International & World News - 12 May 2025

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
—————————————

1. India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators will begin the next round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here from Monday, with an aim to conclude the first phase of the pact as early as possible. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment.

2. India is not giving any duty concessions on British wines and is providing only limited import duty benefits on UK beer under the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, announced on May 6. The other sensitive agricultural products where India will not offer any reduction in the import duty include dairy products, apple, cheese, oats, animals and vegetable oils under the agreement with the United Kingdom.

3. US President Donald Trump’s offer to help provide a “solution” to the “Kashmir issue”—coming just after the India-Pakistan ceasefire, reportedly brokered with American involvement—has triggered a flurry of reactions in Kashmir, reigniting the debate over whether the long-standing conflict has once again been internationalised.

4. Pakistan Welcomes Trump’s Offer To Mediate Kashmir Dispute, Says Islamabad Dedicated To ‘Promote Peace’.

5. Recent studies reveal that Ladakh is home to the highest density of snow leopards in the world. Approximately 68 percent of India’s snow leopard population resides in this Union Territory.

6. The Kartarpur Corridor, which allows Indian pilgrims to visit the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, was temporarily suspended, due to rising tensions and national security concerns linked to India’s targeted strikes on terror camps.

—————————————
WORLD NEWS
—————————————