Politics

U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali: For Washington, India can be a gateway to reengage with the Global South. (Handout via Reuters) 
Opinion

India and the U.S. are ready to be more than just friends

Democratic alliance would be more effective with outreach to Global South

19 June 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brushed aside Western criticism of his country's Russian oil purchases as he pushes for "strategic autonomy." 
Comment

How India's Modi helped save the West by buying Russian oil

World may have faced economic crisis without India playing role of villain

19 June 2023
Workers digging India's Zojila Tunnel face an unpredictable adversary: nature. (Photo by Abrar Fayaz)
International relations

Inside India's strategic Zojila Tunnel near the tense China border

Workers brave tough terrain to ensure all-year access for army, residents

17 June 2023
Workers check the deck of the Russian oil tanker Pure Point, carrying crude oil for delivery to Pakistan, sits at anchor in Karachi on June 13.
Economy

Pakistan pins hopes on Russian energy imports shrouded in secrecy

Government says deals in yuan will bring economic relief; experts aren't so sure

16 June 2023
The Indian authorities applied heavy pressure to Twitter to deal with accounts critical of New Delhi's handling of protests in 2021, according to the platform's co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey. (Source photos by AP) 
Politics

India slams ex-Twitter chief's claims of pressure as 'outright lie'

Minister says all platforms, foreign or local, must follow country's laws

13 June 2023
A TV salesman watches Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar present the budget for the next fiscal year on June 9. 
Explainer

Pakistan eyes China debt help in post-budget fog: 5 things to know

Islamabad's spending and borrowing plans draw skepticism as IMF hopes dim

13 June 2023
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina contends that the U.S. is pursuing a strategy of regime change in her country. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

Uneven U.S. treatment of Bangladesh and Pakistan makes little sense

Sanctions against Dhaka officials unlikely to help cause of democracy

12 June 2023
Afghanistan's ruling Taliban inspect the scene of an operation against Islamic State militants at a hideout on the outskirts of Kabul in November 2021.
Terrorism

Afghanistan-based extremists spark terror fears in Central Asia

Islamic State's branch beefing up propaganda to recruit Uzbek, Tajik fighters

10 June 2023
Air India planes at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi: One of the airline's flights was diverted to Russia's Far East due to engine trouble.
International relations

Air India plane carrying passengers stuck in Russia departs for U.S.

Airline says replacement flight carrying all passengers, crew

8 June 2023
Royal Australian Navy replenishment vessel HMAS Starwart and submarine tender USS Frank Cable are moored at HMAS Stirling Navy Base in Perth. The Australian base is expected to become a key maintenance hub under the AUKUS pact.
Indo-Pacific

Quad needs more muscle to live up to potential: think tank

Share ports and shipyards for refueling, rearming and repairs, USSC says

7 June 2023
Air India headquarters in Mumbai: One of the carrier's planes was diverted to Russia's Far East due to engine trouble.
International relations

Air India to send replacement plane for U.S. flight stranded in Russia

Diverted flight to San Francisco was 'likely' carrying American citizens

7 June 2023
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan claims the "military establishment" is trying to crush his party, while the army has criticized him for making "baseless allegations."
Asia Insight

Pakistan's Imran Khan takes on powerful military establishment

Allies break from embattled former PM in aftermath of May 9 violence

6 June 2023
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, meets with Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on June 5.
International relations

India, U.S. agree on 'ambitious road map' for defense industry ties

Austin meets counterpart Singh in Delhi ahead of Modi trip to Washington

5 June 2023
A train moves past damaged coaches on June 5, after the tracks were restored following the deadly accident in Odisha, India.
Society

India grapples with rail safety challenge after devastating crash

At least 275 dead in Odisha as early indications point to 'signaling issue'

5 June 2023
A Ukrainian soldier drives a captured Russian T-72 tank in the village of Lukianivka, in northwestern Kyiv, Ukraine, in March 2022.
Ukraine war

Russia 'buying back' arms parts exported to Myanmar and India

Reimports appear aimed at improving weapons for use in Ukraine war

5 June 2023
The Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai is the venue for a forum on June 8 and 9 aimed at highlighting China's commitment to financial liberalization.
Your Week in Asia

India-U.S. defense chiefs meeting, TSMC AGM, Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

4 June 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets members of the Australian Indian community, alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on May 23.
Politics

From Modi to Gandhi, Indian politicians court the diaspora

Overseas population of 32m wields influence as election approaches

4 June 2023
Dhaka ferrymen eat on a boat on the Buriganga River: Inflation is putting a heavy strain on Bangladesh's public.
Economy

Bangladesh's 'expansionary' $71bn budget raises financing doubts

Analysts warn plan may exacerbate pressures that drove Moody's downgrade

2 June 2023
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi, right, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal discuss wide-ranging issues during the Nepali leader's visit to India.
International relations

Indian and Nepali PMs discuss border dispute in New Delhi meeting

Modi says both sides seek closer ties as they sign deals on infrastructure

1 June 2023
People wait to receive food handouts in Karachi on March 30: Pakistan is caught in an economic crisis and faces a tight window to strike a deal with the IMF.
Economy

Pakistan enters crucial month for IMF talks to avoid default

Islamabad chafes at fund official's remarks on adhering to constitution

1 June 2023
Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is due to visit India for four days, starting May 31.
International relations

Nepal's PM heads to India to mend fences, win benefits

Pushpa Kamal Dahal faces delicate diplomacy between New Delhi and Beijing

30 May 2023
Bangladesh's upcoming elections have become a source of tension with the U.S., after the last two polls were widely criticized. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
International relations

Bangladesh faces election test as U.S. draws line on manipulation

Analysts say visa policy shows Washington's 'exasperation' with Dhaka

30 May 2023
Asia should not turn a "blind eye" to the Ukraine crisis, according to Tirana Hassan, executive director of Human Rights Watch. (Photo by Tamayo Muto)
Interview

India, as largest democracy, must condemn Russia for Ukraine war

Human Rights Watch head also says Tokyo can spur ASEAN to act on Myanmar regime

29 May 2023
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, left, meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on May 18 in Pishin on the two countries' border.
Energy

Militant attacks threaten cash-strapped Pakistan's energy plans

Forex crisis pushes Islamabad to eye local currency imports from neighbor Iran

29 May 2023
A resort on the Maldives' Gaafu Alifu Atoll: The idyllic islands are enjoying a tourism rebound, thanks in part to Russian travelers.
Travel & Leisure

Maldives leads tourism recovery, buoyed by Russian travelers

Several Asian destinations benefit from limited choices after war

29 May 2023