Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Naval Collision, UPI Dispute, Political Clashes and Tour Fallout
Several important stories from India and abroad happened at the same time.
India complained to Pakistan after naval ships collided in the Arabian Sea.
India said the Pakistani ship acted in an unacceptable and unprofessional way, but the reports did not explain exactly when or why the collision happened.
Rahul Gandhi and the Aam Aadmi Party criticized new charges connected to UPI payments.
The Finance Ministry said those decisions were made independently and were not caused by foreign pressure.
Mahua Moitra said eggs were thrown at her during a political meeting in West Bengal.
The government also made gold hallmarking more expensive, which jewellery groups opposed.
In music news, Ed Sheeran’s other tour support acts left after Macklemore was dropped following pro-Palestine speeches.
India protested after a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy ship in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
Rahul Gandhi and the Aam Aadmi Party demanded that the government withdraw UPI charges, while the Finance Ministry denied foreign influence.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged that BJP workers threw eggs at her during a meeting in West Bengal.
The government raised gold hallmarking fees by 67%, prompting opposition from the domestic jewellery industry.
Ed Sheeran’s remaining United States tour support acts quit after Macklemore was removed over pro-Palestine remarks.
- Who
- The governments of India and Pakistan, Indian opposition parties and politicians, the jewellery industry, and musicians including Ed Sheeran and Macklemore.
- What
- The roundup covers a naval collision, a dispute over UPI charges, an alleged egg-throwing incident, higher hallmarking fees, and departures from a United States concert tour.
- When
- The reports do not provide a definite date for the naval collision; the other developments were reported in the context of the current news roundup.
- Where
- The collision occurred in international waters in the Arabian Sea; the egg-throwing allegation concerns Krishnanagar in West Bengal, while the tour concerns the United States.
- Why
- The reported disputes involved alleged unprofessional naval conduct, disagreement over UPI policy, a political confrontation, concerns about hallmarking costs, and opposition to Macklemore’s removal after his pro-Palestine remarks.
Critics and Opponents
Government and Other Defenses
Naval conduct
Critics and Opponents
India said the Pakistani naval unit behaved unacceptably and unprofessionally and violated a 1991 bilateral agreement requiring advance notice of military movements and exercises.
Government and Other Defenses
The reports do not include Pakistan’s response or an explanation of the collision’s cause.
UPI charges and foreign influence
Critics and Opponents
Rahul Gandhi called for the charges to be withdrawn, while the Aam Aadmi Party described them as a new government loot policy influenced by pressure from the United States.
Government and Other Defenses
The Union Ministry of Finance said the foreign-influence claims were false and that UPI policy decisions were made independently.
Hallmarking fee increase
Critics and Opponents
The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council opposed the increase, sought consultations, and warned that higher operating costs could encourage fake hallmarks.
Government and Other Defenses
The government increased the fees before the festive season; the reports do not provide its stated justification for the decision.
Macklemore’s tour removal
Critics and Opponents
Macklemore and the departing support acts were portrayed as facing criticism or taking a stand after his pro-Palestine remarks and speeches.
Government and Other Defenses
Ed Sheeran said the tour promoters made the decision, claiming they would withdraw the shows if Macklemore remained part of them.
- Naval incident
- India said a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy ship in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
- India’s protest
- The Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in Delhi and registered a strong protest.
- UPI policy
- Rahul Gandhi and the Aam Aadmi Party called for UPI charges to be rolled back; the Finance Ministry rejected claims of foreign influence.
- Hallmarking fee
- The gold hallmarking fee rose from Rs 45 to Rs 75 per article, a 67% increase.
- Silver fee
- The silver hallmarking fee was set at Rs 35 per article, with a minimum charge of Rs 150 per consignment.
- Tour departures
- Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, Finneas, and backing band Beoga left Ed Sheeran’s United States tour in solidarity with Macklemore.