Diplomatic Engagements and International Summits
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This visit marks his first to China in seven years since the Galwan clash. On the sidelines of the summit, which runs from August 31 to September 1, PM Modi is anticipated to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, during a two-day visit to Tokyo, India and Japan solidified their strategic partnership by signing 21 agreements. These agreements span various sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor development, digital technology, and economic security, aiming to boost innovation and fortify global supply chain resilience.
The Kremlin has also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to visit India in December 2025, with details expected to be finalized during the SCO summit.
Middle East Conflicts and Humanitarian Concerns
The conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with reports of intensified Israeli attacks on Gaza City. The Red Cross has warned that a safe evacuation of Gaza City's hundreds of thousands of residents would be impossible. The European Union remains divided on imposing sanctions on Israel, despite growing calls for action and reports of famine in Gaza by a UN-backed monitor, a finding rejected by Israel. Protests against Israel's siege of Gaza were also held on the sidelines of the Venice Film Festival.
The United States has revoked the visas of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials, preventing their attendance at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in New York. This decision comes as several US allies plan to recognize Palestine as a state.
Separately, the Houthi Prime Minister and other ministers were reported killed in an Israeli strike in Yemen's capital.
Global Legal and Political Developments
A US federal appeals court has ruled that most of former President Donald Trump's trade tariffs were illegal, citing that he exceeded his emergency powers. However, the tariffs will remain in place as the case is expected to head to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Ukraine, Russia has launched another massive drone and missile attack on cities, resulting in at least one fatality and dozens of injuries, including children, in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. Adding to the instability, former Ukrainian parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy was shot dead in the western city of Lviv.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand's cabinet appointed Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai as acting prime minister following a constitutional court ruling that terminated Paetongtarn Shinawatra's premiership.
The Trump administration is also advancing plans to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a prospect President Trump had raised earlier.