Thai Army Detains 18 Cambodian Soldiers Temporarily
8.1.25
Major General Winthai Suvaree, Royal Thai Army spokesperson, stated that Cambodian soldiers detained in Thailand are undergoing legal processes under national and international laws. The soldiers cannot be immediately repatriated as they must first complete these processes. Winthai rejected the term "prisoners of war" for the 18 Cambodian soldiers, instead referring to them as "detained." He emphasized that the soldiers are being handled with respect, in accordance with military ethics and international conventions. Thailand's Commander of the Second Military Region, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, had previously explained the situation to Malaysia's Chief of the Armed Forces, General Dato' Mohammad Nizam Jaafar. Cambodia's Ministry of Defense has urged Thailand to repatriate their 20 soldiers as soon as possible, but Thailand insists on completing legal processes before making a decision.
Thailand Moves Meeting from Phnom Penh to Malaysia
8.1.25
Thailand has requested a bilateral security meeting with Cambodia to be moved from Phnom Penh to Malaysia due to the sensitive nature of the situation. The meeting, originally scheduled for August 4, will now take place in Malaysia as part of its role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Thailand's Acting Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit made the request to his Cambodian counterpart, citing the need for more time to discuss border security issues. The meeting aims to de-escalate tensions following deadly clashes between the two countries, which have resulted in over 40 deaths and displaced around 300,000 people along their border.
Thailand's army sent two Cambodian soldiers back home ahead of a key meeting in Malaysia to discuss maintaining a ceasefire along their disputed border, following clashes that killed at least 43 people and displaced over 300,000. The tensions escalated after a Cambodian soldier was killed in May, leading to a troop build-up and diplomatic crisis. US President Trump's phone calls helped broker a truce, and as a result, tariffs imposed on goods between Thailand and Cambodia were reduced from 36% to 19%. Defence ministers and military leaders from both countries will now meet in Malaysia instead of the planned Cambodian capital, with talks scheduled for August 4-7.
Trudeau and Modi Revive Diplomatic Relations in Alberta
8.1.25
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta, where they agreed to appoint new ambassadors and restore regular embassy functions. The two leaders also discussed reviving talks on a Canada-India free trade pact, which were halted in 2023 due to Trudeau's public allegations. India's Foreign Ministry described this as part of its "calibrated" steps toward repairing ties with Canada, indicating a cautious approach amid mistrust between the nations. Despite progress, several issues remain unresolved, including concerns about separatist extremism.
The June deal between Rwanda and Congo marked a breakthrough in talks facilitated by the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, aimed at ending decades of fighting that has resulted in thousands of deaths and attracted billions of dollars in Western investment to a region rich in valuable minerals such as tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
South Korea's Kim and US President Donald Trump have expressed optimism about their trade negotiations, with Kim stating that they have reduced uncertainty for Korean exporters in the US market. A visit by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to the White House is expected within two weeks, where more details of the trade agreement are likely to be announced.
US President Donald Trump claims to have brokered an average of one peace deal or ceasefire per month since taking office, citing agreements in major global flashpoints like India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran, and Serbia-Kosovo. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made the statement during a press briefing, contradicting Trump's previous assertion that he prevented hostilities between India and Pakistan following precision strikes on terror infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump expressed his desire for a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine by August 8. The request was made during a meeting at the United Nations, where the US emphasized its commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
US President Donald Trump's recent comments on India-Russia relations have raised concerns, with him stating that the economies of India and Russia are "dead." However, experts like DC Katoch, director of a prominent think tank, disagree, saying that defence ties between India and the US remain strong despite trade issues. The new tariffs imposed by the US primarily affect agriculture, dairy, and industrial sectors in India, but analysts believe these will not impact India's relations with Russia.