South Asia

The regional economy faces acute pressure from global shipping disruptions and domestic resource shortages. Oil price surges and rising costs are impacting Singaporean businesses, while Sri Lanka contends with severe water cuts in Colombo. Positive developments include Kuwait Airways launching Colombo operations and a major digital services program reaching one million people.

• 21Indonesia commuter train crash toll rises to 14 as rescuers complete evacuation
• 7Kuwait Airways to launch Colombo operations from April 15 - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
• 5Australia and Singapore agree to secure fuel supplies with binding deal
• 5Sri Lankan companies mark milestones and announce major rebranding
• 5Foundation.LK program reaches one million people with digital services

Vietnam's political leadership is consolidating, with its top Communist Party leader taking the state presidency and immediately embarking on a state visit to China. Diplomatic activity is high, with Islamabad hosting US-Iran ceasefire talks and the US discussing military overflight rights with Indonesia, though the US-Iran talks have since paused.

• 20Vietnam's top Communist Party leader takes on state presidency
• 12Netanyahu faces domestic and international pressure - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
• 8Myanmar's former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi allowed to move to designated residence to serve remaining sentence
• 7Myanmar announces amnesty for thousands of prisoners
• 7Vietnam's new president To Lam will visit China next week

Security is defined by escalating maritime confrontations and regional law enforcement cooperation. The US, Australia, and Philippines conducted joint drills in the South China Sea, while the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint with confirmed fatalities from vessel attacks. China and Sri Lanka deepened joint law enforcement efforts, repatriating telecom fraud suspects.

• 10Philippines accuses China of cyanide poisoning in disputed South China Sea
• 7Trump says US forces are ’clearing’ Strait of Hormuz - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
• 5Buddhist monks arrested in Sri Lanka with 110 kg of cannabis
• 5Helicopter crash in Indonesia kills eight
• 4Philippines says two US citizens among 19 killed in raid

Society is grappling with a dual crisis of natural disasters and severe environmental degradation. A major earthquake struck Indonesia, while northern Thailand faces an emergency from severe haze and wildfires. Concurrently, Sri Lanka is managing prolonged water cuts, sparking public protest and opposition backing against the Power and Energy Minister.

• 8Major fire destroys 1,000 homes in Malaysia's Sabah region
• 8Major earthquake strikes Indonesia, killing at least one and triggering tsunami alert
• 8Dry weather triggers water supply concerns - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka
• 5Bangladesh says suspected measles outbreak kills about 100 children
• 5Severe haze and wildfires prompt emergency declaration in northern Thailand