China is urging the US to ease export controls on high-bandwidth memory chips (HBM) critical for artificial intelligence, as part of a potential trade deal before a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Chinese officials are concerned that current restrictions on HBM exports hinder Huawei's ability to develop its own AI chips, which could impact China's AI and defense development. The US has previously curbed exports of advanced chips to China, affecting both American chipmakers' revenue from the country's large semiconductor market.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Meets US Military Leaders
8.10.25
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, engaged in high-level interactions with senior US military leaders during his visit to Tampa, including General Michael E. Kurilla, who is retiring as Commander United States Central Command, and Admiral Brad Cooper, who assumed command. Munir also met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, discussing mutual professional interests, and invited him to visit Pakistan. The COAS interacted with chiefs of defence from friendly nations and addressed the Pakistani diaspora, urging them to support Pakistan's progress and development, which they reaffirmed their commitment to do.
Former diplomat Shivshankar Menon argues that India's support during the 1962 war with China was not due to its non-alignment policy, but rather because of China's aggressive actions. He states that India received backing from countries like the US, regardless of their ideological affiliations. Menon emphasizes that a policy's success or failure should be judged by its outcomes, not by what others say about it. The book "The Nehru Year" explores India's non-alignment policy and its relevance in foreign policy since Jawaharlal Nehru's concept. Former ambassador Shyam Saran notes that Nehru's system emphasized India standing for something greater than itself, highlighting the importance of international solidarity.
India Defies US on Russian Oil Imports Despite Tensions
8.10.25
India's refusal to stop importing Russian oil has led to a drop in the price of Ural, but experts believe it won't completely halt Russian imports. This shift is a departure from 2018 when US President Trump demanded India "zero out" oil from Iran and Venezuela. India stopped direct purchases from both countries in May 2019 due to heavy losses. The move may damage the India-US relationship, which has been strengthened through civil nuclear cooperation, military ties, and technology partnerships since 1999. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval recently visited Moscow to prepare for Russian President Putin's visit, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to follow suit. Indian Prime Minister Modi will travel to Japan and China for the SCO summit and a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amidst efforts to restore ties with the US before the November Quad summit.
India Expands Defence Attaché Posts in Armenia & Philippines
8.10.25
India has established new defence attaché posts in Armenia and the Philippines, with Poland being another location for increased outreach. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh directed defence attachés to promote Indian defence production capabilities and mutual defence cooperation with friendly foreign countries. Australian defence firms are linked to US companies as Original Equipment Manufacturers, but also have opportunities for innovation partnerships with India.
India has rejected US President Donald Trump's trade tariff threats, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the country is progressing towards becoming one of the world's top three economies. The US doubled tariffs on Indian goods amid trade tensions, which India condemned as unfair and vowed to protect its interests. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized Trump's tariff threats, calling him
Iranian diplomats met with German, British, and French counterparts on July 25, amid threats to trigger sanctions by August 31 if Iran fails to reach a deal on its nuclear program. The "snapback mechanism" could reinstate UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Iranian diplomat Alireza Araghchi stated that contact with European nations is ongoing, but no date for the next round of talks has been set.
Kaja Kallas Demands EU Involvement in US-Russia Talks
8.10.25
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that any deal between the US and Russia to end the war in Ukraine must include Ukraine and the EU, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine's security for Europe's safety. She plans to convene a meeting with European foreign ministers on Monday to discuss next steps. Kallas also emphasized the need for international law to recognize Ukraine's sovereignty over temporarily occupied territories, warning that any deal should not provide a pretext for further Russian aggression.
South Korea and Japan will hold a summit on August 23 in Tokyo, where President Lee is set to meet with US President Trump for their first meeting on August 25. Foreign Minister Cho plans to visit Japan and the US this week for talks with his counterparts. In contrast, South Korea's reliance on US aid after the Korean War led to a sense of complacency that only changed when President Jimmy Carter pushed for troop withdrawal due to human rights concerns under Park Chung Hee, resulting in the "Koreagate" scandal.