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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Gill’s Unbeaten Ton Guides India to Tense Victory Over Bangladesh

Shasi Kumar
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Gill’s Unbeaten Ton Guides India to Tense Victory Over Bangladesh

Dubai, UAE – In-form Shubman Gill delivered a match-winning performance with an unbeaten 101, steering India to a nervy six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener in Dubai.

Chasing a tricky 229 on a difficult pitch, India rode on Gill’s second successive ODI century to seal the win with 21 balls to spare. The victory reinforced India’s status as title favorites, with all their matches in the tournament being played in Dubai International Cricket Stadium due to their refusal to tour host nation Pakistan amid ongoing political tensions.

Shami’s Five-Wicket Haul Wrecks Bangladesh

Pace spearhead Mohammed Shami set the stage for India’s win, delivering a devastating opening spell to reduce Bangladesh to 35-5 before they recovered to post 228 all out after electing to bat first. Shami finished with 5-53, claiming his sixth five-wicket haul in ODIs.

Bangladesh’s innings was rescued by Towhid Hridoy, who struck his maiden ODI century (100 off 118 balls), and Jaker Ali (68). The pair stitched together a crucial 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket after a horror start, capitalizing on sloppy Indian fielding, including two dropped catches.

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India’s Shubman Gill smashes a six during the match against Bangladesh. Photo: Altaf Qadri/AP

India’s Chase: Gill Anchors After Early Jolts

India began their chase confidently with Rohit Sharma and Gill striking regular boundaries. Rohit became only the 10th batsman—and fourth Indian—to surpass 11,000 ODI runs before falling for 41 to Taskin Ahmed.

The crowd erupted as Virat Kohli walked in, but he took 10 balls to get off the mark and was eventually dismissed for 22, miscuing a shot off Rishad Hossain. A flurry of wickets followed as Axar Patel (12) and Shreyas Iyer (8) also departed, leaving India at 144-4.

Gill, however, remained composed, forming a match-winning 87-run unbeaten stand with *KL Rahul (41)**. Rahul was given an early reprieve when Jaker Ali dropped him at deep mid-wicket, and India never looked back. Gill reached his eighth ODI century, sealing the win in style.

Shami Steps Up in Bumrah’s Absence

With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, Shami stepped up as India’s bowling leader. He struck in the first over, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for a duck, before Axar Patel’s double strike left Bangladesh reeling at 28-3.

Despite India’s early dominance, missed chances allowed Bangladesh to rebuild. Rohit Sharma dropped a crucial catch at first slip, denying Axar a hat-trick, while Hardik Pandya also put down a sitter at mid-off.

Jaker and Towhid capitalized on these errors, frustrating India’s bowlers. However, Shami returned to dismiss Jaker, and Towhid’s 118-ball effort, which included six fours and two sixes, ended as Bangladesh were bowled out for 228.

Post-Match Reactions

India captain Rohit Sharma admitted his team felt the pressure at times.
“Yes, we were under a bit of pressure with the bat, but in games like this, that’s expected. Shubman showed great composure and took us over the line.”

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged his team’s poor start cost them the game.
“Losing five wickets inside 10 overs made it very hard to recover. We also made mistakes in the field with dropped catches and missed runouts. Those moments could have changed the game.”

What’s Next?

India’s next match is a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, a game expected to draw massive global viewership. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Monday, hoping to bounce back after their opening loss.

SOURCE : DT AND NEWS AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Arab leaders to meet in Saudi over Gaza reconstruction, forced displacement concerns

Diplomat Times
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Arab leaders to meet in Saudi over Gaza reconstruction, forced displacement concerns

 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia will host an Arab summit on Friday, bringing together Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, Egypt, and Jordan to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza and counter US President Donald Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from the war-torn enclave.

Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan will meet in the Saudi capital to address the situation in Gaza.

The meeting aims to present a unified Arab response to Trump’s controversial proposal to displace Palestinians forcibly, diplomatic sources told EFE.

Taiwan reports biggest Chinese warplane incursion in 3 months

Diplomat Times
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Taiwan reports biggest Chinese warplane incursion in 3 months

Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s defense ministry reported Wednesday the highest number of Chinese aircraft incursions in the past three months, a few days after the United States State Department removed a text from its website in which it said it did not support the island’s independence.

In its latest daily report, the military portfolio said 33 aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers and helicopters, crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, eastern and southwestern region of the self-proclaimed Taiwanese Air Defense Identification Zone.

