This week, China showed off its military and diplomatic prowess at a giant Victory Day parade, with dozens of world leaders – but few from the West – in attendance. President Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, declaring that China was "never intimidated by bullies". But does Beijing really want to create a new world order? 

In this edition of Access Asia, we explore how New Delhi is grappling with new 50 percent US tariffs taking effect. Will the souring relations between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump force India to rethink its ties with the United States and look further east? Meanwhile, South Korea scores another pop-culture win as its animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" smashes Netflix records.

On this week's show, we speak with author Aatish Taseer about his new book, "A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile". He shares why he has no regrets for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "India's Divider in Chief" in his 2019 Time article. We also report on how Bangladesh remains on edge as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Plus, two North Korean defectors make their K-pop debut.

On Access Asia this week, we speak to historian Audrey Truschke, whose new book covers 5,000 years of history on the Subcontinent. She tells us how she remains committed to historical truth, saying: "I will not be swayed by modern politics, modern pressures, no matter how extreme they are." We also cover how Afghans have been left in limbo, with the latest deportation drive from Iran underway.

The last remaining active pro-democracy party in Hong Kong has disbanded, citing pressure from Beijing. It's the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that's already extinguished much of the city's opposition. Meanwhile, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor after his death, ruffling some feathers in China ahead of his ninetieth birthday. Finally, the most successful series ever streamed on Netflix, "Squid Game", is coming to an end. The third and final season of the South Korean show has set a new record for the streaming platform in the first three days.

Recent conflicts have brought the threat of nuclear war to the forefront of many minds. Experts warn that the current geopolitical tensions have likely hardened North Korea's resolve to retain its nuclear capabilities. Against this backdrop, Yuka Royer speaks with Seiichiro Mise, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki at the age of 10. He shares his story and urges the world to take action towards eliminating nuclear weapons and to "spread the seeds of peace". 

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is testing old alliances. Asian heavyweights China and India have taken different positions. This week we take a closer look at what’s behind the posturing from Beijing and New Delhi. Plus, where does Asia’s other nuclear-armed state, Pakistan, stand on the issue?

South Korea has suspended its propaganda broadcasts across the border to North Korea, following the election of new president Lee Jae-myung, who wants to improve relationships with Seoul's Communist neighbour. According to the South's military, Pyongyang has followed suit by switching off its loudspeakers near the Demilitarised Zone. It comes as a relief to local residents, who have had to contend with blaring sounds 24/7. 

Recent student visa pauses by the US have left thousands of Indian and Chinese students in the lurch. On this week's show we bring you a report on how students in New Delhi are being forced to look for alternatives. Plus, we speak to the first Chinese woman commencement speaker in Harvard's history, as US President Donald Trump's feud with America's oldest university intensifies. Luanna Jiang tells us she's surprised her viral speech got politicised.

Superstitious tourists from Hong Kong and China have been cancelling their trips to Japan, partly due to a manga – first published in the 1990s – predicting that a major catastrophe will hit the country in July. We take a closer look.