Bangladesh has invited China to participate in the Teesta project, amid tensions with India. Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus claimed his country is the guardian of the Bay of Bengal and invited China to use it as a trade route. During a visit to China last week, Yunus met Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he stated that seven Indian states in the east are landlocked and rely on Bangladesh for access to the ocean.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-inviting-china-dangerous-for-northeast-region-says-congress/article69397966.eceThe Chinese government's handling of Yuyu's espionage case has been widely criticized as an embarrassment to the country's justice system. Yuyu was wrongly convicted of spying for the US and Japan without meaningful evidence, with the prosecution relying on arbitrary determinations made by China's Ministry of State Security. The court refused to provide a copy of the judgment to Yuyu's family, and false biographical details about him flooded China's internet. The Chinese government has been accused of violating its own laws and regulations in allowing foreign diplomats who are considered spies to continue working in China without being expelled. The case has damaged Sino-Japanese relations and deterred people-to-people diplomacy, with the Japanese ambassador formally disputing the determination made by China's Ministry of State Security.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/press-freedom-center-at-national-press-club-releases-dong-family-statement-on-appeal-of-conviction-of-journalist-dong-yuyu-302416267.htmlChina has expressed strong opposition to the US-Japan agreement aimed at bolstering deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region. The move is seen as a threat by Beijing, which views the accord as an attempt to contain its growing influence in the area. China's reaction comes after the two countries signed a security treaty on March 29, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250401/p2g/00m/0in/004000cChina, Japan, and South Korea agreed to jointly respond to US tariffs after their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday. The three countries aim to strengthen supply chain cooperation and engage in more dialogue on export controls. They also plan to promote a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement deal to boost regional and global trade.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/04/01/china-japan-south-korea-unite-to-counter-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs/171525Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin's counterpart, Finland's leader, has expressed support for Ukraine joining NATO in the long run, contradicting the Trump administration's stance. After meeting with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Finnish Prime Minister Stubb stated that European leaders are taking steps to address American concerns about defense spending, shifting focus towards increased responsibility for their own security and defense.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/finnish-president-trump-should-give-putin-three-weeks-agree-ukraine-ceasefireThe Hauser Symposium will explore US-China collaboration's global implications and its impact on national security, with a focus on how the US should respond to emerging threats. The symposium is supported by the Hauser Foundation and will be held virtually, with audio, video, and transcript recordings available on the Council on Foreign Relations website.
https://cfr.org/blog/critical-minerals-executive-order-leverages-dfc-and-national-security-authoritiesThe US Department of Energy has given final approval for a US company, Holtec International, to jointly design and build nuclear power plants in India. The approval comes after nearly two decades of negotiation and fine-tuning of blueprints. Under the India-US civil nuclear deal signed in 2007 by Manmohan Singh and George W Bush, US firms could export reactors but not design or manufacture equipment in India. Now, Indian companies Larsen & Toubro Limited, Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd, and Holtec Asia will jointly manufacture Small Modular Reactors with US firm Holtec International. The deal is seen as a big win for Indian diplomacy, allowing the country to build nuclear power plants with more advanced technology.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/india-us-to-jointly-design-manufacture-nuclear-reactors-in-india-8054762#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstoriesA panel of experts has expressed confidence in India's economic choices in the post-WTO world, citing a sound strategy that balances trade agreements with domestic needs. The panel, which includes Ashwani Kumar, suggests that India's approach to global trade is prudent and will help the country navigate the complexities of the new trade landscape.
https://www.livemint.com/economy/global-trade-policies-us-india-trade-donald-trump-world-trade-organisation-bilateral-talks-protectionist-trade-policies-11743253593050.htmlIran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani has condemned US President Trump's remarks as a threat to Iran, warning of a "swift and decisive" response if any aggression is carried out. Iranian military officials, including General Amirali Hajizadeh, have issued direct threats against US assets in the region, citing at least 10 US bases and 50,000 troops present in the area.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/597957-iran-warns-of-no-choice-but-to-acquire-nukes-if-attacked-says-khamenei-adviser