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Islamabad/Tripoli: Pakistan is intensifying efforts to strengthen defense ties with Libya, with Army Chief General Asim Munir playing a key role in facilitating discussions. According to the Pakistani military, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army, met General Munir in Rawalpindi on Monday. The meeting also included Libya’s Eastern Government Prime Minister Osama Sad Hammad, focusing on military cooperation and regional security. The visit comes weeks after a rumored $4 billion arms deal between the two countries was reportedly agreed upon, highlighting Islamabad’s push to expand its defense exports to Libya. Details of the DealThe deal, first negotiated during General Munir’s December visit to Benghazi, is said to involve Pakistan supplying Libya with:...

Moscow/New Delhi: India’s concerns over potential Chinese components in Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and S-400 air defense systems may soon be resolved. If Chinese chips were used in these platforms, there was a risk of cyber espionage, potentially allowing Beijing access to India’s sensitive military data. Russia has now announced plans to produce these critical microwave microchips domestically, eliminating this major security concern. Domestic Chip Production in RussiaThe Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, Denis Pasler, revealed that a Russian company has begun designing the country’s first factory for serial production of microwave microchips, expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The facility will produce around 2,000 silicon wafers annually, covering the entire technological c...

Washington/New Delhi: US President Donald Trump, who had maintained a tough stance on India for some time, suddenly announced a major trade deal with India on Monday. Under the agreement, US tariffs on Indian goods have been reduced from 50% to 18%, and Trump also publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Experts point to India’s recently signed trade deal with the European Union as a key factor behind Washington’s sudden shift. Canada-Based Expert Weighs InTrade analyst Jacques Shore noted in an interview that the India-EU deal likely created a sense of urgency within the Trump administration. He explained:"After India signed the deal with the EU, the United States may have felt the risk of being left behind. This likely compelled Washington to engage quickly with India on trade m...

Moscow/New Delhi: Russia has made it clear that it will not act as a mediator in disputes between India and Pakistan or Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Russian government emphasized that New Delhi and Islamabad should resolve their issues based on existing agreements, including the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration. Official Statement from RussiaIn response to questions regarding its role in easing regional tensions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia does not mediate between these countries. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified:"Russia does not act as a mediator between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. If any of these countries request assistance, we are ready to help resolve differences, but no such request is currently in place." Russia...

Washington/New Delhi: Following India’s landmark trade deal with the European Union, India has now secured a significant trade agreement with the United States. President Donald Trump announced the deal on social media, confirming a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. US Senator Praises DealRepublican Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised President Trump for successfully negotiating the agreement with India. He described the deal as an opportunity for the US to strengthen its strategic position against global rivals such as China and Russia, and suggested that it could also contribute to ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. On Twitter, Senator Risch wrote:"Congratulations to President Trump on this outstanding ac...

Washington/New Delhi: In a surprising turn, India and the United States have announced a landmark trade deal. President Donald Trump confirmed that the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, a move experts are hailing as a major diplomatic and economic victory for India. Experts Praise India’s Negotiation SkillsAccording to analysts, India successfully leveraged global circumstances and strategic pressure points to secure favorable terms. US journalist Sadanand Dhume tweeted, “India’s negotiation to remove punitive US tariffs and secure better rates than competitors like Vietnam and Bangladesh is a significant diplomatic and economic win for the Modi government. This also marks a strong start for Sergio Gorr’s tenure as India’s ambassador.” How Pressure Built on the ...

Rome/New Delhi: Growing political and security instability in Pakistan is raising serious concerns over the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). According to a report by Italy’s Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), the recent unrest in Pakistan threatens the progress of CPEC and has heightened Beijing’s anxiety over its multi-billion-dollar investments. Report Highlights Rising RisksThe ISPI report warns that if Chinese officials cannot travel safely within Pakistan, Beijing may be forced to reconsider its engagement in the region. The report notes that every new challenge faced by Islamabad now poses a potential risk to CPEC’s development and the billions of dollars China has invested in Pakistan. The report highlights that China’s ambitions to str...

Islamabad: Intense clashes are underway in Khuzdar, Balochistan, between Pakistani security forces and Baloch insurgents. Reports suggest that a large group of Baloch militants launched an attack on a major military installation in Khuzdar, a district considered strategically critical due to its military infrastructure and alleged deployment of Pakistan’s nuclear-capable missiles. Heavy Fighting in KhuzdarAccording to multiple sources, the confrontation in Khuzdar involves heavy exchanges of fire between the Baloch insurgents and Pakistani forces. Khuzdar hosts one of Pakistan’s largest military cantonments, making it a focal point in the ongoing unrest in the province. Social media accounts have highlighted the intensity of the fighting. One user, using the handle Open Angle, tweete...

The recently signed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has triggered concerns in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as it promises to significantly reshape the European market for South Asian exports. Immediate Reactions Bangladesh’s interim government advisor, Mohammad Yunus, has urged the EU to expedite trade agreements with Dhaka. He met with the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, and Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, to discuss the implications of the new deal. Meanwhile, Pakistani trade experts have warned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government that delays in securing European trade deals could severely impact the country’s textile industry. What Changes for Pakistan and Bangladesh? Under decades-long arrangements, Pakistan and Bangladesh...

Kabul: The Taliban administration has welcomed India’s decision to increase development assistance for Afghanistan in the Union Budget 2026–27, describing it as a sign of improving ties between the two countries. In the latest budget, India raised its allocation for Afghanistan from ₹100 crore to ₹150 crore — an increase of ₹50 crore over the previous year. The funding will be routed through India’s Ministry of External Affairs as part of its overseas development assistance. Analysts say the move is expected to provide much-needed support to the landlocked country, which continues to face economic and humanitarian challenges. According to reports, Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Qatar and a senior Taliban leader, praised the decision in remarks to WION. He said the increa...