ASEAN’s involvement with the BRICS is chipping away at one of the most salient points of Southeast Asian foreign policy – the need to maintain “space for diplomacy” with rivals. In January 2025 Indonesia formally entered the BRICS and in this same year Malaysia and Thailand were confirmed as partner countries, and in June 2025, Vietnam was added. The draw …

Pabitra Margherita’s visit to Vietnam and Laos reflects the government’s hope to deepen engagements with the Southeast Asian nations and to step up India’s efforts to advance the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific and facilitate Greater Indo Pacific Connectivity as part of the thrust on India’s Act East Policy that emphasizes on India’s commitment to the ASEAN Centrality. The …

North Korea is paying lip service to the rule of centrality in ASEAN, while objecting to the growing security alliance buildup in the Indo-Pacific led by the United States. The assertion was made by the Korean Central News Agency after the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers‘ Meeting (ASEAN MIM) and 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, …