The border forces of India and Nepal started the seventh edition of the annual coordination bilateral talks on border matters in New Delhi on Monday. Delegations of India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) are meeting to strengthen coordination for more effective management of the open and unfenced India-Nepal border. The focus will be on developing mechanisms to combat trans-border crimes and to facilitate the prompt exchange of critical information between the forces.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs informed on Monday that Chile has become the 95th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The US government intends to provide Israel with a batch of high-precision bombs worth $320 million, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday. Per the report, the Biden Administration has informed Congress about plans to supply the Israeli firm Rafael with Spice-family precision-guided bombs.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday that Gaza is becoming a “graveyard for children,” reinforcing calls for a cease-fire in the enclave, where Palestinian health officials have estimated the death toll from Israeli strikes to be over 10,000. “Ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces and continued bombardment are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches and UN facilities – including shelters. No one is safe,” Guterres claimed.
During a meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Monday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said that the two countries had “no fundamental conflict of interests” and could become “trusting partners.” He also pledged to work with Canberra on issues ranging from regional security to climate change.
The US is “more than happy” to share “what we know about Beijing’s playbook” on economic coercion, senior adviser for China and the Indo-Pacific in the Office of the Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, Melanie Hart, said on Monday. “Our doors are open. You are not alone. We are always ready to serve as a resource,” she said in a message to countries deliberating actions in their own interest but fearful of repercussions from Beijing.