Israel-Hamas war upends China’s ambitions
Washington, Oct 15: In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted the Palestinian president in Beijing and invited the Israeli prime minister for an official state visit. Benjamin Netanyahu accepted, and China was on track for a bigger role in the region. Then came the Hamas attack against Israel, which has made Netanyahu’s late October trip uncertain and put Beijing’s Middle East approach to the test. China’s stated neutrality on the war has upset Israel, but Beijing may gain in the long run by forging closer ties with Arab countries, experts said. “For a while at least, Beijing’s Middle East policy is paralysed by the war,” said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Beijing-based Renmin University of China. “The US, which strongly supports Israel, is directly or indirectly involved. Who is there to listen to China?” That hasn’t stopped China from trying to be heard. Its Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun, talked to Palestinian and Egyptian officials by phone this past week, calling for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people. (AP)
Pak forces clash with militants,
kill 6 of them
Peshawar, Oct 15: Pakistani security forces killed six militants and wounded eight others in a shootout during an overnight raid in the country’s northwest, the military said Sunday. Security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Mir Ali area of the North Waziristan District when they exchanged fire with militants, the military said. One soldier also died and troops recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants’ hideout. North Waziristan had served for decades as a safe haven for militants until the military carried out a major operation after an attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014 killed more than 150 people, mostly schoolchildren. After the yearslong operation, the army announced it had cleared the region of local and foreign militants. Occasional attacks have continued, however, raising concerns that the local Taliban, known as Tehrik -e-Taliban Pakistan, found sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are regrouping in the area. (AP)
Jaishankar unveils Tagore’s bust in Vietnam
Hanoi, Oct 15: India and Vietnam share profound historical connections dating back almost 2,000 years which are rooted in Buddhism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday as he inaugurated a bust of Nobel Laureate writer-poet Rabindranath Tagore in Bac Ninh city. Jaishankar extended his gratitude to the leadership of Bac Ninh province, which lies to the east of Hanoi, for their support for installing Tagore’s bust. “India and Vietnam have profound historical connections dating back almost 2,000 years, which are rooted in the legacy of Buddhism. Bac Ninh province is also a part of this ancient tradition. Historical records validate Indian monks played a significant role in introducing Buddhism to Vietnam,” he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony. Jaishankar, who arrived in the country on a four-day official visit, said he felt happy to know that Tagore’s works are recognised, read and appreciated throughout Vietnam. (PTI)