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

ICMR asks states to stop using antibody kits from two Chinese firms

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR( on Monday directed states to stop using rapid antibody test kits procured from China-based Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics after their results showed wide variations

Chinese investments in non-sensitive sectors should be incentivised

India’s defensiveness about Chinese FDI has parallels with trade. India Inc. has always been somewhat apprehensive of trading with the dragon as its pricing mechanism is opaque with hidden subsidies and an undervalued yuan, writes N Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

Chinese medical supplies to fight Covid-19 arrive

China has dispatched another batch of medical supplies through a special PIA flight to Pakistan to fight the spread of coronavirus epidemic

'Sri Lanka stands with China in supporting WHO'

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has assured Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Sri Lanka will firmly stand with China in supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) to play a bigger role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

China includes Arunachal Pradesh in its updated map

China has included parts of Arunachal Pradesh, one of India's northeastern states bordering China,  within its international boundaries, an updated version issued by Sky Map has revealed

ICMR asks states to stop using Chinese rapid test kits

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), here on Tuesday, asked states to stop the use of rapid testing kits of Covid-19 for at least two days as they were giving inaccurate results

China slams India's new FDI norms, says it violates WTO rules

Just days after India amended the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy to check opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies amid the Covid-19 pandemic, China on Monday criticised the move and said that it violates the World Trade Organizations principle of non-discrimination

Assam state not to use PPE kits imported from China

Amid controversy in the Assam, the government in India's northeastern state China said it would not, for now, use the 50,000 PPE kits that it imported from China, state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said

Chinese investment under scanner, as India tweaks law post-Covid

In a move presumably aimed at blocking China and its companies from opportunistic takeovers of Indian companies due to the Covid pandemic and subsequent crisis, India has clarified that foreign investments from countries with which India shares land border shall be only after government approval

Another Chinese plane carrying medical aid arrives in Sri Lanka

Another Chinese plane carrying medical aid for Sri Lanka arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake Friday evening

Unable to get India to sign up for BRI, China penetrates through tech

Unable to persuade India to sign on to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has entered the Indian market through venture investments in start-ups and penetrated the online ecosystem with its popular smartphones and their applications (apps)

Two Chinese foundations donate testing kits to Sri Lanka

China's Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation have donated 20,000 COVID-19 testing kits to Sri Lanka, in a bid to scale up testing on the island

India's Assam state receives 50,000 imported PPE kits from China

The government in the northeast Indian state of Assam on Wednesday imported 50,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits from China for the frontline healthcare workers combating the Covid-19 pandemic in the state

Pakistan urges China to soften terms for power deals

Pakistan has requested China for ease in payment obligations of over $30 billion worth of about 12,000-megawatt power projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to minimise its financial and economic difficulties

Nepal seeks Chinese support for medical supplis

Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali has requested China's cooperation and facilitation for the purchase of essential medicines and medical equipment on G-to-G basis