Politics

The Saudi Crown Prince meets Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit to New Delhi, Islamabad and Beijing.
Opinion

Asia's energy importers must beware of bringing in Middle East tensions

Saudi foreign investment plans, including in Pakistan, India and China, risk provoking Iran

27 February 2019
For years now, Kashmir has been a flash point for tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors of Pakistan and India. 
International relations

India conducts airstrike on alleged terror camp in Pakistan

Islamabad claims incursion led to 'no casualties or damage'

26 February 2019
Soldiers examine the site of a bomb attack in the Pulwama district of Indian-administered Kashmir on Feb. 14.
The Nikkei View

India and Pakistan must fight terrorism together

The path to lasting peace lies through cooperation, not military force

26 February 2019
Nepal's existing rail link with India will be one of few parts of the network to use its southern neighbor's favored broad gauge. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Nepal hitches railway to Chinese standards in blow to India

Himalayan nation will use a Beijing-favored gauge except at southern border

22 February 2019
Indian Army soldiers patrol a street during a curfew in Jammu in the disputed border area of Kashmir. A bomb attack last week in Indian-administrated Kashmir killed 44 paramilitary policemen.
International relations

Military action looms as India severs economic link with Pakistan

New Delhi and Islamabad at loggerheads after bomb attack kills 44 in Kashmir

19 February 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Khan government has built a relationship of mutual support with Riyadh.
International relations

Saudi crown prince plots diplomatic comeback with Pakistan aid

Mohammed bin Salman plays to friendly crowds to move past Khashoggi scandal

19 February 2019
An Indian Navy Chetak helicopter, seen here in 2007. India needs to replace such helicopters for newer models. 
Politics

India's arms modernization hampered by populist budget

Handouts before poll weaken New Delhi's muscle-flexing against China and Pakistan

17 February 2019
China-backed coal plants are helping to provide Pakistan with much-needed power but they are also raising environmental concerns locally.
International relations

China-backed coal projects raise heat in Pakistan

Lack of disclosure on Belt and Road plans spurs environmental fears

13 February 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Beijing in November to request financial help.
International relations

China's disappointing aid offer dashes Pakistan's hope of debt rescue

Loans Beijing promised fell short of what Islamabad needs to build up reserves

11 February 2019
© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

China runs into Belt and Road barriers in South Asia

Countries try to slow Beijing's advance without provoking hostility

5 February 2019
China has poured huge amounts of money into developing the port of Gwadar, a key hub in its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but Pakistan has now opened the door for Saudi investment in an oil refinery in the area, stoking tensions.
International relations

Saudi investment in Pakistan stokes tensions with China

Riyadh's billion dollar refinery projects in Gwadar seen irking Beijing

28 January 2019
Central Bank of Sri Lanka Gov. Indrajit Coomaraswamy expects the Indian Ocean tug of war between China and India to help his country secure aid. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Interview

Sri Lanka set to avert debt crisis this year: central bank chief

South Asian island plays balancing act to secure bailouts from China and India

27 January 2019
Sri Lanka is in dire straits as the debt-strapped country confronts a looming balance of payment crisis.
Economy

Sri Lanka seeks regional bailout as balance of payments crisis looms

Colombo looks to India and China for financial assistance and renegotiates with IMF

21 January 2019
Foreign ministers from ASEAN member states met in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Jan. 17 and 18. (Photo by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat)
18 January 2019
A controversial bidding process has resulted in a contract for a dam project in Pakistan going to a consortium that includes a company founded by one of Prime Minister Imran Khan's advisers. The dam seen here is from a file photo.
Belt and Road

Pakistan dam in spotlight as contract goes to former China critic

PM Khan's adviser faces conflict of interest cries after family company wins bid

11 January 2019
Maia Santos-Deguito was found guilty of money laundering offenses in relation to the 2016 heist of Bangladesh's central bank. (Photo by Cliff Venzon).
Most read in 2019

Philippine court finds banker guilty over Bangladesh Bank heist

Dhaka wants Manila to expedite other cases related to $81m theft in 2016

10 January 2019
In August, a suicide bomber wounded six people, including three Chinese engineers, in an attack on a bus in Balochistan. (AFP/Jiji)
Belt and Road

Pakistani separatists vow to target Belt and Road projects

Insurgents say leader's killing won't stop attacks unless China ends exploitation

8 January 2019
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina knows China and India must court her. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Opinion

Victory strengthens Hasina's foreign policy hand

Election win reinforces Bangladesh leader's position in dealings with New Delhi and Beijing

8 January 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attends talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 2.
Belt and Road

Pakistan asks China to diversify investments, PM adviser says

Country wants more Chinese money in agriculture, industrialization and education

4 January 2019
Dhaka residents stand next to a mural of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been accused of suppressing opposition groups. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Politics

Modi congratulates Bangladeshi leader as opposition calls for revote

Hasina faces rocky start to new term after election marred by violence

1 January 2019
Pakistani soldiers stop traffic outside the heavily protected port town of Gwadar in southern Pakistan.
Belt and Road

Rural Pakistan voices dissatisfaction over Belt & Road

Province home to Gwadar Port says $62bn project not evenly distributed

31 December 2018
The USS John C. Stennis, seen in this filed photo, took part in a mission near Sri Lanka in early December. (Getty Images)
International relations

China and US play the Great Game in South Asia

US Navy using Sri Lanka to counter China's growing Indian Ocean presence

29 December 2018
The government's probe into alleged corruption in a gas deal the previous administration signed with Qatar could backfire if much-needed imports are halted.
International relations

Pakistan's probe into Qatar gas deal risks worsening power cuts

PM Khan caught between pledge to rid corruption and country's energy needs

26 December 2018
Supporters of the ruling Awami League campaign ahead of the general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 
Politics

Bangladesh parties outbid each other promising growth

Hasina's Awami League boasts decade of expansion heading into Sunday's election

26 December 2018
A bear market has driven investors into holding vigil at the Nepal Stock Exchange. (Photo by Deepak Adhikari)
Markets

Protesting investors demand Nepal market reforms

Companies hesitate on listing amid suspicions of Communist government's plans

26 December 2018