The number of incursions is the highest since Nov. 4, when 37 Chinese warplanes crossed the Strait dividing line and entered the zone.

“The Armed Forces of (Taiwan) have monitored the situation and used mission aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities,” the defense ministry said.

This came after the US State Department’s website update, a decision criticized by Beijing, who consider the island to be an inalienable part of China.

“They must stop manipulating issues related to China and play a constructive role towards peace and development in the region,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun on Monday, who also urged the US to “correct its mistakes,” to “stop interfering in China’s internal affairs” and “not send wrong signals to the separatist forces that advocate Taiwanese ‘independence.’”

The island is one of the main points of friction between China and the US, since Washington is Taipei’s main arms supplier and would be its biggest military ally in the event of a war with Beijing. 

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Turkey’s Deception in Peacemaking with the Kurds: A Strategy to Prolong Conflict and Manipulate Public Perception

Elis Hadi
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Turkey’s Deception in Peacemaking with the Kurds: A Strategy to Prolong Conflict and Manipulate Public Perception

Exclusive – Approximately thirty million Kurds reside in the Middle East, mainly in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, where they make up nearly one-fifth of the country’s seventy-nine million people.

Founded by Abdullah Öcalan in 1978, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has led an insurgency against Turkish authorities since 1984, seeking greater cultural and political rights, with the primary goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state. The conflict has claimed nearly forty thousand lives.

How Peace Can’t Be Made?

An essential goal of pre-negotiations is ensuring that all parties are genuinely committed to the peace process. Critical elements in this phase include:

  • Logistics, including the location of talks
  • Security arrangements for each party
  • Representation from both sides
  • A clear timeframe for each stage of negotiations
  • The role and responsibilities of third-party states
  • Managing the final stage before signing to prevent failure

Turkey has consistently failed to commit to the last two essential requirements of peacemaking. It often complicates negotiations with unrealistic demands and involves actors with no direct stake in the conflict. For instance, Turkey has misused legal Kurdish political parties, fabricating excuses to shut them down later. It has also manipulated Iraqi Kurdish parties, which align more with Turkey’s interests than those of Kurdish people within Turkey.

Despite engaging in direct negotiations with the PKK, Turkey continues to label the group as a terrorist organization, even when incidents attributed to the PKK were in fact orchestrated by Turkish military and intelligence operations to frame them. This allows Turkey to use terrorism as a delegitimization tool against the PKK, falsely portraying it as rejecting peace while Turkey itself manufactures excuses to terminate the peace process.

How to Create Obstacles to the Peace Process?

Turkey frequently accuses the United States and other NATO allies of supporting the PKK against Turkey. It claims that the Kurds are “separatists” seeking to dismantle Turkey by establishing an independent Kurdish state. Furthermore, Turkey portrays the Kurds as terrorists fighting a NATO member, arguing that NATO must side with Turkey against them. Given that Kurds live across four regional countries, Turkey alleges that external support for Kurdish rights is a direct attack on its sovereignty. To justify ending the peace process, Turkey often fabricates incidents through false-flag operations, providing pretexts to abandon negotiations.

How to Manipulate the International Community and Media?

Turkey has paid and volunteer allies within international media and diplomatic platforms who are activated whenever the Turkish government signals them. These individuals or entities propagate narratives favoring Turkey while undermining the Kurdish cause.

The most recent peace talks began informally in October 2024, involving several meetings between the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Island Prison. However, Turkey then diverted the process by engaging with the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government, which has well-known pro-Turkey policies and has even participated alongside Turkish forces in armed operations against the PKK.

On February 18, 2025, Turkish authorities arrested 282 individuals affiliated with the DEM Party or connected to the peace process. This move exposed Turkey’s unwillingness to sign a peace agreement with the Kurds, demonstrating once again that Turkey prioritizes sustaining conflict over achieving a lasting resolution.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Gunmen Kill Seven Bus Passengers in Ethnic Attack in Balochistan

Diplomat Times
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Gunmen Kill Seven Bus Passengers in Ethnic Attack in Balochistan

Balochistan, Pakistan – Unidentified gunmen killed seven passengers traveling in a bus from Quetta to Lahore, targeting them based on their ethnicity, police reported on Wednesday. The attack occurred in the restive Barkhan district along the National Highway.

According to authorities, militants stopped the bus in the Rarkan area, forcibly removed the passengers after checking their identity cards, and led them to a nearby hill where they were executed.

