Politics

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aims for Bangladesh to become a developed nation, but the nation's flawed power supply system could derail such plans. The country's giant Matarbari coal-fired power project has been scaled back amid concerns over its environmental impact. (Photos by Reuters and Toru Takahashi)
Energy

Can Bangladesh beat decarbonization challenge to achieve growth?

Travails of coal power project point to difficult economic road ahead

29 May 2023
Multilateralism is “the only guarantee for peace, security and development” for small states, says Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Interview

Maldives stresses pro-India stance while maintaining China ties

Foreign minister says regional cooperation, dialogue crucial to stability

28 May 2023
The new Parliament building in New Delhi, pictured on May 16, is due to be inaugurated this weekend.
Politics

Indian opposition boycott overshadows new Parliament inauguration

Modi's foes find another rallying point ahead of 2024 elections

27 May 2023
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned against a new cold war at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Asian leaders home in on economic security in face of U.S.-China rift

Future of Asia speakers welcome 'de-risking' and urge return to multilateralism

26 May 2023
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Thai deputy PM: Asia should do itself a favor, unite against war

Geopolitical tensions loom as leaders gather at Nikkei's Future of Asia forum

25 May 2023
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Sri Lanka will apply to join RCEP trade bloc, Wickremesinghe says

President says Asian countries resisting pressure to take sides between U.S., China

25 May 2023
Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of India's main opposition Congress party, arrives at party headquarters in New Delhi as the Karnataka poll results come in on May 13.
Politics

India opposition aims higher after beating 'Modi magic' in key state

Karnataka win gives Congress fresh momentum, but doubts persist

25 May 2023
Trucks carrying wheat for Afghanistan move in a convoy near Lahore, Pakistan, in February 2022. Tensions between India and Pakistan hindered the transports, but now New Delhi plans to ship through an Iranian port.
International relations

India builds soft power in Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan

Donation of 20,000 tonnes of wheat to transit through Iranian port

23 May 2023
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, is greeted by Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, left, late on May 21.
International relations

Modi extends 'Global South' outreach to Pacific islands after G-7

Indian PM 'forcefully' made developing world's case at rich nations' summit

22 May 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Hiroshima on May 20.
G-7 in Japan

Zelenskyy invites Modi to back Ukraine's peace formula at G-7

Ukrainian leader jets into midst of staunch allies, on-the-fence players

21 May 2023
Imran Khan in Lahore High Court on May 19: Despite his close familiarity with the military, the populist politician has misjudged its tolerance for defiance.
Opinion

Imran Khan cannot win back power by targeting Pakistan's military

Supporters' hopes of following Turkish example are doomed

21 May 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a Quad meeting on the sidelines of the G-7 summit on May 20.
G-7 in Japan

Quad agrees to bolster submarine cables in 47-minute summit

4 leaders squeeze in meeting between G-7 sessions and dinner on Saturday

21 May 2023
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he speaks to journalists at his residence in Lahore on May 18.
Politics

Pakistan crisis deepens as former PM Khan blocks house search

Ex-cricket star says authorities will plant evidence as his party suffers defections

20 May 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Nikkei Asia in New Delhi on May 18, the day before his departure to attend the G-7.
Interview

Modi says he will 'amplify concerns of Global South' at G-7

India PM says presence in Quad, Shanghai Cooperation Organization 'not contradictory'

19 May 2023
Workers in Dhaka: Some economists say belt-tightening on imports may strangle Bangladesh's industrial development and job creation.
Economy

Bangladesh on hot seat to meet IMF loan targets

Second-tranche reviews loom as pressure grows to boost reserves but also imports

19 May 2023
Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin: The world's pandemic response depended on the rapid production of new vaccines through biomanufacturing.
Opinion

The Quad should have its own biomanufacturing hub in India

China likely to dominate sector unless allies pool their capabilities

18 May 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Joko Widodo are both among the invitees to this week's Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
G-7 in Japan

From India to Indonesia, G-7 invitees aim to be heard in Hiroshima

Modi's G-20 perch presents chance to highlight debt, development in 'Global South'

15 May 2023
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, pictured in Lahore in March, has been granted two weeks of bail after being arrested in a graft case.
Politics

Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan granted bail for two weeks

What you need to know after days of violent protests and complex legal maneuvers

12 May 2023
Officials from India and Myanmar attend the May 9 inauguration of Sittwe Port in Myanmar's Rakhine state. (Photo courtesy of the Indian Embassy in Myanmar)
Myanmar Crisis

Indian-backed port opens in Myanmar in answer to China's corridor project

Sittwe Port, part of a $484m transport initiative, to bolster economic ties

11 May 2023
A supporter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan throws stones at police in Peshawar on May 10, during a protest against Khan's arrest.
Politics

Pakistan's Imran Khan supporters protest arrest, army called in

More leaders of former PM's party detained amid violence, internet disruptions

10 May 2023
A supporter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan protests in Peshawar against his arrest on May 9: His detention will only add to the controversy surrounding the constitution and the Supreme Court.
Opinion

At age 50, Pakistan's constitution is having a midlife crisis

Political parties must come together to address role of judges and military

10 May 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi throws flowers while campaigning for his Bharatiya Janata Party in Bengaluru on May 7, ahead of the Karnataka state election.
Politics

India's Karnataka state votes in 'do or die' battle for Modi rivals

BJP banks on prime minister's star power but polls give Congress party edge

10 May 2023
A man fills gas into a vehicle at a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The country's external debt had grown to over $35 billion amid a struggling economy. 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's creditors hold 1st meeting, with China as observer

Japan and other creditors vow to press Beijing to join as full participant

10 May 2023
A container ship moored at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The U.S. seeks to create a major transport network that connects the Middle East with India.
International relations

U.S. eyes Mideast-India transport network to counter China

Saudi Arabia joins talks with Washington following Beijing-brokered detente with Iran

10 May 2023
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been arrested.
Politics

Former PM Imran Khan's arrest sets Pakistan on edge

Popular ex-cricketer detained on corruption allegations

9 May 2023