India has objected to a United Nations special rapporteur describing fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company as an “India-based” criminal group, calling the description factually inaccurate. Raghoo Puri, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, raised the objection during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism in the General Assembly’s Third Committee. Puri said the report cited the UN Security Council’s 2003 listing of the leader of “India-based D-Company” over links with Al-Qaeda but failed to mention that Ibrahim had been wanted in India in connection with terror attacks since 1993. The objection challenges the report’s characterisation of the criminal organisation.

The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals living in or travelling to France amid ongoing unrest and localised curfews. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid protest sites, large gatherings and crowded areas, and follow instructions issued by French authorities. The embassy also advised Indians to monitor local news, consult official French government updates and check for possible public transport disruptions. The advisory comes as France prepares for fresh demonstrations on October 24 following violent unrest linked to protests over rising living costs and concerns about public services and school conditions. The Indian Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Marseille have shared emergency helpline contacts. 

A Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on October 21, 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said. All 21 Indian sailors and the remaining crew members were reported safe following the incident. In a post on X, Sonowal identified the vessel as M/T AL DASMA and confirmed that authorities were monitoring developments. He said the government remained in close contact with the ship management company to safeguard the crew’s security and well-being. The incident comes amid heightened maritime security concerns around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route.

US President Donald Trump has said the United States and India are close to finalising a bilateral trade deal, describing it as “a much different kind of deal”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said negotiations were nearing completion, with 99% of the work done and finalisation expected within weeks. However, differences over specific wording and terms remain unresolved. The deal has faced delays amid tensions over US tariffs on Indian goods and India’s purchases of Russian oil. Both countries are continuing negotiations to settle outstanding issues and strengthen economic ties. (PC: The Indian Express)

Pakistan’s cybercrime agency has exposed an alleged cross-border fraud racket involving 3 Pakistani men and 4 Indian nationals living in Canada. The suspects allegedly used AI-generated passports and photographs to create fake identities and open bank accounts remotely with Canadian banks. According to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the Canada-based suspects prepared the documents and sent them to their Pakistani accomplices, who allegedly opened the accounts. Credit cards were then used to exhaust their limits before being discarded. Pakistani authorities announced arrests in Lahore on October 19. The banks involved and total losses remain undisclosed. (PC: India Today)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and the United States are weeks away from finalising a trade deal, with 99% of the work completed. In an interview with The Indian Express during his second India visit in less than five months, Rubio described bilateral ties as positive and a feature of Washington’s foreign policy. He sought to reassure New Delhi that US relationships with Pakistan or China would never come at India’s expense. Rubio also said the Trump administration’s tariffs and tighter visa rules were not directed at India. He highlighted continued regular high-level diplomatic engagement, including Quad meetings and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States.

Kerala-born model Ravleen Varghese, 25, made her debut at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on October 18, walking the runway twice. Originally from Kodumon, she wore a pink lace lingerie set for her first appearance and a black-and-white outfit for her second. Ravleen moved to Delhi to study design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, where she was scouted by Anima Creative Management at 18. Her career includes international fashion labels, magazine covers, work with designer Sabyasachi and a 2022 New York Fashion Week debut. Diet Sabya celebrated her achievement, describing her as the first Malayali model to walk the Victoria’s Secret show. (PC: X)

Estonian Ambassador to India Kristi Karelsohn has welcomed New Delhi’s efforts to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying India has proposed concrete steps that could advance peace. In an exclusive interview with Times Now Digital, she warned that a Russian victory could encourage President Vladimir Putin to pursue further invasions. Karelsohn stressed that Russia must not benefit from its aggression and called for support to help Ukraine win. She also emphasised stronger defence capabilities and credible deterrence to prevent future attacks. Estonia, she said, is working to persuade European countries farther from Russia’s borders to strengthen their defence preparedness, underscoring concerns about Moscow’s future actions and wider European security.

Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has exposed an alleged cross-border fraud racket involving three Pakistani nationals and four Indians based in Canada, according to India Today. The group allegedly defrauded Canadian banks using artificial intelligence-generated passports, photographs and fabricated identities. Pakistani members reportedly opened bank accounts remotely using forged documents, while their Indian associates in Canada received the corresponding credit cards. The cards were allegedly used to exhaust their credit limits before being discarded. The racket came to light on October 19, when the NCCIA announced arrests in Lahore. Additional Director Atif Ameer outlined the suspected network at a press conference, as investigators pursued the case.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday dismissed criticism by UN human rights experts over India’s handling of anti-CEC protests, questioning their credibility by calling “UN experts” an “oxymoron”. More than 20 UN experts had urged an independent investigation into alleged excessive force, arbitrary detentions and restrictions on peaceful assemblies. The protests involve opposition parties and student groups demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revision. Rubio described demonstrations as part of democratic discourse and said Washington would not comment on India’s internal affairs. India has rejected the criticism as interference in domestic matters. (PC: India Today)