NEW DELHI — India has summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest following a collision between an Indian Navy vessel and a Pakistani naval ship in international waters of the Arabian Sea.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 15, and described the conduct of the Pakistani naval units involved as “unacceptable and unprofessional.” The ministry said the collision did not cause any major damage.

According to Indian officials, the Pakistani naval vessel approached an Indian Navy warship operating on a routine surveillance mission in the northern Arabian Sea. Indian sources said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe manner before the collision.

India said the incident took place in international waters and raised concerns over compliance with a 1991 bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan. The agreement includes provisions intended to promote safety and prevent incidents involving military vessels.

The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires was asked to convey to Islamabad the need for military units to exercise due care at sea and respect bilateral agreements to prevent similar incidents in the future. India also instructed its Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a corresponding protest with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

There was no immediate public response from the Pakistani government to India’s protest, according to the latest reports. The incident comes against the backdrop of already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: Nearly 600,000 jobs in Bangladesh could be at risk if the economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict persists, according to a World Bank assessment. The warning comes as Bangladesh faces rising fuel prices, severe gas shortages, disruptions to fertilizer production and growing pressure on industries and household incomes.

The World Bank’s mid-June assessment, prepared as part of a proposed Contingent Emergency Response Project, said the conflict could significantly weaken Bangladesh’s economic recovery and slow the pace of poverty reduction.

The assessment estimates that the number of people expected to move out of poverty in 2026 could fall from around 1.7 million to about 500,000 because of the conflict. Bangladesh had already been facing rising poverty. The World Bank estimated that the number of poor people increased by about 1.4 million in 2025, as weak job creation, slow growth in labor incomes and persistent inflation reduced the poverty-reducing impact of economic growth.

Energy crisis adds to pressure

The energy sector is among the areas most severely affected. Natural gas accounts for more than half of Bangladesh’s primary energy supply, while domestic gas production has fallen significantly from its 2016 peak. The country also relies heavily on the Middle East for imported energy, sourcing about 60–65% of its crude oil and 55–60% of its LNG from the region.

The conflict has disrupted LNG supplies, with five of Petrobangla’s six LNG supply contracts reportedly placed under force majeure. Spot LNG prices have risen to around $24–$28 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), more than double their previous level.

Higher energy costs are also expected to put additional pressure on inflation. The World Bank assessment said that passing higher energy prices on to consumers could increase inflation by more than 0.5 percentage points, with further effects on food and non-food prices.

Fertilizer production disrupted

Bangladesh’s agriculture sector is also vulnerable to the crisis. Gas shortages have forced five of the country’s six domestic urea fertilizer plants to suspend production, while international urea prices have increased by around 30%. The World Bank warned that fertilizer prices could potentially rise much further if the disruption continues, increasing production costs for farmers and putting additional pressure on food prices.

Smallholder farmers, who represent a significant share of Bangladesh’s population, could be particularly exposed to higher input costs and supply disruptions.

Industries and workers under pressure

The energy crisis is also affecting industrial activity. Factory operating hours, production and new industrial gas connections have reportedly been affected, while some businesses have faced rising operating costs.

The World Bank’s projection of nearly 600,000 jobs at risk reflects the broader economic consequences of higher energy costs, supply disruptions, weaker production and inflation. Economists have also pointed to signs of the crisis already appearing in the labor market, including factory closures, reduced working hours and job losses.

Government finances face additional strain

The crisis could also increase pressure on Bangladesh’s public finances. Higher energy subsidies could substantially increase government expenditure, potentially reducing the fiscal space available for social protection and emergency programs, according to the World Bank assessment.

The World Bank has already approved $1.1 billion in emergency financing for Bangladesh to help protect food security, support vulnerable households and businesses, and address volatility in global fertilizer and fuel markets.

Risk, not a confirmed job-loss figure

The World Bank’s figure of nearly 600,000 should be understood as a projection of potential job losses if the crisis continues, rather than a confirmed number of workers who will definitely lose their jobs.

The final impact will depend on how long the Middle East conflict lasts, global energy and fertilizer prices, supply conditions and Bangladesh’s ability to manage the economic shock. For Bangladesh, however, the warning highlights the vulnerability of an economy already struggling with inflation, weak job creation and limited fiscal space.

Source: World Bank assessment on Bangladesh’s proposed Contingent Emergency Response Project.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by severe flooding in Nepal and China, extending his condolences to the families of those who died and solidarity to all those affected. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres said he was saddened by reports of deaths and people still missing following the devastating floods.

The UN chief also wished those injured a speedy recovery and commended emergency responders working to save lives and assist communities affected by the disaster. The catastrophic flooding struck areas along the Nepal-China border after a massive ice and rock collapse in the Himalayas triggered torrents of water, mud and debris. The disaster swept through communities, damaging homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

Nepali authorities have reported hundreds of deaths and hundreds of people still missing, while Chinese authorities have also reported fatalities and hundreds missing in Tibet. The figures continue to change as rescue teams reach affected areas. Guterres reiterated the United Nations’ readiness to provide further support to the relief and recovery efforts.

UN teams and humanitarian partners are mobilizing personnel and emergency supplies to assist communities affected by the floods, while working with the Government of Nepal to assess the scale of the disaster and determine urgent needs.

Rescue operations are continuing in difficult conditions, with damaged roads and bridges making access to several affected areas extremely challenging. Thousands of Nepalese army and police personnel have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations, while helicopters are being used to deliver emergency supplies and evacuate survivors.

The disaster has also affected foreign nationals, including tourists and religious pilgrims traveling in the Himalayan region. Nepalese authorities have reported hundreds of foreign nationals among those missing. The United Nations said it remains in close contact with the authorities and humanitarian partners as relief operations continue.