Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

EU-India partnership set for upgrade

The European Union has set out a plan to upgrade its strategic ties with India, even as it warned that India’s military exercises with Russia and its purchase of Russian oil are risks to the growing strategic ties between Brussels and New Delhi. The European Commission and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas released ‘A New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) in Brussels and urged the European Parliament and Council (i.e., the heads of member states) to adopt it. Ms. Kallas called India a “crucial” partner for the EU, as she outlined the strategy that encompassed trade, technology, security, defence and climate.

Finance Ministry notifies new Central GST tax rates

The Union Finance Ministry has notified new Central GST (CGST) tax rates for goods, which will be effective from September 22, 2025. States will now have to follow suit and notify the State GST (SGST) rates to be levied on goods and services beginning Monday (September 22, 2025). Under GST, the revenues are shared equally between the Centre and the States. GST will be a two-tier structure, wherein the majority of goods and services will attract a tax of 5 and 18%.

Hunger strike for Ladakh’s Statehood enters seventh day; will remain ‘apolitical’, say protesters

As the hunger strike by Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the seventh day, over a hundred people from remote villages in the region bordering China joined the protest in Leh. The Leh Apex Body (LAB), on whose behalf Mr. Wangchuk has been leading the protests, said that it has decided to keep the movement “apolitical” and members of the Congress party associated with the movement have been asked to step down. Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, president of the powerful Ladakh Buddhist Association (LAB) and co-convenor of the LAB, said the protest will continue even if the Union Home Ministry resumes talks with the civil society grouping. He said the demands for constitutional safeguards such as inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (tribal status) and Statehood would remain.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink defence pact for joint defence against aggression

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) signed a defence pact under which any aggression against either country shall be considered as an act of aggression against both, according to media reports. The ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’ was signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he was received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace, Geo News reported. According to the Dawn newspaper, a statement from PM Sharif’s office announced the signing of the pact, which stated that any aggression against either country shall be considered an act of aggression against both.

U.S. Federal Reserve cuts interest rate by 0.25 points

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at the central bank about the health of the nation’s labour market. The move is the Fed’s first cut since December and lowered its short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. Federal officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, had kept their rate unchanged this year as they evaluated the impact of tariffs, tighter immigration enforcement, and other Trump administration policies on inflation and the economy.

Human Rights Watch accuses Israeli forces of displacing South Syria residents

Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Israeli forces on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) of forcibly displacing residents of southern Syria, which Israel has demanded be demilitarised in a new security deal Syria is seeking with its neighbour. The statement quoted the Israeli military as saying it is operating in southern Syria “to protect the citizens of the State of Israel” and that its activities are “in accordance with international law”. The report came as Syrian state media said Israeli forces seized several people in the south and a day after Damascus said it was working with Washington to reach mutual "security understandings" with Israel.

Europeans say Iran yet to take necessary actions to stop ‘snapback’ of UN sanctions

European officials told Iran on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) it had yet to take the actions needed to stop the return of United Nations sanctions over its nuclear programme, warning time was running out. The comments from the German Foreign Ministry and the European Union came after a call Iran had on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) with representatives of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

Asia Cup: Pakistan arrives late for UAE contest as handshake row rages on

Unprecedented drama in the Asia Cup on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) saw the Group-A fixture between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium delayed by an hour as Salman Agha’s men threatened to pull out of the tournament over its demand for match referee Andy Pycroft to be removed from the tournament. The contest was supposed to begin at 6.30 p.m. local time, but the Pakistan team stayed put in its hotel beyond 5 p.m. even as the UAE players had begun warming up at the venue.

Sikh leaders in Pakistan urge India to lift ban on pilgrims travelling to Guru Nanak’s shrine

Sikh community leaders in Pakistan urged the Indian government to lift a ban recently imposed on pilgrims travelling to Pakistan to visit the shrine of Guru Nanak, the founder of their faith. They said the move violates international norms and moral values.

More than half of electorate in most States may not have to give any document in SIR: ECI officials

More than half the electorate in most of the States may not have to provide any document as they will be covered in the electoral roll of the last special intensive revision (SIR) held in their States, Election Commission officials said on Wednesday (September 17, 2025).