Ongoing Shelling Between Thailand and Cambodia Over a Temple Dispute

It seems like 2025 is turning out to be a year of wars. In just the first 7 months, the world has witnessed three major conflicts.

First, a war broke out between India and Pakistan, followed by a conflict between Israel and Iran, and now tensions have erupted into a full-fledged battle between Thailand and Cambodia.

Since Thursday morning, the armed forces of Thailand and Cambodia have been launching heavy attacks on each other. Cambodia fired rockets into Thailand's border areas, to which Thailand’s air force responded with airstrikes on Cambodian military bases.

This conflict is happening along the northern Cambodia–Thailand border, especially affecting Thailand’s Surin and Sisaket provinces. At the root of this battle is a dispute linked to religion and heritage — specifically, a centuries-old Hindu temple.

⚔️ Why Are They Fighting?

At the center of this conflict is the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, which has become the cause of war between Cambodia and Thailand. The temple was originally built by Khmer King Suryavarman in the 11th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva.

However, over time, the temple has transformed from a place of faith into a symbol of nationalism, politics, and military power.

🔥 How Did the War Start?

The immediate trigger came on Thursday morning when a Cambodian drone was spotted over Thai territory.

• Around 7:30 a.m., Thai troops noticed a Cambodian military drone flying over the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin.
• Shortly after, six armed Cambodian soldiers, equipped with grenade launchers, were seen near a Thai military base.
• A heated argument broke out between the troops of both nations.
• By 8:30 a.m., Cambodian soldiers opened gunfire on the Thai military base.
• Around 9 a.m., Cambodia allegedly attacked the Ta Muen Chom Temple in Thailand.

This escalation injured several Thai soldiers, prompting Thailand to retaliate with large-scale attacks. In response, Cambodia targeted not only temples in Surin but also the Don Tuan temple in Sisaket province.

Thailand claims Cambodian forces are deliberately targeting temples and civilian areas.

 Cambodia's Counterclaim

Cambodia, however, blames Thailand for initiating the attack. It argues that Thailand started the aggression, while Thailand insists that Cambodia launched rocket and artillery attacks inside its territory first. In retaliation, Thailand used F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian military installations.

🛕 What Is the Real Reason for War?

The real cause is the Preah Vihear Temple, located at the border of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Sisaket province.

• In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia.
• However, the surrounding 4.6 square kilometers of land is still contested by both nations.
• Thailand claims the land belongs to it, while Cambodia insists it’s part of their territory.

🗺️ How Did the Dispute Begin?

The roots of the dispute trace back to 1907, when France (then a colonial power ruling Cambodia) drew a map showing the temple within Cambodian territory. Thailand never fully accepted this map.

In 2008, tensions escalated when Cambodia listed the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which Thailand strongly opposed. From 2008 to 2011, several violent clashes occurred, resulting in numerous casualties.

🇨🇳 China's Role in the Thailand-Cambodia Conflict?

Cambodia reportedly doesn’t even possess modern fighter jets, raising questions about how it will withstand Thailand’s airstrikes.

If the war continues to intensify, China may play a crucial role. While China maintains good relations with both countries, its economic partnership with Thailand is deeper.

China has also sold weapons to Thailand, which could influence how this regional conflict evolves.

India-UK Sign Biggest Ever Free Trade Agreement (FTA): What's Getting Cheaper for You?

In a historic development, India and the United Kingdom have signed their largest-ever Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This deal is expected to boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion, offering significant benefits not just to traders but also to common citizens.

The FTA aims to double trade between the two economies to $120 billion by 2030. However, before coming into full effect, the agreement will need approval from the British Parliament, a process that may take up to a year.

🔁 Key Benefits for Both Nations

With the FTA signed, exports of leather, footwear, auto parts, seafood, toys, and textiles from India to the UK will become cheaper, benefiting UK consumers. Similarly, goods imported from the UK into India will also become more affordable, benefitting Indian buyers. These goods include:

• Alcoholic beverages (esp. Scotch whisky)
• Automobiles
• Industrial machinery
• Packaged foods
• Cosmetics
• Dairy, seafood, and more

✅ 99% of Indian Exports to Get Tariff Benefits

According to officials, 99% of Indian exports will receive tariff advantages, and UK companies will find it easier to export whisky, cars, and other products to India — enhancing overall trade between the two countries.

The FTA is being seen as a strategic support for Britain’s struggling economy, with PM Keir Starmer stating that the deal will:

• Boost wages
• Improve living standards
• Put more money in the hands of working people
• Create jobs and simplify trade procedures

This agreement comes at a time when global trade tensions are rising, including tariff wars initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. For the UK, this agreement holds immense strategic importance.

India's First Big FTA Post-Brexit

Britain has described this as its most important trade deal since Brexit. It is expected to generate jobs in the UK, especially in fields like engineering, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and technical trades.

🧾 Zero Tariffs on 99% of Goods

Under this FTA:

• 99% of goods and services exported from India will be duty-free
• UK exports to India, such as Scotch whisky and luxury cars, will also face significantly reduced tariffs

🔄 What Will Change for India?

🥃 Alcohol Industry:

India is the world’s largest buyer of Scotch whisky, with 192 million bottles imported in 2024. Reduced import duties may increase Scotch availability in India at lower prices.

👕 Textile Industry:

Earlier, the UK imposed a 12% tax on Indian textiles. Now, it will be zero. This boosts India's competitive edge over Bangladesh and Vietnam, potentially creating thousands of jobs.

👞 Leather & Footwear:

The UK previously levied 16% import duty on leather goods and footwear from India. That is now eliminated. Regions like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will benefit greatly.

💍 Jewelry, Furniture, and Sports Goods:

The UK earlier imposed 4% taxes on these Indian exports, now reduced to zero, helping artisans and small-scale industries.

🥫 Processed Foods:

The UK earlier had a 70% tariff on processed food from India. Now, 99.7% of such products will be duty-free, boosting demand for Indian snacks, packaged, and ready-to-eat foods.

🍤 Meat, Fish, Dairy, and More:

UK import duties of 10–20% on fish, meat, dairy, tea, coffee, spices, grains, and oils will now be removed — promoting Indian exports.

⚡ Plastics, Chemicals, Electronics:

Indian exports of plastics, chemicals, and electrical products to the UK will now attract no import duties.

🚫 China Doesn’t Have a Similar Deal

Unlike India, China does not have a free trade agreement with the UK. This provides India with a golden opportunity to export cheaper products to Britain, outcompeting China and other countries.

This will give a huge boost to Make in India, particularly to India’s textile sector which employs over 45 million people.

📈 Massive Trade Expansion Expected

In 2023–24, India-UK trade was worth ₹4.74 lakh crore (~$57 billion). After the FTA, this could rise to ₹10.33 lakh crore (~$125 billion) by 2030.

India's average tariff on UK goods will come down from 15% to 3%, making UK cars and goods cheaper in India. For example:

• Luxury cars like Range Rover, Mini Cooper, and Bentley may see import duties drop from 100% to just 10% under a quota system.

🌍 A Powerful Economic Alliance

India is now the world's fourth-largest economy, and the UK is the sixth-largest. This FTA marks a powerful collaboration between two global economic giants, unlocking opportunities for both sides across sectors like trade, jobs, technology, and manufacturing.