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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Vietnam’s Communist Party leader To Lam has been elected president, further consolidating power in one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Elected by the National Assembly to a five-year term, Lam becomes the first modern Vietnamese leader to simultaneously hold the roles of party chief and state president, centralising authority across party and state institutions. Lam said…
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South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has expressed regret over drone incursions into North Korea earlier in 2026, following an official investigation linking state personnel to the operation. “It has been confirmed that a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved,” Lee told a cabinet meeting. “We express regret to the North…
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India has approved a $25 billion military modernisation package aimed at strengthening air defence and offensive capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges. The decision, cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, includes expanded procurement of Russian systems and increased investment in unmanned and transport platforms. Analysts link the move to…
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Pakistan has introduced temporary relief measures after sharp fuel price increases linked to global energy disruption following the US/Israel-Iran war. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced free public transport in Islamabad for 30 days from April 4, with the government covering costs. In Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif introduced similar fare waivers and targeted subsidies,…
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China says diplomatic talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government are progressing, following renewed consultations in Urumqi hosted by Beijing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the process as “being steadily implemented and advanced” and confirmed arrangements on how talks and media coverage will operate. Beijing has maintained communication channels with both Islamabad and Kabul…
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Myanmar’s military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been elected president by the country’s pro-military parliament, consolidating power five years after the 2021 coup. Aung Lin Dwe, speaker of the combined houses, confirmed that Min Aung Hlaing secured 429 of 584 votes. The move follows elections widely criticised by Western governments as lacking credibility.…
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New Zealand and the Cook Islands have signed a new defence and security declaration, easing tensions after a year-long diplomatic dispute linked to the Cook Islands’ engagement with China. The agreement reaffirms obligations between New Zealand and the Cook Islands to consult on defence and security, following concerns raised in 2025 over transparency surrounding a…
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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto pledged closer coordination on energy security during a Tokyo summit on Tuesday (31 March), citing rising oil and gas prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Both leaders highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy flows.…
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Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has confirmed that its chairperson Cheng Li-wun will visit China in April 2026 following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping. The KMT said Cheng welcomed the invitation and aims to promote “peaceful development of cross-strait relations” and expand cooperation. The delegation is expected to travel to Beijing,…
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Pakistan and Afghanistan have traded heavy fire, both sides said, days after they announced a temporary pause in fighting. Officials from both sides reported artillery exchanges on Sunday (29 March) in Kunar province and Pakistan’s Bajur district. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for Kabul’s Taliban administration, said Pakistani fire killed one person and injured 16, mostly…
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