RELATED NEWS : Explosion in Pakistan’s Balochistan kills 11 coal miners, injures 7, with 2 in critical condition

“Armed men stopped the passenger bus on the national highway in the dark and shot dead seven passengers after identifying them,” Rizwan Ullah, a police official at the Barkhan police headquarters, told EFE.

He further stated that the victims, all hailing from Punjab province, were shot in the chest and head. Security forces arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area, while the bodies were transferred to the district hospital.

In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Those who harm the lives and property of innocent citizens will have to pay a heavy price,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism from the country.

Rising Ethnic Attacks in Balochistan

Balochistan has witnessed an escalation of ethnic attacks in recent years, with Baloch insurgents frequently targeting laborers and civilians from Punjab. The insurgents accuse the federal government of exploiting the province’s natural resources while marginalizing its local population.

Last year, militants carried out multiple attacks targeting non-Baloch civilians. In May, seven barbers from Punjab were shot dead near Gwadar, while in August, 23 travelers were offloaded from buses and executed in the Musakhail district.

Security forces in Balochistan have long battled sectarian, ethnic, and separatist violence. The province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, has been a hotbed for insurgency and militancy, with attacks sharply increasing in recent years.

A Pattern of Escalating Violence

The latest attack follows a disturbing pattern of growing militancy in the region. Last year, separatist militants killed at least 39 people in coordinated strikes, predominantly targeting ethnic Punjabis. In November, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for a bombing at Quetta’s main railway station, which left 26 dead, including 14 soldiers.

In addition to ethnic attacks, insurgents have frequently targeted infrastructure and foreign investment projects, particularly those linked to China, accusing external actors of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral wealth while sidelining local communities.

With tensions in Balochistan rising, security forces remain on high alert as the government vows to intensify operations against insurgents. However, experts warn that without addressing the underlying grievances of Baloch nationalists, such violence is likely to persist.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Türkey is the Ideal Host for Potential Russia-Ukraine-US Talks : Erdogan

Diplomat Times
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Türkey is the Ideal Host for Potential Russia-Ukraine-US Talks : Erdogan

Istanbul, Türkiye – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to host potential high-level negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, emphasizing the urgent need to end the war that has caused immense destruction and loss of innocent lives.

RELATED NEWS : US and Russia Agree to Normalize Relations, Launch Talks to End Ukraine War

Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Erdogan stressed that Türkiye remains committed to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, calling it a “sine qua non” for Ankara.

“The war, which has led to countless innocent deaths and immense destruction, must end now,” Erdogan declared. “For a just peace to be possible, powerful nations must take a clear stance in favor of peace.”

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 8, 2024. Photo: AP/Francisco Seco

Türkiye’s Role in Peace Efforts

Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s past mediation efforts, recalling the direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul in March 2022. “As a result of our engagements with both parties, we launched the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” he said. “Over the last three years, we have pursued diplomatic initiatives at all levels, working sincerely to be a reliable mediator for both sides—and we have achieved concrete results.”

The Turkish leader emphasized that peace has no losers and that the world is now eagerly anticipating an end to the war. “This is why we championed the establishment of the grain corridor,” he noted. “We initially saw positive outcomes, with 30,000 tons of grain transported, but unfortunately, we could not ensure its continuation after Moscow withdrew from the deal in July 2023, citing restrictions on Russian grain exports.”

Erdogan also expressed his gratitude to Zelenskyy for Ukraine’s efforts in providing grain to Syria. “The grain Ukraine sent to us, we processed into flour in our mills and delivered to Syria. This brought great relief to the Syrian people, and I thank Ukraine on their behalf. It was a humanitarian and moral obligation,” he said.

He further welcomed the diplomatic initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump to accelerate negotiations and end the war, stating that it aligns with Türkiye’s mediation efforts over the past three years.

US-Russia Talks and Türkiye’s Strategic Position

Earlier in the day, Russian and U.S. delegations met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first high-level talks since the war began in February 2022. The meeting resulted in an agreement to continue discussions on ending the war and improving bilateral ties.

Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s role as a bridge between the warring sides. “We believe that an arrangement ensuring the safety of commercial navigation in the Black Sea will be an important confidence-building measure on the path to peace,” he said.

Strengthening Türkiye-Ukraine Ties

Beyond the ongoing conflict, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Ukraine. “Despite the challenges posed by the war, we remain dedicated to achieving our bilateral trade target of $10 billion,” he stated.

