https://www.scmp.com/rss/521794/feed The latest news and top stories on Observer Research Foundation. A prominent Delhi India based independent global think tank, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is dedicated to aiding policy thinking for a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world. Established in 1990, its main areas of focus include strategic studies, foreign policy, sustainable economic development, technology and climate change. ORF is recognised for providing non-partisan analysis to decision-makers and... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju As the world reels from the fallout of the Iran war, India is seeking to manage its risks and interests in the Middle East and beyond while maintaining its neutrality in the widening conflict. This can be seen in New Delhi engaging with combatants US and Iran, as well as other nations caught in the crossfire of the war, according to political analysts. In the past two weeks, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has spoken four times with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, while Prime... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347402/why-india-faces-dilemma-over-iran-war-while-seeking-diplomatic-flexibility?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347402/why-india-faces-dilemma-over-iran-war-while-seeking-diplomatic-flexibility?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:00:17 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow India’s move to supply Bangladesh with diesel as fuel prices soar amid the Iran war reflects its “first responder” role in the region and clout through the use of its critical commodities to deepen ties with neighbouring states. If the fuel shortages were to persist, however, India would have to balance between its own energy demand and that of its neighbours, according to observers. Bangladesh will be importing 45,000 tonnes of diesel from India by April, with 5,000 tonnes having been delivered... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3347372/india-steps-regional-energy-diplomacy-supplies-bangladesh-diesel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3347372/india-steps-regional-energy-diplomacy-supplies-bangladesh-diesel?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:52:25 +0000 Joseph Sipalan,Biman Mukherji Joseph Sipalan,Biman Mukherji Malaysia’s government has been forced onto the defensive over its much-touted tariff deal with the United States, after a minister walked back an earlier claim that the agreement had been rendered “null and void” by a US Supreme Court ruling. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration signed the deal in October, promising US$240 billion in investments and purchases of American goods, including beef and aircraft, in exchange for continued access to the world’s largest consumer market at a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3346749/confusion-over-malaysia-us-trade-deal-null-and-void-claim-retracted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3346749/confusion-over-malaysia-us-trade-deal-null-and-void-claim-retracted?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:14:40 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Reports that Washington could redirect some US military assets from South Korea to the Middle East have stirred unease in Seoul, reviving concerns that a crisis elsewhere could compromise deterrence on the Korean peninsula. Analysts said a redeployment of missile-defence systems could leave South Korea feeling vulnerable to North Korean “adventurism” and signal Washington’s “shifting priorities and lack of seriousness” towards its Indo-Pacific allies. Citing a South Korean government official,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345678/south-korea-uneasy-us-weighs-moving-air-defences-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345678/south-korea-uneasy-us-weighs-moving-air-defences-middle-east?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:37:06 +0000 Biman Mukherji,Maria Siow Biman Mukherji,Maria Siow The sinking of an Iranian warship by a US submarine off Sri Lanka’s coast has raised concerns across South and Southeast Asia that the Middle East conflict may be expanding into the Indian Ocean, while also intensifying political pressure in India for a stronger response. Analysts said the strike’s location near key sea lanes linking Asia with the Gulf had heightened fears the conflict could spill into waters vital to regional trade while also raising doubts in New Delhi over its cautious... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345575/us-sinking-iranian-warship-near-sri-lanka-sparks-regional-anxiety-pressure-india?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345575/us-sinking-iranian-warship-near-sri-lanka-sparks-regional-anxiety-pressure-india?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:50 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju For years, India has prided itself on a foreign policy doctrine of “dehyphenation”: maintaining productive, parallel relations with conflicting countries such as Israel, Iran and the Arab Gulf states without letting any one bilateral tie poison the others. That doctrine is now being tested to the limit. The killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US-Israeli strikes within days of Narendra Modi returning from a high-profile visit to Tel Aviv provided instant ammunition for the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345120/iran-conflict-puts-indias-cherished-middle-east-neutrality-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3345120/iran-conflict-puts-indias-cherished-middle-east-neutrality-test?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:14 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Oil prices surged by the most in four years on Monday as the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid a widening conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran brought tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill. Freight costs climbed sharply alongside crude, as traders swiftly priced in the war, which analysts say will have far-reaching consequences for Asia’s heavily import-dependent economies. Benchmark Brent crude jumped 13 per cent to a high... