At a Washington press conference, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that Indian democracy has been under attack for the past decade, but is now recovering. He cited Maharashtra as an example, alleging legislators were bought off and joined the BJP. Gandhi expressed confidence in democracy's resilience, saying it was "broken" but now "fighting back". The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha made these remarks at the National Press Club, highlighting concerns over India's democratic institutions and authoritarianism. Gandhi's comments come amid ongoing debates over India's democratic health.

The US has approved the sale of High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys worth USD 52.8 million to India, enhancing its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Sonobuoys are air-launched sensors that detect underwater sounds, aiding in anti-submarine operations. The sale will boost India's ability to counter current and future threats, especially through its MH-60R helicopters. The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency stated India will easily integrate this equipment into its armed forces. The notification was sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, further strengthening defense ties between the two nations.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Moscow with a peace proposal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking in Berlin, emphasized that India is prepared to offer advice to both Russia and Ukraine, highlighting that a resolution must come through negotiations, not battlefield victories. Jaishankar also noted India's support for the Quad strategic dialogue and reiterated India's willingness to assist in ending the conflict. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged India's efforts in facilitating dialogue, alongside China and Brazil.

Bangladesh interim government chief Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for "fairness and equality" in relations with India, following his oath of office. In a televised address, Yunus highlighted his goal of restoring democracy and praised international support from leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He announced plans to form six reform commissions, overhaul electoral systems, and address corruption. Yunus also condemned the previous regime's "tyranny" and promised to rehabilitate victims of recent protests. He urged citizens to support the reforms, stating, "A nation’s reform cannot be done with the reform of the government alone."

Bangladesh has reinforced its ban on hilsa fish exports to India, a move affecting the Bengali festival of Durga Puja. With millions in West Bengal expected to celebrate in October, the scarcity of hilsa, Bangladesh's prized fish, could disrupt festivities. The new Bangladeshi government, under pressure to prioritize local consumers, has abandoned the former administration's practice of easing the ban during festivals. Hilsa prices have surged in Bangladesh, driven by poor catches and high local demand. The decision marks a significant shift from the past “hilsa diplomacy” practiced by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Indian-origin teen Agastya Goel won his second gold medal at the 36th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), held in Egypt. Agastya, son of 1990 IIT-JEE topper and Stanford professor Ashish Goel, ranked 4th overall with a score of 438.97 out of 600. The IOI, one of the five toughest international science Olympiads, challenges high schoolers to solve complex algorithmic problems. Agastya’s achievement is celebrated globally, with many praising his academic excellence, following in his father's footsteps.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based pro-Khalistan activist, has backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement on Sikhs in India, calling it "bold and historically accurate." Pannun, general counsel of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), said Gandhi’s remarks about the “existential threat to Sikhs” justified SFJ’s Khalistan Referendum campaign. Gandhi’s statement was made during his address in Washington D.C., where he highlighted the RSS's alleged discrimination against certain communities. Pannun, wanted in India on terror charges, said the Congress leader’s comments align with SFJ’s call for a referendum on Punjab’s independence.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir diaspora in the UK staged a protest in front of the UK Parliament, condemning Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism. In particular, members of the Hindu community shared their experiences of the brutalities they have endured due to Pakistan's terrorism infrastructure, which specifically targets them. They were joined by large numbers of the Indian diaspora, who empathized with their fellow kinsmen and stood in solidarity with those who have also fallen victim to terrorism—whether as members of the Indian Army or during Hindu pilgrimages such as the Amarnath Yatra or Shiv Khori in Reasi, Jammu. The protest was organized in response to Pakistan’s deceptive propaganda event on Kashmir, held in the UK Parliament on the same day. The event, crafted to further Pakistan's agenda, ignored the realities on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir, including its illegal occupation of parts of the region without any basis in international law, and its continued use of both state and non-state actors to institutionalize terrorism—a menace that still plagues the region today. Furthermore, the event notably excluded key stakeholders from Jammu and Kashmir, such as Kashmiri Hindus who were ethnically cleansed from the region, as well as Dogras, Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis of Jammu, Sikhs, and the Buddhists and Shia Muslims of Ladakh. Several prominent community members addressed the protest. Ms. Krishna Bhan, President of the Indo-European Kashmir Forum, highlighted the plight of Kashmiri Hindus over the past 35 years, which has largely been overlooked in Western discourse about the region. Her remarks focused on raising global awareness about the suffering of Kashmiri Hindus, who were forced to flee their ancestral homeland due to Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terrorism in the 1990s. Manu Khajuria, founder of Voice of Dogras, condemned the sham event organized by Pakistan in the UK Parliament, highlighting its ongoing obsession with Jammu and Kashmir through invasions, proxy wars, and attempts to radicalize local youth. She stressed that the real issue lies in Pakistan's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and the severe human rights violations there. A member from Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) echoed these concerns, citing suppression of dissent, arbitrary arrests and poor socio-economic conditions, including inadequate healthcare and education. A digital van campaign was also launched across the city to inform the British public about the historical and current realities of Jammu and Kashmir. This collaborative effort aimed to expose Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, which continues to destabilize the region, as well as the human rights abuses in the occupied territories by Pakistan. The protesters called on parliamentarians and other institutions to take a stand and help end Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state policy in Jammu and Kashmir. In unison, they asserted that Pakistan's agenda is to undermine peace and progress in the region, with little regard for the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sandip Ghosh, currently under CBI investigation for corruption, faced molestation charges in Hong Kong in 2017. A male nursing student alleged Ghosh touched him inappropriately in a changing room. Ghosh, who was on an exchange program, was cleared by a Hong Kong court due to his pre-existing shoulder condition. The court accepted Ghosh's explanation, dismissing the charges. This incident occurred before the recent RG Kar rape-murder case, which led to the CBI investigation into Ghosh's conduct.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent comment in Washington DC about the Sikh community in India has sparked controversy. Addressing the Indian diaspora, Gandhi claimed that the struggle in India involves Sikhs being allowed to wear turbans and visit gurdwaras. Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun endorsed Gandhi's statement, linking it to the Punjab Independence Referendum. Government sources criticized Gandhi’s remarks, stating they bolster separatist narratives and asserting that Sikh issues are managed internally. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri condemned Gandhi's language, comparing it to Pannun’s rhetoric.