India will host the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 November in a virtual format. The summit will hold discussions on challenges posed by global developments. It will be used to share the key outcomes of various G20 meetings during India’s Presidency with the participating countries. Additionally, ways to sustain the momentum generated towards the Global South countries’ aspiration of a more inclusive, representative, and progressive world order will be discussed.
On Tuesday, the Indian armed forces sent back 39 soldiers of the Myanmar military who had been taking refuge in Mizoram. The decision was taken after the camp in which the soldiers were staying in Mizoram’s Champhai came under attack from ethnic armed groups aligned with the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The Indian government deployed two choppers to evacuate the soldiers, who were flown to Moreh in Manipur and then sent towards Tamu, the nearest Myanmar town from Moreh. Additionally, around 1,500 Myanmarese have taken refuge in border areas of Mizoram following the recent clashes between the pro-army and pro-democracy factions, including the ethnic-based extremist groups, in Myanmar.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution introduced by Malta to help children in the Israeli-Gaza conflict zone. The resolution was approved by 12 of the 15 countries in the council, with the US, the UK, and Russia voting against it. It called for the immediate release of all hostages, especially children. Furthermore, the resolution urged all parties in the conflict to refrain from depriving civilians of essential services and humanitarian aid.
Qatari mediators attempted to negotiate a deal, including the release of about 50 civilian hostages from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, between Hamas and Israel on Wednesday Reuters reported on Wednesday. The agreement, under discussion and coordinated with the US, would also require Israel to free some Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails and increase the quantity of humanitarian supplies allowed into Gaza, an official familiar with the matter stated.
At least 28 policemen have given up their weapons and surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) in Myanmar, while 10 soldiers have been arrested, the AA said on Wednesday. The captures and surrenders are part of a coordinated offensive by insurgent groups battling the junta in several parts of the country.
US President Joe Biden met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco on Wednesday. They pledged to renew climate cooperation, and are expected to reach an agreement on restrictions on the manufacture and export of ingredients used to make fentanyl and on joint cooperation on public health.