Trump cites India voter cards as global developments span diplomacy and courts

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Aug 18, 2026 20:42 IST

A series of international developments on Tuesday spanned elections, courts, security, diplomacy and the economy. In Washington, President Donald Trump cited India's voter cards as he argued for stricter US electoral laws under the SAVE America Act, while in Islamabad Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to be moved to a private hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment.

Elsewhere, Indian Army chief General Dhiraj Seth met Nepal's top leadership to discuss issues of mutual interest and stronger military ties. China criticised Australia over a directive to universities to end links with Chinese institutions, Britain said it would keep backing Ukraine despite a Russian warning of "consequences" over drone use, Pakistan rejected India's remarks on the Shahzad Bhatti terror network, Bangladesh called for ties with India not to worsen over Teesta, and China announced steps to lift consumption in smaller cities and counties.

Making a strong case for tighter election rules in the US, Trump praised India's election system and recalled Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar questioning the absence of voter identification in American polls.

In Pakistan, the Supreme Court directed that Khan, who is in jail, be shifted to a private hospital within two days for medical assessment and treatment.

In Kathmandu, General Seth called on Nepal's Prime Minister and Defence Minister and discussed issues of mutual interest as well as ways to strengthen military ties.

Beijing criticised Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong's directive to two universities to end collaboration with two Chinese institutions over national security concerns. China said the move restricts normal cooperation in education and research.

In London, Britain's prime minister said the country would continue to support Ukraine after Russia warned of "consequences" over Kyiv's use of British drones for strikes on Moscow.

Pakistan also rejected remarks by Union Home Minister Amit Shah linking its spy agency ISI to the Shahzad Bhatti terror network, whose operatives were arrested in coordinated security operations across India ahead of Independence Day. Islamabad said India was trying to divert attention from its domestic security challenges.

In Dhaka, a senior minister said Bangladesh did not want friendly ties with India to deteriorate over the long-pending Teesta water-sharing agreement and urged New Delhi to take Dhaka's interests into account while pursuing its own.

China, meanwhile, rolled out a series of measures to boost consumption in its counties and smaller cities as it seeks to revive sluggish domestic demand, which has become a major source of the country's economic slowdown.

Overall, the day's developments ranged from Trump's reference to India's voter cards in the US election debate to court, diplomatic and economic moves across Pakistan, Nepal, China, Britain, Bangladesh and Australia.

With PTI Inputs

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