India’s rise coincides with China’s structural slowdown, reshaping Asia’s strategic landscape. For Malaysia, the choice is not between India and others—but between preparing early for India’s ascent or adjusting late. Prime Minister Modi’s visit represents a strategic inflection point. Deepening ties in defence, technology, semiconductors, energy, food security, education, and culture is not merely prudent—it is foundational to Malaysia’s long-term prosperity, security, and strategic autonomy.
But in NSS 2025 the specific reference to the “Quad” appears less central as compared to its 2022 prominence. The document emphasized the allies assuming primary responsibility for their own region even as it identified the Indo-Pacific as a key economic and geopolitical battleground. It reiterates that alliances and strengthening partnerships “will be the bedrock of security and prosperity long into the future”
It’s heartening to see that China has resumed the pilgrimage of Indian pilgrims to the sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region this year after a five-year break, and India has restarted the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese citizens suspended since 2020. Recently, several direct flights between the two countries have been restored. This development is expected to strengthen exchanges in people-to-people fields, as well as in trade, culture, and other areas.
Despite China's might and backing, Gyeltsen Norbu has lacked legitimacy and following among Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists elsewhere, and many suspect the 15th Dalai Lama appointed by Beijing will suffer the same fate. The Dalai Lama has emphasised that China must reach a resolution on the Tibetan question during his lifetime, and many fear that without his moral authority, no solution will have widespread acceptance among the Tibetan people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he stands ready to work with Bangladesh to better align the two countries' strategies and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road to take the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights, reports Xinhua
Xi Jinping is aware that his dream of world domination is not achievable without conflict. Should he wait for the world to arm against China, or is the present environment the best opportunity with the US in election mode? writes Lt Gen Prakash Katoch for South Asia Monitor
Esar Ali, the owner of a garment badges factory in Federal B Industrial Area, shifted his business to a cattle farm when imports became tougher due to strict government policies to push down imports and step up exports
For over a month soldiers are perched on peaks rising to 17000 ft as a turn-around of all troops is yet to happen because of the terrain and logistics
A memorial has been set up near the international border, remembering the 20 Indian soldiers who were killed in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15 during a clash with Chinese troops
The much-talked-about mass trial of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine in Bangladesh has become uncertain after drugmaker Sinovac Biotech Ltd asked the government to co-finance the initiative
The global coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to Pakistans economy, pushing it to a near-collapse despite the ongoing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
The Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office has formed a committee to review negotiated contract costs of three railways projects and whether the projects should go ahead as they have been planned
The Indian Army on Thursday celebrated Cho La Day to commemorate the bravery of Indian troops who gave a bloody nose to the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops during clashes at the Cho La pass in 1967
Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their confidence that the existing relationship between Bangladesh and China will be further strengthened and deepened in the days ahead
When India, an "emerging global power", is a victim of China's bullying behaviour and is facing substantial security challenges, Washington's sale of advanced weapons system show its commitment to India's security, said a senior US State Department official
India and China on Wednesday agreed to hold a meeting soon between the senior commanders of their armies for an early disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), where the two countries are locked in a face-off since June this year
Nepal and China will soon ink a bilateral military exchange mechanism on the lines of the India-Nepal security exchange framework, agencies have warned New Delhi
Sri Lankan Consul General in Shanghai Manorie Mallikaratchy, making a presentation on Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, called for a paradigm shift on how the tourism and travel sector is perceived in the new normal era and invited the Chinese tour and travel industry to explore boundless possibilities between China and Sri Lanka in reshaping the travel and tourism trade
Given China’s military intentions and aim, taking advantage of the pandemic, for which it is blamed, it is vital for India to take proactive and powerful measures to ensure its security and integrity, writes Col Anil Bhat (retd) for South Asia Monitor
