In a Canadian Dussehra event, Khalistan supporters stirred controversy by burning an effigy adorned with Indian PM Modi, Amit Shah, and others' faces, wrapped in the Indian tricolor. The act, accompanied by Pro Khalistani slogans, triggered outrage. In response, an Indian Sikh named Jyot Jeet Singh gained attention for burning an effigy featuring Khalistani terrorist Pannu, sparking a viral reaction on social media. 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak completes one year in office, succeeding Liz Truss amid challenges. The 43-year-old faced Labour leader Keir Starmer in Parliament, emphasizing a working day without celebration. Sunak acknowledged achievements but stressed more work ahead, addressing the nation's challenges. Conservative Chairman Greg Hands praised Sunak's actions, citing support for families, economic growth, and global conflicts. Anti-incumbency challenges persist as the UK gears up for a general election next year, with the Conservatives trailing behind Labour in polls.

India is shifting its approach to bilateral investment treaties (BITs) in negotiations with the UK, aiming to expedite the resolution of investor-state disputes in a new treaty to accompany a forthcoming free trade agreement. India has historically favored local remedies to address investment-related legal disputes, but is now considering international arbitration. The adjustment is targeted at strategically important countries, following India's exit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The shift stems from concerns about the time it takes to resolve disputes in India. The new BIT would address issues for new entrants or businesses entering the market.

In 2020, the Asian Indian population became the largest Asian-alone group in the United States, with significant growth of over 50% from 2010, totaling 4,397,737 individuals, the Census has revealed. They overtook Chinese Americans in this category. However, when considering the Asian population, including multiracial individuals, Chinese Americans remained the largest, with 5.2 million individuals. Chinese Americans also saw notable growth, increasing by 37%. The majority of Asian Indians are concentrated in California, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois, with Cook County, Illinois, being the largest at 134,169. This demographic shift reflects the evolving diversity in the United States.

An Indian diaspora organization, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), is urging the Biden administration to relax employment authorization card rules for the over 1.1 million Indian-origin non-immigrant visa holders stuck in decades-long green card backlogs. FIIDS said the 7% per-country limit causes nearly 135 years of delays, with many never getting permanent residency. Issuing work authorization during early green card processing would aid Indian Americans facing uncertainty. FIIDS asked USCIS to grant 5-year EADs to approved I-140 applicants without awaiting I-485 processing. It also pushed for 5-year auto-renewal EADs for H4-EAD spouses to enable independent contributions. FIIDS said avoiding quasi-indentured status for these individuals is a humanitarian imperative.

In a prestigious ceremony at the White House, President Biden awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Ashok Gadgil and the National Medal of Science to Subra Suresh, both distinguished Indian-American scientists. The accolades recognize their groundbreaking contributions, enabling life-saving medical treatments, combating the opioid crisis, enhancing food security, and improving accessibility. The awards, the nation's highest scientific honors, celebrate achievements in various scientific fields. The awardees' innovations have bolstered American leadership in science and technology, inspiring future generations and addressing global challenges.

British Airways is set to mark Diwali with a heartfelt brand advertisement, showcasing their staff members who are working during the festival to help passengers reunite with their loved ones. The ad features a diverse cast, including Indian-based cabin crew and customer service agents, highlighting their dedication to connecting families. The airline's director of marketing, Hamish McVey, expressed gratitude to the staff, emphasizing the importance of reuniting families during Diwali. The ad will run across various platforms, accompanied by special fares encouraging travel for the festive season.

India's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador R. Ravindra, expressed deep concern over the Israel-Gaza conflict at a UN Security Council open debate. He condemned the October 7 terror attacks in Israel and advocated for immediate, credible negotiations between Israel and Palestine, emphasizing de-escalation. Ravindra reaffirmed India's commitment to a peaceful solution and underlined India's humanitarian aid efforts, sending 38 tons of essential supplies to Gaza. The UN meeting, presided over by Brazil, featured addresses from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen, Palestine's Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad Al-Maliki, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, stated that the resumption of visa issuances to Canadians is not imminent due to ongoing security concerns for Indian diplomats. Verma emphasized the need for improvement in the security environment, especially against pro-Khalistan elements targeting Indian diplomats. He mentioned that despite personal security details provided by Canada, the situation remains inadequate for normal diplomatic functions. Visa services were suspended on September 21, following tensions between India and Canada over allegations of links between Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India firmly dismissed Pakistan's mention of Kashmir during a UN Security Council meeting on the Israel-Gaza situation. Deputy Permanent Representative R Ravindra declared India's intention to treat the reference with contempt and not dignify it with a response. This response came after Pakistan's UN envoy Munir Akram referred to Kashmir in the meeting. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the condemnation of all terrorism, mentioning groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas, urging the Security Council to denounce states supporting such terrorist organizations, alluding to Pakistan's involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.