Politics

Truckers wait near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan during a temporary closure in February. Islamabad authorized formal barter trade in June, aiming to ease pressure on foreign reserves.
Economy

Pakistani barter trade with Afghanistan, Iran, Russia stuck in neutral

Plan to ease forex pressure met with disinterest amid strained Taliban ties

6 July 2023
An oil tanker sails near Nakhodka, Russia: Crude oil from Russia accounted for about 40% of India's total feedstock imports for its refineries in May.
Opinion

India's Russian oil buying spree isn't anything to worry about

Discounts may not last, but New Delhi can always return to usual suppliers

6 July 2023
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, visited the site of a high-speed rail project in the Indian city of Ahmedabad on July 5. (Photo by Miki Nose)
International relations

Japan ex-PM to meet Modi in hopes of spurring India business deals

Suga leads delegation of over 100 to highlight opportunities in growth market

6 July 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an online summit of leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from the Kremlin on July 4.
International relations

Putin claims unity, Xi slams decoupling at India-hosted SCO talks

Online meeting comes days after Wagner uprising shook Moscow and the region

4 July 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet in June with business executives including Apple's Tim Cook and Microsoft's Satya Nadella.
Opinion

Technological cooperation is cementing U.S.-India security ties

Cooperation in chip production and green energy manufacturing is taking shape

4 July 2023
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he would strengthen the country's democratic system and institutions if he were to become prime minister.
Interview

Pakistan foreign minister says country not in China 'debt trap'

Bhutto Zardari hints at hopes to follow mother's footsteps as premier

4 July 2023
A dome is installed over a Hualong One nuclear reactor in China in 2018 -- the same type being exported to Pakistan.
Energy

China positions Pakistan as nuclear power export springboard

Experts say Beijing has something to prove with $4.8bn project in struggling nation

2 July 2023
Participants take part in an annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Kathmandu on June 10.
Gender

Nepal activists hail interim ruling allowing same-sex marriage

'Big and historic' Supreme Court order set to spur registrations

30 June 2023
Afghan women wait to receive food packages at a distribution center in Kabul. 
Interview

World must unite to resolve Afghanistan crisis: Pakistan diplomat

Isolating the Taliban-controlled state risks further instability, says Asad Khan

30 June 2023
A line at an ATM in Colombo: Sri Lanka's government has assured depositors that they will not be affected by domestic debt restructuring, as it looks to cushion the impact on the banking sector.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka domestic debt restructuring plan aims to shield banks

Creditors monitoring proposal headed for parliament after cabinet approval

29 June 2023
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meets Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Tokyo in April. Tokyo has been Dhaka's largest single bilateral aid provider since 2012. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

The India-Japan-Bangladesh triangle is worth watching

New Delhi and Tokyo are jointly supporting new infrastructure to counter China

28 June 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington on June 23.
Opinion

The U.S. is slowly weaning India off Russian arms

Deals signed during Modi visit could mark decisive shift in dependence on Moscow

27 June 2023
Russian soldiers stand at the edge of a highway that leads to Moscow on June 24.
Ukraine war

Wagner uprising unnerves Russia's partners across Asia

Some leaders left to parse how to prevent challenges to their own power

26 June 2023
Bangladesh's first deepwater port will be built here near the Matarbari coal-fired plant, which is nearing completion. (Photo by Toru Takahashi)
International relations

Japan funding fuels development boom on Bangladesh coast

New power plant and port come at crucial point in country's economic development

26 June 2023
Bangladesh, India and Nepal are expected to soon finalize an agreement that would allow power sharing across Indian transmission lines. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
International relations

Bangladesh, India, Nepal near 'milestone' electricity trade deal

Arrangement hailed as step toward South Asian energy sustainability

25 June 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a news conference at the White House on June 22. 
International relations

Modi hails diaspora in trip securing U.S.-India ties

Prime minister calls Indian Americans 'the real strength of our relationship'

25 June 2023
In this file photo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Jan. 25.
International relations

India bolsters ties with Global South heavyweight Egypt

Modi and Sisi seek strategic relationship, with focus on defense and energy

24 June 2023
Part of Karachi's port will be controlled and developed by a UAE group under a new lease agreement, as Pakistan scrambles to scrape together foreign funds.
Economy

Pakistan shifts gears to avoid default with port lease, FDI drive

Experts doubt Islamabad's ability to lure much investment without IMF support

23 June 2023
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden answer questions during a news conference at the White House. 
International relations

U.S.-India ties enter 'new chapter,' Modi says in meeting with Biden

Washington 'is one of our most important defense partners,' Indian PM tells Congress

23 June 2023
Members of the Ukrainian military prepare a mobile air defense missile system outside Kyiv on June 16. The Ukrainian counteroffensive has faced major headwinds.
Ukraine war

U.S., China, India and others to hold talks on Ukraine war

Zelenskyy seeks meeting with Global South countries not taking part in sanctions

23 June 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend an official arrival ceremony at the start of Modi's visit to the White House.
International relations

Biden and Modi moving toward closer defense cooperation

U.S.-India summit to discuss joint weapons production and procurement

22 June 2023
The Port of Karachi is Pakistan's largest port, located across the Arabian Sea from the United Arab Emirates. (Karachi Port Trust handout via Reuters)
International relations

Cash-strapped Pakistan in talks to transfer largest port to UAE

Deepening economic crisis has government scrambling for money

22 June 2023
Flooding in Bengaluru in September 2022: Infrastructure investment is essential for lifting India's growth trajectory, job creation and raising income levels.
Opinion

India will need more money to keep up its infrastructure drive

With limited fiscal leeway, private and foreign investors should play bigger role

21 June 2023
Gwadar Port is the heart of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Pakistani component of Beijing's globe-spanning Belt and Road Initiative. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Terrorism

Pakistani Taliban's 'shadow province' threatens China BRI projects

Extremist group aims to create parallel government in conflict-wracked Balochistan

21 June 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's U.S. trip marks the first state visit to Washington by an Indian leader since 2009. 
International relations

India-U.S. defense deals in focus as Modi visits Washington

Indian PM's trip expected to yield new pacts on drones, jet fighter engines

20 June 2023