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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets then Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina before a meeting in New Delhi on June 22, 2024. Photo: AP
India

Why India is losing ground over Bangladesh and Myanmar to regional rivals

Pakistan and China have been drawing closer to Bangladesh and Myanmar in areas such as defence and trade at India’s expense, analysts say.

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India

‘Trump’s wrath’: India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces tariff threat

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Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

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India

Trump’s 500% tariff push raises risk of India-US trade freeze

Such punitive tariffs would erode India’s export competitiveness and force the country to reorient its trade elsewhere, analysts warn.

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A train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, in August 2025. The US is India’s largest export market, receiving about 18 per cent of its total goods exports. Photo: AFP
A train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, in August 2025. The US is India’s largest export market, receiving about 18 per cent of its total goods exports. Photo: AFP
China-India relations

Building bridges? India proposes inviting Chinese firms back to public projects

India plans to remove curbs that effectively shut Chinese firms out of most of its government projects in a bid to ease shortages and delays.

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India

Germany’s Merz backs India-EU trade deal during first official visit to Asia

The German chancellor and India’s Modi have signed agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and enhancing defence cooperation.

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India

Gig workers’ strike in India spurs debate on human cost of delivery race

More than 200,000 gig workers recently staged protests across major Indian cities, prompting concerns about the necessity of quick commerce.

More than 200,000 gig workers staged protests across major Indian cities on New Year’s Eve to demand for legislative protection, social security benefits and better wages. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
More than 200,000 gig workers staged protests across major Indian cities on New Year’s Eve to demand for legislative protection, social security benefits and better wages. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
India

Next appointment, 2027: US visa squeeze hits India’s tech talent

With H-1B renewals stalled, a new generation of Indian professionals is questioning whether to pursue their American dreams.

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India

India’s Modi to host German leader to bolster trade, defence ties

Merz’s visit is his first to an Asian country since he took office, ahead of a planned EU-India summit and as they work on a free-trade agreement.

Nepal

Nepal’s ex-king voices concern after protests as supporters rally

Gyanendra Shah was deposed in 2008 in a democratic uprising after he suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament in 2005.

Supporters of Nepal’s former royal family participate in a rally demanding the restoration of the monarchy as they mark the birth anniversary of the 18th century king Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder of the Shah dynasty, in Katmandu, Nepal, on Sunday. Photo: AP
Pop culture in Asia

Soft power, hard cash: inside Southeast Asia’s billion-dollar anime obsession

Driven by Gen Z spending and streaming, the region’s US$1.3 billion anime market represents a triumph for Japan’s cultural push.

Fans attend last year’s Anime Festival Asia in Singapore. The event consistently draws more than 100,000 visitors. Photo: SOZO/Handout
Fans attend last year’s Anime Festival Asia in Singapore. The event consistently draws more than 100,000 visitors. Photo: SOZO/Handout
India

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh talks over Ganges waters may turn murky over politics, UN pact

Bangladesh’s election, Hasina’s presence in India and Dhaka’s signing of the UN water convention could complicate the 1996 Ganges agreement.

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India

‘Buyers are indefinitely gone’: Indian exporters lay bare pain from tariffs

The slow-moving trade talks and steep levies are hurting major sectors, forcing firms to seek new markets and offer deep discounts.

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People work at a garment factory in Tiruppur, India. Photo: Reuters
India

India’s home-grown stealth fighter dream: can Rolls-Royce make it a reality?

The British aircraft engine maker is promising full technology transfer and local IP rights for India’s fifth-generation AMCA programme.

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Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, at an air show in Bengaluru, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
Visitors stand next to a prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, at an air show in Bengaluru, India, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
India

India’s Tata Steel, JSW accused of price-fixing in collusion probe

India, the world’s No 2 crude steel producer, faces crackdown as probe finds price collusion; top firms brace for fines, financial scrutiny.

India

Asian economies to face volatile oil prices over Venezuela, US plans for Caracas

After the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, oil and gas prices are set to continue fluctuating this year due to geopolitical issues, analysts say.

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India

Trump threatens India with tariff hikes to abandon Russian oil for trade deal

With Trump ally, Senator Lindsey Graham proposing 500 per cent tariffs, New Delhi faces ‘hard choice’ between Russian oil and vital US trade access.

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US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on January 4. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on January 4. Photo: AFP
Nepal

Nepal’s ex-PM questioned over protest crackdown which led to overthrow

Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli had said he would not submit to questioning, accusing the investigation of lacking a ‘constitutional basis’.

India

‘It’s paying off’: India spreads its trade bets to beat Trump’s 50% tariff

With exports hitting a record US$825 billion and a spate of new trade pacts, India is finding success diversifying away from the US.

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India

India’s military upgrade to counter regional threats gathers pace

While US$30 billion of defence packages for weapon buys and others have been approved, the pace of roll-out is worrying, analysts say.

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A Pinaka multiple launch rocket system on display during India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, on January 26 last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
India

Netflix-Warner deal sparks concern in India’s entertainment sector

Films in Indian cinemas could be screened for a shorter period before they move to Netflix’s streaming platform, an association warns.

A Netflix sign atop a building in Los Angeles, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. Photo: AP
A Netflix sign atop a building in Los Angeles, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. Photo: AP
Sri Lanka

‘Show your kinky side’: Sri Lanka probes syllabus error linking to gay site

Education chief quits as police probe ‘Bad Boys Club’ link in 400,000 English text books – since recalled. Officials suspect sabotage, AI errors.

India

Air India pilot taken off duty over intoxication allegations in Canada

Canada’s transport regulator called the incident a ‘serious matter’ and demanded answers from the airline amid safety concerns.

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Mainland China

China’s Ukraine war role, EU vs Shein and Temu: 7 global relations reads

From a ‘blindsided’ Dutch minister to Brussels’ China de-risking, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in December 2025.

Ukrainian recruits attend military training in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine. Photo: Press service of the 65th Mechanized Brigade via EPA
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