Economy

Populist policies ahead of elections are also common in India and Thailand.
Politics

After gaining hold in Europe, populism spreads across Asia

Fiscal austerity hampers growth amid growing social divide

28 May 2019
Shaktikanta Das has already cut interest rates twice for the boss. 
Opinion

India's central bank is on the front line for Modi 2.0

Triumphant leader risks damaging economy if he interferes too much in financial markets

27 May 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Bharatiya Janata Party at its headquarters in New Delhi after a landslide general election victory on May 23. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
India elections

Modi and BJP return more formidable but so do economic challenges

Financial reform is the priority while judicial, labor and land issues also press

25 May 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not said where he will get the money to modernize the country's infrastructure. (Nikkei montage/Reuters)
India elections

Modi places $1.4tn infrastructure bet on his second term

Skeptics doubt gamble to create world's third-largest economy will pay off

24 May 2019
Port of Colombo is an important strategic spot for both China and Japan. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Japan and India to develop Colombo port, countering Belt and Road

With Sri Lanka, partners take on China's expanding Indian Ocean presence

20 May 2019
India's growing smartphone market is attracting global players seeking shelter from the trade war. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business trends

US-China trade war pushes Apple and Samsung deeper into India

Chinese smartphone makers also among those ramping up manufacturing and sales strategies

15 May 2019
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves towards his supporters during a roadshow in Varanasi, India on April 25.
India elections

Modi whips up nationalist sentiment in final election phases

Indian leader cranks up security rhetoric while avoiding economic issues

10 May 2019
A general view of the National Bank of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Economy

Malaysia cuts key rate for first time in nearly 3 years

Global uncertainties are pushing emerging Asia into easing mode

7 May 2019
With both Trump and Modi acting as strongman leaders, the bilateral disputes are likely to worsen rather than ease.
Opinion

India walks a tightrope in trade row with Trump

Modi should give some ground on liberalization, notably in tech, or disputes will worsen

7 May 2019
Nurses take their oaths in Manila. The high caliber of the nurses and training programs in the Philippines and the experience of recruiting in the country has made it one of the nursing strongholds in Asia.
Economy

UK turns to Asia for nurses to cover staff shortages

Hospitals recruit health workers from India and Philippines amid fall from EU

5 May 2019
A man pours petrol into an underground tank at a fuel station in Mumbai. The Trump administration's move to end a sanctions waiver on oil imports from Iran has pushed the price of Brent crude to a five-month high.
Energy

Asian oil importers unshaken as Trump pulls Iran sanction waivers

India and Japan look to alternatives, but China slams Washington's move

23 April 2019
A 2-year-old girl living on the streets of Manila: The Philippines' ratio of children suffering from stunted growth -- 1 in 3 -- has held steady for two decades. (Photo by Jilson Tiu)
Asia Insight

Chronic malnutrition stunts Asia's rising-star economies

Over 30% of Indian, Filipino and Indonesian kids never get chance to reach potential

23 April 2019
Indians shop for spray guns in March. Members of a merchants union stands at almost 70 million, and they are expected to be influential in the election.
India elections

India's mom-and-pop merchants lean toward Modi's BJP in election

Many in community of 70m see incumbent as best bet after bank-note ban and new tax

20 April 2019
Much of the rest of Asia is also wary of China's economic slowdown.
Economy

Asia growth forecasts drop another notch as trade war effects set in

JCER survey of economists shows persisting concern over US-China standoff

8 April 2019
There is much injustice in India and a minimum income guarantee scheme called NYAY (the Hindi word for justice) is an imperative.
Opinion

India needs Rahul Gandhi's minimum income scheme to fight poverty

Economic growth will keep costs manageable while tech advances will aid implementation

8 April 2019
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das is seen as politically malleable.
Opinion

Trump attacks on Fed set bad example for Asia

Myth of central bank independence helps protect objective monetary policy

8 April 2019
Home to one-quarter of the world's population, South Asia is seen as a potential gold mine for 5G equipment makers such as Huawei. 
5G networks

Huawei takes 5G fight to India and Pakistan

Region primed for $1.2tn tech bonanza over next five years

8 April 2019
Monetary policy easing began in February under Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, who is considered to be closely aligned with the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Economy

India cuts rate again as election approaches

Central bank's second move in three months seen giving boost to Modi's BJP

4 April 2019
Stream article image
4 April 2019
A delivery worker in Beijing. The Asian Development Bank expects China's economy to grow 6.3% this year, unchanged from its December projection, and 6.1% in 2020. The country's economy expanded 6.6% in 2018.
Economy

Emerging Asia's growth seen falling to 18-year low, ADB says

US-China trade war will hurt region's economic prospects

3 April 2019
Poverty reduction should be a central but not the only issue.
Opinion

Gandhi's universal income pledge cannot end Indian poverty

Election promise strikes a chord but is doomed on cost and political grounds

3 April 2019
Stream article image
2 April 2019
The Ganga Aarti is one of Varanasi's main touristic draws. (Photo by Kit Yeng Chan)
Life

Varanasi cleans up despite Ganges pollution failure

India's holiest ancient city is modernizing, with help from volunteers

30 March 2019
E-commerce has been very good for Thailand’s durian sales. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Business trends

Dynamic Asia: a new center for growth

In regional shift, migrants and money flow into Asia

27 March 2019
Rahul Gandhi, president of India's main opposition Congress party, addresses his party's supporters during a public meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India on March 12.
India elections

India's opposition pledges $52bn in handouts to woo Modi voters

Gandhi's bold 'final assault' on poverty draws mixed response from economists

26 March 2019