South Asia

How China is becoming the world's most powerful opposition to US power

Like any ambitious opposition party, Beijing is pointing out the weaknesses of the incumbent while portraying itself as a steadier, more predictable partner with fresh ideas

Gen-Z revolts in South Asia show toppling leaders is just the start

New governments in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka face test of turning protest wins into real reforms

South Asia regains top spot in growth outlook as economist sentiment flips

South Asia tops global growth outlook as WEF economists turn bullish again, with India anchoring optimism even as global growth risks persist

India driving South Asia as world's brightest growth spot: WEF survey

Despite a modest improvement in recent months, a majority of chief economists expect global economic conditions to weaken this year but see India anchoring South Asia as the brightest growth spot despite mounting trade headwinds, a new survey showed on Friday. In its latest Chief Economists Outlook report, released ahead of the Davos annual meeting next week, the World Economic Forum said the global economic outlook has improved modestly but remains uncertain, with asset valuations, mounting debt, geo-economic realignment, and rapid deployment of artificial intelligence creating both opportunities and risks. Nearly 53 per cent of chief economists surveyed expect global economic conditions to weaken in the year ahead, down from 72 per cent in September 2025, it said. The report, drawing from consultations and surveys with chief economists from the public and private sectors worldwide, said South Asia has returned to the top of the regional growth outlook. Two-thirds of the chief ...

Polls open for military-ruled Myanmar's first general election in 5 years

Voters went to the polls on Sunday for the initial phase of Myanmar's first general election in five years, held under the supervision of its military government while a civil war rages throughout much of the country. Critics charge that the election is designed to add a facade of legitimacy to military rule, which began after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Her party won a landslide victory in the 2020 election but was blocked from taking office for a second term. In Yangon, the country's largest city, Naypyitaw, the capital, and elsewhere, voters were casting their ballots at high schools, government buildings and religious buildings. Critics argue that the results will lack legitimacy due to the exclusion of major parties and limits on freedom of speech and an atmosphere of repression. They contend that the expected victory of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party makes the nominal transition to civilian rule a ..

Cancer crisis intensifies globally, hitting low-resource countries hardest

Once seen as a disease of the wealthy, cancer now affects all regions, with a growing share of cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries

Floods Ravage Asia Rising climate risks leave over 1,300 dead and $20 billion in damage

Severe floods triggered by cyclones and monsoon rains have killed more than 1,300 people across South and Southeast Asia and caused economic losses of at least $20 billion.

Heat could kill 46 people per hour in South Asia by 2045, study finds

A study in the journal Tropical Medicine and Health projects that climate change could double South Asia's annual heat-related deaths to nearly 400,000 by 2045, with India and Pakistan most at risk

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

Datanomics: How India-Afghanistan ties have shifted under Taliban 2.0

India cautiously renews economic engagement with Afghanistan, balancing humanitarian aid and trade ties without extending formal recognition to the Taliban regime

Time to expand bilateral ties between India, Mongolia, says President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said it is time to further expand bilateral ties between India and Mongolia by adding contemporary dimensions of cooperation. Welcoming Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said that shared cultural heritage and democratic values are the foundation of India-Mongolia relations. India and Mongolia are 'Strategic Partners', 'Third Neighbours', and 'Spiritual Neighbours', the President said. Murmu said India attaches the highest priority to its development and capacity-building partnership with Mongolia, and is fully committed to the timely completion of all the projects currently underway, which will emerge as lasting symbols of India-Mongolia friendship and cooperation. The President also appreciated the close cooperation between the two countries, as members of the Global South, in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations. Both leaders agreed that it is time to further expand the bilateral

World Bank cuts South Asia outlook to 5.8% on Trump tariffs to India

Washington-based institution projected South Asia's growth to ease to 5.8 per cent in 2026, down from 6.6 per cent this year, a sharper slowdown than previously anticipated.

Indonesia's military expanding power, raising authoritarian fears

Groundwork was laid in March, when lawmakers approved changes to the 2004 Indonesian Military Law, which broadened the government's ability to appoint serving military officers to civilian positions

How angry Gen Z kids in Nepal sparked Asia's deadliest uprising of 2025

The protests escalated dramatically on Sept. 8, when police fired on groups of young demonstrators, killing more than 20 people

South Asia lived with inequality. Then 'nepo babies' fuelled public outrage

South Asia stayed calm as the upper-middle class aspired to a globalised life, but slowing growth, tech shifts, and travel limits, amplified by TikTok and Instagram, are stoking frustration

India jumps a place on innovation ladder, leads Central, South Asia pack

India performed better in innovation outputs than innovation inputs in 2025. The country's R&D investments fell to 7.8% in 2019-20, However, in the decade (2010-20) it rose 3.1%

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

'With China's rise in South Asia, India's neighbours have greater demands'

Beyond the hard and more visible dimensions of trade, investment, or defence supplies, we show that China's engagements also operate on softer dimensions that shape the governance

Airbus appoints Jrgen Westermeier as President, MD for India, South Asia

Airbus has appointed Jrgen Westermeier as the President and Managing Director for India and South Asia. The appointment of 53-year-old Jrgen, currently the Executive Vice-President and Chief Procurement Officer at Airbus, will be effective from September 1, the aircraft maker said in a release on Wednesday. He will succeed Rmi Maillard, who will become Executive Vice-President Engineering for Commercial Aircraft and Head of Technology at Airbus. India is a key market for Airbus, which has a significant presence in commercial aircraft and defence segments. "In his new role, Jrgen will spearhead Airbus' business in India and South Asia, across Commercial Aircraft, Defence and Space, and Helicopters. He will be responsible for commercial aircraft sales and for expanding the company's footprint in the region, which includes services, engineering, digital, innovation and training. "Jrgen will also help advance Airbus' commitment to 'Make in India' by supporting the company's campaigns