Indian MEA spox: 'We consider the Shaksgam valley to be our territory. We have never accepted the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China.'
livemint.com/news/india/ind…

White House spox: 'At the same time that Moscow vetoed the panel's mandate renewal, Russia has been shipping refined petroleum from Port Vostochny to the DPRK (North Korea).'
reuters.com/business/energ…

'For Moosa Zameer, Maldives’ new foreign minister, the likely visit to India around 10 May will certainly be one of his toughest assignments.'
firstpost.com/world/maldives…

Solomon Islands' new PM, Jeremiah Manele, is likely to maintain strong ties to China. Maybe he'll be a little less cozy with Beijing, but don't expect any major recalibration in Honiara.
npr.org/2024/05/02/124…

Big AUKUS news, indeed.

Modi touts a “New India” that no longer sends a terrorist dossier to Pakistan, but “gives them a dose and kills them on their home turf.”
hindustantimes.com/india-news/no-…

Biden slams two friendly democratic nations: 'Why is China stalling so badly economically, why is Japan having trouble, why is Russia, why is India, because they're xenophobic. They don't want immigrants. Immigrants are what makes us strong.'
reuters.com/world/biden-bl…

Philippine defense establishment is undergoing a significant rethink of its strategy to counter China in the SCS. No further details at this time.
scmp.com/news/asia/sout…

Taiwanese intel chief: 'What needs special attention is that following May 20, from June to November, is when the Chinese Communists hold their regular military drills.'
reuters.com/world/asia-pac…

South Korea talked to Australia about joining AUKUS Pillar 2.
koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20…

SecDef: 'North Korea...it’s becoming more confident because of its affiliation with Putin.'
m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN202405…

There are signs that a new era in New Zealand's foreign policy is underway, says RAND's Derek J. Grossman. bit.ly/3wdKUjI

Indian RAW gets exposed again, this time in Australia. Maybe, just maybe, they aren’t very good at the spy game. abc.net.au/news/2024-04-3…

Hong Kong is becoming a ghost town. China’s Shenzhen is the new hot spot.
reuters.com/world/china/ho…

State Dept spox: 'We continue to expect accountability from the Govt of India...We'll also continue to raise our concerns directly with the Indian Government at senior levels.'
ndtv.com/world-news/gur…

'The meeting between Wellington and Washington was the latest example of Beijing's behavior in the region driving countries into Washington's welcoming arms.'

RAND's Derek J. Grossman discusses New Zealand's evolving relationships with the U.S. and China. bit.ly/3wexzHM