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Netanyahu sought wider alliances as Washington signalled that an India-US trade deal was close. The developments unfolded amid Chinese export curbs and escalating Houthi violence in West Asia.
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Newdelhi,Oct 19, 2026 20:12 IST
Major international developments on Monday included calls by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for broader global alliances, progress towards an India-US trade deal, new Chinese export controls and heightened security concerns in West Asia, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Other developments included Nepal's ban on Priyagold biscuits, the election of two Indo-Canadian mayors, political and economic developments in South Asia, the return of a rescued orangutan to Indonesia and a deadly Houthi attack in Yemen.
Netanyahu warned that a future US president could be hostile towards Israel and called for new alliances with countries such as India and those in Latin America to strengthen Israel's position.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was “very close” to finalising a trade deal with India. He suggested that the tariff waiver linked to India's purchase of Russian oil was connected to the decision, PTI reported.
China announced new export controls on key machinery, including tunnel boring machines. The move could adversely affect infrastructure development in India.
Nepalese authorities banned the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits manufactured in India by Surya Food and Agro Ltd.
In Canada, two Indo-Canadian leaders were elected mayors after municipal election results were declared in British Columbia.
In Pakistan, the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan filed an amended petition in the Peshawar High Court. The petition challenged the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on constitutional grounds.
A senior Pakistan Army general said the country was providing “whatever support is needed” to protect Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and holy sites amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthis on the Gulf country, according to PTI.
Sri Lanka's Ports Authority decided to develop a new logistics hub at the Port of Colombo through a public-private partnership after a Chinese company withdrew from the proposed project, according to an official statement.
In Bangladesh, a junior minister agreed to resign after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman asked him to step down. The decision followed a controversy over the minister's armed raid on a suspected drug den in Dhaka.
China's economy grew 4.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2026, supported by global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. The exports helped offset weak domestic consumption and a deepening crisis in the property market.
US missions across West Asia issued a security alert advising American nationals to “exercise heightened vigilance”. The alert cited Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the possibility of Iran and its allies attacking US interests.
A baby orangutan of Sumatran origin, rescued in India in 2024, was returned to Indonesia on Monday. The Indian Embassy said the repatriation followed coordinated efforts by wildlife authorities and CITES management authorities in both countries, PTI reported.
In southern Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a military camp used by government forces, killing at least 53 soldiers. Provincial authorities in Shabwa said it was among the deadliest attacks in the recent surge in fighting, according to the Associated Press.
The developments covered diplomatic ties involving India, trade and export restrictions, political changes across South Asia, security alerts and violence in West Asia, and cooperation between India and Indonesia on wildlife repatriation.
With PTI Inputs
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