&w=3840&q=100)
Cambodia, Thailand discuss ceasefire monitoring, POW issues in Malaysia meeting
Military attaches from various countries visit a hospital that was damaged after Cambodia fired artillery shells in Sisaket province, Thailand. File image/ AP
Thai and Cambodian officials gathered in Malaysia on Monday for the first round of cross-border committee negotiations since a tense truce was agreed upon last week following five days of deadly armed border battles that killed dozens and displaced over 260,000 people.
The four-day General Border Committee meetings were originally scheduled to be held by Cambodia, but both parties eventually agreed on a neutral site in Malaysia, the annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which negotiated the cease-fire last month.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The truce on July 28 came in response to economic pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had told the warring nations that if the conflict continued, the US would not sign trade deals with them. Following the ceasefire, Washington reduced duties on imports from both nations from 36% to 19% on August 1.
Monday's discussions centred on smoothing out specifics to avoid more clashes. Discussions of the decades-long rival territorial claims over the patches of territory near the common boundary are not on the agenda.
A history of hostility
Thailand and Cambodia have been feuding neighbors for centuries, since both were mighty empires. In modern times, a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarding Cambodia the land on which the ancient Preah Vihear temple stands marked a new low point in relations, and other border territory remained claimed by both countries.
Fighting erupted in 2011 at Preah Vihaer, after which the ICJ in 2013 reaffirmed its earlier ruling, rankling Thailand. Relations deteriorated again sharply in May this year, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in a brief fracas in one of the disputed border zones, setting off diplomatic and trade sanctions, one against the other.
Soon after two incidents last month in which Thai soldiers were wounded by land mines in disputed territory — for which Thailand blamed Cambodia — the two sides downgraded diplomatic relations and fighting broke out, each side blaming the other for starting the armed clashes.
The talks this week will include finalizing details and scope of reference for an ASEAN monitoring team, Malaysian Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Mohamad Nizam Jaffar said Monday.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Despite some reports of attacks after the ceasefire came into effect, Nizam said such incidents were typical spillover violence and both sides showed strong commitment during Monday's talks to uphold the ceasefire.
The main session of the General Border Committee on Thursday will be led by Thai Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanit and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seih, who also serves as deputy prime minister, and include observers from Malaysia, the United States and China, officials said.
Despite the truce, tensions have persisted as both countries organized tours of the former battle areas for foreign diplomats and other observers to highlight damage allegedly caused by the other side. The two countries also continue to accuse each other of having violated international humanitarian laws with attacks on civilians and the use of illegal weapons.
The battles are now fought on the propaganda front
The propaganda war continues with accusations, denials, and cries of 'fake news,' while supporters of each side also tangle on social media.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Each side has blamed the other for starting the fighting and for indiscriminately targeting civilian sites with long-range weapons such as artillery and rockets, and using prohibited weapons.
The hottest issue is Cambodia's allegations that Thailand has mistreated and tortured a squad of captured Cambodian soldiers. Two wounded members of the 20-man Cambodian group were repatriated on Friday.
However, Thai officials said Monday that the soldiers 'qualify as prisoners of war' and 'will be released and repatriated only when the armed conflict ends,' which it considers a separate matter from last week's ceasefire.
Thai military spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said at a news briefing Monday that Thailand has invited representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, and the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, OHCHR, 'to visit the detained Cambodian soldiers on site.' Cambodia had called for such access.
Neither the ICRC nor the OHCHR responded to a query from The Associated Press asking about any communications with the two governments.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Cambodia's king formalizes former leader Hun Sen's military role
A surprise statement on Monday night in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh announced that Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni issued a Royal Decree authorizing the country's influential former leader Hun Sen to work together with his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, in guiding military and national defense affairs.
The king's decree said he was acting because the nation 'is suffering from serious violations and threats to its territorial integrity by the Thai soldiers, and in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of Cambodia.'
King Sihamoni generally keeps a low profile and exercises no political power or influence, taking no initiative in any state or government work.
The 72-year-old Hun Sen, who is very active on social media, maintained a high profile during the fighting, urging his country's soldiers and hurling invective at Thailand and its leaders. He was once a guerrilla fighter with the Communist Khmer Rouge.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
It was not clear why Hun Sen would need or want authorization from King Sihamoni, since there has been no open dissent inside the country criticizing his actions during the conflict.
