Asia

Asia Women and Rivers Congress 2024: Empowering Women Leaders in River Conservation

The Asia Women and Rivers Congress 2024, held from June 4-6 in Chiang Rai, Thailand, witnessed the gathering of over 120 women leaders. This significant event aimed to facilitate transboundary cooperation across Asia, empowering women leaders in riverine communities to co-create a vision for the future and build a robust network. Introduction to the Congress […]

India’s “South Asia First” Policy: Strengthening Regional Solidarity

Embracing Regional Solidarity In recent years, India has consistently showcased its commitment to regional solidarity through a series of strategic and humanitarian initiatives aimed at enhancing ties with neighboring countries. This policy, often referred to as the “South Asia First” policy, has positioned India as a first responder in times of crisis, extending essential aid […]

Exploring the Centuries-Old Connections between India and the Caucasus

In the intricate web of historical ties that crisscross the Eurasian landmass, the relationship between India and the Caucasus and Central Asia stands out for its depth and longevity. Over millennia, these regions have been intertwined through robust trade networks, shared religious and cultural influences, and even periods of common rule by dynasties. Today, as […]

Mounting Uncertainties for Chinese Solar Panel Manufacturers in Southeast Asia

The landscape for Chinese solar panel manufacturers operating in Southeast Asia is increasingly fraught with uncertainty. With the United States cracking down on what it sees as tariff circumvention, these firms face tough choices: stay and weather the storm or relocate to other markets. This article delves into the complexities of this situation, analyzing the […]

Laos at the Crossroads: Decarbonization vs. China’s Belt and Road Initiative

In the heart of Southeast Asia, the landlocked nation of Laos is emerging as a pivotal player in the region’s shifting dynamics. As countries across Asia, including Japan, push forward with ambitious decarbonization strategies, they find themselves in a complex dance with China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This collision course sets the stage […]

Rockstar Entrance: Zelenskiy’s Bold Arrival at Asian Defense Summit

Rockstar entrances are designed to demand attention, and that’s precisely what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy achieved when he arrived at the Shangri-La Hotel to attend the premier Asian defense summit in Singapore. Dressed in his trademark green T-shirt and military trousers, flanked by bodyguards, Zelenskiy’s arrival was reminiscent of a high-profile celebrity making a grand […]

Mystery: The Recall of North Korea’s Documentary on Kim Jong Un’s Mother

North Korea’s recall of a 2011 documentary praising Kim Jong Un’s mother has stirred curiosity and speculation about the secrecy surrounding her identity and background. This move, reported by two sources inside the country to Radio Free Asia, has prompted many to question the reasons behind the persistent opacity about her life. Why is there […]

Sen. Chris Coons’ Strategic Trip to Singapore: A Tale of Diplomacy and Defense

Sen. Chris Coons’ recent journey to Singapore was not just any diplomatic trip. It began with two strategically important stops that underlined the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. The first was Taiwan, an island nation that has been at the center of global tensions, especially with China. Shortly before Coons arrived in Taiwan, China […]

Canon’s Ambitious Growth Plans for India: Aiming for a Bigger Slice of Asia’s Revenue by 2035

Electronics giant Canon is setting its sights on significantly increasing India’s contribution to its Asia revenue pie, with an ambitious target of over a fifth by 2035. This bold vision was revealed by the company’s executive vice president, Hideki Ozawa, who underscored Canon’s “desperate” need to ramp up sales across all business categories in India. […]

Canon’s Vision for India: A Five-Point Strategy to Dominate the Asian Market

On June 6, Japanese technology giant Canon unveiled its ambitious five-point strategy aimed at propelling its India business to become the leading subsidiary among its Asian markets. This plan, introduced by Canon’s top leadership, focuses on channel expansion, new B2B products in semiconductor design and medical devices, and a robust marketing approach. Canon’s Leadership Team […]

Narendra Modi’s Third Term as Prime Minister: A New Era of Leadership

Following a pivotal meeting in Delhi on Wednesday, Narendra Modi’s allies have once again chosen him as their leader. With this decision, Modi is set to take the oath of office as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term on Sunday. This milestone event is not just significant for India but also underscores the government’s […]

Global Trade: Challenges and Opportunities

Global trade is facing several challenges. Last year, global trade volumes initially rebounded but the overall trend showed a slowdown compared to the robust growth of 2022. The trade in goods in particular was down sharply last year by nearly US$2 trillion. These headwinds are a result of geopolitical tensions, including conflicts and supply chain […]

Indonesia’s Role in Global Peacekeeping and Regional Security

A Focus on Humanitarian Efforts Addressing the Crisis in Gaza When Indonesia’s president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, took the stage at a significant regional security forum, his speech centered not on local security concerns but on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He passionately spoke about the tragic incidents and hardships endured by Palestinians, calling for accountability […]

A Look at the Day Ahead in Asian Markets

Asian markets could be in for a choppy ride on Tuesday, with investors unsure whether to interpret Monday’s steep fall in U.S. Treasury yields and the dollar as an encouraging sign for risky assets or a warning that growth is evaporating. Given that Asian shares on Monday posted their biggest rise this year, before the […]

Saudi Aramco Lowers Oil Prices for Asia Amid Demand Concerns

Saudi Aramco has announced a reduction in oil prices for all its supplies to Asia next month. This move marks the first price cut since February and comes amid growing concerns over the strength of demand in its largest market. The decision follows recent agreements by some OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia, to gradually roll […]

India Surges Ahead in Data Center Investment, Outpacing Regional Rivals

In a remarkable trend, India is outpacing Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong in data center investment. This surge is driven by substantial funding commitments from global giants like Amazon and domestic conglomerates such as Reliance Industries. According to a new industry report, India’s data center boom was inevitable, fueled by its internet-savvy population and the […]