India and China eye resumption of border trade
Past trade between the neighbours across the icy and high-altitude Himalayan border passes was usually small in volume, but any resumption is significant for its symbolism.
The two major economic powers have long competed for strategic influence across South Asia.
However, the two countries, caught in global trade and geopolitical turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's tariff regime, have moved to mend ties.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected for talks in New Delhi on Monday (Aug 11), according to Indian media, after his counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Beijing in July.
That, as well as agreements to resume direct flights and issue tourist visas, has been seen as an effort to rebuild a relationship damaged after a deadly 2020 border clash between troops.
"For a long time, China-India border trade cooperation has played an important role in improving the lives of people living along the border," China's foreign ministry said in a statement sent to AFP on Thursday.
It said the two sides have "reached a consensus on cross-border exchanges and cooperation, including resumption of border trade".
New Delhi's junior foreign minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told parliament last week that "India has engaged with the Chinese side to facilitate the resumption of border trade".
No restart date was given by either side.
- 'Transitions and challenges' -
Successive US administrations have seen India as a longstanding ally with like-minded interests when it comes to China.
India is part of the Quad security alliance with the United States, as well as Australia and Japan.
However, ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump's ultimatum for India to end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine.
The United States will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers.
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Thursday that the partnership between New Delhi and Washington had "weathered several transitions and challenges".
Jaiswal said India hoped that the "relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests".
He said India "stands ready" to support the efforts to end the Ukraine war and endorses the summit to be held between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media, might also visit China in late August. It would be Modi's first visit since 2018, although it has not been confirmed officially.
Beijing has said that "China welcomes Prime Minister Modi" for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit opening on August 31. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
US aid cuts to Ukraine raise risk of waste and fraud, say watchdogs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -USAID is concerned that the Trump administration's cancellation of independent aid monitoring contracts for Ukraine has increased the risk of waste, fraud and abuse, according to three U.S. watchdog agencies. "The termination of third-party monitoring contracts has further limited USAID's ability to oversee programs," the State Department, Pentagon and USAID inspectors general said in a report issued on Thursday. The U.S. Agency for International Development was the main U.S. agency that administered civilian foreign aid for more than 60 years. It is being dismantled by the Trump administration and is scheduled to be closed on September 2. The three inspectors general submit quarterly reports to Congress on their oversight of U.S. civilian support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. In January, President Donald Trump froze all U.S. foreign assistance programs pending a review of their alignment with his "America First" policies, and ordered the dismantling of USAID, which stopped disbursing funds in July. As part of this decision, billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency oversaw the termination of 83 percent of USAID programs, including some that supported Ukraine. The watchdogs' report said that USAID managed $30.2 billion in direct support for the Ukrainian government's budget, and provided a guarantee that secured a $20 billion loan for Kyiv. It said that in the three months ending June 31, 25 civilian aid programs for Ukraine were terminated, while 29 active programs, five under stop-work orders and four of unknown status were transferred to the State Department. The terminated programs included contracts with third parties that provided independent tracking of USAID funds to ensure that they were spent as intended and that helped "inform both current and future decision-making," it said. "USAID said that without independent monitoring, it cannot verify that programs are being implemented in line with award terms, increasing the risk of waste, fraud and abuse," the report said. This is especially true in conflict-affected areas "where there is a heightened potential for diversion of funds," it warned. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; editing by Clelia Oziel)
Malaysian Reserve
an hour ago
- Malaysian Reserve
FAIR Investigative Report: Federal Takeover of DC Police Presents Opportunity to Dismantle Unlawful Sanctuary Policies and Align with National Immigration Priorities
