Asian Insider

India's new trade pacts with the EU and US, and the big question: Will Delhi revisit its decision to abandon RCEP?

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

A flurry of trade agreements announced by India – first, a “mother of all trade deals” FTA with the European Union, and days later, a framework deal with the US that saw Washington slashing its punitive tariffs on Indian exports to levels just below that of Vietnam and Malaysia, involves wider strategic calculations on every side.

In this wide-ranging conversation, host Ravi Velloor speaks with Ambassador Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of India Trade Promotion Organisation and former foreign policy aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Having served as envoy to Singapore and France, he weighs in on the thinking behind the deals, India’s newfound confidence to sign on to market-opening agreements, and the chances of India revisiting its decision to abandon the Asean-backed RCEP, or Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

They both discuss India’s trade imperatives, the tighter embrace by India of the European Union which is itself adjusting to a multipolar world, and how quality trade agreements help set the stage for foreign direct investment flows and stronger strategic ties. They also chat about the calibrated opening that India is making with China, even as it is not yet ready to revisit entering RCEP.

Highlights (click/tap above)

1:08 India withdrawal from RCEP and focus on bilateral relations

5:15 A greater alignment of trade with geopolitics

8:46 Roots of India’s “self-confidence” to sign trade deals

11:07 What the trade deals mean for ordinary Indians

14:11 EU looks to India, Taiwan in the AI age

18:14 EU-India, and a message to the US

20:53 Did Trump negotiate with a “gun to India’s head”?

24:18 Why stress on defence in US-India trade deal

27:01 RCEP: A calibrated opening is ongoing with China

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

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Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

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Hong Kong prides itself on being a first world city. So how did such a thing like the Tai Po fire happen?

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

On Nov 26, 2025, a fire swept through Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, killing 168 people. 

What also perished in that inferno was a certain trust in the system to keep everyone safe. 

The Straits Times’ Hong Kong Correspondent Magdalene Fung, a long-time resident of the city, talks to host and foreign editor Li Xueying about her experience covering the disaster.

She also wrestles with the question of how Hong Kong’s tolerance for cutting corners cuts both ways. There is ingenuity. But the acceptance of quick, convenient fixes has also resulted in a society that collectively allowed the fire to happen.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:04 On the ground, covering the fire

03:52 A system that failed

09:54 But a society that also helped

11:03 Low standards and quick, convenient fixes

16:12 The fire doors are still not closed

Read Magdalene Fung’s article here: https://str.sg/JyX2y 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected]) 

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

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There is also a human cost to China's clean energy transition.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and Greater China bureaus.

For January, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai teams up again with senior China correspondent Yew Lun Tian.

Dramatic developments in Venezuela and Iran, both important oil suppliers for China, have exposed Beijing’s vulnerability in terms of energy security. 

Oil only accounts for around 18 per cent of China’s energy mix but most of this is imported.

While both regimes have enjoyed solid ties with Beijing, the reality is there is little China can do directly to preserve its interests there.

Domestically, China has achieved remarkable success in its clean energy transition. But the human cost of this effort, particularly when it comes to poorer communities, should not be underestimated.

Clean tech may have played a part in China’s soft power rise (BYD electric vehicles and solar panels are obvious examples), but there is no guarantee that this will translate into a stronger hand geopolitically.    

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:02 Are China’s interests in Venezuela dead in the water?

4:58 Impacts of developments in Venezuela, Iran on upcoming Trump-Xi meeting

7:37 Is China prepared to use force to defend its energy security interests?

09:44 The human cost of China’s clean energy transition

14:11 Challenges in clean energy storage, distribution

17:28 Clean tech fuels China’s soft power rise

20:14 Existential survival instinct: Running out of energy

Read more: https://str.sg/tBih 

Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters 

Host: Albert Wai ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

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We dissect the abduction of a sitting president and predict what might come next.

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

Was it all about oil? Transnational crime cartels? Or China? In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Hoover Fellow Joseph Ledford and veteran oil analyst Carl Larry to understand Washington’s real game in Venezuela.

Dr Joseph Ledford is a Hoover Fellow and the Assistant Director of the Hoover History Lab at the Hoover Institution. His research focuses on the exercise of American power, especially in the Western Hemisphere. 

Mr Carl Larry is a Sales Manager at Enverus MarketView with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, covering financial, commercial, and physical aspects of the market. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:31 The 3 goals of the US military operation in Venezuela

3:45 So, was it about oil?

6:31 Is the world going to get cheaper petrol now?

7:54 Why does the US not want China as a ‘neighbour’?

16:42 Why was Machado not made president?

21:26 Will the US’ shale miners be hurt?

23:58 Lessons from Iraq and clues for Asia

26:45 How will the US recover from the reputational hit?

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Bhagyashree Garekar ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

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As Asia’s militaries show an increasing appetite to deploy drones – most recently during the Thai-Cambodian skirmishes and the brief India-Pakistan conflict in May, 2025, we speak to the chief executive of the company that makes lethal Unmanned Aerial Systems such as the Predator, Reaper and Sea Guardian.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Dr Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corp, on trends in modern warfare, the rise of data-driven hi-tech weapons, weapons that ‘loiter’ in the air awaiting command from the ground and space as the next frontier of contestation. 

They also focus on UASs – in warfare and potentially for civil use – and discuss whether unmanned drones have raised the risk of warfare by not putting pilots directly in harm’s way.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:46 'The future is in unmanned systems'

5:45 ‘Hey, there’s an UAV flying right alongside me’

7:00 Asian militaries buying Predators and eyeing EMALS: India, Japan, Taiwan, Asean

14:05 Can US go it alone in defence research?

