Category: Asia-Pacific
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and Pacific nations, with a focus on security, trade, and regional diplomacy.
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Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to extend their ceasefire following peace talks in Istanbul, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, after the deadliest border clashes between the two nations in years. Both sides are scheduled to meet again on 6 November to establish a monitoring mechanism to maintain peace and determine penalties for any violations, Türkiye’s…
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held their first summit in Seoul on Thursday (Oct. 30), pledging to strengthen bilateral ties. Both leaders highlighted the need for “future-oriented cooperation” in response to rapidly evolving trade and security challenges. Takaichi emphasised the importance of trilateral cooperation with the United States,…
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Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government have sharply escalated after peace talks in Istanbul collapsed without agreement, ending efforts to prevent renewed border violence. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned on X that his country could “completely obliterate the Taliban regime” following the breakdown of negotiations. The talks, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, aimed…
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At a Chatham House Dialogue in London on 27 October 2025, Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong drew a sharp contrast between how Europe and Asia perceive their strategic challenges, arguing that China is viewed more as a regional partner than an existential threat. Lee noted that while Europe’s focus remains on Russia and collective…
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Indian authorities have conducted a cloud-seeding experiment over New Delhi in an effort to clear the city’s persistent smog. A plane sprayed chemicals into clouds over some areas of the Indian capital to encourage rain and wash pollutants from the air, which remained in the “very poor” category, according to air quality monitors. Cloud seeding…
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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must stay united and competitive as geopolitical tensions reshape the global order. Speaking after the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he noted a stronger commitment among members to deepen integration despite ongoing challenges. Key developments under Malaysia’s chairmanship included:• Timor-Leste’s historic…
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The peace process between Pakistan and Afghanistan is mired in uncertainty after three days of negotiations in Istanbul ended without agreement on a long-term truce. The discussions, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, followed deadly cross-border clashes earlier this month — the most serious since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. • The main dispute centres on the…
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Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, and development sectors, marking a renewed phase in their bilateral relations. The ninth Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting, held in Dhaka, was the first since 2005 and signalled a commitment to elevate ties to a “new strategic level.” Key areas of collaboration include:• Agriculture,…
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Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Malaysia on 26 October during the ASEAN-related summits, reaffirming their nations’ close security and economic partnership. The 20-minute Japan–Australia summit focused on regional stability, supply chain resilience, and cooperation under the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) vision. Key developments:• Prime Minister Albanese…
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Leaders from 21 Pacific Rim economies are convening in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, running from Monday (Oct. 27) to Saturday (Nov. 1). The summit focuses on trade, supply chains, and digital transformation — but attention remains fixed on renewed U.S.–China tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi…
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