India issues advisory for citizens in Cambodia amidst border clashes
The flare-up, which began on Thursday (July 24, 2025), has killed at least 32 people – 19 in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia – according to reports.
'In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas,' the Indian embassy here said in an X post.
Indian citizens have been urged to contact the mission in case of any emergency at +855 92881676 or email cons.phnompenh@mea.gov.in.
On Friday (July 25, 2025), India issued a similar advisory to its citizens in Thailand, asking them to exercise caution and avoid travelling to seven provinces of the country.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
With Aug 1 deadline looming, India's faces a trade predicament: to accommodate Trump's hardball tactics while maintaining tariff advantage
With less than a couple of days left for the August 1 deadline that the Donald Trump administration set itself to thrash out deals with its trading partners, the American President said he is planning tariffs for 'the rest of the world' at 'somewhere in the 15 to 20 per cent range'. That would mean a significant increase on the 10 per cent 'baseline' tariff that currently applies to most trading partners. India's talks with the US for an interim deal are in a limbo of sorts, given the lack of a significant breakthrough so far. As things stand, three things are clear: the US is pushing for zero duty access to the Indian markets, like the deals it has got with Vietnam and Indonesia. That would, however, be a tough demand for India to accommodate. Secondly, from its perspective, New Delhi is pushing for a headline tariff number of around 15 per cent for its goods going into the US, like what was offered by the Americans to the EU and Japan, with the comparative tariff advantage starting to diminish if the tariff starts to go over figure and inch up closer towards the 20 per cent mark, or even higher. Also, going by the deals signed by the US so far, the tariff scenario for each country seems to be dependent on multiple external factors as well. This includes investment commitments and promises on directional shifts in trade in goods that America is keen to peddle. The Trump administration is learnt to be pushing for India to commit to specific purchases and investments, of the sort that it got the EU and Japan to sign up for. The commitment for purchases should not be a big issue for India, given that Trump is ostensibly focused on extracting a big figure that runs into billions of dollars, without even bothering to specify the time-frame for achieving these targets. The full texts of the deals for both Japan and the EU are not out, and are unlikely to be out anytime soon. India has comminated its openness to purchasing three big-ticket items from America: defence equipment, natural gas imports and nuclear reactors. Cobbling together a big number might not be a difficult task. Agri and dairy, two contentious issues, are likely off the table for now, which is positive for New Delhi. Also, with the UK deals, India has shown a willingness to be flexible on segments such as opening up public procurement. That gives some headroom for Indian negotiators for the final push. Indications are that a sixth round of talks between the two negotiating teams is expected to take discussions forward mid next month. What could be instructive is the limited takeaway from the Japan deal: how the Japanese negotiators managed to upstage their American counterparts by getting an immensely favourable deal on automobiles, even as they dangled the agri market access concessions and Tokyo's investment pledges as distraction the entire time. While India's trade deal with the US is likely to be less focused on sectors and more focused on the headline number unlike its UK deal, New Delhi is likely to push for market access in labour-intensive sectors, while trying to ensure a significant tariff differential compared to its Asian peers. Now, if the final headline tariff offered to India by Washington DC is between 10 per cent and 15 per cent, the tariff points offered to the UK and Japan, New Delhi should have reasons to be satisfied. The advantage starts to taper off once the tariff goes over 15 per cent and inches up closer to 20 per cent, as was offered by the US to Vietnam. A transshipment clause, of the kind slapped on Vietnam, could be a problem for India, given that a lot of Indian exports have inputs and intermediate goods in sectors such as pharma, engineering goods and electronics coming in from outside, including China. Also, clarity on the final American duty offer on China is a number that negotiators will be looking at, given the implicit assumption in New Delhi that the Trump administration will maintain a tariff differential. For Indian negotiators, other tariffs, over and above the baseline tariffs and the sectoral ones on steel and aluminum, is an added complication. Sectoral tariffs such as the 50 per cent on steel, aluminum and copper are already impacting India's exports to the US, and Trump's threat of steep tariffs on BRICS countries over them buying Russian oil is a looming concern. Will that be neutralised in the agreement is a question. Another question for New Delhi is: in the absence of any kind of interim deal, should it brace for an eventuality where there may not just be 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs, plus a 10 per cent additional BRICS tariff as well? That's perhaps the absolute worst case scenario, till an agreement is achieved. A tariff in the 15-20 per cent range would mean India still compares reasonably well with Indonesia (19 per cent), Vietnam (20-40 per cent) and has an advantage against China (30-34 per cent) and Bangladesh (35 per cent), without the additional BRICS tariff being factored in. Meanwhile, as the uncertainty continues, India's exporters are struggling to navigate the way forward because the