Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

    France’s Macron holds bilateral talks with India’s Modi to boost economic and strategic ties

    NEW DELHI (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened in Mumbai on Tuesday for comprehensive bilateral discussions focused on enhancing economic and strategic cooperation. The high-level meeting emphasized the growing significance of the Indo-French alliance as both nations navigate evolving global dynamics and geopolitical realignments.

    The partnership, which has expanded across multiple sectors including defense, trade, technology, and energy, positions France as one of India’s most dependable European allies. During a joint press briefing, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the boundless nature of the India-France relationship, stating, “In today’s era of uncertainties, this partnership is a force for global stability and progress.”

    The leaders virtually inaugurated a final assembly line for H125 helicopter production, a collaborative venture between India’s Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. Located in Karnataka, this facility represents India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant.

    President Macron characterized the Franco-Indian relationship as entering an “acceleration phase” in response to international changes, noting their “special global strategic partnership” that brings new ambitions to bilateral ties. He identified space exploration, nuclear energy, rare earth minerals, aeronautics, and high-speed rail as priority sectors for collaboration while advocating for a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union.

    The discussions extended to global security concerns, with Macron urging India to collaborate on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and inviting Modi to June’s G7 summit in Evian. Macron specifically called for “an immediate and lasting moratorium on strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure” while acknowledging the challenges in achieving a ceasefire.

    Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in both Western Asia and Eastern Europe, though he avoided direct reference to Ukraine.

    The economic dimension of the partnership has shown substantial growth, with bilateral trade exceeding $15 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2025, making France India’s third-largest EU trading partner. French investments in Indian manufacturing, energy, defense, and infrastructure have deepened steadily.

    Defense cooperation remains central to the relationship, evidenced by last week’s preliminary approval from an Indian government panel for a $40 billion military equipment purchase that includes 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. This acquisition supports India’s strategic priority of maintaining air power amid persistent security challenges along its borders with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and China. India already operates two Rafale squadrons and recently purchased 26 marine variants for its navy.

  • At least 14 killed in spate of attacks in northwest Pakistan

    At least 14 killed in spate of attacks in northwest Pakistan

    A series of coordinated violent incidents across northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 14 people confirmed dead and 25 others wounded in multiple attacks on Monday. According to security officials speaking anonymously, the assaults included two separate bomb explosions and an intense firefight between police and militants.

    The deadliest incident occurred in Bajaur’s tribal district, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle against the wall of a religious college. This attack claimed the lives of eight security personnel from the police and Frontier Corps units stationed inside the seminary, while ten others sustained injuries. The blast’s impact caused structural damage to nearby residences, resulting in the tragic death of a child when roofs collapsed.

    Simultaneously, in the town of Bannu, a concealed explosive device planted within a rickshaw detonated outside the Miryan police station, killing two civilians and injuring 17 others. In a separate development in Shangla district, three police officers and three militants were killed during a targeted counter-terrorism operation.

    Pakistan’s security forces are currently confronting escalating insurgency movements across southern and northern regions bordering Afghanistan. This recent violence follows a major suicide bombing earlier this month claimed by Daesh (Islamic State), which killed 31 worshippers at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force issued an official statement connecting the slain militants from the Shangla operation to previous attacks targeting Chinese nationals. This revelation highlights ongoing security challenges surrounding China’s substantial investments in Pakistan, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative—a crucial component of Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure project.

    Chinese citizens and projects have frequently been targeted by militant groups, including a March 2025 suicide bombing that killed five Chinese workers traveling along the Karakoram Highway. The police statement emphasized that the proximity of these attack zones to the Silk Road route presents persistent threats to strategic corridors and Chinese development projects, prompting intensified counter-terrorism operations across the region.

  • ‘My Ramesh’: Wife of late royal photographer says everyone knew him by name

    ‘My Ramesh’: Wife of late royal photographer says everyone knew him by name

    The United Arab Emirates mourns the passing of Ramesh Shukla, the renowned royal photographer whose iconic images chronicled the nation’s remarkable journey from its formative years to global prominence. Shukla, who passed away on February 14, 2026, left behind a visual legacy that has become embedded in the nation’s collective memory, with his work appearing on postage stamps, currency notes, and in prestigious collections throughout the country.

    In an emotional tribute, Tarulatta Shukla, his wife of 61 years, shared intimate details of their life together, revealing the extraordinary dedication behind his celebrated career. “Everybody knew him by name—my Ramesh,” she stated, emphasizing how her husband was not just a photographer to the royals but a beloved figure who belonged to the people he documented.

