HT Morning News Brief, September 26: India Issues Strong Message to Pakistan at UN; Sawan Barwal Secures Asian Games Silver

India’s September 26 news cycle was marked by developments at the United Nations and a notable achievement in athletics, with India responding to Pakistan’s remarks on Kashmir at the UN General Assembly and Sawan Barwal winning a silver medal in the men’s marathon at the 2026 Asian Games.

India exercised its right of reply after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif referred to Jammu and Kashmir during his address to the UN General Assembly. India’s representative Petal Gahlot reiterated New Delhi’s position on cross-border terrorism and said India maintains the right to respond to terrorist threats.

The exchange came after Sharif raised Kashmir and the Indus Waters issue in his address. India rejected Pakistan’s assertions, keeping the long-running disagreements between the two countries over terrorism, Kashmir and water-related matters in focus at the international forum.

Indian athletics celebrated a significant milestone at the Asian Games in Japan. Sawan Barwal secured the silver medal in the men’s marathon, completing the 42.195-kilometre race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 37 seconds. Barwal’s performance also resulted in a new Indian national record. His silver ended India’s 44-year wait for a medal in the Asian Games men’s marathon. Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita won the gold medal, while China’s Peiyou Feng finished third.

The result marks an important moment in Barwal’s developing marathon career. He had earlier broken the long-standing Indian marathon record and has continued to improve his performances over the distance. The two developments offered contrasting highlights from September 26, with diplomatic tensions involving India and Pakistan again surfacing at the UN while Barwal’s performance provided a major moment for Indian athletics at the Asian Games.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.