Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called on Indian leadership to abandon a confrontational posture and engage in meaningful dialogue for peace, urging cooperation on counter-extremism as neighbours with a shared duty to protect the lives of over a billion people in South Asia. He criticized India's zero-sum approach, saying Pakistan is ready to build a "historic and phenomenal partnership" to jointly combat terrorism.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/612040-pakistan-ready-to-forge-phenomenal-partnership-with-india-to-combat-terror-bilawalIndia and Ghana have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a "Comprehensive Partnership", with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing India as a "co-traveller" in Ghana's journey toward nation-building. The announcement was made after talks between Modi and Ghanaian President John Mahama in Accra, with the partnership focusing on defence and security cooperation guided by the principle of "Security through Solidarity".
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/india-ghana-elevate-ties-to-comprehensive-partnership-modi-calls-india-co-traveller-in-its-journey-toward-nation-building/Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a five-nation tour starting with Ghana, aiming to strengthen India's global partnerships in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/national/pm-modi-to-embark-on-five-nation-tour-today-beginning-with-ghana/Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ghana's highest state honour, "Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana", from President John Dramani Mahama in recognition of his distinguished statesmanship and global leadership. The award was accepted on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, with Prime Minister dedicating it to India's youth, cultural traditions, and historical ties with Ghana. Modi expressed confidence that his historic State Visit would strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, citing plans for a Skill Development Centre and expanded cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, education, defence, healthcare, and digital payments.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/pm-modi-receives-ghanas-highest-state-honour-officer-of-the-order-of-the-star-of-ghana/The Philippines has launched a "transparency initiative" in 2023 to publicly expose China's aggressive actions in disputed waters, with Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė stating that revealing these actions is crucial to shatter the illusion of China being a peaceful neighbor. The move comes after former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino was sanctioned by China for criticizing Beijing's aggression and supporting new laws demarcating Philippine territorial zones in the South China Sea. As a result, Šakalienė and her family have also been sanctioned and banned from entering China due to their strong criticisms of China's actions and human rights record.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/07/02/news/lithuanias-defense-chief-praises-philippine-campaign-exposing-chinas-aggression/2142455External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the South China Sea is an issue of great concern for all four Quad member nations - the US, India, Australia, and Japan. During the recent Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington DC, they shared a common priority to ensure the waterway remains peaceful and free of conflict due to their shared interests in the region.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/south-china-sea-of-great-concern-to-quad-ensuring-it-stays-calm-and-free-of-conflict-is-a-common-priority-eam-jaishankar/US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with Vietnam, marking the administration's third significant deal ahead of a July 9 deadline. The US will charge a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and a 40% tariff for "transshipping" goods that pass through another country before being exported to the US. In return, Vietnam will grant the US total access to its markets with zero tariffs. The agreement was finalized after a phone call between Trump and General Secretary Tô Lâm of Vietnam, who proposed recognizing the US as a market economy and lifting export restrictions on high-tech products.
https://www.koat.com/article/us-vietnam-trade-deal-tariffs-market-access/65279159The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, is facing criticism from over 165 international charities and NGOs, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, for its handling of aid distribution in Gaza. The GHF, led by an evangelical leader close to former US President Trump, has been accused of putting people's lives at risk while trying to access food, with allegations that over 500 Palestinians have been killed near its centers. Despite delivering over 52 million meals, the organization has faced criticism for its secretive nature and the new aid system it implemented, which limits distribution to a few hubs guarded by armed contractors, leading to at least 10 Palestinian deaths while seeking food.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/humanitarian-groups-seek-end-to-israeli-backed-aid-system-in-gaza-211014The US has announced it's halting shipments of key weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot air defence systems and Hellfire missiles, amid efforts to push for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. The decision comes as the Biden administration seeks to reduce military support to Kyiv, which remains "seriously dependent" on US arms supplies. The White House cited a review of its nation's military support and assistance to other countries as the reason for the move. Ukraine has expressed concern over the halt in aid, with residents worried that it would leave the capital vulnerable to further attacks.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/ukraine-left-scrambling-after-us-says-halting-some-arms-shipments/article_889296ac-4f90-5f26-acf6-0f4a9c7b2211.html