The decree appeared to be a response to foreign news stories suggesting Hun Sen was usurping his son's authority. Hun Sen seemed to confirm this, saying on Facebook that he was exercising his rights as a five-star general with experience 'to fight the thieves who invaded my country,' after noting criticism from Thai media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
19 minutes ago
- News18
Donald Trump Declares Sydney Sweeney's Ad 'HOTTEST,' Alams 'Woke' Taylor Swift US News
American President Donald Trump has taken to social media to praise actor Sydney Sweeney's new American Eagle ad campaign, while simultaneously criticizing pop star Taylor move comes after Trump learned that Sweeney is a registered Republican. In his post on Truth Social , he called Sweeney's ad the "HOTTEST" and said the jeans were "flying off the shelves." News18 Mobile App -
India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
Illegal, Threat: Russia Hits Back At US President Trumps Warning To India Against Trade With Moscow
Russia on Tuesday hit out at the United States, a day after President Donald Trump issued a trade and tariff threat to India. Earlier, Trump had warned India to face additional tariffs if New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil continues. Russia has now responded by saying that such threats against trade with Moscow are illegal. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it's unacceptable to force countries to stop trading with Russia and every country has a right to choose its trade partners. Peskov said that such pressure will be interpreted as threats. According to reports, Peskov told reporters that Russia has taken cognisance of threats and attempts to force countries to cut trade with Russia. The Kremlin spokesperson said that Russia believes sovereign countries should have the right to choose their own trading partners and to choose for themselves the forms of trade and economic cooperation that are in the interests of a particular country. US President Donald Trump warned India on Monday to cut down its trade, including oil and defence items or face additional tariffs. Trump is of the opinion that India's oil purchase is fuelling the Russia-Ukraine war. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," Trump wrote in a social media post. "Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,' he added. After Trump threatened to impose hefty tariffs on New Delhi, India on Monday said that the targeting of the country by the US over Russian oil purchase is unjustified and unreasonable. A statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that like any major economy, 'India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security'. According to the government, India has been targetted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. 'In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability,' the Centre emphasised.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump's 25% tariff on India: What it means for students and skilled workers
Last week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order updating 'reciprocal' tariff rates that had been paused since April. Nearly every American trading partner now faces tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent. For India, the rate stands at 25 per cent, with a further risk of penalties tied to its trade dealings with Russia. The question many are now asking—how will this trade war impact Indians planning to study or work in the United States? President Trump's tightening grip on immigration and foreign students has become a cause of concern. Dreamers, international students applying for visas, and those hoping to work in the US post-graduation are all feeling the squeeze as the administration clamps down on universities and pushes back against global talent. 'Everything is so interconnected these days. India's soft power itself is a major advantage, a trade plus, if you will, that the country enjoys over others. So, yes, I do believe the current situation could escalate and spill over into various policy areas—not just F-1, H-1B, or B-1/B-2 visas. It could even touch EB categories. EB-5, I'm not entirely sure, but most other categories are likely to get caught up. They'll end up being affected, directly or indirectly,' said Ajay Sharma, founder of Abhinav Immigration Services, speaking to Business Standard. While the tariff hikes themselves don't directly target Indian students, Sharma explained that the damage often lies in perception. 'There's no direct impact from the tariff hikes. But what tends to happen in such scenarios—and this is quite unfortunate—is that the destination starts getting a negative image,' he said. 'That perception really influences students' future plans. We saw this with Canada recently, and the same could unfold with the US. Already, students are stuck waiting endlessly just to get a visa appointment. Add to that the overall uncertainty, and it's not a good look,' Sharma added. The rupee's weakening against the dollar adds another layer of financial strain, though Sharma believes it's not the most critical hurdle. 'The rupee's depreciation will, of course, hit students' pockets, but perhaps not as severely. That's because the rupee is weakening against most major currencies, not just the dollar. So while it's a factor, it might not be the biggest hurdle for students eyeing the US. What's more worrying is the combination of rising costs, bureaucratic delays, and the growing sense of diplomatic friction between India and the US. That mix creates a perception problem, and once that sets in, it becomes a serious deterrent for students and even businesses,' he said. Nikhil Mudgal, founder and CEO of Lorien Finance, echoed similar concerns. 'With the rupee continuing to weaken and the recent tariff adding to the cost of education in the US, Indian students are indeed feeling the financial pinch,' he said. Mudgal added, 'The need of the hour is transparent, cross-border financing options that don't add to the burden, but genuinely enable global aspirations.' US campuses losing their appeal? Fanta Aw, CEO of the international education group NAFSA, painted a grim picture of the mood among students. 'International students and their families seek predictability, security, and a welcoming environment when choosing where to study,' said Aw in a blog post on NAFSA. 'The US government's recent actions have created an atmosphere of fear and confusion that has students, scholars, and their families understandably concerned about their safety and future in the United States. These actions by the government will likely result in prospective students choosing to study elsewhere and current students accelerating the completion of their degrees so they can return home sooner. Students have many options when it comes to study destinations,' Aw added. Impact on global student mobility may be deeper than it looks Market intelligence group ICEF Monitor expects the fallout from Trump's policies to ripple across global student flows. They note several possible shifts: • Less demand for studying in the US, as students fear visa refusals, revocations, or even detentions if an ICE officer finds their views or activities to be 'contrary to US interests'. • Rising hesitation among students from minority backgrounds, including non-white, LGBTQ+, and other marginalised groups, due to Trump's assault on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programmes. • A broader slump in study abroad volumes, as the administration's reduction of aid to developing countries forces governments to divert funds from education to health sectors. • Student interest moving to alternative destinations, including Canada, Europe, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even Russia, as the US's global standing continues to wobble. A year ago, IDP Education data had shown the US regaining student demand lost by Australia, Canada, and the UK due to their restrictive visa policies. ICEF believes that trend may now reverse. 'The US may join those other leading destinations in losing share of international students. Great numbers of Asian students may favour other Asian countries, including China, for study abroad, and more EU students may choose to stay within their region as well,' ICEF Monitor noted. Indian workers in tariff-hit sectors could face indirect job hurdles The ripple effects aren't limited to students. Indian workers, especially in sectors like manufacturing or IT hardware—industries directly hit by tariffs—could face subtle disadvantages when it comes to visa sponsorships or job placements. Sharma believes companies aren't planning their hiring purely around visa constraints, but geopolitical strains do make a difference. 'You know, it's not all Indians, because the way I see it, the technology companies do not work or plan their hiring by only visa situations. As the recent layoffs indicate and statements from companies like Microsoft and Google show, when they laid off people, it included not only Americans but even hedge fund workers. So they need people to work, and for how long they'll survive without India's soft power?' Sharma said.
