India has assured follow-up action after the US charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly conspiring with an Indian government official to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in America. Responding to the US allegations, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India acknowledges the seriousness and has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to thoroughly investigate the issue, demonstrating resolve to address implications for security and international relations. Based on the committee's findings, necessary follow-up steps will be taken, Bagchi added. The statement comes after the US Attorney revealed details of the failed murder plot allegedly orchestrated by Gupta with an Indian official whose role includes intelligence. Gupta was arrested in Czech Republic and faces extradition.

The US Justice Department has charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for participating in an alleged plot to assassinate a US-based Khalistani activist. As per the charges, an Indian government employee referred to as CC-1 directed the plot from India by recruiting Gupta to orchestrate the hit in the US. Gupta contacted a middleman who introduced him to an undercover agent posing as a contract killer. A $100,000 deal was made and CC-1 provided the target's personal details to Gupta who passed it to the 'hitman' with instructions to carry out the murder soon but avoid dates around upcoming high-level US-India meetings. Gupta believed the middleman and undercover agent to be real criminals facilitating the assassination conspiracy on CC-1's orders from India.

Malaysia will allow visa-free entry to Chinese and Indian citizens for up to 30 days starting December 1, announced Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The visa waiver, confirmed by the Home Ministry, will be applicable till end of 2024. China and India are Malaysia's 4th and 5th largest source markets for tourism. Pre-pandemic, Malaysia received 1.5 million Chinese tourists and 354,486 Indians in the first half of 2019. The move mirrors China's recent visa-free access for Malaysians and Thais exempting Chinese and Indians among other nationalities as countries dependent on tourism revenue seek to boost visitor arrivals. Regionally, Sri Lanka has also approved free visas for Chinese and Indians until March 2024 as a pilot.

Canada has sought more cooperation from India in the probe of a Sikh separatist's murder in British Columbia after the US charged an Indian government employee for plotting to kill separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Canadian PM Trudeau said the US charges underscore the need for India to take this seriously and cooperate to get to the bottom of this. This comes after Canada acknowledged credible accusations linking Indian operatives to the June murder of separatist Hardeep Nijjar. Both countries aim to counter China but the allegations complicate those efforts. Reconciliation seems unlikely with Canada's probe ongoing and India preparing for Modi's re-election bid.

The annual UN climate summit, COP 28, will be hosted by the UAE in Dubai from November 30 to December 12. Over 70,000 delegates are expected to attend to accelerate energy transition and emissions cuts. COP28 is significant amid geopolitical risks from the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's Ukraine invasion. As a major emitter with a huge population, India's role is crucial - it must balance ambition on climate action with equitable development. With almost all countries participating, COP28 will see negotiations and give-and-takes on key climate goals.

US authorities forged "murder-for-hire" charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accusing him of orchestrating a plot to assassinate Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City. The indictment implicates an Indian government official, referred to as CC-1, alleging the official directed the plot from India. Gupta, arrested in June by Czech authorities, faces charges related to murder-for-hire and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. The foiled plot, involving a DEA undercover officer, raises concerns about overseas lethal schemes. The unfolding investigation exposes an alleged nexus between Gupta, the Indian government, and international criminal activities.

India was among 91 nations that voted in favor of a UN resolution demanding Israel withdraw from the occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday. Captured from Syria during 1967's Six-Day War, Israel annexed the territory in 1981, a move not recognized internationally. The resolution called on Israel to revert control of the strategic area back to pre-1967 borders in line with Security Council directives. Key Asian nations including China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh also voted yes, while the US, UK, and Canada opposed the measure. Sixty-two countries including France and Germany abstained. The result highlighted deep divides but gave momentum to calls for Israel to end its decades-long occupation.

Om Brahmbhatt, 23, an Indian student in New Jersey, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for fatally shooting his maternal grandparents, Dilipkumar and Bindu Brahmbhatt (both 72), and his uncle Yashkumar Brahmbhatt (38). The motive remains unknown. Authorities responded to a South Plainfield condo following a 9 am gunfire report. Om, residing with the victims, was charged with additional weapon-related counts. Relatives in Gujarat reveal Om's recent move to the US for studies, suggesting it was on his grandfather's insistence. Om awaits a pre-trial detention hearing at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

The US State Department achieved an unprecedented milestone by granting over 140,000 student visas to Indian nationals in the 2023 fiscal year alone, the highest number ever recorded. Indian students accounted for almost a quarter of the total 600,000 student visas issued globally. This surge comes as the Biden administration pushes policies to attract international students, who inject an estimated "$38 billion yearly" into the US economy. Beyond students, nearly 10.4 million total non-immigrant visas were approved last fiscal year, including close to 8 million for business and tourism visitors. The US aims to "facilitate travel while upholding security" through ongoing improvements to streamline visa processes.

Marking the 26/11 Mumbai attacks anniversary, UK Parliament members blasted India's neighbour, with Lord Rami Ranger asserting it "should be ashamed", having created "terrorists instead of doctors" and made "a mess" of its nation founded on "one million losing lives". Urging focus on future generations, he stated, that they "should think of the future generation, that they should not suffer." British MP Virendra Sharma praised India for continually working to "finish terrorism and bring peace". MP Catherine West stressed the need to resolve differences through "talking and understanding, not violence". Recalling 26/11 at a memorial event organised by the High Commission of India, London, the UK parliamentarians lauded India's anti-terror efforts and the country's continuous efforts towards progress.