    The couple’s journey began with profound challenges when they arrived in the UAE in 1970. With limited resources and no proper equipment, they demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by converting their living space into a makeshift darkroom. “We used plates (thalis) that we ate in to develop pictures since no other equipment was available,” Tarulatta recalled during an interview with Khaleej Times.

    Without a stopwatch or proper darkroom facilities, Shukla taught his wife the intricate art of photography development. “He almost made me a professional developer,” she noted, explaining how they would cover their single room with curtains and carefully calculate development times based on sunlight conditions and weather patterns.

    Shukla’s access to the highest levels of UAE leadership was earned through decades of trust and dedication rather than formal status. His wife recounted how he frequently traveled with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and how “even very famous people knew him by his first name,” eliminating the need for special permissions.

    The octogenarian photographer remained active until his final days, driven by his passion for capturing the essence of Emirati life. His work now enjoys permanent exhibition at the Etihad Museum, representing the pinnacle of his artistic journey.

    Tarulatta also expressed admiration for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s photography, noting that true photography demands “the struggle behind the lens and the immense patience it demands”—qualities she witnessed firsthand throughout her six decades alongside her husband.

  • Look: From Pakistan to Gaza, how Muslims are preparing for Ramadan around the world

    Look: From Pakistan to Gaza, how Muslims are preparing for Ramadan around the world

    As the holy month of Ramadan approaches in February 2026, Muslim communities worldwide are engaged in profound spiritual and practical preparations. From the bustling markets of Pakistan to the resilient neighborhoods of Gaza, diverse traditions are unfolding in anticipation of Islam’s most sacred period.

    In Pakistan, vibrant marketplaces are witnessing unprecedented activity as families stock up on essential supplies. Specialized Ramadan markets are emerging with traditional foods, decorative items, and religious materials, creating a festive atmosphere despite economic challenges. Community kitchens are being organized to ensure food security for all economic backgrounds during the month of fasting.

    The Gaza Strip demonstrates remarkable resilience as residents prepare under difficult circumstances. Community organizations are coordinating pre-Radaman food distribution programs and arranging collective iftar meals. Spiritual lectures and Quran study circles are being organized in makeshift venues, emphasizing the month’s spiritual significance beyond physical deprivation.

    Across Southeast Asia, distinctive cultural traditions are emerging with elaborate night markets and special charitable initiatives. Mosques from Indonesia to Malaysia are undergoing thorough cleaning and maintenance, while religious authorities are coordinating moon-sighting committees to determine the exact start of the holy month.

    European and North American Muslim communities are preparing through interfaith dialogues and public education initiatives. Mosques are organizing open houses and distributing informational materials to foster greater understanding among non-Muslim neighbors. Digital platforms are being leveraged to create virtual preparation guides and spiritual development programs.

    The global Muslim ummah is demonstrating extraordinary unity in diversity, with each region contributing unique cultural elements while maintaining the universal principles of Ramadan – spiritual reflection, communal solidarity, and heightened devotion.

  • Gallop into Chinese New Year in Yantai

    Gallop into Chinese New Year in Yantai

    As the Year of the Horse commenced, the coastal city of Yantai in Shandong province extended a unique invitation to experience Chinese New Year through its rich cultural tapestry. The city’s celebrations showcase an extraordinary blend of traditional craftsmanship and coastal charm, offering visitors an immersive journey into China’s cultural heritage.

    Yantai’s festivities feature meticulously preserved handicrafts that have been passed down through generations, alongside vibrant folk art performances that capture the spirit of the lunar new year. The city’s picturesque coastal location adds a distinctive maritime dimension to the traditional celebrations, creating a unique fusion of land and sea cultural elements.

    The local tourism authorities have curated special experiences allowing visitors to engage with time-honored traditions while enjoying the natural beauty of this eastern Chinese coastal destination. The celebration theme incorporates horse symbolism throughout its events, drawing on the animal’s cultural significance in Chinese mythology as a bearer of good fortune, strength, and perseverance.

    This cultural showcase forms part of Yantai’s broader initiative to preserve intangible cultural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism development. The city’s approach demonstrates how traditional celebrations can evolve while maintaining their authentic cultural core, offering both domestic and international visitors a genuine experience of Chinese New Year traditions within a contemporary coastal setting.

  • China unfazed as US rallies global critical minerals bloc

    China unfazed as US rallies global critical minerals bloc

    The United States is spearheading an ambitious international initiative to establish a 55-country critical minerals alliance, aiming to coordinate global supply chains and pricing mechanisms for metals essential to technology and defense sectors. This strategic move, championed by the Trump administration, seeks to diminish Western reliance on Chinese-dominated supply networks while addressing perceived vulnerabilities in national security frameworks.

