No agreement in Istanbul peace talks between Pakistan-Afghanistan

Today's headlines: Trump signs new economic agreements, including on rare earths, at Tokyo summit with Prime Minister Takaichi; Indian minister accused of victim blaming against two Australian cricketers; Indonesia issues new rules for loans to local authorities;  Israel lifts state of emergency in the south of the country.

AFGHANISTAN - PAKISTAN

Peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul, initiated to negotiate a long-term truce, have ended without a resolution. According to ToloNews, the Pakistani delegation were pushing for acceptance of Pakistan's right to enter Afghan terrirtory to deter assaults by Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It was also revealed that Pakistan admitted to having an agreement with a foreign country allowing drone strikes.

JAPAN - UNITED STATES

Newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump have announced a “new golden age” in bilateral relations, promising to strengthen cooperation on defence and the economy at their first summit in Tokyo. Several agreements were signed, including one on cooperation to secure and supply minerals, including rare earths. Takaichi praised Trump's role in promoting peace in the Middle East and resolving the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, calling them ‘unprecedented historic achievements’ and adding that she would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

CHINA - ASEAN - UNITED STATES

China and ASEAN have signed a trade agreement in an attempt to strengthen ties between the two sides amid global uncertainty and trade tensions with the United States. This is the second update to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), which was first signed in 2002. Meanwhile, the United States and China have agreed on the framework for a potential trade agreement that will be discussed when their respective leaders meet in South Korea in two days' time. The document includes a “definitive agreement” on TikTok's operations in the United States and a postponement of China's stricter controls on rare earth minerals. US Treasury Secretary Bessent also said he did not expect the 100% tariff on Chinese products to come into effect.

INDIA

Indian Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's comment that two Australian cricketers - in India for the Women's World Cup - who were ‘inappropriately touched’ last week should have informed the authorities before leaving their hotel has sparked controversy, with many accusing him of victim blaming. The harassment took place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Street harassment of women is widespread in India.

INDONESIA

Indonesia has drawn up new rules that will allow the central government to grant loans to local authorities and state-owned enterprises in order to support development projects. According to a copy of the new regulation, made public this week, loans would be granted after analysis of potential risks and the central government's financial capacity. Prabowo has cut funding for “regional autonomy” by 20%, a decision that has sparked a wave of criticism.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE - LEBANON

Israel has revoked the “special situation” in the south of the country, ending the state of emergency that had been in place since 7 October 2023. Meanwhile, Israel has received, via the Red Cross, a coffin that Hamas says contains the body of another hostage held in Gaza. UNIFIL in Lebanon said it shot down an Israeli drone flying over a patrol in the south. And Israel said it killed three Palestinian militants in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

RUSSIA - AZERBAIJAN - ARMENIA - IRAN

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk said that Russia had obtained Azerbaijan's consent to transport Russian goods and products to Armenia, making the Azerbaijani railways available in agreement with the Russian ones, and more generally, the project to organise the North-South corridor route in Azerbaijan is progressing, towards Iran, which is also expanding the railway between Resht and Astara, according to agreements that will soon be concluded.

UZBEKISTAN - EU

The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, shared images of his recent visit to Brussels, commenting that “this is a historic event, which opens a new era in our relations with the European Union”, after signing a broad cooperation agreement between Tashkent and Brussels on many areas to build a “stable partnership”.

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