‘Monitoring Situation': India Urges Thailand And Cambodia To De-Escalate
India monitors Thailand-Cambodia border clashes, urging both nations to cease hostilities. Indian embassies advise nationals to avoid border areas and stay in touch for help.
Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: India on Saturday responded to the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
'We are closely monitoring the situation along the border between Cambodia and Thailand. India has close and friendly relations with both countries and hopes that both sides will take measures for a cessation of hostilities and prevention of further escalation," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press statement.
The MEA further urged the Indian travellers in both the countries to saty in touch with their respective embassies for any assistance.
'Embassy of India in Bangkok, Thailand- Helpline: + 66 61 881 9218 (WhatsApp calls also). Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, Cambodia- Helpline: +855 92 881 676 (WhatsApp calls also)," the press release added.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Cambodia had issued an advisory for Indian nationals travelling to the country amid ongoing clashes with Thailand, suggesting that they avoid going to border areas.
'In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid traveling to the border areas," the Embassy said.
'In case of any emergency, Indian nationals may approach the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh at +855 92881676 or email cons.phnompenh@mea.gov.in," it added.
Indian Embassy In Thailand Issues Advisory
Earlier on Friday, Indian Embassy in Thailand advised its nationals to practice caution and avoid travelling to seven provinces in view of the situation arising out of the clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops over a disputed border.
In view of the situation near the Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travellers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) Newsroom, the Indian embassy said in a social media post.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes
Thailand and Cambodia continued their fighting for the third straight day on Saturday, as the death toll in the deadly fighting rose to 33. Phnom Penh has said that it was ready for an 'immediate ceasefire, unconditionally".
A decades-long border dispute between the two countries erupted into an intense military confrontation involving jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, after which the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday.
AFP on Friday reported Cambodia called for a ceasefire with Thailand. The report cited Chhea Keo, the country's ambassador to the United Nations. Quoting Keo in a social media post, AFP mentioned that Cambodia asked for an 'immediate unconditional ceasefire". Reportedly, Keo made the statement following a closed meeting of the Security Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Zoo to raise ticket prices by ₹20
The Delhi Zoo management is planning to increase the ticket price from ₹80 to ₹100 as the premises is also likely to be revamped. Officials said the raise is to make the prices at par with other zoological parks across the country. Officials said the raise is to make the prices at par with other zoological parks across the country. (AFP Photo) The last hike in entry charges took place in 2021, when the zoo re-opened after Covid-19. The charges were doubled – from ₹40 to ₹80 for adults. Before that, the prices were hiked in 2013, from ₹20 to ₹40 for adults. 'In several states and countries across the world, the average ticket price per adult is over ₹100. So our proposal is likely to be on par with these rates. In the recent meeting, a discussion was held regarding a possible hike, which may see ticket charges increase. The last revision came in 2021,' said a zoo official, stating a file on the issue has not been sent to the ministry yet. The Delhi Zoo opened in 1959 and officials said, at the time, the ticket entry fee was 20 paise for adults and 10 paise for children between 5 and 12 years and free for children below 5 years of age. Visitors were also provided a physical map of the zoo for navigation at an additional cost of 5 paise. 'The map would be a souvenir and also helped visitors identify where to go. It had details of the major enclosures,' said the official, stating several programmes and development initiatives were currently underway to enhance the overall visitor experience, adding that the ticket pricing structure is part of this broader effort. On weekends, the Delhi Zoo receives around 8,000 to 10,000 visitors per day, while on weekdays, the footfall ranges between 4,000 to 6,000, officials informed.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians
Last Updated: The new rules will make Schengen visa process fully digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in passports and no more long queues at consulates to submit paper forms For millions of Indians, the process of securing a Schengen visa has long been a necessary — but often tedious — part of planning a European holiday or business trip. But that's about to change. The European Union has officially announced that the Schengen visa system will go fully digital, making visa applications easier, faster, and more secure. Here's everything you need to know about the digital Schengen visa rollout, how it works, and what it means for Indian travellers heading to Europe. What Is A Schengen Visa? The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU nationals to travel across 29 European countries (as of 2024) without needing separate visas for each. