India's Ambassador to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, has condemned Qatar's sovereignty violation, citing the need for respect of territorial integrity and avoiding escalation. This stance contrasts with India's reactions to Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and Iran. The government's silence on Gaza, where over 65,000 have been killed, including children, is also straining ties with the Arab world. India's reaction to Israel's bombing of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus last April was more muted, with the Ministry of External Affairs expressing "concern" but largely remaining silent. In contrast, India called for dialogue after Israel and the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, but later signed a joint declaration condemning those strikes.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan, with Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni emphasizing the need for collective international efforts to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory. India highlighted its priorities of providing humanitarian assistance and implementing capacity-building initiatives for the Afghan people, while flagging the presence of Pakistan-supported terrorist groups in the country. The Indian UN envoy stressed the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and welcomed the Afghan authorities' condemnation of a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating India's support for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
India is set to study a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, following the US example. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two nations on defence and security issues. This move comes after India's co-founder of Ashoka University, Pramath Raj Sinha, visited Saudi Arabia. The pact is expected to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.
Indonesia launches a civil society network to advance women's role in peace, supported by governments of Canada, UK, South Korea, and Netherlands. The Indonesian WPS Network aims to strengthen solidarity, amplify women's voices in policymaking, and ensure no woman or girl is left behind. This initiative is part of broader regional efforts by UN Women to empower women as peacebuilders and strengthen civil society's contribution to the women, peace, and security agenda.
Indonesian President Prabowo's presence at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) highlights the country's role as a key actor in the Global South, promoting peace and international law. Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang stated that Prabowo's attendance serves as momentum to advance Indonesia's national interests on the global stage. This will be Prabowo's first time addressing the UNGA in over a decade, with former president Joko Widodo never attending in person during his 10-year term. Director General for Multilateral Cooperation Tri Tharyat noted that key points in Prabowo's speech will include the attack on Qatar and Palestine, a central theme.
The US has deemed QRIS, Indonesia's digital payment system, a trade barrier. As of today, everything from street stalls to shops in major malls are using QRIS as digital payment. The system has been widely adopted, with CNA's Chandni Vatvani reporting on its implementation.
Indonesian Ambassador Highlights Trade Opportunities in Pakistan. The Indonesian ambassador highlighted various sectors for trade, emphasizing the need for new investment to bridge the current trade gap. Pakistan exports USD 505 million to Indonesia, up from USD 156 million in 2024, while imports from Indonesia rose to USD 4.7 billion, up from USD 3.36 billion. The ambassador expressed interest in promoting chamber-to-chamber relations and frequent trade delegations, with the Indonesian envoy recording his impression in the FCCI visitor's book.
US and China trade tensions escalate over AI chips, with Nvidia being a key player. The US has imposed new restrictions on Chinese tech companies, including Huawei and Xiaomi, over security concerns. In response, China has banned US chipmaker Nvidia from selling its products in the country. The move is seen as a significant escalation of the trade war between the two nations, with exports being a major point of contention. The US has been pushing for China to increase its purchases of American-made goods, including AI chips, in order to reduce the trade deficit. China has resisted these efforts, citing its own economic needs and concerns over intellectual property theft. The tensions have sparked fears of a wider trade war, with the global economy already showing signs of strain.
The article "How to win peace in the Middle East" suggests that a combination of diplomacy, economic development, and cultural exchange can help resolve conflicts in the region. The author proposes that countries should engage in dialogue to address grievances and work towards mutually beneficial solutions, rather than relying on military intervention. The article also highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty and inequality, through economic development and social programs.