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3345098/asia-faces-oil-shock-us-iran-war-chokes-strait-hormuz?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3345098/asia-faces-oil-shock-us-iran-war-chokes-strait-hormuz?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 06:03:51 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju Brazil’s dismissal of the idea of a Brics currency suggests that the bloc may continue to pursue less politically fraught monetary cooperation that stops short of challenging the US dollar’s dominance, such as swaps and seamless payment systems, according to analysts. During Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s recent trip to India, Lula sought to play down speculation that the 10-member grouping of developing nations was drafting plans for a shared currency. In an interview with an... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344501/why-brics-cant-do-away-us-dollar-even-currency-cooperation-rises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344501/why-brics-cant-do-away-us-dollar-even-currency-cooperation-rises?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India and Brazil are stepping up efforts to boost trade cooperation among developing economies and regional blocs as a hedge against mounting global trade uncertainty, after signing agreements in New Delhi ranging from rare earths to digital infrastructure. The deals were sealed during Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s five-day visit to India, which ended on Sunday, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In January, India assumed the rotating chair of the Brics... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344457/india-brazil-intensify-trade-diversification-amid-trumps-tariff-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344457/india-brazil-intensify-trade-diversification-amid-trumps-tariff-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:06:25 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji A Supreme Court ruling that gutted the legal foundation for much of US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime has left Asian trading partners scratching their heads about the future of trade deals struck with Washington over the past 12 months. America’s apex court ruled on Friday that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) – which Trump had used to impose sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs since his “Liberation Day” proclamation last April – did not grant the president the power to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344300/asias-us-trade-deals-doubt-after-trumps-supreme-court-tariff-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3344300/asias-us-trade-deals-doubt-after-trumps-supreme-court-tariff-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:49:32 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain The United Arab Emirates is rapidly eclipsing Hong Kong and emerging as a credible rival to Singapore as Asia’s most dynamic trading hub, thanks to an ambitious post-pandemic campaign of economic diplomacy. Defying global headwinds from war and instability across its own region, the UAE’s non-oil trade almost doubled between 2021 and 2025 to reach 3.8 trillion dirhams (US$1.03 trillion), Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum announced on January 31. That surge – powered by an aggressive... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343514/uae-surpassing-hong-kong-challenging-singapore-global-trade-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343514/uae-surpassing-hong-kong-challenging-singapore-global-trade-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:00:22 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju The United States’ latest trade deal with India may be linked to a freeze on discounted Russian oil purchases, but analysts say it is unlikely to upset New Delhi’s decades-old defence ties with Moscow. Announcing the agreement last week, US President Donald Trump said tariffs on India imports would be cut from 18 to 50 per cent, tying the reduction to India halting its intake of Russian crude. “India has committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” Trump said in an... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342912/why-us-tariff-deal-cannot-sever-india-russia-defence-ties-structural-reality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342912/why-us-tariff-deal-cannot-sever-india-russia-defence-ties-structural-reality?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:30:16 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji When India sealed a landmark free-trade pact with the European Union last month, Brussels’ top bureaucrat saw more than an economic deal taking shape. “India has risen and Europe is truly glad about it,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared. “Because when India succeeds, the world is more stable, more prosperous and more secure.” Her words were more than just a diplomatic nicety; they reflected a growing consensus in European capitals that India has become an... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342704/indias-trade-blitz-seeks-keep-sinking-global-order-afloat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342704/indias-trade-blitz-seeks-keep-sinking-global-order-afloat?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:12 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji A trade deal reached between India and the United States could lead to closer geopolitical alignment between the two countries and bring New Delhi a step closer to becoming a leading manufacturing hub. But observers are sceptical that New Delhi may stop buying Russian crude oil, and whether the volume of American exports to India may surge in a short span of time. On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he would reduce the US tariff on Indian imports to 18 per cent from 25 per cent and remove... