Global Ties

Campaigners fear deeper diplomatic contacts are undermining demands for improvements in human rights The Taliban in Afghanistan have launched a diplomatic effort to end their isolation as major regional and international powers show a readiness to engage more closely with the repressive regime despite its systematic human rights abuses.Five years after the Taliban took power, an increasing number of countries are renewing ties or scaling up diplomatic contacts with the hardline Islamists, who seized power in Kabul in 2021 after 20 years of brutal insurgent warfare. Continue reading...

• Military hostilities have renewed in the Gulf region, with escalating strikes overshadowing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. • Both opposing sides are continuing a cycle of retaliation, with neither party showing a willingness to reduce tensions or lower the temperature. • This escalation is critical because it brings the region closer to an all-out war that could threaten both regional and global security.

• Intensified hostilities in Ukraine and surrounding areas are devastating civilians and threatening global food security, according to senior UN officials. • The conflict has led to a 20 per cent spike in wheat prices since the start of July, as well as attacks on third-party merchant vessels. • UN officials warned the Security Council about the impact of these hostilities, citing the imperiled global food security as a major concern.

• Renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz are threatening to disrupt one of the world's most critical maritime supply chain arteries. • The instability risks increasing costs for fuel, transportation, and agricultural inputs, which could trigger a broader global inflationary shock. • Energy- and food-importing economies, particularly developing nations that spend large portions of national income on essentials, are expected to be most severely impacted.

• Indian equities edged higher on July 16, 2026, as investors balanced domestic growth against various global economic risks. • Key international developments include the Bank of Korea raising interest rates for the first time in 3.5 years to combat inflation and TSMC anticipating record Q2 profits fueled by AI chip demand. • In Singapore, AirTrunk is preparing for a US$1.5 billion REIT IPO scheduled for later this year.

• Asian equities declined, with the South Korean Kospi leading the drop due to renewed selling pressure on semiconductor shares. • Crude oil prices continued to rise, driven by the impact of fresh military strikes in the Middle East. • Government bonds in Australia and New Zealand opened higher following the release of recent US inflation data.

• External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar unveiled India's campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), promoting a "Shanti" vision for global peace and security. • Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to an equitable world order and its role as a development partner, highlighting active Indian-funded projects across 79 countries. • The initiative aims to amplify the priorities and concerns of the Global South while advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve ongoing global conflicts.