    During his address at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated a compelling vision for allied cooperation in securing rare earths and strategic minerals. He criticized post-Cold War economic policies that led to what he termed a “dangerous delusion” of inevitable global liberalization, arguing that unfettered trade practices enabled certain nations to undermine Western industries through subsidized competition.

    “We embraced what was new and glamorous while outsourcing what seemed old and unfashionable,” Rubio stated, emphasizing how this approach resulted in deindustrialization, job losses, and transfer of critical supply chain control to geopolitical rivals.

    The administration’s concrete actions include the February 4 Critical Minerals Ministerial conference, where representatives from 54 countries and the European Commission convened in Washington. This gathering culminated in new bilateral frameworks, memorandums of understanding, and the launch of FORGE (Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement)—a coordination platform for allied policy and investment.

    President Trump subsequently announced Project Vault, an EXIM Bank-led initiative backed by a $10 billion direct loan to establish domestic mineral reserves and shield manufacturers from supply disruptions.

    China, controlling approximately 60% of global niche metals production and over 90% of processing capacity, responded with measured confidence. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian advocated for “an open, inclusive international trade environment beneficial to all,” opposing exclusive blocs that disrupt global economic order.

    Chinese analysts highlight structural advantages that may impede US efforts: China’s dominance in complex separation technologies, possession of nearly half the world’s rare-earth patents, and deeply integrated manufacturing ecosystems. Market realities suggest many alliance participants, including Argentina and South Korea, appear reluctant to fully sacrifice Chinese market access despite political alignment with US initiatives.

    Industry experts estimate achieving supply chain independence would require Western nations to overcome significant technological and economic hurdles spanning 10-20 years of development.

  • PLA conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea

    PLA conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea

    The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command has executed comprehensive combat readiness patrols in the South China Sea, demonstrating heightened military preparedness in the strategically vital waterway. The operations, conducted from Sunday through Monday, involved coordinated naval and air force deployments across the maritime region.

    Military spokesperson Zhai Shichen addressed the escalating regional dynamics, stating that recent Philippine collaborations with external nations have precipitated the need for enhanced defensive measures. “The Philippines’ coordination with extra-regional powers to conduct so-called ‘joint patrols’ has substantially destabilized the South China Sea’s security environment,” Zhai stated during Tuesday’s briefing.

    The theater command’s announcement emphasized China’s unwavering commitment to protecting territorial integrity and maritime interests through these proactive defense initiatives. Military authorities affirmed their continued vigilance in maintaining regional stability while safeguarding national sovereignty according to established international norms and domestic legal frameworks.

    The patrols represent the latest development in ongoing regional security discussions, occurring amid complex geopolitical negotiations concerning maritime boundaries and navigation rights. China maintains that these operations constitute legitimate exercises of national defense prerogatives within internationally recognized frameworks.

  • India seizes three Iran-linked US-sanctioned tankers, source says

    India seizes three Iran-linked US-sanctioned tankers, source says

    In a significant maritime enforcement operation, Indian authorities have confiscated three oil tankers with connections to Iran that were under U.S. sanctions. The seizures occurred this month as part of New Delhi’s intensified surveillance campaign to combat illicit trade activities within its exclusive economic zone.

    According to a source with direct knowledge of the matter, the vessels—identified as Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star, and Al Jafzia—were intercepted approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai following detection of suspicious operations. These tankers had reportedly employed frequent identity alterations to evade detection by coastal states’ law enforcement agencies.

    The enforcement action aligns with strengthened U.S.-India relations, coming shortly after Washington’s announcement reducing import tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%. This tariff reduction followed India’s agreement to cease Russian oil imports, signaling deepening bilateral cooperation.

    Iranian state media has contested the tankers’ affiliations, with the National Iranian Oil Company asserting that neither the vessels nor their cargoes had any connection to the company. Despite this denial, LSEG data indicates that two of the three tankers maintain Iranian links, with Al Jafzia having transported fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025 and Stellar Ruby registered under the Iranian flag.

    The Indian Coast Guard has significantly bolstered its surveillance capabilities, deploying approximately 55 ships and 10-12 aircraft for continuous monitoring of maritime zones. This enhanced vigilance aims to prevent ship-to-ship transfers that obscure oil cargo origins—a common method used to circumvent international sanctions.

