Politics: News & Insights

A school for young women in Islamabad: Activists say over 5,000 rapes were reported in the country in 2021, and that the conviction rate for such crimes is less than 3%.

Crime

Pakistan rape case turns harsh spotlight on misogyny, justice system

Experts call for drastic legal reforms and better police training

26 February 2023

Cryptocurrencies

India presses for crypto rules at G-20 but faces hurdles toward ban

Central bank chief Das notes 'wide recognition' of risks to financial stability

26 February 2023

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks during a news conference at the end of the G-20 finance ministers meeting near Bengaluru on Feb. 25.

International relations

G-20 finance chiefs forgo joint declaration as China backs Russia

Most members condemn Ukraine war; India's 'outcome document' promises debt action

26 February 2023

India's opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi speaks in Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Jan. 30. Hundreds of members of various opposition groups joined the gathering in freezing temperatures. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Politics

Modi opponents in Kashmir eye Rahul Gandhi as a unifying force

Recent visit by Congress party scion seen as potential shift in territory's politics

25 February 2023

G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting here on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India.

International relations

Modi urges G-20 finance chiefs to focus on 'most vulnerable'

India PM opens meeting with warning on 'unsustainable debt,' geopolitical strife

24 February 2023

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds a news conference as G-20 finance leaders gather on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, on Feb. 23.

International relations

Yellen to press China on Sri Lanka debt, Russia sanctions at G-20

In India, U.S. Treasury chief urges more aid for Ukraine against 'brutal assault'

24 February 2023

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to host her G-20 counterparts this week in Bengaluru. (Nikkei montage/Getty Images)

International relations

G-20 finance heads to meet in India with debt, Ukraine top of mind

Analysts expect tug of war over how much Russia's invasion should factor in talks

23 February 2023

The new Singapore-India payment link is set up to allow real-time virtual transfers of money across borders in seconds, and has been billed as a means to reduce the cost and inefficiencies of remittances between both countries.

Finance

Singapore links digital payments with India after Thailand

Prime Ministers Lee and Modi laud connection of finance infrastructure

21 February 2023

The militant Islamic State group's local branch claimed responsibility for an attack on this Chinese-owned hotel in Kabul in December.

Asia Insight

China risks militants' wrath in Afghanistan, Pakistan and beyond

Beijing reduces Islamabad presence as myriad groups find Asian giant a useful target

21 February 2023

A jail in Karachi: Many vulnerable Afghan refugees, including women and children, await deportation after being arrested by Pakistani police. (Photo by Jamaima Afridi)

Afghanistan turmoil

Afghan women, children in Pakistan jails spotlight refugee policy

Experts see Islamabad-Kabul tensions behind stricter approach

18 February 2023

Billionaire George Soros has predicted that the Adani affair 'will significantly weaken Modi's stranglehold on India's federal government and open the door to push for much-needed institutional reforms.' (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)

Adani Group

George Soros' claims of Adani-Modi link spark uproar in India

BJP accuses billionaire of undermining democracy; Congress keeps its distance

17 February 2023

An oil refinery in Mumbai: India has become a top buyer of bargain crude from Russia.

Trade

India's Russian imports soar 400% as U.S. offers little resistance

China seen behind Washington's soft touch; New Delhi optimistic on rupee trade

17 February 2023

Economy

Pakistan brain drain accelerates in latest threat to ailing economy

Experts warn of talent erosion after nearly 1m workers left in 2022

16 February 2023

A Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jet performs at an air show in Guangdong province in November.

Defense

China's stealth fighter inventory set to eclipse America's F-22s

Military Balance database says Beijing has 150 J-20A aircraft and growing fast

15 February 2023

A woman with a cow as Indian Hindus offer prayers to the River Ganges: Officials briefly floated a proposal to celebrate "Cow Hug Day" on Feb. 14 instead of Valentine's Day.

Society

Valentine's Day or Cow Hug Day? India debates a political animal

Call to celebrate cattle over cupid abandoned but religious friction remains

14 February 2023

China's restrictions on cross-border data flows has overseas companies concerned that their headquarters will be cut off from important information.

Politics

Data fortress: Digital protectionism embraced by many in Asia

Restrictions on cross-border data use and server location hurt foreign companies

11 February 2023

An Adani Power plant in India's western state of Gujarat: The company is due to supply electricity to Bangladesh from a new facility under a controversial agreement.

International relations

Bangladesh power deal with India's Adani draws fire on both sides

Expert likens agreement to 'slavery' as lawmakers question how it came about

11 February 2023

Shinzo Abe

Abe memoir is instant bestseller; publisher triples print run

Former Japanese leader shares observations on Trump, Xi and Modi

11 February 2023

The crisis at Adani Group this week fueled a war of words in India's Parliament as well as street protests by opposition supporters. (Source photos by Reuters)

Politics

Modi strikes back as Adani sparks wild week in Indian politics

PM says 'mudslinging' strengthens BJP; criticism from Rahul Gandhi 'expunged'

10 February 2023

Motorcyclists wait their turn at a fuel station in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Jan. 30: Islamabad bit the bullet to meet the conditions of its IMF loan.

Opinion

Asian nations need to shore up their energy security

Embattled importers must act now to clean up house

10 February 2023

The Russia-backed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is currently under construction in Bangladesh. (Photo by Rizwan Hasan)

International relations

Bangladesh nuclear plant payments held up by Russia sanctions

Dhaka to send delegation for talks as Moscow urges SWIFT workaround

9 February 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, delivers a New Year address with troops in Rostov-on-Don, not far from the Ukrainian border. (Photo from Kremlin via Tass/Kyodo)

Comment

Deaths in Russia's top brass unnerve India and China

Military inadequacies in Ukraine raise questions for security relationships

9 February 2023

Pakistan briefly sought to ban Wikipedia before intervention from the top. Activists say the move is part of a larger pattern of trying to control the internet. (Source photos by AP and Yuki Kohara)

Politics

Pakistan bans, then unblocks, Wikipedia amid digital freedom fight

Government's internet policy could have profound economic effects: experts

7 February 2023

Students in Chandigarh, India. The U.S. State Department has launched economic empowerment alliances for women in India and Pakistan, as well as for Afghan women who have fled their country.

Interview

Public-private tie-up key to empowering women in India: U.S. official

Katrina Fotovat eyes efforts to bring more females into science and technology studies

6 February 2023

Diego Garcia, the site of a major U.S. military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean: The U.K. has begun negotiating the return of the archipelago to Mauritian control. (Handout photo from U.S. Navy)

Opinion

U.S. should accept that its Indian Ocean base belongs to Africa

Recognition of Mauritian sovereignty would not affect access to Diego Garcia

6 February 2023