Morning Digest: Jaishankar defends India’s stand as Opposition targets government on ‘Pakistan mediation’ in West Asia; Iran rejects U.S. proposal, sets out conditions to end war, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on March 26, 2026

Parrying the questions raised by the Opposition regarding the reported central role played by Pakistan in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday termed the neighbouring country a “dalal” and said that it had been playing this role since 1981.

Iran has received an American 15-point plan for a ceasefire for the Iran war through intermediaries from Pakistan, officials in Islamabad said Wednesday (March 25, 2026). The proposal was sent even as Washington began to move paratroopers to West Asia to back up a contingent of Marines already heading there.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has met a delegation of tribal leaders from the Great Nicobar Island who are opposing the Great Nicobar project and assured them that he will raise their issues in Parliament and visit the islands to see the reality on the ground.

A decision has been made on 32 lakh voter records of the 60 lakh under adjudication in West Bengal till Wednesday, according to sources in the State’s Chief Electoral Office.

In a significant development, the government has announced a revised ticket cancellation system. Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), said the changes introduced under the “Reform Express” initiative are aimed at curbing misuse of the ticketing system and improving access for genuine passengers.

Pakistan’s emergence as Washington’s choice as a mediator in talks with Iran can be explained in a number of ways.