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Friday, July 18, 2025
TopicSoutheast Asia

Topic: Southeast Asia

Willing to take lead in signing Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty, says China

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China is ready to stay in communication with ASEAN countries on the matter.

China is seeking closer ties with Southeast Asia. It’s not just a response to Trump

A closer reading of Chinese discourse reveals a sanitised narrative. While the economic and diplomatic themes are amplified, contentious issues—like the South China Sea—are absent.

Xi Jinping set to visit Southeast Asia to strengthen ties with neighbours amid trade war with US

The Chinese President will visit Vietnam from 14-15 April, and Malaysia and Cambodia from 15-18 April, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.

India ranks low in strategic relevance in Southeast Asia, China edges out US, finds Singapore institute

New Delhi has been actively pushing Act East policy. A majority don't consider it as strategically influential power for ASEAN in 2024, finds Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

IMEC — bridge between East and West, as well as India’s queen’s gambit against China

India, via IMEC, looks to create new route to Europe to access gas in Eastern Mediterranean & provide Southeast Asian countries an alternative partner to China to access Atlantic Ocean.

Religion key to national identity in Sri Lanka & Southeast Asia, finds Pew Survey

Survey done last year by US think tank shows a majority of Buddhists in Cambodia, Sri Lanka & Thailand & Muslims in Malaysia & Indonesia believe religion is vital for national identity.

Modi govt’s ASEAN push: India to open embassy in Timor-Leste, PM hails ‘Asian century’ at summit

At ASEAN-India Summit, PM says grouping is central pillar of India’s Act East Policy. Peace, security, & prosperity in Indo-Pacific is beneficial to all, he says at East Asian Summit

Southeast Asia witnesses surge in Indian tourists as China’s reopening falters

From airlines like IndiGo and Thai Airways to hospitality chains offering thousands of rooms, companies are tapping into India’s burgeoning middle-class and growing spending power.

TikTok plans to invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia over next few yrs, says CEO Shou Zi

At an event held in Indonesia, Chew said that TikTok's content is becoming more diversified and 2 million small vendors are selling their wares on its platform.

Past FTAs ‘very tough’ on India, have discomfort with ‘old mantras’ of globalisation: Jaishankar

Jaishankar said the Modi government is ‘prudent’ on FTAs, adds that trade partners need to have ‘strategic convergences’ and ‘business comforts’ now.

On Camera

India’s solar ambition needs financial vision – ISA must move from commitments to execution

The ISA should champion a Global Solar Asset Registry for standardised project information, and establish a Solar Credit Guarantee mechanism to mitigate political and currency risks.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

3 top ULFA-I leaders ‘killed’ in Myanmar, Indian Army denies role as insurgent group alleges involvement

The banned group claimed their leaders & cadres were killed in ‘drone strikes’ by the Indian Army. Guwahati Defence PRO denies any such operation.

RSS chief Bhagwat draws the line at 75. India’s politics stares at the Modi Exception

BJP has no dynastic succession, at least not at the top. You can trace this back to Vajpayee-Advani era. This act of spotting, empowering younger talent is even more striking with the choice of BJP presidents.