New Delhi: India has begun looking at several products where taxes on input items are higher compared to the finished goods as part of a comprehensive review of its trade pact with the 10-member Asean to correct several anomalies that have undermined domestic manufacturing. Imbalances in import duties, rules of origin, and non-tariff barriers will … Read more
Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led raid on its territory on October 7, which killed about 1,160 people and took scores hostage into Gaza. Southeast Asia is home to 40 per cent of the world’s Muslim population. Indonesia and Malaysia staunchly support the Palestinian cause, and their leaders have issued stern diplomatic … Read more
Malaysia’s prime minister on Monday spoke up in defence of ties with China and complained over alleged pressure by the United States and its allies on regional nations to take sides in the West’s strategic rivalries with Beijing. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks came during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the Australian … Read more
Australia said on Monday that Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asian countries are facing serious defence threats as it set aside more funds for a maritime security pact with Asean member states during a summit with the Southeast Asian bloc. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would invest A$64 million (US$41.8 million) over four years, including A$40 … Read more
For many of Southeast Asia’s economies that are plugged into the international trading system, aligning domestic legislation with extraterritorial rules such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is a matter of practicality to facilitate cross-border digital commerce. However, a major constraint in framing AI discussions through a predominantly business-focused lens is that it … Read more
A congregation of Asean leaders in March could prove timely in providing an impetus to a detente between the United States and China called by a group of notable Australians, a former minister has said. Bob Carr, Australia’s former foreign minister, and 49 ex-statesmen and politicians as well as academics and advocates on Wednesday called … Read more
Despite the EU’s efforts, neither statement includes any mention of Taiwan. The 2024 statement also urges parties to “exercise self-restraint in the conduct of all activities” in the South China Sea and “encourages all countries to avoid any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security, and stability in the region”. A senior EU official said: “On … Read more
Similarly, India recognises the need to bolster its geopolitical position in the Western Pacific. Thus, while the Indo-Pacific concept integrates the Indian and Pacific oceans into one strategic region, dominant discourses of the region remained primarily centred on the latter. The clashes in the Red Sea, however, have triggered a renewed focus on Indian Ocean … Read more
Few in Manila, however, were consoled. After all, Asean has neither criticised China, a major trading partner, nor provided any concrete help beyond reiterating a commitment to the seemingly never-ending negotiations with China for a code of conduct in the South China Sea. If anything, some Asean leaders seem subtly critical of the Philippines’ more … Read more
On Monday, Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said that the Philippines was continually provoking China with “ extremely dangerous” behaviour that threatened regional stability. Philippine military spokesman Medel Aguilar shot back the next day, accusing China of performing dangerous manoeuvres. “They are the ones committing all the violations,” Aguilar said on state-run broadcaster PTV. Philippines … Read more
