The US has come up with a new grouping called Squad, with the US, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines as its members

Quad and now the Squad: New power equations in the Indo-Pacific

This new bloc is vital for both the US and regional players, especially the Philippines which is not part of the original Quad. For Australia and Japan, this new partnership represents a more focused security arrangement with greater on-the-ground ease of conducting military activities as compared to the more bureaucratic Quad.

Is the US finally realizing Bangladesh's importance in its Indo-Pacific strategy?

Bangladesh must exercise caution when considering the adoption of the Indo-Pacific Strategy advocated by the US and its regional allies. This move could potentially strain Bangladesh's friendship with China.

Chinese 'research vessels' in Indian Ocean raises red flags in Indian maritime circles

Over half of these 'research vessels' operated in the South China Sea, but their growing presence in the Indian Ocean has stirred regional tensions and is a matter of growing concern to India.

US looking to boost economic ties with ‘critical partner’ India through IPEF

While most of the attention to keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open has been focused on strategic issues, Venkataraman emphasized the critical role of the IPEF in boosting regional economic ties. 

More on Indo Pacific - China Watch

India releases Chinese soldier who strayed at LAC

India, in a goodwill gensure, ensured the release of a Chinese soldier who had strayed inside Indian territory across the disputed zone of the Line of Actual Control

India, Taiwan likely to negotiate trade deal, a move that will irk China

After approving incentives for Taiwanese firms, the government is now likely to have formal talks on a trade deal with the Tsai Ing-wen administration

China to invest in Pakistan’s Digital City

Chinese hi-tech companies including Oppo and Haier are interested in investing in Pakistan’s first-ever Digital City, according to K-P IT Board spokesperson Danish

New law to give immunity to CPEC Authority in Pakistan

The Pakistani government has decided to introduce a new law to replace defunct China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Ordinance, local media reported

Australia invited to join Malabar naval exercise with India, US and Japan

In a message to China on getting a wider footprint in the Indo-Pacific region, India invited Australia to take part in an annual naval drill -- Malabar Exercise -- in the Indian Ocean region along with the US and Japan to which Australia has agreed

Nepal-China agreements are stuck

After the 2015 Indian blockade, the Nepal government tried to diversify trade and access to the sea through China

Chinese soldier detained by India, to be released soon

India detained a Chinese soldier in the Demchok sector in the disputed border in Eastern Ladakh. As per established protocols, he will be returned to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities

India stars in Taiwan's 'new southbound policy'

Taiwan has launched its "new southbound policy", which is looking at setting up large scale production bases in India, in tune with a surge in the New Delhi-Taipei engagement

Quad can play a key role in curbing China's belligerence

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for the QUAD countries to contain China in the Indo-Pacific but there remain several caveats

India, China militaries to hold eighth round of talks over border dispute

Indian and Chinese military commanders will meet for the eighth time next week to deliberate on resolving the border dispute in eastern Ladakh, after all earlier rounds of talks ended up in deadlock with no sign of de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control even as the winter is setting in

Tibetan leader invited to US State Department for first time

In a strong message to Beijing, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay has been invited formally to the US State Department, officials said on Friday

Maldives, China discuss boosting economic cooperation

Maldives and China engaged in discussions on Thursday, to explore economic cooperation in a post COVID-19 environment

Sri Lanka cannot alienate other creditors and solve debt problems with only China: Opposition MP

Sri Lanka’s cannot alienate other creditors and solve its debt problem by banking on China alone, with sovereign bond investors now taking about what would happen in the event of a credit event, Harsha de Silva, an opposition legislator said

US appoints special officer for Tibet

A day after President Xi Jinping called on Chinese troops to prepare for war, the United States appointed a senior official as its special coordinator for Tibetan issues

Chinese President XI asks troops to 'put minds and energy on preparing for war'

At a time when the seventh round of India and China military talks to resolve the border disputes in Eastern Ladakh have ended in a deadlock, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his soldiers, "We must put all our minds and energy on preparing for war."