting minority voters, claims denied by the BJP and Election Commission.