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342233/why-india-may-gravitate-back-us-bloc-after-tariff-deal-two-way-trade-set-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3342233/why-india-may-gravitate-back-us-bloc-after-tariff-deal-two-way-trade-set-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:00:31 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s increasing engagement with Gulf nations is driven more by trade and energy security, even as it seeks to forge a defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates amid deepening rivalries in the region, according to analysts. Last week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a brief stop in New Delhi, where both sides pledged to deepen trade ties and defence cooperation. The trip has fuelled speculation that the UAE is seeking to diversify its strategic partnerships amid... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341287/why-indias-focus-middle-east-trade-despite-defence-ties-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3341287/why-indias-focus-middle-east-trade-despite-defence-ties-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:17:51 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia are adding a new layer of uncertainty for Asian exporters shipping to the Americas, analysts have said, compounding the strain from higher import tariffs and already fragile supply chains. Trump has issued explicit warnings about possible strikes in both countries following a major US operation in Venezuela earlier this month, as part of an escalated regional strategy to counter drug trafficking... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3340564/why-trumps-mexico-military-plan-blow-asian-exporters-americas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3340564/why-trumps-mexico-military-plan-blow-asian-exporters-americas?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s backing for a Senate bill that would allow tariffs of up to 500 per cent on goods from countries buying Russian oil has raised the prospect of a near-freeze in trade between India and its largest export market, as New Delhi continues to absorb steep US duties imposed last year. Trump last week gave the green light to the proposal, which targets any country that continues to buy Russian oil, petroleum products or uranium, a move seen as part of Washington’s effort to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3339920/trumps-500-tariff-push-raises-risk-india-us-trade-freeze?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3339920/trumps-500-tariff-push-raises-risk-india-us-trade-freeze?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:00:18 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India plans to lift long-standing restrictions on Chinese companies bidding for government contracts, a move officials say is aimed at easing shortages and project delays as relations with Beijing show tentative signs of stabilising. The proposal, first reported by Reuters, would roll back curbs, imposed after the two countries’ deadly 2020 border clash in the Galwan Valley, that effectively shut Chinese firms out of a vast segment of India’s public procurement market. In October 2024, India and... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3339772/india-proposes-reopening-government-bidding-chinese-firms-ties-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3339772/india-proposes-reopening-government-bidding-chinese-firms-ties-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:00:21 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji When India reached a free-trade agreement with New Zealand in a record time of nine months towards the end of last year, the speedy conclusion signalled New Delhi’s intention to diversify away from the United States – an approach that is only expected to gather pace. Ever since US President Donald Trump imposed import tariffs of 50 per cent on India last year, among the highest levied by Washington, the South Asian nation has maintained a resolute approach to the punitive levies, even as it has... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338559/india-spreads-its-bets-beat-trumps-50-tariff-exports-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3338559/india-spreads-its-bets-beat-trumps-50-tariff-exports-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 09:00:11 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India’s defence modernisation is on track even as it faces the challenges of ensuring that weapon systems are deployed quickly and boosting its military’s capabilities to counter external threats, according to analysts. Last year, the Indian government approved three major defence packages totalling US$30 billion out of the country’s total defence budget of US$78.7 billion for the current financial year, which was ratified by parliament in February. The three packages were cleared in the second... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338568/indias-military-upgrade-counter-regional-threats-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3338568/indias-military-upgrade-counter-regional-threats-gathers-pace?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 05:30:09 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Myanmar’s junta has grown so dependent on mainland China for political and economic support that it is highlighting issues such as Taiwan to signal “loyalty” towards Beijing and secure backing for an imminent election that the military hopes will legitimise its rule, according to analysts. This dependence was evident last month when the military-led regime condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan in language closely aligned with Beijing’s talking points, reflecting... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3335243/myanmars-criticism-takaichi-signals-loyalty-china-ahead-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3335243/myanmars-criticism-takaichi-signals-loyalty-china-ahead-election?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:30:10 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Centuries ago, Indian merchants rode monsoon winds across the seas, their cargoes stitching together a maritime world stretching from East Africa to Southeast Asia. Today, as container ships queue outside clogged ports and great powers quarrel over access and tariffs, India is trying to sail back into that history – this time as a modern shipping and shipbuilding power. Standing before global investors late last month, a day after presiding over a glittering maritime industry showcase in Mumbai,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334556/india-races-rebuild-its-lost-maritime-muscle-we-are-against-clock?