Page 2 - Latest Updates on ASEAN
East Timor, Asia's youngest nation, officially becomes Asean's 11th member
Also known as Timor-Leste, the country of 1.4 million people is among Asia's poorest and hopes to see gains from integrating its fledgling economy
 "East Timor, Asia's youngest nation, officially becomes Asean's 11th member")
PM Modi calls for early review of India-Asean FTA to unlock trade potential
Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks swift review of the ASEAN-India FTA to strengthen economic and maritime partnerships and boost cooperation in technology and energy
 "PM Modi calls for early review of India-Asean FTA to unlock trade potential")
Japan's PM holds summit call with Trump, pledges to strengthen alliance
The telephone call between the two leaders was held on October 25 while attending Asean-related Summit meetings in Kuala Lumpur
 "Japan's PM holds summit call with Trump, pledges to strengthen alliance")
Trump to embark on Asia tour to mend trade rifts, join Asean, APEC summits
Trump's return to Asia could redefine regional trade and diplomacy. From Asean trade and digital economy talks to US-China negotiations
 "Trump to embark on Asia tour to mend trade rifts, join Asean, APEC summits")
Congress claims PM Modi not going to ASEAN summit to avoid meeting Trump
PM Modi is unlikely to travel to Malaysia to participate in the meetings related to the Asean summit beginning Sunday due to scheduling issues
 "Congress claims PM Modi not going to ASEAN summit to avoid meeting Trump")
PM Modi unlikely to attend Asean summit in Malaysia; EAM to represent India
Malaysia has invited US President Donald Trump as well as leaders of several countries which are the dialogue partners of the Asean
 "PM Modi unlikely to attend Asean summit in Malaysia; EAM to represent India")
US trans-shipment tariff to create compliance issues for firms: Moody's
Moody's, in its 'Trade Asia-Pacific' report, said it remains unclear how the Trump administration defines trans-shipment, but the measures appear to target products originating in China
 "US trans-shipment tariff to create compliance issues for firms: Moody's")
Nepal's convulsions, lessons for India: Rethinking South Asian integration
There have been half-hearted efforts to remake South Asia in the image of the European Union or at least the Asean, but now they seem to have been given up entirely
 "Nepal's convulsions, lessons for India: Rethinking South Asian integration")
Asean benefits when China, India engage, says Singapore's minister
senior Singaporean minister noted that Asean offers a thriving market, stability and opportunity for trade and cooperation
 "Asean benefits when China, India engage, says Singapore's minister")
India's Act East policy needs deeper economic integration with Asean
India's Act East policy needs fresh momentum through deeper economic integration with Asean
 "India's Act East policy needs deeper economic integration with Asean")
Next round of India-Asean trade pact review talks in October in Jakarta
The bilateral trade reached $123 billion in 2024-25, reflecting the strong economic ties between the two sides and creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation in the years ahead, it said
 "Next round of India-Asean trade pact review talks in October in Jakarta")
Akasa Air to launch direct Mumbai-Phuket flights from September 20
The airline said it will start flights to the SAARC and ASEAN regions in the next few years, in addition to leveraging the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airports to develop a network
 "Akasa Air to launch direct Mumbai-Phuket flights from September 20")
Asean team to monitor Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire after deadly clashes
Both sides have agreed to a ceasefire involving all types of weapons and any form of attacks on civilians and military objectives
 "Asean team to monitor Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire after deadly clashes")
Akasa Air completes 3 yrs of flying; plans flights to SAARC, Asean regions
Akasa Air, which commenced operations on August 7, 2022, expects to have more than 30 planes in its fleet by the end of this year
 "Akasa Air completes 3 yrs of flying; plans flights to SAARC, Asean regions")
Cambodia seeks ceasefire with Thailand after clashes: All that happened
Malaysia, holding the rotating chair of Asean, offered to mediate as PM Anwar said both sides agreed in principle to withdraw troops and enforce a ceasefire, though implementation may take time
 "Cambodia seeks ceasefire with Thailand after clashes: All that happened")
Indian mission in Thailand issues travel advisory amidst ongoing unrest
Clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia along the border between their countries on Thursday
 "Indian mission in Thailand issues travel advisory amidst ongoing unrest")
India, Asean drift apart as Trump tariffs strain trade ties and trust
Trump might be the immediate cause of this rift, but, as always, China's massive manufacturing overcapacity is at the heart of the problem
 "India, Asean drift apart as Trump tariffs strain trade ties and trust")
India, Asean expect 'some conclusion' in FTA review by October-end
Both sides are also discussing matters pertaining to technical cooperation, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures and technical barriers to trade collaborations
 "India, Asean expect 'some conclusion' in FTA review by October-end")
Rubio to meet China foreign minister in Malaysia amid rising tensions
The meetings come against a backdrop of global and regional unease over US policies, notably on trade and large tariffs that US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose on friend and foe alike
 "Rubio to meet China foreign minister in Malaysia amid rising tensions")
India, Asean adopt new 5-year action plan at foreign ministers' meeting
In a post on X, he described the meeting as productive, which he had co-chaired with Theresa P Lazaro of the Philippines
 "India, Asean adopt new 5-year action plan at foreign ministers' meeting")