Politics

Security officers try to control a crowd pushing toward the main stage during a rally by Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena, in Colombo on Nov. 5. 
Politics

Sri Lanka's crisis deepens as parliamentary speaker cries 'coup'

Sirisena faces test in poll after weeks of rule by presidential fiat

9 November 2018
After a visit to Beijing, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan now faces negotiations with the IMF for financial assistance.
Economy

Pakistan turns bullish with backing of Beijing and Riyadh

Islamabad begins bailout talks with IMF, but lacks sense of urgency

9 November 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan this week makes his first trip to China since taking office.
International relations

Pakistan's Khan heads to China to seek more aid

Facing fiscal crisis, prime minister keeps options open between Beijing and IMF

2 November 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan should push for more transparency as well as a better deal with China.
Opinion

Pakistan can squeeze a better BRI deal out of China

Imran Khan should publish project details to end uncertainty and win popular support

31 October 2018
A Uighur family prays at a local cemetery in Turpan county in Xinjiang province. Beijing has put many Uighurs in internment camps, according to media reports. (Getty Images)
International relations

Beijing engages with Pakistan's Uighurs in 'charm offensive'

China wants Pakistanis on its side to protect its massive Belt and Road investment

31 October 2018
A poster in Colombo shows Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, with President Maithripala Sirisena on Oct. 28.
International relations

India dragged into Sri Lanka's leadership crisis

Sirisena's move to fire PM partly seen as pushback against New Delhi

29 October 2018
Few believe a safe return of Rohingyas to Myanmar will happen any time soon, prompting calls for their resettlement in Bangladesh. (Photo by Mitsuru Obe)
International relations

Bangladesh faces Catch-22 over Rohingyas

Repatriation puts refugees at risk; letting them stay brings backlash at home

22 October 2018
The Buddha Dordenma statue in Bhutan's capital Thimphu. Hydropower exports to India have been the primary driver of Bhutan's rapid economic growth in recent years.
Politics

Mounting Indian debts hang over Bhutan election

Parties in runoff split on whether to accelerate dam development

17 October 2018
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde announced that Pakistan has formally asked for financial assistance on Oct. 11.
Economy

Pakistan formally asks IMF for help

Any bailout will require 'absolute transparency,' warns Lagarde

11 October 2018
BRI in progress: A freight train bound for Malaszewicze, Poland leaves the railway port in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, China.
Economy

China's Belt and Road investment hits high as overall FDI falls

Record sum poured into initiative in 2017 looks set to be beaten this year

8 October 2018
The Sinamale Bridge is often called the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge due to funding provided by Beijing. "We all love a bridge, but please don't push it on us," former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said.
Belt and Road

China's infrastructure diplomacy takes a beating in Asian elections

Maldives seen as latest example of Beijing's 'shortsighted' strategy

30 September 2018
Sushma Swaraj, India's external affairs minister, canceled a meeting with Pakistan's foreign minister just one day after the talks were announced.
International relations

India abruptly cancels foreign minister talks with Pakistan

Short-lived plans quashed over cross-border killing of Indian police

22 September 2018
The China-backed Colombo Port City in Sri Lanka  @GettyImages
Belt and Road

Thailand sees shortcut to Belt and Road with Sri Lanka trade deal

Two nations to kick off bilateral FTA talks in Bangkok on Thursday

20 September 2018
A Chinese soldier checks an aiming device: Nepal plans to join military drill with China, spurning India. 
International relations

After snubbing India, Nepal set to hold military drill with China

New Delhi on edge as Nepalese army plays down Chengdu exercise

12 September 2018
Pakistani troops take part in combat drills. The country has been accused of providing a safe haven to Taliban militants from neighboring Afghanistan.
International relations

US urges Pakistan's cooperation on Afghan militants

Pompeo meets new premier Khan after Washington cancels $300m aid

6 September 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to meet Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
4 September 2018
Prime Minister and the leader of Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf party Imran Khan seized power in an election in July. 
Economy

Pakistan rules out possible IMF bailout funds to repay China

Officials say Islamabad examining options as it seeks way out of debt crisis

3 September 2018
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 8, 2016. 
Belt and Road

Sri Lanka sinks deeper into China's grasp as debt woes spiral

Colombo to borrow $1bn from China and issue $250mn Panda bonds before year-end

29 August 2018
Sailors aboard the Akebono, a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. The ship called at the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota in April.
International relations

Japan makes its move in Indian Ocean power game

Defense minister tours Sri Lanka as part of drive to check China

22 August 2018
The attack took place in southwestern Balochistan Province, the heart of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. @AFP/Jiji
Belt and Road

Terrorist attacks show Pakistan's need to reassure China on security

Suicide bombing on key part of Belt and Road may make Beijing nervous

21 August 2018
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel enters a harbor in Manila, the Philippines. Tokyo wants to deepen security ties with other Asian nations to offset Chinese influence.
International relations

Japanese defense chief kicks off tour of India and Sri Lanka

Tokyo seeks greater security ties to curb Beijing's regional clout

20 August 2018
A freight train bound for Tehran is pictured in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in May.
Belt and Road

Turkey crisis rattles Asian nations with rising Belt and Road debts

Costly Chinese projects could leave emerging economies with a hangover

19 August 2018
Pakistanis are unlikely to give Imran Khan much time to make good on his election promises.
Politics

Imran Khan faces economic tests in Pakistan's political caldron

Former cricket star to be sworn in as prime minister on Saturday

17 August 2018
Anger over road deaths in Bangladesh spilled over into violent protests.
Politics

Violent 'moral uprising' threatens Bangladesh government

Thousands of youths protest lax road safety and lagging job growth

13 August 2018
Some question the effectiveness of the suspensions, as fresh ones are set up daily. (Getty Images)
Politics

Twitter puts foot down on fake followers in Southeast Asia

Sway over elections in Cambodia, Malaysia and Pakistan raises concerns

11 August 2018