buyers are not clear as to what the final tariff is going to be, and are consequently holding back on placing orders. The higher tariffs that the US has imposed on China means a number of Chinese manufacturers are now rerouting shipments to Europe at throwaway prices, which is impacting India's exports to the EU as well. India, like other countries, had frontloaded a lot of shipments ahead of the reciprocal tariff deadline for the ongoing Spring-Summer season, but a big question mark looms over the Fall-Winter season spanning October-March. Once the official level discussions wrap up by mid next month, there is a sense that a final call on the deal could come down to a conversation between the two leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump. This is especially so since the American President is the trade negotiator-in-chief in this entire tariff rationalisation exercise. A firm commitment from India to purchasing American defence equipment, natural gas and nuclear reactors, alongside some kind of guidance on India cutting its purchases of fossil fuels from Russia could be part of the final offer from New Delhi. Trump needs to be convinced of a deal that he can hard sell as a victory to his base. The best case scenario for India would be to get a deal of some sort now, and then build on that in the future negotiations that could run into 2026. For Trump, another growing consideration could be the fact that higher tariffs are making it nearly certain that American households will pay higher prices for the everyday goods that are made overseas and imported into the US. Inflation is a looming reality. A Yale estimate from July 23 found that the tariffs will result in as much as $2,700 in 'lost annual income' per household, though the taxes collected would potentially help narrow the long-running federal deficit. The tariffs that have kicked in so far are bringing in some money into the US Treasury, with tariff revenue pegged at $27.2 billion in June and $22.8 billion in May, according to the Treasury Department's monthly statements, a sharp increase from earlier years. Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
Ranthambore To Tadoba: 7 Tiger Reserves That Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
A tiger doesn't roar for the crowd. It roars for the forest. When the morning mist rises over an Indian jungle and the call of a langur slices through the silence, you know you're not in a regular tourist spot. You're in wild India. And if you're still thinking tiger reserves are all the same — packed jeeps, busy gates, and Instagram reels of a faraway stripe — let us take you deeper. The real magic begins when the roads end, when alarm calls guide your way better than Google Maps, and when silence speaks louder than camera shutters. Most people rush to Jim Corbett and say they've done it. But tiger country isn't a checklist. It's a feeling. A whisper in the tall grass. A set of eyes watching you from behind the sal trees. Let's walk into the seven wildest corners of India, where tigers rule and the jungle never performs — it simply exists. What makes India's tiger reserves different from zoos or safaris abroad? It's not just the animals. It's the atmosphere. Here, the forest isn't curated. It's alive. Sunlight breaks through canopy. Peacocks scream at dusk. Dust sticks to your skin. You don't just see nature — you live inside it. Every reserve has its rhythm, its language, its silence. And no two are ever the same. Unlike fenced parks elsewhere, India's reserves breathe. They hold ancient stories in their soil. Some even have temples, tribal settlements, and old legends wrapped in vines. This isn't tourism. It's tracking life in its most real form. Tired of Jim Corbett? These tiger reserves are waiting to be discovered. 1. Ranthambore – Where Ruins and the Wild Coexist Imagine a tiger walking past a crumbling fort wall. That's Ranthambore. Located in Rajasthan, it's where history and wilderness blur. Early morning safaris take you past lakes where crocodiles bask and sambar deer wade. Tigers here are bold. Curious. Sometimes posing on fort steps as if they own the place. Spoiler: they do. 2. Tadoba – Maharashtra's Fiercest Secret Unlike the polished reserves of Madhya Pradesh, Tadoba is raw and real. The jungle here hums with energy. Sightings are frequent. So are goosebumps. It's not just about tigers. It's about the sound of wind in the bamboo. The slow crunch of leaves under paw. The occasional sloth bear or leopard slipping through your peripheral vision. This is tiger country, unfiltered. 3. Bandhavgarh – Where Tigers Rule the Throne With one of the highest tiger densities in India, Bandhavgarh is both royal and rugged. The jungle is dense. The hills steep. But the rewards? Epic. Spot a tigress playing with her cubs. Hear a chital warning call echo across valleys. Climb to the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort and feel like you're standing on a watchtower of the wild. 4. Kanha – The Inspiration Behind Mowgli's Jungle Book Think meadows. Think sal forests. Think gentle fog floating over a sunlit swamp. Kanha, in Madhya Pradesh, feels like a fairy tale — until a massive tiger crosses your path. This is where you slow down. Watch barasingha herds grazing. Follow pugmarks. And realize Rudyard Kipling wasn't imagining things. He was just describing Kanha. 5. Pench – Where Forests Speak in Shadows Often skipped for its more famous cousins, Pench is peaceful and poetic. Here, safari is not just for sightings. It's for scent. For the dance of dappled light. For quiet moments. Leopards lurk. Owls hoot. Tigers tread softly. Every curve of the trail feels like a new chapter in a story still being written. 6. Satpura – The Offbeat Jungle You Didn't Know You Needed No crowds. No chaos. Just calm. Satpura, in central India, allows walking safaris, canoeing, and a more intimate forest experience. You may not see a tiger every time, but you'll feel the pulse of the forest — in bird calls, termite mounds, and the occasional rustle that stops your breath mid-sentence. 