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334556/india-races-rebuild-its-lost-maritime-muscle-we-are-against-clock?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:00:10 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Russia’s offer to transfer fifth-generation fighter jet technology to India is being seen as a strategic overture at a time when New Delhi’s relations with Washington are strained over trade disputes and diplomatic spats. Analysts say the proposed transfer – involving the Su-57 stealth fighter – not only signals Moscow’s desire to revitalise defence ties with one of its top arms buyers, but also offers India a timely opportunity to demonstrate that it has “strategic options” as it navigates a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334281/russias-su-57-offer-boosts-indias-strategic-options-amid-strained-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3334281/russias-su-57-offer-boosts-indias-strategic-options-amid-strained-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:00:20 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju The Indian Navy has marked a milestone with the launch of its first locally made anti-submarine ship, but it still faces a naval capabilities gap compared with arch-rival Pakistan, which is set to acquire potent Chinese-made submarines. The core issue is New Delhi’s long-standing failure to modernise its conventional submarine fleet, analysts say. This leaves India vulnerable to the new-generation, air-independent propulsion (AIP) equipped Hangor-class vessels that Beijing is supplying to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333802/indias-submarine-deficit-persists-china-bolsters-pakistans-undersea-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333802/indias-submarine-deficit-persists-china-bolsters-pakistans-undersea-power?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:01:07 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Washington’s approval of a US$93 million arms deal for India signals warming ties between the two sides after months of trade tensions and a potential prelude to a visit by US President Donald Trump to New Delhi next year, according to analysts. The supply of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds to India comes as the two countries seek to end a dispute over US tariffs and negotiate a broad trade agreement. Analysts say the weapons purchase could help reduce... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333740/will-us-approval-arms-sales-india-pave-way-trade-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3333740/will-us-approval-arms-sales-india-pave-way-trade-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:26:30 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji A potential visit by US President Donald Trump to India could provide the impetus to conclude trade talks between New Delhi and Washington, analysts say, amid doubts about his commitment to the Indo-Pacific due to uncertainty over a proposed Quad security summit in the Indian capital. Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were “going great” and that a visit to Delhi could take place next year, though he declined to specify a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332344/are-us-india-ties-set-rebound-following-trumps-positive-assessment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332344/are-us-india-ties-set-rebound-following-trumps-positive-assessment?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:23:52 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji A remark by US Vice-President J.D. Vance expressing hope that his Hindu wife might convert to Christianity has drawn sharp criticism in India, where commentators see it as a troubling signal of his expected bid for the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nomination. Speaking at the University of Mississippi last week, Vance said his children were being raised as Christians and that his wife Usha Vance also attended church with the family most Sundays. “Do I hope eventually that she is somehow... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331468/outrage-india-over-vances-wish-his-hindu-wife-become-christian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331468/outrage-india-over-vances-wish-his-hindu-wife-become-christian?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:22:39 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India and the United States have renewed a 10-year defence framework, reaffirming their strategic partnership despite simmering tensions over trade and Delhi’s deepening defence ties with Russia. The timing of the signing has put a spotlight on the balancing act required to maintain India–US defence ties, in which Delhi’s pursuit of American weapon systems is complicated by its deepening military dependence on Moscow, according to analysts. The agreement was signed on Friday in Kuala Lumpur by... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331091/why-india-maintains-balancing-act-between-us-and-russia-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3331091/why-india-maintains-balancing-act-between-us-and-russia-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:38:59 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India is expected to stop buying discounted Russian oil after the imposition of fresh US sanctions on two top producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, and instead increase its purchases of other goods from long-time ally Moscow. Many Indian refiners have paused new orders of Russian oil since Washington sanctioned the two Russian crude exporters last week, with buyers turning to the spot market for alternatives, according to a Reuters report. India, along with China, has been among the top buyers of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330878/india-pressured-stop-russian-oil-imports-after-us-sanctions-2-more-producers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3330878/india-pressured-stop-russian-oil-imports-after-us-sanctions-2-more-producers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:00:12 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India has taken a big step in enhancing its military’s deterrence capabilities along its borders with Pakistan and China through the creation of new commando and drone units. The army will also be equipped with carbines designed for close-quarter battles and the latest anti-tank weapons, in a move that analysts say will significantly strengthen the country’s border security and defence sector. Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, director general in the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330276/indias-army-boost-deterrence-along-borders-new-commando-and-drone-units?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3330276/indias-army-boost-deterrence-along-borders-new-commando-and-drone-units?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 07:00:12 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji A mood of uncertainty hangs over India’s pharmaceutical sector as US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats have unsettled investors and policymakers alike. But behind closed doors, a tentative deal on digital trade and quiet backchannel negotiations are giving hope to markets and manufacturers in both of the world’s most populous democracies. “There appears to be recognition that the US needs to lower the rhetoric,” said foreign policy analyst Vivek Mishra, deputy director of the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3327822/trumps-100-tariff-threat-has-indias-drug-industry-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3327822/trumps-100-tariff-threat-has-indias-drug-industry-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 08:00:13 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow India is expected to continue developing a key port in Iran due to its strategic value as a trade gateway to Central Asia and the Middle East, despite the project facing the threat of imminent US sanctions, according to analysts. Washington’s revocation of a waiver on sanctions for the Chabahar port may lead to delays in construction and investments, as well as complicate India’s efforts to boost trade with Afghanistan and beyond, forcing it to rely again on overland routes through its... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327020/indias-look-west-policy-anchored-iranian-port-under-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3327020/indias-look-west-policy-anchored-iranian-port-under-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:00:11 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow India can seize an opportunity to reset its ties with Nepal and strengthen regional stability following the leadership shake-up in Kathmandu sparked by the Gen Z-led protests, according to analysts. But they warn that any such move by India must avoid triggering perceptions of “big brother” interference – a legacy of its past interventions in South Asia that have pushed Nepal and Bangladesh closer to China. The recent unrest in Nepal led to the resignation of prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli last... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325775/can-india-reset-ties-nepal-sidestep-big-brother-perceptions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3325775/can-india-reset-ties-nepal-sidestep-big-brother-perceptions?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:30:09 +0000 Alan Robles Alan Robles Manila has spent billions on modernising its armed forces, but a new report warns the Philippines still leans too heavily on American protection – a gamble fraught with risk as US President Donald Trump repeatedly questions the value of old alliances. The Southeast Asian nation’s ability to counter China’s growing assertiveness remains in doubt, according to the assessment by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group think tank, which found that the Philippines’ security strategy is still... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323482/can-philippines-trump-proof-its-us-alliance-deter-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323482/can-philippines-trump-proof-its-us-alliance-deter-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Sep 2025 04:00:10 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Since seizing power in a coup 4 ½ years ago, Myanmar’s military rulers have had a strained relationship with much of the outside world. Largely shunned by the West, the generals have even struggled for diplomatic recognition within Asean, which has barred the junta from high-level meetings and blocked it from assuming the rotating chairmanship that it was scheduled to take up next year. But in China late last month, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing chalked up a victory in his quest for validation,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324539/indias-short-sighted-myanmar-diplomacy-imperils-aseans-peace-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324539/indias-short-sighted-myanmar-diplomacy-imperils-aseans-peace-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 03:00:09 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s central bank has eased rules for settling international trade in rupees, a move analysts say could bolster the currency’s global profile and reduce the country’s dependence on the US dollar as trade tensions with Washington escalate. Though New Delhi has distanced itself from global de-dollarisation drives, observer say the shift reflects a pragmatic push to insulate India from dollar volatility and future geopolitical risks. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3322408/indias-easing-rupee-trade-rules-response-us-tariff-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3322408/indias-easing-rupee-trade-rules-response-us-tariff-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 12:26:14 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji With US tariffs threatening India’s exports, the prospect of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal has become more than a distant hope – it may be New Delhi’s best chance for some economic breathing room, analysts say. A summit in Alaska on Friday between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin failed to yield a breakthrough, but Trump later called the talks “productive” and Putin suggested hosting a follow-up meeting in Moscow. Trump is set to host another separate summit... