Asia – Page 2 – The Singapore Post

Asif Ali Zardari becomes President of Pakistan, while Shehbaz Sharif takes over as PM. For India, what does it mean?

5Mar

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asif Ali Zardari becomes President of Pakistan, while Shehbaz Sharif takes over as PM. For India, what does it mean?

Shehbaz Sharif has returned as the Prime Minister and Asif Ali Zardari as the President of Pakistan after the two old-guard parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), reached a power-sharing agreement. The announcement comes after a nearly two-week-long political deadlock in the country following the February 8 elections, which resulted in a hung assembly with no party securing the 133 seats mandated for a simple majority out of 265 contested seats in the Pakistan National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won 79 seats while the Pakistan Peoples Party came third with 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) has also agreed to support the coalition with their 17 seats. The new government in Pakistan is faced with...

A contentious poll resulted in Shehbaz Sharif being elected Pakistan’s PM for a second term.

3Mar

By Yusara AskariNo Comments

Asia, World

A contentious poll resulted in Shehbaz Sharif being elected Pakistan’s PM for a second term.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani legislators have elected Shehbaz Sharif as the country’s prime minister for a second term following a controversial election last month. The South Asian country voted on February 8 in a vote marred by allegations of large-scale rigging and delayed results. On Sunday, the National Assembly, as the lower house of parliament is called, met to elect the premier. “Shehbaz Sharif is declared to have been elected the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said. Shehbaz secured 201 votes in the 336-member National Assembly, comfortably prevailing over rival Omar Ayub Khan, who won 92. The winner needed at least 169 votes. Khan was backed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the political group legislator

<strong>Muizzu Subverts Democracy as Maldives Seeks New Direction in Upcoming Elections</strong>

3Mar

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asia

Muizzu Subverts Democracy as Maldives Seeks New Direction in Upcoming Elections

The Maldives is poised at a critical juncture in its democratic journey as it braces for the rescheduled parliamentary elections slated for April 21, 2024.[1] However, the anticipation surrounding these elections is shrouded in controversy and political strife, primarily stemming from the actions of President Mohamed Muizzu and their profound implications for the trajectory of Maldivian democracy. It is therefore important to delve into the important dynamics at play, underscoring the pivotal significance of the upcoming elections and the challenges confronting the Maldives as it navigates this moment in its history. President Muizzu's recent decision to thwart the ratification of a bill aimed at amending general election regulations has ignited a firestorm of debate and raised fundame...

1Mar

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asia, World

What Causes and What Effects: Pakistan’s Military’s Status as a Political Force

In recent years, Pakistan’s fragile democracy has grappled with an overbearing military, strained regional relationships, and repercussions from the growing rivalry between the US and China.[1] Amid domestic political turbulence and a deteriorating economy, the civilian government increasingly relied on a power-hungry military for stability and support.[2] Indeed, the domestic political rollercoaster underway since 2022 showcases the impact of the military’s involvement in the country’s politics, with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s worsening relationship with the military eventually leading to his ouster and imprisonment.[3] Khan’s public clashes with the military chief regarding top military appointments and policy decisions and his poor political and economic management are said to ha

<strong>China’s diplomacy focuses on poaching Palau, Taiwan’s ally</strong>

29Feb

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Asia, China

China’s diplomacy focuses on poaching Palau, Taiwan’s ally

China is in worst form. Soon after the declaration of president’s elections in Taiwan, it has stepped up efforts to isolate Taiwan. Irritated by Taiwan’s election which returned the incumbent Democratic Progressive party, a pro-sovereignty administration that Beijing had hoped to see ousted, China stepped up efforts to isolate Taiwan from its allies. It had succeeded in convincing nine of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies to dump Taiwan for China. Nauru was the last country to have switched its loyalty towards China. Prior to that was Honduras which severed ties with Taiwan in April last year, ending 82 years of mutual diplomatic recognition. China has identified Palau which has close relations with Taiwan. However, it has used tourism as a weapon to pressurise Palau to sever diplomatic ti

<strong>Is President Muizzu in troubled waters?</strong>

23Feb

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Asia

Is President Muizzu in troubled waters?

