标签： Asia

In a significant gesture of goodwill, more than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India crossed into eastern Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in the annual commemoration of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This marks the first people-to-people interaction between the two nations since a brief but intense conflict in May. The Wagah border crossing, which had been closed for months due to heightened tensions, was reopened by Pakistani authorities specifically to facilitate this pilgrimage. Government official Nasir Mushtaq emphasized that the decision to grant visas and reopen the border underscores Pakistan’s respect for religious minorities and its commitment to fostering cultural ties, despite ongoing political disputes with India. The pilgrims arrived in Lahore before proceeding to Nankana Sahib in Punjab, the site of Guru Nanak’s shrine. Sikhs constitute a small minority in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, making this event particularly noteworthy. The relationship between India and Pakistan has been fraught with hostility, especially after India accused Pakistan of supporting militants responsible for a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, which claimed 26 lives. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an international investigation. Following the incident, diplomatic relations deteriorated, border crossings were sealed, and both nations engaged in cross-border military strikes. The conflict was temporarily halted after U.S. President Donald Trump mediated a ceasefire, but full diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people ties remain unresolved.

Central Vietnam is grappling with the devastating aftermath of relentless torrential rains, which have claimed 40 lives and left six people missing. The catastrophic flooding has transformed streets into waterways, breached riverbanks, and submerged some of the nation’s most cherished historical landmarks. In a particularly severe 24-hour period, rainfall reached an unprecedented 1.7 meters (5 feet 6 inches), setting a national record. The provinces of Hue, Da Nang, Lam Dong, and Quang Tri have borne the brunt of the disaster. The region now faces an additional threat as Typhoon Kalmaegi, currently battering the Philippines, is expected to make landfall in Vietnam by Friday. With wind speeds potentially reaching 166 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour), the typhoon could exacerbate the already dire situation. The floods have destroyed over 10,000 hectares of crops, killed more than 68,000 livestock, and inundated nearly 80,000 homes. Remote areas remain cut off due to landslides, further complicating relief efforts. Vietnam, which typically experiences ten typhoons or tropical storms annually, is witnessing its 13th such event in 2025, underscoring the intensifying impact of climate change on extreme weather patterns.

As the United States is unlikely to have a significant presence at the COP30 United Nations climate change conference, China and the European Union are poised to take the lead in driving the agenda and outcomes of this critical global event. Scheduled for November 2025 in Belem, Brazil, COP30 will bring together nations to address pressing climate challenges. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, highlighted this shift in leadership during an exclusive interview with China Daily, emphasizing the pivotal roles China and the EU are expected to play. Andersen noted that both entities are not only supporting Brazil to ensure the conference’s success but are also spearheading transformative low-carbon investments in developing economies. These initiatives are anticipated to yield multilateral benefits, fostering sustainable development and global climate resilience. The absence of the US, a historically influential player in climate negotiations, underscores the evolving dynamics of international climate diplomacy, with China and the EU stepping up to fill the leadership vacuum.