The US has come up with a new grouping called Squad, with the US, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines as its members

Quad and now the Squad: New power equations in the Indo-Pacific

This new bloc is vital for both the US and regional players, especially the Philippines which is not part of the original Quad. For Australia and Japan, this new partnership represents a more focused security arrangement with greater on-the-ground ease of conducting military activities as compared to the more bureaucratic Quad.

Is the US finally realizing Bangladesh's importance in its Indo-Pacific strategy?

Bangladesh must exercise caution when considering the adoption of the Indo-Pacific Strategy advocated by the US and its regional allies. This move could potentially strain Bangladesh's friendship with China.

Chinese 'research vessels' in Indian Ocean raises red flags in Indian maritime circles

Over half of these 'research vessels' operated in the South China Sea, but their growing presence in the Indian Ocean has stirred regional tensions and is a matter of growing concern to India.

US looking to boost economic ties with ‘critical partner’ India through IPEF

While most of the attention to keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open has been focused on strategic issues, Venkataraman emphasized the critical role of the IPEF in boosting regional economic ties. 

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Families of Pakistanis stranded in China reject government briefing

The families of Pakistani citizens who have not been evacuated from China amid the coronavirus outbreak have rejected a government briefing, while calling for their return, it was reported on Thursday.

China opposes Indian Home Minister's visit to Arunachal

Even as it is bogged down by the coronavirus epidemic, China on Thursday reopened a hostile front with India as Beijing "firmly opposed" Indian Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Arunachal Pradesh on its statehood day and warned India against "complicating" the border issue.

IAF flight to China delayed due to technical reasons

Indian Air Force's largest plane C-17 Globemaster's scheduled flight on Thursday to coronavirus affected city Wuhan in China to evacuate Indians stranded there has been delayed due to technical reasons

China to help fight locusts as major crops face danger

A team of experts from China is set to visit Pakistan to deliberate on the aerial management of locust swarms in the country. A senior official of the food security ministry told Dawn that the Chinese technical experts’ delegation will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday to start the evaluation of the locust situation

Situation critical in China, say Indian students

"How's the Josh," Lieutenant Colonel Manjunath asked the students camped in India Army quarantine base in Manesarand their reply was: "High Sir". It resonated across 10 barracks they were kept in after returning from China's Wuhan, the ground zero of coronavirus.

Chinese envoy advises against evacuation of 171 Bangladeshis from virus-hit Hubei

Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Li Jiming has advised against evacuating 171 Bangladeshi nationals from the locked-down cities in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of a deadly coronavirus, bdnews24 reported

China urges Bangladesh not to ditch it

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming urged Bangladeshi businesses not to switch over its supply chain to any other countries as an alternative to China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

175 Nepalis airlifted from Wuhan arrive in Kathmandu

175 Nepalis who were stranded in Hubei Province of China after the outbreak of COVID-19 arrived in Kathmandu on a chartered Nepal Airlines plane.

Disembarkation of crew from China ships won't be allowed in India

Indian port authorities have decided not to allow the disembarkation of crew of ships from China, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore, to avoid the spreading of the deadly coronavirus. "Disembarkation of crew of ships from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore are not allowed in order to avoid any risk of coronavirus spreading here. This condition is applicable in all the Indian ports," S. Senthilnathan, Health Officer, Chennai Port, told IANS.

IMF asks Pakistan to cut reliance on China

The visiting IMF mission has asked Islamabad "to reduce its trade and commerce reliance on Beijing" and look for other international options by signing free trade agreements (FTA) with other countries too, a media report said on Friday.

Pakistan PM concerned over students stuck in Wuhan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Foreign Office (FO) to take every possible step to help Pakistani students stuck in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

China ready to strengthen BRI cooperation with Sri Lanka

China says it stands ready to strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Sri Lanka for mutual benefits.

Pakistan Senate expresses solidarity with NCoV-hit China

The Pakistan Senate has unanimously passed a resolution expressing solidarity with and support for China in combating the deadly novel coronavirus.

India may face supply shortage as China extends factory shutdown

Rapid spread of the coronavirus in China has forced several factories to defer their plans to open shop post Lunar New Year holiday to next month

Immediately evacuate citizens from China: Nepal NHRC

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission directed the government to immediately bring back Nepalis from Hubei, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak, as students stuck in the Chinese province have started making frantic calls for evacuation