After an unexpected 18-month hiatus caused by the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh, Chinese President Xi Jinping has named prominent diplomat Xu Feihong as the new Chinese ambassador to India. The former Ambassador to Afghanistan and Romania will succeed veteran diplomat Sun Weidong.
According to reports, the Czech Republic’s apex court has stayed lower courts’ decisions allowing the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta to the US. The court said that there would be no significant harm to public interest if the action were delayed. Gupta is charged by the US with plotting to kill pro-Khalistan Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Gita Gopinath, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) first deputy managing director, expressed concern on Tuesday over the economic repercussions stemming from the prolonged tensions between China and the West. She warned that if the hostility persists, it could lead to a worsening global economic situation. Gopinath further highlighted the emergence of three distinct blocs – China-aligned, US-aligned, and neutral countries – and cautioned against the potential loss of economic integration gains and a retreat from global engagement norms.
Japan is expected to invest $1 billion in a $3 billion missile interception system developed jointly with the US. This initiative aims to address the reported deployment of sophisticated weapons, such as hypersonic missiles, by neighbouring regional powers. According to an analyst, this step serves as a precaution against the escalating arms competition in the area. Recent conflicts, notably the thwarting of Iran’s drone and missile strike on Israel last month, have underscored the importance of such defensive measures.
Official North Korean media reported on Wednesday the passing of Kim Ki Nam, a key figure in North Korean politics, who served all three generations of supreme leaders and oversaw the state’s propaganda apparatus. Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects on Wednesday, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of a dedicated revolutionary. Ki Nam, who died on Tuesday at the age of 94, was among a core group of loyal officials instrumental in upholding the legitimacy of the Kim dynasty since its inception in 1945.
The French Navy’s multi-mission frigate ‘Bretagne’ made a port call in Kerala this week, starting with a visit to the Indian Naval Academy (INA). On the occasion, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, French Joint Forces Commander for the Indian Ocean Region, spoke to INA officers about the importance of French-Indian naval cooperation in ensuring maritime security in this crucial region.