US prosecutors accused an unnamed Indian official of directing a plan to assassinate separatist Gurpatwant Pannun in America. On Thursday, the Justice Department charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta for allegedly colluding with the official on the foiled New York murder scheme against the Sikhs for Justice founder. US Attorney Damian Williams asserted "The defendant conspired from India to assassinate, right here in New York City, a US citizen of Indian origin..." The indictment follows reports US agencies disrupted the plot and warned India about potential involvement. Though anonymous, the official allegedly "directed" the attack on US soil by recruiting Gupta to orchestrate Pannun's killing. Despite global calls for restraint, allegations emerge of Indian authorities spearheading an extraterritorial rendition effort against a separatist leader.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has stated that it's important for India to cooperate in Canada's probe into Khalistani leader Hardeep Nijjar's killing after "credible" allegations of Indian agents' involvement. She termed India's expulsion of 41 Canadian diplomats as retaliation "unacceptable". Her remarks come after Indian national Nikhil Gupta was charged in the US over an alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Joly has been in contact with EAM Jaishankar but specifically asked if India ever assisted the Nijjar investigation, emphasizing the need for cooperation. While respecting India's system, she stood by allegations over Nijjar's Canadian killing. With relations tense amid the cases, Canada insists on Indian engagement in probing suspected cross-border extremism.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam unveils India's ambitious goal to attract 500,000 foreign students by 2047, aiming to position the country as a global education provider. Speaking at the FICCI Higher Education Summit, he emphasizes the need for AI adoption in universities for competitiveness and advocates for enhanced quality, brand value, and international rankings. The vision document for 2047 underscores the importance of innovation, industry readiness, and leveraging India's demographic dividend over a 25-year window. The private sector is urged to play a pivotal role in expanding the higher education ecosystem. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes India's commitment to climate action as he heads to the World Climate Action Summit and COP28 in Dubai. Highlighting G20 priorities and achievements, he calls for support to developing countries through climate financing and technology transfer. PM Modi anticipates the COP28 to review Paris Agreement progress and set a course for future climate action. Stressing principles of equity and climate justice, he emphasizes the need for support in achieving sustainable development. India's strides in renewable energy, afforestation, and conservation showcase a dedication to environmental responsibility. 

NIA sources have revealed that several individuals radicalized online in Punjab and Haryana were recently sent abroad, specifically to the US, to allegedly carry out Khalistani activities targeting Indian missions. This follows NIA raids probing the March and July 2022 attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco. The investigation found a pattern of online radicalization leading to individuals being dispatched overseas to vandalize Indian diplomatic premises, with the San Francisco consulate and London high commission incidents establishing clear links. As it widens the probe scope into potential terror financing and smuggling angles, NIA has identified around 30 Khalistani extremists involved in the attacks via crowdsourcing and is working with US and UK authorities to gather evidence against the accused.

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.