He also emphasized Türkiye’s willingness to assist in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. “Turkish companies stand ready to support Ukraine in rebuilding its infrastructure. I sincerely believe that once peace is restored, our relations will reach even greater heights,” Erdogan added.

Expressing solidarity with Ukraine’s Crimean Tatar community, Erdogan commended Zelenskyy’s efforts to protect their rights. “I deeply appreciate the courageous steps taken by my dear friend Zelenskyy in support of our Crimean Tatar compatriots who continue to fight for Ukraine’s territorial integrity,” he said, expressing hope for further progress on the issue.

As Türkiye positions itself as a key facilitator in ending the war, Erdogan’s remarks underscore Ankara’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict.

SOURCE : AAA/APNEWS|  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

US and Russia Agree to Normalize Relations, Launch Talks to End Ukraine War

Diplomat Times
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US and Russia Agree to Normalize Relations, Launch Talks to End Ukraine War

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed on Tuesday to restore diplomatic relations and establish high-level negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marks a significant step in diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict.

According to a statement from U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, the two diplomats pledged to “lay the groundwork for future cooperation on mutual geopolitical interests and economic opportunities that will arise from a successful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”

RELATED NEWS : Hungarian Foreign Minister Criticizes Paris Summit, Claims Attendees Oppose Peace in Ukraine

“President Donald Trump is committed to ending the violence. The United States seeks peace and is leveraging its global influence to bring nations together,” Bruce stated. “President Trump is the only leader capable of securing an agreement between Ukraine and Russia.”

As part of the agreement, Washington and Moscow will establish a consultation mechanism to resolve bilateral tensions and facilitate the normalization of diplomatic operations. Additionally, both sides will form high-level teams tasked with drafting a roadmap to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.

The Riyadh talks followed a phone call last week between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which both leaders underscored the urgent need to bring the conflict to a close.

“One phone call and one meeting alone cannot establish lasting peace,” Bruce said. “Today, however, we took an important step forward.”

The Trump administration has also emphasized that Ukraine must provide compensation—potentially through rare earth exports and other strategic assets—for the billions of dollars in military and financial aid it has received from Washington since Russia’s invasion began.

This diplomatic breakthrough signals a potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations and raises hopes for a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the end of a joint news conference following their meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 8, 2024. Photo : AP/Francisco Seco

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy statement about this meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking during a visit to Turkey, reacted to the U.S.-Russia talks by suggesting that Moscow was reviving the ultimatums it had previously issued during early peace negotiations following its full-scale invasion.

“I get the sense that some negotiations are taking place now with the same tone—only this time between Russia and the United States,” Zelenskyy said at the Ukrainian embassy in Ankara.

“Once again, discussions about Ukraine are happening without Ukraine,” he added. “If we refused to surrender to ultimatums during the most difficult times, what makes anyone think we would agree to them now?”

“I have never intended to yield to Russia’s ultimatums, and I do not intend to now,” Zelenskyy asserted.

SOURCE : EFE.|  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Hungarian Foreign Minister Criticizes Paris Summit, Claims Attendees Oppose Peace in Ukraine

Diplomat Times
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Hungarian Foreign Minister Criticizes Paris Summit, Claims Attendees Oppose Peace in Ukraine

ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has sharply criticized the international summit taking place in Paris on Monday, claiming it brings together nations that have continuously fueled the war in Ukraine and are working to prevent a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Speaking at a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, Szijjártó emphasized that Hungary has consistently upheld its pro-peace stance on Ukraine, standing as the lone voice advocating for diplomacy within both the European Union and the broader Western community. He stressed that ending the war is a shared interest for both Hungary and Kazakhstan, as its repercussions have negatively impacted both countries.

RELATED NEWS : Ukraine Demands ‘Security Guarantees’ as Trump Pushes for End to Ukraine-Russia Conflict

He further noted that, in recent years, Hungary has worked to maintain open channels of communication between the West and Russia—a position that has placed the country at the center of attacks from the EU’s mainstream. “We were labeled as Russian propagandists and spies simply because we advocated a diplomatic solution, maintained open communication channels, and openly stated that this war could not be resolved on the battlefield,” he stated. Expressing hope that U.S.–Russia negotiations will yield results, Szijjártó underscored the need for peace to prevail as soon as possible.

