Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign country and we decide our own foreign policy, said Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momin, in response to what seemed like a threatening comment by the Chinese envoy over Quad
Myanmar Election: Lack of Consolidated Initiative Leads to Return of Military Rule
The external support by China and Russia lent support to the Tatmadaw, especially during the elections, and while ASEAN and western powers have refused to accept the legitimacy of the election, many of the immediate neighbours like India, Bangladesh, and Thailand prefer what they see as stability under the military, given their cross-border concerns.
Edible Geopolitics: How Asian Cuisine is Leveraging Soft Power to Wield Cultural Influence
At a time when global consumers are increasingly drawn to wellness-oriented and sustainable diets, South Asian culinary traditions, particularly those rooted in India’s Ayurveda, offer significant potential. However, without institutional backing, this remains diffused cultural capital rather than strategic influence.
The Rise of the E-Dragon: China’s Dominance in an Electrified World and Lessons for India
The China tale offers important lessons. China’s rise in the renewable sector is not just fuelled by demand for clean energy, but by a broader strategy, linking energy policy with manufacturing, technology development and global trade. India now seems to have begun taking steps in this direction. Policy measures such as the production-linked incentives scheme for solar manufacturing and efforts to expand domestic battery production are intended to strengthen the country’s clean energy ecosystem.
China Tightens a Strategic Arc Around India's Northeast - With Expanding Leverage in Myanmar and Bangladesh
China’s expanding influence in Myanmar and Bangladesh does not operate in isolation. It is reinforced by Beijing’s long-standing strategic partnership with Pakistan, frequently described by both sides as an “all-weather” alliance. In recent years, Islamabad has sought to revive and expand diplomatic engagement with both Dhaka and Naypyidaw, reflecting a broader effort to re-establish its presence along the eastern arc of the Bay of Bengal. While Pakistan lacks China’s financial scale or infrastructure capacity, its diplomatic signalling complements Beijing’s presence
More on Indo Pacific - China Watch
Bangladesh won’t get commercial supply of Chinese vaccine so soon, says ambassador
Bangladesh will have to wait for some time to get the first commercial supply of Covid 19 vaccines from China, according to Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming
China warns of damage to bilateral ties if Bangladesh joins Quad
China has warned Bangladesh that their bilateral ties would be "substantially damaged" if Dhaka participated in any form in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as Quad
Circular debt hits CPEC projects
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power projects have been affected by circular debt and the Pakistani government has not been able to clear Rs 188 billion due payments in breach of a bilateral energy framework agreement, media reports said
China to create 'line of separation' on Mount Everest over COVID-19 fear in Nepal
As the Everest base camp in Nepal reported several COVID-19 cases, China has decided to create a “line of separation” at the summit to prevent climbers from COVID-19 hit Nepal from mingling with those from the Chinese side
China 'working closely' for co-production of Covid vaccine in Sri Lanka
China has said it was working closely with Sri Lankan authorities to encourage collaboration among biotech companies of the two countries to produce a covid vaccine in the island nation
China reluctant to approve loan to Pakistan citing mounting debt
Expressing concern over Pakistan’s growing debt, China has shown reluctance to approve USD 6 billion loan for the Mainline-I (ML-I) railway track -- the single largest project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -- according to the record of a meeting and senior Pakistani officials, Express Tribune reported
Chinese Covid vaccine processed in Pakistan to be available by May end: Minister
The first batch of a Chinese made Covid 19 vaccine being processed in Pakistan would be available for use by May end, a senior Minister said
Pakistan witnessing sharp decline in pangolin numbers due to Chinese demand
Pakistan's deep bond with China also costs its wildlife species
$354 million power extension project in Pakistan awarded to Chinese firm
Authorities in Pakistan have awarded a hydropower extension project worth $354 million to a Chinese firm, reported Dawn
US lawmaker welcomes India's decision not to allow Chinese telecom companies for 5G trials
A top US lawmaker has welcomed India's decision to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in the nation, a move seen as a strong message sent to Beijing by New Delhi
With China in mind, India, Australia, France vow to create rules-based Indo-Pacific
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne met in London for the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue on 4 May on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where they once again reiterated the commitment to advance shared values and working together to achieve a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific
Pakistan to seek debt restructuring from China
In a bid to preempt any possibility of raising power tariff, Pakistan will seek debt restructuring of USD 3 billion against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects, a top official said
Chinese foreign minister likely to visit Sri Lanka in June
Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, will visit Sri Lanka next month, Daily Mirror reported
India's Jaishankar interacts with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, highlights the importance of supply chains, air flights
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday interacted with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in the current scenario when India is witnessing massive rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said