A senior minister in the administration of President Mohamed Muizzu in the Maldives, has accused the Opposition of trying to “illegally” overthrow the Maldivian President. Minister of Islamic Affairs Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said the administration would not allow them to do so unless they cut "every vein in our throats". The country's main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which holds a majority in Parliament, had intended to submit a motion to impeach President Muizzu last month. However, Muizzu got a respite when the Supreme Court ordered suspension of the recent amendment to Parliament’s standing orders that made it easier for the Opposition to impeach the President and Vice President. Legally, there was nothing “illegal” in the Opposition’s efforts to impeach Muizzu, but

India’s Active Involvement in the Development of Bangladesh’s Infrastructure, Economy, Energy, and Capacity Building Sectors

22Feb

By Nectar GanNo Comments

Asia

India’s Active Involvement in the Development of Bangladesh’s Infrastructure, Economy, Energy, and Capacity Building Sectors

Bangladesh is considered an important country within India’s sphere of influence, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has significantly stepped up partnership with Bangladesh. An important avenue of partnership between the two countries is that of development cooperation. India has been actively involved in the development of various regions in Bangladesh, including some of the more remote areas. India's role has manifested itself in numerous ways, such as increased connectivity, economic and energy cooperation with Bangladesh. New Delhi has extended 4 Lines of Credits (LOC) to Dhaka in the last eight years amounting to around US$ 8 billion for development of infrastructure in various sectors including roads, railways, shipping and ports. India’s Contribution towards Mega-

The “India Out” campaign is gaining momentum in Bangladesh.

21Feb

By News DeskNo Comments

Asia, World

The “India Out” campaign is gaining momentum in Bangladesh.

Opponents of Bangladesh's Awami League, frustrated by the Sheikh Hasina-led party's runaway victory in elections last month, are promoting a boycott of goods made in neighboring India, which they suspect of covertly working to keep Hasina in power. While offering no evidence to support charges of Indian interference in the election, members of the groups, based in and outside Bangladesh, suspect New Delhi has used its influence to tone down criticism of the balloting process by the United States and other countries. More broadly, the boycott campaign has provided a focus for deep-seated resentment of India in Bangladesh, driven by border and water grievances and by a sense that India's Hindu nationalist ruling party looks down on its Muslim neighbors. The campaign, labeled "India...

Importance of Greek PM Mitsotakis’ State visit to India

20Feb

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Asia

Importance of Greek PM Mitsotakis’ State visit to India

In a diplomatic move, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to visit New Delhi to attend the Raisina Dialogue as a chief guest from February 21 to 23. It would be the first visit by a head of state of Greece to India after a gap of 15 years. Over the years, India's reach in the Mediterranean has gained momentum and this visit is significant as the port of Piraeus, Greece is considered a potential hub under the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to enhance connectivity and trade. The visit also comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Turkey and Greece in the Mediterranean Sea and over the Cyprus issue. In a way, Greeceneeds global support, and nothing could be better than strengthening ties with India, the one country that many...

<strong>Korean students and companies stay away from China as sentiments continues to remain negative</strong>

19Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Asia, China

Korean students and companies stay away from China as sentiments continues to remain negative

The adverse sentiments about China in South Korea have shown no signs of improvement as the overall attitude toward the Chinese is becoming more and more negative every passing day. The effects can be gauged from the reports of the dwindling number of Korean students and Korean companies in China. The number of Korean students studying in China has declined by a significant 78 percent in the past six years.[1] According to the Korean Education Ministry, the fall in 2023 was 6.5 percent. Now Korean students prefer Japan over China for higher studies while the US remains the top destination.[2] The controversial 'Zero Covid' policy of the Xi Jinping government, the economic slowdown, not-up-to-par education facilities and bullying by Chinese are to be blamed for it.[3] Soong-Chan Park...

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