Latest news with #AsianNATO
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Bad timing': US-India tensions throw Albanese-Trump meeting into doubt
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's plans to meet US President Donald Trump in India next month have been thrown into turmoil by the intensifying trade battle between Washington and New Delhi, raising doubts about the future of a four nation grouping's ability to counter China. Trump announced on Thursday that he would double tariffs on Indian exports to the United States to 50 per cent, among the highest in the world, to punish the nation for buying oil from Russia, sparking an angry reaction from New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been preparing to host the leaders of Australia, the US and Japan for a summit of the Quad grouping in early September, providing a platform for Albanese's first in-person meeting with Trump. The Quad leaders have met every year since 2021 as part of the high-profile partnership designed to showcase the ability of the nations to work together as a democratic counterweight to authoritarian China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing has loathed the Quad since its inception, blasting it as an 'exclusive clique' and falsely characterising it as an 'Asian NATO', although the group is not underpinned by a treaty. Ian Hall, an expert on Indian politics at Griffith University, said it was 'a toss up' whether the September summit, which has not been formally confirmed, would go ahead given the rising hostility between Trump and Modi, who until recently revelled in a seemingly friendly relationship. 'The Quad is going to have to come up with a whole new agenda and to find a way to hold a summit in India. It's very unclear if that will happen,' he said. 'For 25 years, the US has seen India's rising prosperity and influence as being in its interests. That has just disappeared under 'America first' and that's a big problem.' Albanese tried to meet Trump to discuss issues including tariffs and AUKUS at a meeting of the G7 group of countries in June, but the president left early as conflict escalated in the Middle East.
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
‘Bad timing': US-India tensions throw Albanese-Trump meeting into doubt
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's plans to meet US President Donald Trump in India next month have been thrown into turmoil by the intensifying trade battle between Washington and New Delhi, raising doubts about the future of a four nation grouping's ability to counter China. Trump announced on Thursday that he would double tariffs on Indian exports to the United States to 50 per cent, among the highest in the world, to punish the nation for buying oil from Russia, sparking an angry reaction from New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been preparing to host the leaders of Australia, the US and Japan for a summit of the Quad grouping in early September, providing a platform for Albanese's first in-person meeting with Trump. The Quad leaders have met every year since 2021 as part of the high-profile partnership designed to showcase the ability of the nations to work together as a democratic counterweight to authoritarian China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing has loathed the Quad since its inception, blasting it as an 'exclusive clique' and falsely characterising it as an 'Asian NATO', although the group is not underpinned by a treaty. Ian Hall, an expert on Indian politics at Griffith University, said it was 'a toss up' whether the September summit, which has not been formally confirmed, would go ahead given the rising hostility between Trump and Modi, who until recently revelled in a seemingly friendly relationship. 'The Quad is going to have to come up with a whole new agenda and to find a way to hold a summit in India. It's very unclear if that will happen,' he said. 'For 25 years, the US has seen India's rising prosperity and influence as being in its interests. That has just disappeared under 'America first' and that's a big problem.' Albanese tried to meet Trump to discuss issues including tariffs and AUKUS at a meeting of the G7 group of countries in June, but the president left early as conflict escalated in the Middle East.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Business
- First Post
‘Philippines can't stay out if Taiwan conflict breaks out': Marcos Jr backs stronger defence ties with India
Philippines President Marcos Jr says Manila can't stay out of a Taiwan conflict and stresses need for coalitions to counter threats in Indo-Pacific. read more Amid growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Philippines President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr has said his country 'cannot stay out' if a conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan, adding that the Philippines would be 'drawn into it' to protect its citizens. Speaking exclusively to Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma during his visit to India, Marcos highlighted the urgent need for strategic partnerships with like-minded nations including India to ensure regional security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'If there is an all-out war, we will be drawn into it. We will have to go into Taiwan and bring our people home,' Marcos said, adding the Philippines' large expatriate population in Taiwan. Marcos' comments come at a time of intensifying maritime tensions in the South China Sea and growing global concern over a potential military flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening ties with India Describing his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'a new beginning, a new phase' in bilateral ties, Marcos said the strategic partnership between India and the Philippines has been 'taken up a notch.' He praised India's defence capabilities, especially its successful Operation Sindoor and the performance of the BrahMos missile system. 'We contacted counterparts in India. We wanted to know how it was used. The system worked very well, no doubt,' he said, confirming that the Philippines is in the process of procuring more BrahMos missiles. 'Everything is on the table,' he added, indicating interest in further purchases of jets and naval equipment. While Marcos clarified that the Philippines is 'not preparing for war,' he said that upgrading military hardware and ensuring interoperability with regional partners is vital. 'We are only reacting to the challenges we are facing. Military exercises and cross-training are very important,' he said. A coalition of like-minded nations Without directly naming China, Marcos stressed the importance of forming a global coalition of nations that respect international laws and reject unilateral changes to borders. 'No one country can stand up for principles alone. We need a coalition,' he said. On the idea of an 'Asian NATO', Marcos said ASEAN may not be sufficient to tackle all regional challenges. 'One country cannot alone solve global challenges,' he said, adding that the Philippines welcomes India's increasing presence in the Indo-Pacific. US ties and Taiwan conflict Marcos expressed confidence that the United States would remain committed to defending the Philippines, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election. He described the US-Philippines alliance as 'ironclad' and acknowledged former President Donald Trump's role in coining that term. Pressed on whether the Philippines would allow the US to use its military bases in a Taiwan contingency, Marcos said: 'Why should we turn down partners who face the Chinese threat? We are not acting as a puppet state. It is our duty to defend our country.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On China and regional diplomacy While he acknowledged that Beijing was mentioned during his talks with Modi, Marcos said, 'We are not against anyone; we are for defending our territory.' He added that China can be trusted 'in the sense that they are clear about what they want,' but warned against allowing territorial disputes to dominate bilateral relations. 'We want to avoid a shooting war… a misunderstanding can blow up into something bigger. We want to cool rhetoric and keep communication lines open,' he said. On Gaza and global crises In rare comments on the war in Gaza, Marcos said the humanitarian toll is 'unacceptable' and called for stronger international action. 'The death, destruction and starvation should not be happening in this day and age. If the US stops sending weapons, there would be a big drop in attacks,' he said. Reflecting on the global picture, Marcos said that 'uncertainty is the worst thing for the economy' and advised nations to 'negotiate hard' and remain agile in their diplomacy, especially when dealing with major powers like the US and China.
Nikkei Asia
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
US, Japan, Australia, Philippines should form defense pact: ex-official
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. needs a collective defense pact in Asia, and it should start with fellow "Squad" nations Japan, Australia and the Philippines, a former assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs in the Biden administration told Nikkei Asia. While the idea is similar to the "Asian NATO" previously proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Ely Ratner envisions a narrower grouping.
