International Relations NewsFeed

April 24, 2025

IMF Warns of Global Economic Recession Risk

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is urging countries to act quickly to resolve trade disputes that threaten global economic growth. IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that the uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's aggressive campaign of tariffs on foreign imports is delaying investments and postponing consumer spending. The IMF, which has 191 member countries, reduced its global growth forecast for this year, citing a significant increase in the risk of recession, from 25% to 40%. Georgieva warned that the economic consequences of trade conflicts will disproportionately affect poor countries, which lack the resources to mitigate the damage.

https://apnews.com/article/fmi-economia-mundo-aranceles-trump-46993b279b0012c60e36012a53890925

April 24, 2025

India Cuts Off Pakistan's Visa Services Suddenly

The Indian government has informed an all-party meeting that tourists were taken to a meadow in Pahalgam without police permission before the terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to punish those involved in the attack and its conspirators "beyond their imagination". Pakistan has reacted by shutting its airspace, trade, Wagah border post, and visa services in response to India's measures following the attack. The Jal Shakti Ministry has informed the Water Resources Ministry that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is in abeyance due to sustained cross-border terrorism by Pakistan targeting Indian Union territory of J&K.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-india-to-explore-never-considered-options-on-indus-waters-treaty/article69487916.ece

April 24, 2025

India Cuts Ties After Kashmir Attack Kills 26

India suspended a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan, closed its main land border crossing, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew visas for Pakistanis in response to the killing of 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir by gunmen on Wednesday night.

https://channelnewsasia.com/asia/pakistan-closes-airspace-india-cancels-visas-trade-5086541

April 24, 2025

India Cuts Ties with Pakistan Over Water Dispute

India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, effectively denying it access to shared water resources. The move includes closing the only open land border crossing point between the two countries, severing all transport links, and cancelling special visas for Pakistani nationals in India. Defence advisers from Pakistan were declared persona non grata and given a week to leave, while India will also reduce its staff size at its mission in Islamabad to 30 from 55.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/601595-india-blocks-pakistan-govts-x-account-following-pahalgam-attack

April 24, 2025

India Downsizes Islamabad Mission Amid Diplomatic Tensions

India is reducing its staff size at its mission in Islamabad to 30 from 55, as part of a series of measures announced by Foreign Minister Misri. India has summoned Pakistan's top diplomat in New Delhi and given notice that all defence advisers in the Pakistani mission are persona non grata, with a week to leave. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to brief opposition parties on Thursday about the government's response to the attack, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will hold an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee to discuss Pakistan's response. The Indus Water Treaty, which regulates water sharing between India and Pakistan, has been put on hold by India.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304651-india-summons-pakistani-envoy-all-party-meet-after-pahalgam-attack

April 24, 2025

India Strikes Back at Pakistan After Deadly Attack

India has taken a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including suspending a water-sharing treaty, closing the main land border crossing, downgrading diplomatic ties, and withdrawing visas for Pakistani nationals, in response to a deadly attack that killed 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir. Experts warn that a military response may still be on the cards, with some speculating it could come within days or weeks. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to punish those responsible "to the ends of the Earth", while Pakistan denies supporting cross-border terrorism. The attack has shocked India due to its targeting of civilians and the tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to Kashmir's economy. Analysts believe that New Delhi may respond with military force, citing the scale and targeting of the attack as evidence.

https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/furious-india-eyes-response-to-pakistan-after-kashmir-attack/article_f86a622d-3249-537e-9a8f-f272e126d2cd.html

April 24, 2025

India Vows to Combat Cross-Border Terrorism Globally

Indian senior officials emphasized the country's commitment to protecting national sovereignty and combating cross-border terrorism. The outreach aimed to share India's assessment with like-minded countries and ensure a coordinated international stance on counterterrorism. Following a terror strike in Pahalgam, the government has taken a robust diplomatic approach to isolate terror sponsors globally while keeping partners informed.

https://www.lokmattimes.com/national/pahalgam-terror-attack-shah-and-jaishankar-update-president-murmu-foreign-envoys-briefed-at-mea-headquarters/

April 24, 2025

Kim Jong-un's Regime Freezes Dead Soldiers' Bodies

The North Korean regime, led by Kim Jong-un, is facing international criticism for refusing to repatriate the bodies of its soldiers killed in combat at Kurst, instead opting for a "freeze-drying" technique known as "promession". This approach has sparked outrage due to the regime's already well-documented human rights abuses and disregard for basic human dignity.

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/asia/news/the-north-korean-regimes-inhuman-attempt-freeze-dry-its-war-dead-russia-3879756

April 24, 2025

Kim Jong-un Seeks WMDs from Russia's Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is likely seeking enhanced weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and conventional capabilities in his relations with Russia, posing serious regional security implications. The 2023 National Intelligence Estimate suggests that Kim will continue to pursue a strategy of coercion, potentially including non-nuclear lethal attacks, to advance North Korea's goals. In contrast to the United States, China, and Japan, which demand denuclearization progress for reconciliation, Russia is willing to accommodate Kim's conditions while ignoring the nuclear issue. This cooperation has provided North Korea with its traditional survival needs and networks to circumvent UN sanctions. Kim appears focused on securing WMD, missile, space, and conventional gains from Russia, including advanced aircraft and technology support. In return, North Korea may offer its production capabilities and quality as a "nuts and bolts munitions provider" to countries like Russia and Iran.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/north-korea-revisionist-ambitions-and-changing-international-order