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In 2023 alone, Indians filed over 600,000 applications for Schengen visas, with the highest number going to countries like France and Germany. What's Changing? Under the new rules approved by the European Council and set to be implemented by 2026, the Schengen visa process will become completely digital. That means no more physical visa stickers in your passport and no more long queues at consulates just to submit paper forms. The only exception will be first-time applicants or those with expired biometric data (more than five years old). They will still need to visit a consulate or visa application centre to submit fingerprints and get their photo taken. For repeat travellers, the entire process could become 100% virtual. Why Is The EU Going Digital? There are several reasons behind this major shift: Efficiency: The new system will drastically cut down processing times and reduce errors caused by manual handling. Security: A digital system helps prevent fraud and misuse of visa stickers, which can be forged or altered. Convenience: Travellers can apply from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit embassies or third-party visa centres for every trip. Cost Savings: Governments and applicants alike will benefit from streamlined operations and fewer administrative bottlenecks. How Will The New Digital Schengen Visa Work? Once the platform is live, Indian applicants will go through the following steps: Create an Account on the EU Visa Portal: Enter personal details, travel history, and upload necessary documents (passport, itinerary, proof of accommodation, insurance, etc.) Select The Destination Country: If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries, you must apply to the one where you'll spend the most time. Pay the Visa Fee Online: Currently, the Schengen visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for minors. The amount remains unchanged for now. Submit Biometric Data (If Required): First-timers must still visit the visa application centre for fingerprints and a photograph. Once submitted, the biometrics remain valid for five years. What This Means For Indian Travellers For Indian citizens — especially frequent flyers, business professionals, and holidaymakers — this is welcome news. Last year, nearly 3 crore Indian nationals went to foreign countries, an 8% increase from 2023 that saw a 29% year-on-year jump to 2.79 crore, crossing the pre-pandemic peak of 2.69 crore that was achieved in 2019, as per Ministry of Tourism data. In the first two months of 2025, 50.9 lakh Indians travelled abroad, up 6% from the corresponding period last year, tourism ministry data showed. Europe continues to be the top travel destination for Indians, with Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany leading the pack, and Eastern European countries like Czech Republic, Hungary, and Croatia gaining popularity, the report said. Currently, the visa process involves collecting multiple documents, physically submitting them to VFS or consular offices, and waiting weeks for updates. The digitisation will: Avoid issues like misplaced passports or delayed courier returns However, Indian travellers must still meet all the existing requirements: sufficient financial proof, confirmed return tickets, travel insurance, and a genuine purpose of travel. Will Visa Rejections Still Happen? Yes. A digital system does not mean relaxed rules. Visa officers will still assess the credibility of each application. Currently, Indian applicants face rejection rates between 15% and 25%, depending on the country. Strong documentation and financial clarity will still be critical. That said, digital processing could help avoid rejections caused by administrative errors or missing forms — a common complaint with physical submissions. When Will This Be Implemented? The European Commission has stated that the digital Schengen visa platform will be ready for rollout by 2026. This gives time for IT infrastructure to be built, personnel to be trained, and countries to harmonise their visa policies on the new platform. Some pilot programmes may begin as early as late 2025, particularly in high-volume countries like India, China, and Turkey. Could This Mean Easier Visas In The Future? Digitisation could open the door to multi-entry and longer-validity visas for travellers from trusted countries like India. Already, several EU nations are pushing for 'trusted traveller" programmes that would offer 3- or 5-year visas to applicants with a clean travel history. A digital system makes it easier to track, monitor, and reward such applicants. There is also potential for integration with India's own digital platforms (like DigiLocker) to allow for faster documentation verification. The move to a fully digital Schengen visa system marks a major shift in how Europe manages its borders — and how Indian travellers plan their trips. While challenges remain around biometric verification and high rejection rates, the digitalisation promises faster service, greater transparency, and fewer logistical headaches. For Indian students, professionals, and families dreaming of strolling through Paris, skiing in the Alps, or closing deals in Berlin, the future just got a little easier — and more digital. top videos View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her More tags : Europe Indian Passport Schengen Visa view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 01, 2025, 12:32 IST News zip Europe Made Travel Easier: Schengen Visa To Go Fully Digital, What It Means For Indians Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
At least 30 injured after several coaches of passenger train derail in near Lahore
At least 30 passengers were injured after several coaches of a train derailed near Lahore, officials said on Saturday. Pakistanis board a train at a railway station in Lahore on June 5, 2025. (Image for representation/AFP) According to the Pakistan Railways, the Islamabad Express that was going to Rawalpindi from Lahore derailed at Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura, some 50 km from Lahore, on Friday evening. "At least 10 coaches of the train have been derailed in Sheikhupura, leaving about 30 passengers injured. Three of them are critical," the railways said in a statement late on Friday night. Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to rescue some passengers who are still trapped in the coaches, according to the officials. The railways said so far, no casualty has been reported. It further said the train coaches derailed half an hour after leaving Lahore railway station. Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi took notice of the derailment and directed the Railways CEO and the divisional superintendent to reach the site of the accident and monitor the situation. He also directed them to launch a probe into the matter and submit the inquiry findings within 7 days.
