<h1>US President credits South Asian leaders with preventing nuclear escalation amid regional tensions</h1> The US President stated that leaders from two South Asian nations ended a recent conflict that could have escalated to nuclear war, following a meeting with a Pakistani military official. Chinese and Russian leaders condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and called for immediate ceasefire. An Indian minister discussed trade partnerships during a UK visit, where a bilateral free trade agreement was finalized. The UK reported a 23% increase in Indian-owned businesses. A large methane gas reserve was discovered in western Nepal. A former Maldivian president rejoined his previous political party. Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected petitions regarding judicial transfers and the country secured a $1 billion financing facility. Israeli-Iranian tensions escalated with missile exchanges causing casualties.