Connect with us

News

India and China Agree on Military Disengagement Along Disputed Border

Published

on

India and China have reached a significant agreement on military disengagement along their contested border, marking a step towards easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The announcement comes ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

On Monday, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed that the agreement focused on military patrolling in specific areas, effectively restoring the situation to its pre-2020 state before a deadly border clash. This agreement is viewed as a culmination of the disengagement process that has been ongoing since the violent encounters at the border.

Chinese officials later confirmed the agreement, stating that both sides had engaged in “close communication” through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the border issues. The two nations maintain a substantial military presence along their 2,100-mile (3,379-kilometer) de facto border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has been a source of friction since the Sino-Indian War in 1962.

The border clash in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, marked a significant escalation in tensions. Following this incident, both nations initiated a series of disengagement talks, with the latest round occurring in late August. The upcoming meeting between Xi and Modi is set to be their first formal discussion since the clash, a development aimed at rekindling diplomatic relations that have been strained since then.

While the agreement appears promising, both governments have refrained from providing comprehensive details on the terms and implementation of the disengagement. Observers emphasize that additional information is necessary to fully assess the implications of the arrangement.

The situation has raised concerns within India regarding the potential for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to exploit newly established buffer zones to further restrict Indian patrols. However, India’s Ministry of Defense has denied any loss of territory during recent tensions.

At an event hosted by Indian broadcaster NDTV, Jaishankar expressed optimism about the agreement, stating, “We have reached an understanding that will allow patrolling similar to what we did in 2020.” He characterized the development as a result of “patient and persevering diplomacy,” although the long-term consequences for Sino-Indian relations remain uncertain.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also welcomed the agreement, noting Beijing’s commitment to collaborate with India on its implementation. However, he did not elaborate on the specifics of the agreement.

Experts urge caution, noting that while restoring patrolling rights is a positive step, the resolution of other pressing issues—such as troop de-escalation and infrastructure developments along the border—will require time and ongoing dialogue. Manoj Kewalramani, head of Indo-Pacific studies at the Takshashila Institution in Bangalore, underscored the complexity of the situation, stating that “many other issues will take time” to address effectively.

News

Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

Published

on

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.

Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.

The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.

According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”

Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.

The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.

The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.

PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.

Continue Reading

News

Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Published

on

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.

According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”

The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.

Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.

The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.

The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.

There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.

Continue Reading

News

German Chancellor Merz to Meet President Trump in Washington Amid Global Tensions

Published

on

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his first official visit to Washington next week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the German government confirmed Saturday. The high-level meeting comes as global concerns mount over Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and a looming trade dispute between the United States and the European Union.

Chancellor Merz, who assumed office on May 6, will hold bilateral talks with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference and a working lunch, according to U.S. and German officials. Merz is scheduled to depart Berlin late Wednesday evening after hosting a dinner with German state premiers.

Key topics on the agenda include the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which remains a central concern for both Washington and Berlin. The leaders are also expected to address trade relations, particularly in light of President Trump’s recent threat to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports. The U.S. administration has delayed implementation until July 9, but the potential tariffs have raised alarms in European capitals.

The upcoming visit will mark the first in-person meeting between Merz and Trump, although the two leaders have maintained regular communication in recent weeks. They have held several phone calls, including one-on-one discussions and multilateral talks with other European leaders focused on efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Chancellor Merz has taken an active diplomatic role since taking office, pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine and seeking to reinforce Western unity in support of Kyiv. Just days before his U.S. trip, Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, reaffirming Germany’s military and humanitarian assistance.

Trade will be another crucial point of discussion, with Germany keen to prevent a transatlantic escalation that could damage both economies. Merz is expected to press for a negotiated solution to avoid further tariffs and protect German exports, which are heavily reliant on access to U.S. markets.

The visit is seen as a pivotal moment for Merz as he works to establish his international profile and strengthen Germany’s transatlantic ties. With global security and economic stability hanging in the balance, the meeting is expected to send key signals about the future direction of U.S.-German relations.

Continue Reading

Trending