7. Sundarbans – The Realm of the Swimming Tiger Forget trails. Here, the jungle floats. Sundarbans in West Bengal is a mangrove maze where tigers swim between islands. Silent boats take you through muddy creeks where salt and freshwater meet. You may not see the tiger. But you'll feel its presence. In every bend. Every branch. Every breath. Why visit tiger reserves? Isn't it just about luck? That's the point. Wildlife doesn't guarantee a show. And that's what makes it special. You learn patience. You learn silence. You learn how to observe — not consume. Tiger safaris aren't just for spotting stripes. They're for unlearning everything fast travel taught you. Practical Tips: How to Track the Wild Like a Pro Choose the right seasonOctober to June is ideal. Summers offer better sightings. Winters bring beauty. Book core zonesBuffer zones are scenic, but core zones have higher chances of sightings. Dress earthyAvoid flashy colors. Forests prefer greens, browns, and calmness. Stay silentTigers don't like noise. Neither does the jungle. Speak only when necessary. Go with local guidesThey know the calls, the trails, the patterns. Trust them more than any app. The economy of the wild: why your visit matters Every time you stay at a homestay near a reserve or hire a local guide, you help. You help reduce poaching by showing that tigers are worth more alive than hunted. You support conservation. You fund forest protection. And you remind the forest that people still care. So what's stopping you? An early morning wake-up? A bumpy ride through mud trails? Good. That's where the stories are. Because while others scroll through reels of tiger sightings, you could be there — heart racing, eyes locked, breathing the same forest air as the king of the jungle. Final Thought Don't just visit a tiger reserve. Let the jungle change you. The next time your soul craves a wild adventure, skip the mall and the mountain resort. Head to the forest. Let your silence speak to the trees. Let your footprints write respect in the soil. Because the tiger doesn't chase fame. It chases stillness. And waits to see who dares to follow.
Mint
28 minutes ago
- Mint
Delhi HC issues notice to Microsoft over suspension of services to Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy
The Delhi high court has issued a notice to US tech giant Microsoft Corp. on a plea filed by Nayara Energy Ltd, seeking an interim injunction and the immediate restoration of services critical to its operations. A bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav admitted the Russian oil major Rosneft-backed firm's petition and directed Microsoft to respond. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on 30 July. 'Upon the petitioner taking necessary steps, let notice be issued to the respondent through all permissible modes, returnable on 30.07.2025,' the court said in its 28 July order, a copy of which was reviewed by Mint. Nayara Energy has accused Microsoft of unilaterally halting access to its licensed digital tools, data, and proprietary services despite no legal compulsion under the US or Indian laws to do so. The company argued that Microsoft's move against Nayara was based solely on the European Union's (EU) sanctions announced on 18 July. 'This decision, based solely on Microsoft's interpretation of EU sanctions, sets a dangerous precedent for corporate overreach and raises serious concerns regarding its implications on India's energy ecosystem,' Nayara had said in a statement. The company added that the sanctions were imposed exclusively by the EU, and therefore should not warrant service disruption by a US-headquartered corporation. Nayara noted that it holds fully paid-up licences for Microsoft products and services, and that the sudden withdrawal is jeopardizing business continuity and access to essential infrastructure. On 18 July, the EU imposed a new set of sanctions targeting Russian interests, including an Indian entity—Nayara Energy—for the first time. The sanctions are part of the EU's continuing efforts to exert economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine. As per the directive, Nayara is barred from exporting refined petroleum products to Europe, and the action could also affect its engagements with European businesses. Following the sanctions, Nayara called the EU's actions 'baseless, unilateral, and a violation of international law'. It had announced that it is actively exploring legal remedies against the EU sanctions while simultaneously seeking judicial protection within India. Nayara Energy, formerly known as Essar Oil, operates a 20-million-tonne-per-annum oil refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat, and manages a network of around 6,800 fuel retail outlets across India. The company accounts for approximately 8% of India's total refining capacity and 7% of its retail fuel distribution. Rosneft and Kesani Enterprises—a consortium of international investors including Italy's Mareterra and Russia's United Capital Partners—together hold a 49.13% stake in Nayara. Despite foreign ownership, the company maintains that it is governed by Indian law and operates as a fully Indian entity. Meanwhile, India's crude oil imports from Russia surged in May to a ten‑month high of about 1.96 million barrels per day, driven by steep discounts compared to global benchmark prices, showed ship‑tracking data from Kpler. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India—historically reliant on Middle Eastern supplies—has increasingly turned to Russian crude due to economic advantages. According to a Reuters report, imports rose slightly to about 1.75 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, with private refiners Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy accounting for nearly half of those purchases.
