SCB Chair
ADMM Plus and the Quest for Inclusive Regional Security in Southeast Asia
The 12th edition of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus, also known as the ADMM Plus, was successfully held on 1st November 2025 in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The dialogue is regarded as the highest defence consultative meeting in the Southeast Asian region that includes not just the ASEAN members but also other key partners
From Trade to Strategy: The Deepening Arc of India–Malaysia Partnership
India’s relationship with Malaysia is multi-faceted and has strengthened considerably in recent years. In 2024, the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that marked a significant milestone in their relations. The recent visit of India’s Prime Minister to Malaysia represents another step forward in their evolving partnership.
ASEAN’s Tightrope Walk: Balancing Neutrality Amid West Asia’s Escalating War
The entire world has been witnessing a heated conflict involving key global players since the last week of February 2026. While some were directly responsible for the war, others were drawn in due to their geographical positioning, while the rest of the world watched closely, fearing a broader escalation that could impact all.
APRIL 2026“Situation ambiguous”: Former Ambassador to China Ashok K. Kantha on US-Iran ceasefireAPRIL 2026
India’s former Ambassador to China, Ashok K. Kantha, termed the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran as “ambiguous”, but also called it a “window of opportunity.” He said this is not a full agreement, but only a 14-day de-escalation, and many issues remain unresolved. According to him, the US/Israel side and Iran will likely
Why India needs a strategy of derisking from US & China
Why India needs a strategy of derisking from US & China Both countries have demonstrated sustained willingness to weaponise economic relationships when their political interests demand it
Why algorithmic sovereignty should be India’s top priority
A day after a U.S. submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena inside Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), I posed a straightforward question to an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system: “Was the sinking legal under international law?” The reply was instant: “It was not illegal.” No qualification, no reference to the deeply contested nature
Inside Modi-Xi talks: Can India trust China again? | Ashok Kantha explains
In this episode of Latitude at Frontline, senior journalist and host Nirupama Subramanian speaks to Ashok Kantha, India’s Ambassador to China (2014-16), about India’s recent thaw in relations with China. A highly respected commentator on India-China relations, Kantha was a former director of the Institute of Chinese Studies and is currently an Honorary Fellow at
Hubris and caution — China’s posture as 2026 begins
As 2026 begins, China presents a paradox: a nation wrestling with economic challenges yet projecting strategic confidence; a leadership tightening political control domestically while expanding its diplomatic and institutional reach abroad; and a system that is both anxious and assertive.
Why India Must Rethink China | Ft. Ashok Kantha
In this episode of The Awaara Musaafir Show, host Jayesh Gangan sits down with former diplomat and China expert Ashok Kantha for a deep, hard hitting conversation on India China relations and the strategic challenges shaping Asia’s future. Drawing from decades of diplomatic experience and insights from his book, Kantha offers a rare India first