However, the Hungarian foreign minister warned that pro-war Western leaders will actively seek to derail the peace talks. “They are gathering in Paris today—those who have been fueling the flames of war for the past three years. These pro-war nations, whose misguided strategies have repeatedly heightened the risk of escalation, are now convening,” he said. He further asserted: “Today in Paris, pro-war, anti-Trump, and frustrated European leaders are coming together with the clear intention of obstructing a peace agreement in Ukraine.”

Szijjártó also argued that the Paris summit, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a direct response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed efforts to facilitate peace between the West and Russia. He claimed that the gathering of major European leaders and EU officials aims to sideline Trump from an eventual Ukraine settlement.

The Hungarian minister reiterated his country’s belief that dialogue and diplomatic negotiations must always remain open, despite criticism from European and American officials. “Both our countries have suffered and have been harmed, and it is in our mutual interest that the war ends as soon as possible and a peace agreement is reached,” he stressed.

SOURCE : EFE.|  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube 

Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Kills at Least 18, Including 14 Women

Shasi Kumar
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Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Kills at Least 18, Including 14 Women

NEW DELHI, India — A tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station late Saturday night left at least 18 people dead, including 14 women, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Many of the victims were Hindu pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, northern India, said Delhi’s caretaker chief minister, Atishi.

The stampede occurred when thousands of passengers crowded the railway station, waiting to board their trains. Authorities said the chaos erupted after some passengers slipped and fell while descending from a footbridge connecting the platforms, triggering a chain reaction.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion. Sheela Devi, who came to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital to collect her daughter-in-law’s body, said an announcement about a platform change led to chaos among travelers. “The crowd went out of control, and no one could manage it,” said Nikhil Kumar, a shopkeeper who witnessed the surge.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating he was “distressed by the stampede.” He added, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all necessary assistance.”

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Passengers jostle with each other to board a train at the New Delhi Railway station, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb.15, 2025. Photo : AP

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the tragedy.

The incident comes just weeks after a separate stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, underscoring concerns over crowd control at major religious and public gatherings in India.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

South Korean and U.S. top diplomats meet in Munich to discuss alliance and Trump tariffs

Diplomat Times
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South Korean and U.S. top diplomats meet in Munich to discuss alliance and Trump tariffs

MUNICH/SEOUL – The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States held their first one-on-one meeting Saturday since the inauguration of the second Donald Trump administration, with discussions centered on the bilateral alliance, North Korea, and the U.S.’s latest tariff policies.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, as Seoul seeks to navigate its relationship with the new Trump administration, which has introduced bold tariff policies while maintaining an ambiguous stance on North Korea.

RELATED NEWS : Trump Hosts Modi at the White House, Pledges Stronger U.S.-India Trade, but Warns of Higher Tariffs

The meeting also came at a critical time for South Korea, which has been working to sustain diplomatic stability following the shocking martial law attempt by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in December last year.

Trump’s recent announcement of plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, along with potential new tariffs on vehicles and semiconductors, has raised concerns that South Korea could become the next target. In anticipation, South Korea’s foreign ministry had earlier stated that “bilateral economic cooperation” would be a key topic in the discussions, alongside North Korea’s nuclear issue and trilateral security cooperation with Japan.

Upon his arrival in Munich on Friday (local time), Cho emphasized his intent to explore solutions with Rubio regarding the Trump administration’s planned and potential tariffs on South Korea. He also highlighted strategic cooperation in key industries such as shipbuilding, atomic energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.

Cho reiterated South Korea’s commitment to the alliance, emphasizing how the country’s contributions align with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” vision. The meeting was also expected to reaffirm Washington’s commitment to deterring North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

A significant point of discussion was the U.S. approach to North Korea’s denuclearization under Trump’s second term, ensuring that both allies remain aligned on this critical security issue. The topic has gained renewed attention after Trump and his officials recently referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power,” sparking debate in Seoul over whether Washington might be shifting toward recognizing Pyongyang as a nuclear-armed state. However, Trump later reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the “complete denuclearization of North Korea” during a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Following the bilateral talks, Cho was scheduled to participate in a trilateral meeting alongside Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The three officials were expected to emphasize the importance of strengthening and advancing trilateral security cooperation.

Cho’s three-day visit to Munich also marked his first overseas diplomatic engagement since the turmoil surrounding the martial law attempt in South Korea. His participation in high-level meetings underscores Seoul’s commitment to maintaining strong alliances amid shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes.

SOURCE : YONHAP/DT |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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