scorecardresearch
Thursday, August 14, 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

Trump is swinging on Russia again. What this means for Europe’s security architecture

The dynamics between Europe and Russia have gone so south that mending fences looks like an uphill task—even as the US swings between sanctions and olive branches.

Slashing GST on waste can unlock Rs 1.8 lakh crore, high tax hurting circular economy goals—CSE

Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.

2 Agniveers awarded Sena Medal for gallantry in Op Sindoor, a first since Agnipath launch

This marks the first time that Agniveers have received gallantry awards. They are the Army's short-term recruits under the Agnipath scheme.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.