Next round of India-Asean trade agreement review talks in February

Next round of India-Asean trade agreement review talks in February

Asean as a group is one of the major trade partners of India with about 11 per cent share in India’s global trade. File | Photo Credit: AP The next round of talks for the review meeting of the India-Asean free trade agreement in goods will be held in February next year, an official statement … Read more

Myanmar’s behaviour risks undermining ASEAN centrality: Ng Eng Hen

Myanmar’s behaviour risks undermining ASEAN centrality: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s defence minister says Myanmar’s actions could weaken a key principle that underpins the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Myanmar’s behaviour risks undermining the ASEAN Centrality that we have painstakingly built over the past two decades (of defence cooperation),” said Dr Ng Eng Hen, according to a news release from Singapore’s defence ministry … Read more

China leveraging Laos to link up its Southeast Asian economic interests

China leveraging Laos to link up its Southeast Asian economic interests

China aims to scale up infrastructure construction in uniquely strategic Laos to accelerate trade and investment throughout Southeast Asia as Chinese businesses scout for space to grow offshore, analysts said. Laos, relatively undeveloped and small at just 7.4 million people, matters to Beijing because it shares borders not only with China, but also with the … Read more

Amid ‘new Cold War’, Singaporeans need to brace for turbulent, difficult phase of global development: PM Wong

Amid ‘new Cold War’, Singaporeans need to brace for turbulent, difficult phase of global development: PM Wong

VIENTIANE: Singaporeans need to brace themselves and be mentally prepared that things may go wrong in this “turbulent and difficult phase of development worldwide” amid a “new Cold War”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Oct 12). Speaking to reporters on the final day of his visit to Vientiane, Laos, Mr Wong said that world … Read more

Prioritise development over expansion in Indo-Pacific, says PM Modi in Laos

Prioritise development over expansion in Indo-Pacific, says PM Modi in Laos

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized that the Indo-Pacific region should pursue a development-based approach rather than one pivoted on expansionism. Modi said this in his address at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Laos amid heightened tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial control in the South China Sea. “The … Read more

ASEAN must grow with less emissions, look to external partners to finance regional power grid: PM Wong

ASEAN must grow with less emissions, look to external partners to finance regional power grid: PM Wong

“Unfortunately, there has been no political progress and in fact the fighting in Myanmar has worsened,” said Mr Wong. Noting that the conflict is really a domestic situation, he said: “We have to be realistic about what ASEAN can do, and at the same time, patient and steadfast in pursuing efforts towards peaceful resolution.” He … Read more

Malaysia backs Pakistan to become full dialogue partner with Asean

Malaysia backs Pakistan to become full dialogue partner with Asean

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan has Malaysia’s full support in its bid to become a full dialogue partner with Asean, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said Malaysia is in a position to open up on Pakistan’s desire to become a dialogue partner. “Malaysia is supportive because our position is to engage to open up,” … Read more

Indonesia to host discussions on Myanmar conflict: Diplomat

Indonesia to host discussions on Myanmar conflict: Diplomat

JAKARTA: Diplomatic talks on Myanmar’s civil war will be held in Jakarta ahead of a regional summit convening next week, a senior diplomat in Indonesia told AFP on Thursday (Oct 3). The talks on Friday and Saturday will involve representatives from “Indonesia, ASEAN, the European Union and the United Nations” and members of anti-junta groups, said … Read more

Anwar urges Amazon Web Services to fast-track RM29.2bil project

Anwar urges Amazon Web Services to fast-track RM29.2bil project

KUALA LUMPUR: The 15-year investment plan by US-based firm Amazon Web Services (AWS) proves Malaysia is fast becoming the premier regional destination for digital investments, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Expressing his confidence over the RM29.2bil AWS Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Region project, the Prime Minister said he hoped the firm would shorten its development period … Read more

TVS Motor Co to expand electric 2W sales in both developing, developed markets: CEO KN Radhakrishnan

TVS Motor Co to expand electric 2W sales in both developing, developed markets: CEO KN Radhakrishnan

New Delhi: TVS Motor Company plans to expand the sales of its electric vehicles to both developing and developed markets, betting big on India’s potential to emerge as a major export hub for electric two-wheelers, according to Director and CEO KN Radhakrishnan. The company will leverage on its plant in Indonesia to cater to other … Read more