Digest for 08 October, 2025
Canadian PM Praises Trump for Mediating Supposed India-Pakistan Peace Deal
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney lauded former US President Donald Trump for bringing peace between India and Pakistan during a bilateral meeting. Carney referred to a May 2025 agreement to cease hostilities, which he credited to Trump's mediation. The statement is diplomatically significant as India has consistently maintained that the de-escalation was a result of direct talks between the two countries' military operations directors without any third-party intervention, a stance it has reiterated.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Visits India to Bolster Post-FTA Trade
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai for his first official visit to India, aimed at capitalizing on the landmark Free Trade Agreement signed in July. Accompanied by a 125-member business delegation, Starmer will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding bilateral ties. The visit seeks to "turbocharge" trade, with the FTA expected to cut tariffs, increase market access for British goods, and help achieve the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Supreme Court Orders EC to Provide Details on 3.66 Lakh Excluded Bihar Voters
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to furnish details of 3.66 lakh voters who were excluded from the final electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar. The order came during a hearing on petitions from opposition parties challenging the state's Special Intensive Revision exercise. Raising concerns about transparency and due process, the court has asked the poll panel to provide the information by October 9, just weeks before the state's assembly elections are held in November.
NIA Charges Eight More in Narco-Terror Case Linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against eight more individuals in a major narco-terror case. The investigation concerns the 2020 smuggling of 500 kg of heroin from Pakistan to Gujarat, with proceeds allegedly used to finance the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group. The NIA described a transnational conspiracy masterminded by operatives in Italy, Australia, and India, involving multiple countries and the use of hawala channels to fund terrorism. A total of 26 people have now been arrested.
Indian National Captured in Ukraine After Allegedly Fighting for Russia
Ukrainian military forces claim to have captured a 22-year-old Indian national who was allegedly fighting for the Russian army. In a video released by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanised Brigade, the man said he was serving a prison sentence in Russia for drug charges and was offered a military contract as an alternative. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated it is verifying the report. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of Indian citizens being recruited into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.