1. India, US and UAE hold Trilateral talks in Mumbai

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a trilateral meeting in Mumbai on October 20. The talks covered trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, energy security and regional and international developments. The three sides also discussed strengthening economic cooperation and security and stability in the region.

2. Marco Rubio to visit Jamnagar Refinery today

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit the Reliance Industries refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on October 21. The facility has a crude processing capacity of about 1.4 million barrels per day and is the world's largest single-site refinery. Rubio said Washington is discussing with Reliance the possibility of processing more Venezuelan crude, while the US is also seeking greater energy cooperation with India.

3. Asim Munir visits Tehran amid US Iran tensions

Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials in Tehran on October 20 as Islamabad sought to facilitate dialogue between Iran and the United States. Iranian officials told Munir that Tehran would not resume talks with Washington until its demands, including an end to the US blockade, removal of oil sanctions and cessation of regional hostilities, are addressed. Iran also said its enriched uranium would remain inside the country. 

4. Houthi missile strike kills 73 Recruits in Yemen

A Houthi missile strike on the Al-Alam military training camp in Shabwa province, southern Yemen, killed 73 newly recruited government forces, according to Yemeni officials cited by the Associated Press. The recruits were reportedly aged between 18-20, and more than 200 people were wounded in the attack. The strike was carried out with ballistic missiles and came amid renewed fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government forces.

5. France imposes curfews after violent protests

France has imposed night time curfews in parts of Paris and Lyon following violent protests on October 17 over rising living costs, wages, pensions and conditions in schools and public services. The Interior Ministry said about 550,000 people took part in 110 demonstrations nationwide, while organisers estimated around 800,000. More than 2,400 people have been arrested since the unrest began, with more protests planned and the government preparing a large police deployment.

Savio Rodrigues

Savio Rodrigues is a Research Analyst at Escape Velocity MediaWorks Pvt Ltd and writes for Chakra News on Defence, Geopolitics, National Security. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Mumbai.