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) released a new investigative report examining the immigration enforcement implications of President Donald Trump's August 11, 2025 executive order federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) amid D.C.'s escalating crime crisis. The report argues that this bold federal intervention provides a pivotal chance for D.C. police and prosecutors to comply with federal immigration mandates, override the District's unlawful sanctuary policies, and prioritize the deportation of criminal illegal aliens — restoring public safety in the nation's capital. 'President Trump's decisive action to federalize MPD is a game-changer for immigration enforcement in D.C., where sanctuary policies have long shielded illegal aliens from accountability and turned our capital into a haven for criminals,' said Dale Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of FAIR. 'Our report exposes how these policies violate federal supremacy and outlines clear steps for MPD and prosecutors to align with national priorities, ensuring that no one gets a free pass based on immigration status.' Key findings and recommendations from the report include: D.C.'s Sanctuary Policies Are Unlawful: The report analyzes how D.C.'s restrictions on cooperating with federal immigration authorities — such as bans on immigration status inquiries and honoring ICE detainers — conflict with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and are preempted under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. The report also discusses how these policies exceed the District's authority under the Home Rule Act. Opportunities for MPD Under Federal Control: The report examines how President Trump has unequivocal authority under the D.C. Home Rule Act to direct a federalized MPD to bypass the District's unlawful sanctuary policies. In light of this, the report recommends that MPD implement routine immigration status checks during arrests, work with other D.C. agencies to honor ICE detainers, and report non-citizen arrestees to ICE. Prosecutors Must Reject 'Immigration Neutral' Practices: The report critiques endorsements by prominent D.C. figures of reforms favoring leniency for criminal aliens and urges even-handed prosecutions that don't advantage alien defendants at the expense of U.S. citizens. The report recommends that the U.S. Attorney for D.C. and the D.C. Attorney General adopt policies prohibiting immigration-based leniency, pursue maximum charges to trigger federal jurisdiction, coordinate with ICE as they handle cases, and track prosecution outcomes for alien defendants. 'Sanctuary policies in D.C. not only endanger residents but also undermine America's sovereignty,' said Mateo Forero, FAIR's director of investigations. 'We will continue to monitor developments in the District and will expand our investigation where appropriate — including through possible public records requests to hold government stakeholders accountable.' CONTACT: Ira Mehlman, 1-213-700-0407, imehlman@
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Residents find new troop deployment 'ridiculous'
OUTSIDE the busiest train station in Washington, newly deployed National Guard troops wearing camouflage lean on a huge military Humvee. Wary residents and curious tourists stop to take photos, while inside the elegant Union Station a string trio plays What a Wonderful World. Christian Calhoun, a 26-year-old consultant who was born and raised in the United States capital, said seeing the troops made him "more than disappointed — I'm furious." "It's a lot of standing around," he added. Declaring that Washington is overrun by crime and plagued by homeless people, President Donald Trump has deployed 800 National Guard troops, as well as ordering a federal takeover of the city's police department. Over more than an hour on Thursday afternoon, the most that the handful of troops at Union Station interacted with the public was to let a French tourist take a selfie with them. Larry Janezich, an 81-year-old resident, said he had not seen the troops taking part in "any kind of meaningful action that is dedicated to the prevention of crime". Patricia Darby, a 65-year-old retiree, said the troops "don't want to be here", pointing to how some had their faces covered. Calhoun said he does "feel bad" for them as they wore heavy combat gear as temperatures soared above 33°C. On his Truth Social platform, Trump this week described Washington as "under siege from thugs and killers", with higher crime rates than "many of the most violent Third World Countries". Residents rejected the apocalyptic image. "It's ridiculous, and it really just shows how (Trump) sees the people that live here," said Calhoun. "It's totally false, and obviously promulgated on his media to justify an unwarranted exercise of federal power," said Janezich. Gerry Cosgrove, a 62-year-old tourist from the Scottish city of Edinburgh only in Washington for two days, had a simple response when asked about Trump's portrayal of the city: "To quote a phrase: fake news." Trump has also ordered homeless people to "move out" of Washington. "Where are they going to go?" Darby asked, after fetching a bottle of water for a homeless person in the heat. Randy Kindle, who volunteers with a protest group in a tent outside Union Station, said he was afraid that homeless people could now end up in confinement or jail "when all they need is help". Guadalupe, a homeless man in his late 70s originally from Mexico, said the troops had asked him to move on Wednesday night. "They have no manners," he said in Spanish. "I almost felt sick" during the interaction, he added. Calhoun said he had mostly seen the troops outside train stations, adding that he noticed they had "a lot of focus on cannabis use". Washington legalised cannabis use on private property in 2015, however it is still prohibited under federal law. Several residents also raised the cost of deploying the troops in their city. "It's a waste of money — I think DC was safe," Darby said.
