At the 80th UN General Assembly, India delivered a fierce response to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s claims of triumph in the recent Indo-Pak conflict. First Secretary Petal Gahlot dismissed Sharif’s portrayal of damaged runways and hangars as “victory,” calling his narrative “absurd theatrics” and accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism. She challenged Pakistan to dismantle terror networks and hand over wanted perpetrators, rejecting third-party mediation and reaffirming India’s stand that resolutions must be bilateral. 

At the United Nations General Assembly, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, exercised India’s right of reply to criticize Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, accusing him of “glorifying terrorism” and spreading lies. She called Pakistan’s narrative “absurd theatrics,” citing Indian Army strikes on terrorist bases and questioning Islamabad’s record. Gahlot, appointed to her UN role in July 2023, had earlier worked at India’s Ministry of External Affairs and served in Paris and San Francisco. (PC: X)

India has strongly refuted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Moscow's strategy in Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) labeled Rutte's statement as “factually incorrect and entirely baseless,” emphasizing that no such conversation took place. Rutte had suggested that U.S. tariffs on India were impacting Russia, prompting Modi to seek clarification from Putin on the Ukraine issue. India urged NATO leadership to exercise greater responsibility and accuracy in public statements, condemning speculative remarks that misrepresent diplomatic engagements.  

India has issued a sharp response to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the UN, calling his remarks “absurd theatrics” and asserting that “no degree of drama can conceal facts.” New Delhi accused Islamabad of using the international stage to deflect from its internal issues and inflate rhetoric against India. India reiterated that it will not accept misrepresentation of facts and defended its stance on ongoing bilateral disputes. (PC: X)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UN General Assembly that Pakistani fighter pilots “turned 7 Indian jets into scrap” during a military clash earlier this year. He praised the pilots as “falcons” of the nation. India has dismissed such claims as baseless, saying Pakistan has provided no proof. The conflict followed the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India said its response was targeted, avoiding civilians. Hostilities ended after talks between both armies. Sharif later met US President Donald Trump to discuss security issues. (PC: HT)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India in the second week of October at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be Starmer’s first official trip to India since taking office in July last year. He is expected to hold talks with Modi on trade, defence, and technology. The visit is seen as a step to strengthen ties between the two nations. Both leaders are likely to review recent developments in bilateral relations. Officials said the trip highlights India’s importance as a key partner for the UK in global politics and economic cooperation. (PC:X)

India has categorically rejected NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Moscow's strategy on Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the claim as "factually incorrect and entirely baseless," emphasizing that no such conversation took place. Rutte had suggested that U.S. tariffs on India were affecting Russia, prompting Modi to seek clarification from Putin. The MEA urged NATO leadership to exercise greater caution in making public statements.   

India is in talks with the US over the proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said skilled Indian workers have boosted innovation and growth in both countries. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the US has given stakeholders one month to submit feedback on the new rules. The fee, announced by US President Donald Trump, is meant to stop misuse of the programme but could heavily impact Indians, who receive most H-1B visas. India hopes concerns will be considered as trade and migration remain key issues in bilateral discussions. (PC: HT)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of a global workforce amid the escalating H-1B visa fee controversy. Speaking at the Observer Research Foundation's event during the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar highlighted that many nations face demographic challenges that hinder their ability to meet labor demands domestically. He advocated for a contemporary, efficient model of a global workforce, acknowledging the political debates surrounding its implementation. His remarks come in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, which predominantly affects Indian professionals.     

A heartwarming viral video shows hundreds of foreigners performing traditional Gujarati Garba dance with remarkable grace in Belgium during Navratri festivities. The event, reportedly organized at cultural centers like Shoonya Dance Centre in Ghent, featured workshops and live performances with participants dancing to Falguni Pathak's Navratri hits. The cross-cultural celebration occurred on Navratri Day 5, dedicated to Goddess Skandamata. The TimesNow X post garnered over 2,000 reactions, with netizens praising the beautiful cultural exchange. Comments highlighted how Indian culture spreads happiness globally without forcing participation. Users credited community builders like @swapkebolly for years of work glorifying Indian culture abroad. The video exemplifies how traditional festivals transcend geographical boundaries, creating joyful cultural bridges between diverse communities worldwide.