Trump defends Russia sanctions pause as global security concerns mount

Several major international developments were reported on Sunday, ranging from the United States' temporary relief from sanctions on Russia and tariffs on other countries to diplomatic, security and legal developments across South Asia and Canada, according to news agency Press Trust of India.

US President Donald Trump defended his decision to exempt Russia from sweeping sanctions under a new law, while Pakistan extended its airspace ban on Indian aircraft and India advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow updated safety directives amid heightened security concerns.

Facing criticism over the sanctions waiver for Russia, Trump said he had taken a "good decision" and asserted that many people did not know what the decision actually meant.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the relief from sanctions on Russia and tariffs on other countries, including India, was a 60-day pause aimed at analysing the measure's global impact, PTI reported.

In another development in Washington, US Vice-President J D Vance defended his reference to foreign professionals holding H-1B visas as "indentured servants", while admitting that his rhetoric had been "imperfect".

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh asked Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to take note of and follow updated directives issued by Saudi authorities for people receiving emergency warnings through the Early Warning Platform for Emergencies. The advisory came amid heightened security concerns following strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

In Pakistan, authorities sealed a nearly 200-year-old Hindu temple after members of the Hindu community and civil society activists protested against an attempt to demolish the historic structure to make way for a commercial plaza.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the "evolving regional situation" and the ongoing meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad.

Pakistan also temporarily suspended trade at two border crossings with Iran in Balochistan to address security concerns and curb smuggling, a provincial official said, according to PTI.

Meanwhile, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu will make a state visit to Pakistan from October 20 to 22 to strengthen bilateral ties, Pakistan's Foreign Office said on Sunday.

Pakistan extended its airspace ban on Indian-registered aircraft and planes owned, operated or leased by Indian airlines for another month, until November 24, according to the country's airports authority.

Bangladesh sought an explanation from Saudi Arabia over the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals. Dhaka said its authorities and mission in Riyadh had not been informed about the legal proceedings beforehand.

Bangladesh police filed a case against the owner and manager of a seaside resort where a fire killed 10 people. The manager was arrested, while the owner remained untraceable, local media reported on Sunday.

Former Bangladesh air force chief Sheikh Abdul Hannan was arrested in Qatar over corruption charges against him in Bangladesh, officials said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government was processing the implementation of a "One Rank, One Pension" scheme for armed forces personnel. He also referred to efforts to modernise the military and develop a domestic defence industry.

In Canada, Defence Minister David McGuinty said people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire. Reports said a large number of injured people were taken to hospitals, according to the Associated Press.

The developments included US policy decisions on sanctions and tariffs, security advisories in Saudi Arabia, diplomatic and trade measures involving Pakistan, legal and political developments in Bangladesh, and a deadly incident at a Canadian military base.

With PTI Inputs

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