    The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control had previously sanctioned vessels with identical IMO numbers to those captured by India, highlighting the global dimension of enforcement efforts against sanctioned oil trade. Such prohibited petroleum products typically trade at substantial discounts due to the complex ownership structures, falsified documentation, and mid-sea transfer operations that complicate regulatory enforcement.

  • Iran, United States set for new talks in Geneva; Trump to be involved indirectly

    Iran, United States set for new talks in Geneva; Trump to be involved indirectly

    Geneva is set to host a critical new round of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran on Tuesday, mediated by Omani officials in an effort to de-escalate rising tensions and avert potential military conflict. The talks resume against a backdrop of heightened saber-rattling, with former President Donald Trump warning Tehran of severe consequences should the discussions fail to yield an agreement.

    The diplomatic engagement, which follows preliminary meetings in Muscat, marks a significant attempt to bridge differences over Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei expressed measured optimism, noting that Washington’s stance had shifted towards a “more realistic” approach regarding nuclear issues, according to state-run IRNA news agency.

    While en route to the negotiations, Trump indicated his indirect involvement, stating, “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal.” His comments came alongside increased military deployments to the region, including the positioning of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier approximately 700 kilometers from Iranian shores and the dispatch of a second carrier group.

    The previous diplomatic effort collapsed dramatically in June when Israel launched surprise strikes against Iranian targets, triggering a brief but intense 12-day conflict that saw limited U.S. military participation against nuclear facilities.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi in Geneva to coordinate positions ahead of the main talks. Araghchi emphasized Tehran’s “seriousness in using result-oriented diplomacy” to secure Iranian interests while preserving regional stability. Simultaneously, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps commenced military exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, preparing for “potential security and military threats.”

    The negotiations face fundamental disagreements over their scope, with Iran insisting discussions be limited exclusively to nuclear matters and sanctions relief, while Washington has historically pushed for inclusion of Tehran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional armed groups.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for a peaceful resolution, noting that the administration prefers “negotiated outcomes.” Iranian officials indicated potential flexibility on uranium stockpiles if Washington demonstrates sincerity through sanctions relief, with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi telling the BBC that compromises were possible with genuine American cooperation.

    The talks will also involve International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi, who is scheduled for technical discussions with Iranian officials regarding nuclear monitoring and verification protocols.

  • Why faithful flock to Manila’s Golden Mosque, built for Gaddafi 50 years ago

    Why faithful flock to Manila’s Golden Mosque, built for Gaddafi 50 years ago

    In the bustling heart of Manila’s Quiapo district, the Golden Mosque stands as the Philippines’ largest Islamic place of worship outside Mindanao. This iconic structure, which becomes the focal point for Ramadan celebrations in the capital, carries a history far younger than most assume—marking just half a century since its construction.

    The mosque’s origins trace back to a pivotal diplomatic mission in November 1976 when former First Lady Imelda Marcos visited Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Her husband, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., sought Libya’s assistance in negotiating peace with the Moro National Liberation Front. The subsequent Tripoli Agreement granted limited autonomy to Muslim Mindanao, and during discussions, Gaddafi inquired about prayer facilities should he visit Manila.

    This query triggered an ambitious building spree. Imelda Marcos, renowned for her architectural projects, commissioned four mosques simultaneously: the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, the Blue Mosque in Taguig City, one within Malacañang Palace grounds, and another in Marcos’ hometown of Paoay. Remarkably, construction of the Golden Mosque concluded within just 40 days through the concerted efforts of local Muslim residents, many of whom still reside in the community.

    The mosque’s distinctive gold-colored dome pays homage to the brass cannons forged by Muslim blacksmith Pira that defended Manila against Spanish colonizers in the 1570s. Spanning 2,000 square meters on a 3,000-square-meter property, the complex houses Hadji Ali Alawi’s Arabic School and a Quranic institution for young students.

    Historical context reveals the significance of this Islamic revival. After Spanish conquest in the 16th century transformed Manila into a Catholic stronghold, no major mosques remained in what was once a Muslim-ruled kingdom. Historian Hadji Ali Alawi notes that Manila’s original mosque likely stood where the Roman Catholic Cathedral now resides, evidenced by Quranic inscriptions within the Christian structure.

    Today, only the Golden and Blue mosques remain operational—the Malacañang mosque was converted to a library after the Marcos regime fell, while the status of the Paoay mosque remains uncertain. Despite Gaddafi never making his anticipated visit, the Golden Mosque endures as a vibrant center for Manila’s Muslim community, surrounded by thriving markets and residences that maintain Quiapo’s dynamic character.