Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “very wise leader” and vowed that India would not be humiliated under U.S. tariff pressures. He argued that India faces a lose-lose choice: if it stops buying Russian oil, it could lose $9–10 billion; if it continues, it might face sanctions. Putin said measures are underway to ease the trade imbalance between Russia and India by increasing purchases of Indian agricultural and pharmaceutical goods. He also reaffirmed the longstanding strategic India–Russia partnership. (PC: PTI)  

A theatre in Ontario, Canada, has stopped screening Indian films after two violent attacks. Film.ca Cinemas in Oakville was first targeted on September 25, when suspects tried to set fire to the entrance. A week later, on October 2, a gunman fired several shots at the theatre doors. Police believe the attacks were targeted and are investigating. The theatre cancelled screenings of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and They Call Him OG for safety. Another venue, York Cinemas, also suspended Indian movies. Authorities suspect possible extremist links, but no motive has been confirmed. Police have asked the public for information. (PC: film.ca)

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “reasonable and wise leader, who defends India’s national interests.” Speaking at the Valdai forum in Sochi, he said, “Indian people will never accept humiliation. I know PM Modi; he will never take steps of this kind.” Putin confirmed he will visit India in December. He also criticised US pressure on India and China to cut energy imports from Russia. Calling India a “special strategic partner,” Putin said Russia may buy more farm goods and medicines from India to fix trade imbalance and boost economic cooperation. (PC: Reuters)

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Taliban is set to visit New Delhi between October 9 and 16, marking the first high-level diplomatic engagement from Kabul to India since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The UN Security Council has granted him a temporary exemption from travel restrictions, enabling the visit. India and the Taliban have already held multiple discussions this year focused on humanitarian aid and cooperation. The trip signals a potential turning point in India-Afghanistan relations, with implications for regional diplomacy and security. (PC: NDTV)

The UN Security Council has cleared Afghan Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India from October 9 to 16. New Delhi had sought approval since Muttaqi is under sanctions of the UNSC Resolution 1988, which restricts Taliban leaders’ travel. This visit follows his trip to Russia on October 6. Officials said the move is important for India’s ties with the Taliban and comes as a strategic step against Pakistan and China. Muttaqi has served as Afghanistan’s foreign minister since the fall of Kabul in 2021. India has also opposed CPEC projects passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (PC: Getty/File)

India and China will resume direct flights from October 26, ending a 5-year freeze after the Galwan clashes and the Covid-19 pandemic. IndiGo announced it will restart daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, with Delhi–Guangzhou services to follow soon. The decision comes after an agreement between civil aviation authorities of both countries, aimed at improving travel, trade, and people-to-people ties. The Ministry of External Affairs said talks this year focused on resuming services as relations normalise. The move follows recent confidence-building measures, including disengagement at the LAC and easing of trade restrictions. Both governments called it an important step. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, speaking at EIA University in Colombia, warned of a “wholesale attack on democracy” in India. He said India’s strength lies in diversity, but space for dialogue is shrinking. Gandhi also criticised demonetisation, calling it a “failure”, and accused the government of centralised corruption. He said a few businesses now control much of the economy. BJP leaders reacted sharply, with Kangana Ranaut calling him a “disgrace” and Gaurav Bhatia accusing him of insulting India abroad. Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said Gandhi opposes India’s progress, calling him “Leader of Opposing Bharat”. The Congress has not responded yet. (PC: India Today)

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, initiated on October 1, 2025, due to a funding impasse, is significantly disrupting immigration services. The Department of Labor (DOL), essential for processing H-1B visas and employment-based green cards, has halted operations. Consequently, new applications, employer transfers, or status changes to H-1B are paused unless the Labor Condition Application (LCA) was approved before the shutdown. This impasse affects a substantial number of Indian professionals, who constitute over 71% of H-1B beneficiaries. While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues operations funded by application fees, the DOL's suspension has created uncertainty for many applicants. (PC: Reuters)        

In his annual Vijaya Dashami address on October 2, 2025, at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the importance of 'Swadeshi' (indigenous production) in response to the United States' recent tariff policies against India. He criticized the U.S. tariffs as self-serving but acknowledged the inevitability of global interdependence. Bhagwat cautioned that such dependence should not become a compulsion and stressed the need for India to focus on self-reliance while maintaining diplomatic relations with all nations. He also addressed regional unrest, warning that instability in neighboring countries could lead to foreign interference and urging India to embrace its diversity while rejecting divisive mentalities. (PC: NDTV)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning to Pakistan regarding its recent military build-up near the Sir Creek region, stating that any misadventure would invite a response capable of altering both history and geography. Speaking at a public event on the occasion of 'Shashtra Pujan', Singh accused Pakistan of intentionally stirring up the long-standing border dispute in the Sir Creek area. He emphasized that India has made several attempts to resolve the issue through dialogue, but Pakistan's intentions remain unclear. The Sir Creek region, a 96-km marshy strip in the Rann of Kutch, has long been a disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Singh reminded Pakistan that one route to Karachi passes through the creek, highlighting its strategic significance. He further invoked the 1965 India-Pakistan war, reminding that Indian forces had once advanced as far as Lahore, signaling India's military capabilities.