Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been engaged in multi-nation diplomacy, visiting Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran, while offering talks with India on issues like Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Indian diplomat Mr. Jaiswal stated that India's policy towards Pakistan is clear and consistent, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that terrorism and dialogue cannot coexist, as well as trade and water can never flow together.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indus-water-treaty-will-remain-in-abeyance-no-talks-till-pakistan-renounces-cross-border-terror-mea/article69634395.eceSouth Korea is set to hold presidential elections on June 3 as the country faces significant challenges, including political instability following last year's martial law declaration and economic strain from a U.S.-led global trade war. The outcome will determine leadership capable of restoring stability and direction for the nation.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-29/opinion/cartoons/Korea-in-the-eye-of-the-storm/2318983Canada's absence may hinder US efforts to build a crucial North American air defense system, as discussions between Carney and his American counterparts are ongoing without Canadian participation. The U.S Northern Command prioritizes defending the United States and Canada, with any new capabilities aligned with this objective.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/why-donald-trump-cannot-build-the-golden-dome-without-canada-8523453#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstoriesThe US is set to face an economic impact as international students at its colleges and universities will be subject to new policies starting in the 2023-2024 academic year. These changes are expected to affect over 1 million international students, who currently contribute $43.8 billion to the US economy annually, supporting more than 378,000 jobs through their presence.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334983.shtmlThe UK's Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, has warned of the dangers of China surpassing the West in artificial intelligence and other key technologies, citing potential consequences for global stability.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/uk-envoy-urges-trans-atlantic-tech-alliance-cites-china-threatASEAN leaders, led by Malaysia, are intensifying diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that appointing a special envoy is not a new concept for ASEAN but rather a strategic move built on years of experience dealing with the Myanmar situation. The goal is to provide unhindered humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the prolonged conflict, reflecting ASEAN's long-term commitment to resolving the crisis through focused and sustained diplomacy.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2011935/asean-to-name-permanent-special-envoy-for-myanmarSoutheast Asian leaders, including Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, reached an agreement with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that any bilateral trade tariff deals with the US would not harm fellow Asean members. The Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future was signed during the 46th Asean-Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, amid global market volatility and uncertainty over a trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariffs.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/asean-leaders-agree-tariff-deals-us-should-not-harm-fellow-membersCambodia and Vietnam, which rely heavily on US-bound exports, face significant risks from escalating retaliatory tariffs or disruptions in trade. Countries like Laos, Mongolia, and Brunei Darussalam, part of their upstream supply chains, could be affected indirectly but to a larger extent. Economies with narrow export bases and high reliance on imported inputs are particularly vulnerable, as are labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and machinery in smaller economies. Policymakers should take a long-term view on reforms and implement forward-looking strategies to address the evolving landscape. Governments can deepen analysis of risks and gaps, provide support for hard-hit export sectors, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises, and accelerate trade digitalization. To build resilience, countries should diversify trade partners and products, reduce over-reliance on single markets, and prioritize innovation in digitally delivered services. Regional cooperation and integration will be crucial to reduce exposure to global disruptions and build more resilient economic ecosystems.
https://www.thestar.com.my/business/insight/2025/05/28/asia-pacific-must-reinforce-trade-resilienceChina has increased naval presence near Taiwan, Japan's southern islands, and the East and South China Seas since early May. The deployments included guided-missile frigates, destroyers, and coast guard boats, with two aircraft carrier groups patrolling the waters around China's coast. This is seen as a move to exert pressure on the first island chain and reinforce dominance in the region. China has also conducted live-fire drills off its coast, including one near southwestern Taiwan, and has urged the Philippines to stop "infringement and provocation" in the South China Sea.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40365131/china-flexes-military-muscle-with-east-asian-naval-activity-sources-say