Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian jets, including three Rafales made by France's Dassault Aviation, a MIG-29 from Russia, and an Su-30. The incident sparked excitement among investors, with Avic Chengdu Aircraft's stock surging 20.6% after producing the J-10C planes involved in the combat. In contrast, Dassault Aviation's shares plummeted 6.2%.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/05/19/world/chinas-defense-industry-deepseek/Pakistan is facing deepening political and economic crises as China suspends the Indus Water Treaty, a 1960 agreement that governs water sharing between the two countries. The move comes ahead of Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Beijing on Monday, where he will discuss the issue with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. India had previously suspended the treaty after a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam on April 22, citing Pakistan's breach of conditions. The Mohmand dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is a multi-purpose facility that generates hydropower and supplies drinking water to Peshawar, with waters from the Indus and Jhelum rivers being crucial for Pakistan's 80% drinking and irrigation supplies.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/china-fast-tracks-mohmand-dam-in-pakistan-after-india-suspends-indus-waters-treaty-13889816.htmlSingapore is poised to become a more significant gateway for Chinese companies looking to list globally, following increased tensions with the US. State-owned brokerage China Galaxy Securities' unit CGS International is working with at least two Chinese companies to list on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) this year. The move comes as Beijing seeks to boost ties with Southeast Asia and follows measures announced by SGX in February, including a 20% tax rebate for primary listings. This shift could see mainland Chinese and Hong Kong companies raise around $100 million via primary listings in Singapore, potentially increasing the city-state's importance as a gateway to the global market.
https://nypost.com/2025/05/18/business/some-chinese-firms-mull-singapore-ipos-listings-placements-as-us-trade-war-drags-on/The Indian military launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting and destroying nine terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation involved the deployment of T-72 Main Battle Tanks along the Line of Control (LoC) to deal with ceasefire violations, which completely destroyed several Pakistani posts. Indian air defence systems also shot down enemy drones and missiles midair before they could hit their targets, striking 11 Pakistani military installations in the process.
https://www.news18.com/india/india-used-t-72-main-battle-tanks-along-loc-destroy-pakistan-army-posts-during-op-sindoor-9343660.htmlIndia and Pakistan ended military confrontation after several days, with Foreign Secretary Misri expected to update a panel on diplomatic engagement, cross-border security challenges, and regional stability. Misri will discuss how India is recalibrating its foreign policy amid the changing security environment, including relations with Bangladesh and Canada. The Committee on Water Resources, chaired by BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, will receive briefings from government departments on monsoon-related floods, soil erosion, and riverbank protection.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-to-brief-parliamentary-committee-today-on-india-pak-tensions-8449358Indonesia and Thailand have agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership during President Prabowo Subianto's first state visit in 20 years, which was marked by his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Government House in Bangkok.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/20/world/asia-oceania/thailand-indonesia-bare-strategic-alliance/2116533The Foreign Office in Pakistan has rejected "baseless and misleading claims" made by some Indian media outlets about Pakistan using nuclear-capable Shaheen missiles during a military operation against India. FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan described the allegations as "unfounded" and part of a disinformation campaign. The operation, named Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeted several Indian military targets in response to India's aggression across the Line of Control. Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and dozens of drones. At least 53 individuals were martyred in Indian strikes during the conflict, which ended with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US on May 10.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/605196-fo-dismisses-indian-claims-of-shaheen-missiles-usage-in-operation-bunyan-um-marsoosPakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected "unfounded allegations" made by certain Indian media outlets about Pakistan using its Shaheen missile. The claims originated from a video posted on the Indian Army's Twitter handle, which was later deleted after being found unsubstantiated. In response to India's precision strikes on terror targets in May, Pakistan acknowledged employing long-range Fatah series missiles and advanced munitions against India. Indian officials visited forward locations, including Suratgarh Military Station and Naliya Air Force Station, to interact with troops and assess the operational readiness of air defence systems deployed during Operation Sindoor.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/armys-western-command-removes-video-showing-pakistans-shaheen-missile/article69595106.ecePakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar stated that a ceasefire between Pakistan and India is an ongoing operation with regular communication between the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) from both sides to de-escalate tensions. The Indian army confirmed that the understanding reached by two military officials has no expiry date, with scheduled meetings on May 10, 12, 14, and again on May 18.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1312949-dar-calls-ceasefire-ongoing-indian-army-says-hostilities-break-has-no-expiry-date