As ASEAN and India commemorate the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations this year, the two parties have little to show in terms of functional collaboration. A reassessment of the relationship should focus on three areas: connectivity, trade and public health.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Chinese Students in Thailand: Cash Cow, At a Cost
Thailand is reaping the benefits of a steady stream of Chinese students being enrolled in its universities. The trend, however, is not cost-free.
‘We Apologise, But We Don’t Regret’: Thailand’s Frazzled Conservatives
Thailand’s conservatives see new threats to their conception of political order, in the form of a politicised youth movement and the ruling government led by the Phalang Pracharat Party.
Myanmar’s Dry Zone: The History of a Tinderbox
The Dry Zone has traditionally not suffered violence at the hands of the Myanmar military. But decades of mismanagement and strained living conditions have fueled anti-junta resistance in the military’s Buddhist-Bamar heartland.
Facing the Music with Methane
Apart from carbon dioxide, methane has been identified as one of the main contributors to global warming. In Southeast Asia, efforts to reduce methane emissions should focus on the agriculture and oil and gas sectors.
Will Green Parties Rise in Southeast Asia?
Greens often prosper in federal systems, in richer countries with service-based economies, in situations where environmental issues are part of mainstream political debates, and in electorates with large numbers of young, highly-educated members drawn from the middle class. If this is the case, then Southeast Asia may eventually see the rise of its own green movement.
Parsing the UMNO-Bersatu Battle in Johor
UMNO has certain advantages in Johor, but its victory in the coming state elections is not assured.
A Regional Digital Vaccine Certificate in ASEAN, Posthaste
ASEAN needs to work on a common standard for the certification of vaccination statuses. This would facilitate safe and unrestrained movement as borders open up again.
China’s Faith Diplomacy Towards Muslim Bodies in Indonesia: Bearing Fruit
China’s faith diplomacy towards Muslims organisations in Indonesia appears to have silenced critics of its policy towards the Uighurs in Xinjiang.
Indonesia-Singapore Defence Cooperation Agreement: A Win Win
The recent signing of three treaties — a Flight Information Region agreement, a Defence Cooperation Agreement and an extradition treaty — augurs well for relations between Indonesia and Singapore. It is also a boost to regional security.