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Tuesday, March 31, 2026
TopicSoutheast Asia

Topic: Southeast Asia

Wealth nears $99 trillion, still Asia’s rich don’t have succession plans

Much of this wealth is tied to founder-led businesses that employ millions and help anchor regional economies.

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.

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.

Why defusing Myanmar requires more than Western sanctions

Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours should act & find ways to support country's resilient protesters, help civil society, and keep the population connected to the outside world.

On Camera

How West Asia crisis can play out for PM Modi and BJP in Assembly polls

While the Russia-Ukraine war saw the BJP projecting PM Modi as a ‘vishwaguru’ who could end international conflicts, the party has made a nuanced shift in its electoral strategy vis-à-vis the West Asia war.

Foreign investors dump record $12 bn India stocks in March on war

Soaring energy costs have hurt oil-importing Asian peers, but the scale of outflows from India points to already bearish global sentiment.

India developing lethal autonomous weapon systems, database of citizens’ crime risk—House Panel report

Report on impact of AI emergence—drawing upon depositions from several ministries—confirms that the developments come in the absence of AI laws or considerations over them.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.