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3322231/will-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-save-india-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3322231/will-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-save-india-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:30:08 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India and Pakistan have embarked on a new arms race, investing billions in advanced missile systems that observers warn could define the next era of South Asian warfare. The moves follow their deadly four-day conflict in May, which saw some of the most intense border hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals in years. Earlier this month, India announced it would procure an additional 110 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles as part of a new 670 billion rupee (US$8.7 billion) defence... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322212/india-pakistan-enter-new-missile-race-after-deadly-border-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3322212/india-pakistan-enter-new-missile-race-after-deadly-border-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:28:03 +0000 CNA CNA Businesses in India’s tourism industry are preparing for a long-awaited return of visitors from China. India said last month it will resume accepting Chinese tourist visa applications for the first time in five years, amid an improvement in bilateral ties. Its embassy in Beijing said applicants can book an appointment to submit required documents in the capital, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. While it is unclear how long the process will take and when Chinese travellers will begin arriving in India,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3320963/india-gears-long-awaited-return-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3320963/india-gears-long-awaited-return-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 11:00:18 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Beijing is on high alert for New Delhi’s involvement in South China Sea disputes after the first-ever joint patrol between India and the Philippines in the strategically important waters, which observers say may further complicate relations between India and China. The assessment was made as Indian and Philippine navies on Monday wrapped up their maritime cooperative activity (MCA), which coincided with a state visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to India. The MCA involved three... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320806/china-high-alert-south-china-sea-disruption-after-philippine-india-patrol-pla?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320806/china-high-alert-south-china-sea-disruption-after-philippine-india-patrol-pla?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:10:50 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Maldives is being viewed as a symbolic yet strategic reset in bilateral ties, signalling New Delhi’s renewed engagement with its island neighbour amid waning Chinese investment and mounting economic distress in Male. Modi’s two-day trip, which coincided with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, marked his first visit since President Mohamed Muizzu took office in late 2023 following an election campaign built on a combative... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320027/modis-visit-indian-aid-pledge-reshape-maldives-ties-china-wavers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320027/modis-visit-indian-aid-pledge-reshape-maldives-ties-china-wavers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:01:36 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India’s acquisition of the latest variant of US-made Apache attack helicopters is a key step towards bolstering its ability to fight on two fronts against Pakistan and China, but experts are divided on whether the ageing aircraft can remain battleworthy over the long term. On Tuesday, the Indian army took delivery of the first three AH-64E Apache helicopters, with plans to induct them into its attack aviation wing based in the state of Rajasthan. Three more units are expected to arrive by the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319329/new-apaches-india-are-us-helicopters-battle-ready-future-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319329/new-apaches-india-are-us-helicopters-battle-ready-future-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:30:09 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India is looking to Western European partners to co-develop next-generation fighter jet engines to reduce its reliance on Russia and the US for defence supply and potentially secure access to advanced technologies as part of its diversification strategy, according to analysts. The Indian defence ministry is leaning towards partnering with French aerospace and defence company Safran as part of a programme to develop the stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) valued at 610 billion rupees... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319032/india-turns-europe-next-gen-fighter-tech-defence-ties-deepen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319032/india-turns-europe-next-gen-fighter-tech-defence-ties-deepen?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:35:57 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose steep secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia has raised alarm in India over the future of its discounted oil purchases from Moscow, with analysts warning the issue could complicate negotiations on a bilateral trade deal with Washington. Trump vowed on Monday to impose “very severe tariffs” if Russia did not end its war in Ukraine within 50 days. Washington would target Moscow’s remaining trade partners with measures aimed at choking off... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3318295/india-fix-over-trumps-tariff-threat-aimed-russian-oil?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3318295/india-fix-over-trumps-tariff-threat-aimed-russian-oil?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:00:17 +0000