During a meeting in Tianjin, China, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to resolving border disputes and enhancing cooperation. Modi’s visit, his first since 2020 border clashes, occurred within the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Both leaders emphasized the importance of peaceful borders for bilateral relations and expressed a desire to avoid allowing the border issue to overshadow their overall relationship. They agreed to focus on economic development and strategic autonomy, with further discussions and increased visits planned to ease trade and travel restrictions.
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Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along their disputed border escalated for a second day, resulting in multiple fatalities and the evacuation of over 135,000 civilians. The conflict, rooted in long-standing tensions over the partially French-demarcated border and archaeologically significant sites, saw both sides exchanging fire, including heavy weaponry and artillery. Thailand’s military, which possesses a significant advantage over Cambodia, initiated F-16 jets and bombed military targets in Cambodia after initiating firing. The United States and China have called for de-escalation.
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China has expressed concern over escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia following airstrikes launched by Thailand against Cambodian forces along their disputed border. Both countries, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, blame each other for initiating the clashes, which have resulted in casualties and prompted diplomatic responses. These recent hostilities, involving air power and heavy artillery, are likely to further exacerbate existing tensions rooted in long-standing border disputes. China, maintaining positive relations with both nations, has urged them to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker