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

Pakistani students stranded in Wuhan to begin flying back

Pakistan has decided to bring back via special flights its students stuck in Wuhan, China, ground zero of the novel coronavirus

Chinese Nationals In Nepal Should Follow Nepali Laws: Chinese Embassy

The Chinese embassy in Nepal has instructed Chinese nationals in Nepal to strictly abide by the laws and regulations and the lockdown measures adopted in Nepal

China-based Afghan traders, students assist health facilities

Afghan traders and university students residing and studying in China, have donated medical equipment cost some one million dollars to the ministry of public health, the ministry said

Sri Lanka to get another stock of test kits, medical supplies from China

China will be sending by air another stock of medical supplies, including test kits, to Sri Lanka tomorrow in response to the urgent need of the government, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said

Can Beijing absorb the blowback of Wuhan Virus?

With the magnitude of deaths inflicted by the Wuhan Virus worldwide, a response is inevitable in due course of time in whatever form, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd). for South Asia Monitor

No compromise on CPEC, says Pakistani official

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a non-political international project and work for its completion is in progress on a fast pace, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Lt-Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa has said

China must up its game in controlling its oil and gas resources better

As the world is at a long battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the international oil market, being an area that is highly susceptible to geopolitics, emergencies, and fluctuation in the economy, is a key area that has been affected too

Chinese envoy intensifies political meetings in Nepal

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has recently held political meetings with top leaders of ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) at a time when rift within the party has deepened

China sends additional aid to help Pakistan decimate locusts

Aid containing 300,000 litres of pesticides and 50 sets of equipment from China has reached Pakistan, waiting to destroy locust swarms that are evolving into their second generation, Sui Pengfei, Director of International Cooperation Department, Chinese Agriculture Ministry said at a press conference

India’s revised FDI policy in right direction; no appeasement for China

Chinese President Xi Jinping must have been surprised when he heard the news that Government of India has issued orders that any Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from countries bordering India, including China, would be closely scrutinized and specific permission is required for such investment to take place

Chartered flight to bring in essentials from China to Maldives

Maldives' State Trading Organization (STO) has chartered a flight of the country’s national airline, Maldivian, to carry essential supplies from China

China to continue offering support to Nepal's COVID-19 fight

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday evening that the Chinese side has been following the epidemic situation in Nepal, and will continue to firmly support its combat against the COVID-19 outbreak

Nepal President Bhandari, Chinese President Xi hold telephone conversation

Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari held a telephone conversation with her Chinese Counterpart President Xi Jinping

China donates another batch of medical equipment to Sri Lanka

China has donated over another stock of essential medical equipment and supplies worth over Rs. 211 million to Sri Lanka to control and prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country

China to build two quarantine facilities with a 1,100 person capacity in the Maldives

Two construction groups from China have initiated reconstruct and build two quarantine facilities in the Maldives