International news: China tried to increase tension with Taiwan, Fearing a major agreement between India and Britain being postponed
Possibility of postponing FTA between India and Britain
Political analysts and strategy experts have expressed confidence that whatever the outcome, there will be no significant change in bilateral relations between the two countries. The FTA agreement was expected to be done under the Conservative Party government led by Rishi SunSunak. Now, due to the announcement of general elections, there is a possibility of postponement for some time. Negotiations regarding the FTA between India and Britain started in January 2022, and its objective is to increase bilateral trade. At present, there is a trade of about 38 billion pounds per year between the two countries.
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In most of the pre-election surveys, Britain’s opposition Labor Party is ahead. Although the Labor Party has committed to finalizing the FTA agreement between India and Britain, nothing can be said about its time limit. Rahul Roy Chowdhury, senior fellow for South and Central Asia defence, strategy, and diplomacy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank in London, said that Rishi Sunak has surprised everyone by announcing elections on July 4.
Due to this, the possibility of the Conservative government finalizing the much-awaited FTA agreement with India has ended for some time. Dr. C. Vajpayee, Senior Research Fellow, South Asia, Indo-Pacific Program at Chatham House, a British think tank, said that whatever the outcome of the elections in Britain, there should be continuity in its relations with India.
China tried to increase tension through maneuvers
China has warned Taiwan of war on Friday. China said that it will continue to retaliate until Taiwan is fully integrated into China. On the second day of the war exercise, Chinese warships and fighter planes surrounded Taiwan and practiced. China’s army has started a two-day exercise on Thursday.
China started this exercise 3 days after Taiwan’s 8th President Lai Ching Te took office and delivered the inaugural address. China condemned Lai Ching Te’s inaugural speech. China’s Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said that Lai Ching Te has seriously challenged the One China principle. Taiwan has pushed our compatriots into a dangerous situation of war and danger. Every time Taiwan independence provokes us, we will take our countermeasures one step further.
Li Xi, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command, said they are testing the capability of joint seizure of power, joint attack and control of key areas. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it had detected the presence of 49 warplanes and 19 naval ships as well as a Chinese coast guard ship.
Was the helicopter of Iran’s President attacked?
The helicopter in which Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was traveling caught fire as soon as it crashed; there is no indication yet that the helicopter was attacked. Apart from President Raisi, six other people including Iran’s Foreign Minister were also killed in the accident last Sunday. A statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, which is investigating the accident, was broadcast on state television channels late Thursday night. In the first statement issued regarding the accident, no one has been held guilty, but it has been said that more information will be available after further investigation.
United Nations orders Israel to stop military operations
The top UN court has ordered Israel to stop its military operation in Rafah, a city south of Gaza. On which Israel says that it has every right to protect itself from the terrorists of Hamas and there is no possibility of Israel following this decision of the United Nations because for Israel, first of all its duty is to protect itself.
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