16:43 Does unmanned raise risk of war?

20:32 ‘There will always be pilots’

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

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Metal window grilles were meant to keep households safe from burglars but they have been fingered as eyesores.

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

One of Taiwan’s names is "Formosa" - given by Portuguese sailors who sighted the island in the 16th century and called it “Beautiful Island” given its natural wonders such as mountains, forests and hot springs.

In more recent times though, Taiwanese officials and designers have complained about a man-made blight across its cities: ubiquitous, often rusty, metal grilles criss-crossing windows.    

Together, foreign editor Li Xueying and Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee, surface a larger discussion about the pace of urban renewal in Taiwan - a challenge that many Asian cities face, given the competing imperatives between urban renewal, heritage conservation and the rights of homeowners.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:00 The ugly truth about Taipei's buildings

2:06 Taiwan's window bars mystery

4:53 The beauty behind the rust

7:42 Challenges in urban redevelopment

12:12 Cycling and pedestrian safety in Taiwan

Read Yip Wai Yee’s article here: https://str.sg/7U6y 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

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Malaysia’s 2025 was marked by a stormy PKR election, school violence, and a scandal rocking its football team.

Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and China bureaus.

For our December episode, ST’s Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Nik Nazmi, a member of Parliament from PKR, and former minister of natural resources and environmental stability.

We look back at the Malaysian stories that shook 2025, from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet vacancy and the death of Zara Qairina amid rising school violence, to the scandal engulfing Harimau Malaya’s heritage players.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:18 Cabinet vacancy and unity government leadership

11:13 Who leads PKR next? Is it Nurul Izzah's turn?

16:07 Are authorities failing to protect Malaysian children?

19:51 Band-aid solutions to solve school violence

25:41 Criminal case for footballers' citizenship spoofing

28:08 Can Harimau Malaya recover its football credentials?

32:21 Rolling back the time zone to UTC+7 for an extra hour of sunrise

Read more:

The curious case of four missing Cabinet ministers in Malaysia https://str.sg/A9fZ 

Death of student in Sabah raises hurdle for Malaysian PM Anwar as he faces tough state polls soon https://str.sg/hpptQ 

Malaysia fans fear Asian Cup blow as Fifa probe casts doubt on naturalised players https://str.sg/p62X  

Malaysia faces renewed calls to rewind the clock, 40 years after shifting to UTC+8 https://str.sg/qnuM 

Read Zurairi A.R.’s articles: https://str.sg/DCfr 

Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Zurairi A.R. ([email protected])  

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  

Feedback to: [email protected] 

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Find out why the world is likely to stay dollar-centric even as countries try to toggle away from the greenback.

Synopsis: Every third Friday of the month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and trending talking points.

Harvard historian Mary Bridges, the author of Dollars and Dominion, explains why the world is likely to stay dollar-centric even as China, Russia, India and many countries try to toggle away from the greenback and into rival currencies like the yuan or the euro.

In this episode, Dr Bridges, the Ernest May Fellow in History & Policy at Harvard University’s International Security Programme, tells US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar that while the world is becoming multipolar and diversified, the thick layer of institutions, relationships and trust built around the US dollar mean that any transition will take a very long time.

Highlights (click/tap above):

0:59 How the US dollar became the king of currencies

3:58 How the US banks went into Asia

11:17 Will the US dollar lose its dominance?

19:17 Are crypto-currencies encroaching on dollar dominion?

21:11 Are Trump’s tariffs spurring de-dollarisation?

23:49 Why China’s BRI is also a currency play

Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo 

Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Bhagyashree Garekar ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

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Our guest reveals pioneer leaders’ differing views on Singapore’s Aug 9, 1965 split from Malaysia.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ chief columnist Sumiko Tan speaks to Janadas Devan, senior adviser at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, on how the The Albatross File: Inside Separation sheds fresh light on the decisions that led to Singapore’s independence.

Edited by Susan Sim, the 488-page volume is co-published by Straits Times Press and the National Archives of Singapore, and was launched by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Dec 7 alongside an exhibition at the National Library.

Mr Janadas, who coordinated the book, explains that Singapore’s 1963 merger with Malaysia was fraught from the outset, with the 1964 race riots further straining ties. Finance Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee kept a private file he code-named “Albatross”, a reference to the bird in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous 1798 poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, symbolising the burden of the troubled merger.

Documents inside the file range from an early Cabinet memo by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to the final Separation Agreement, and includes Dr Goh’s handwritten notes of his meetings with Malaysian leaders.

Mr Janadas highlights how merger with Malaysia was a fundamental aim of Mr Lee’s People’s Action Party. It is something young Singaporeans today might find hard to understand, he acknowledges.

But the merger was problematic, and proposals for a looser federation eventually collapsed, derailed by unclear terms and British anxieties as Indonesia’s Confrontation was then raging.

Dr Goh led the talks for Singapore, navigating sensitive issues and political tensions. Within the Singapore leadership, views differed on whether Singapore should — or could — make it alone. Dr Goh pushed for going separate ways as the best option, while ministers Toh Chin Chye and S. Rajaratnam opposed separation once they learnt of it. Mr Lee was deeply torn, but ultimately authorised the move. Within a few years, Singapore's leaders concluded that Separation was the best outcome for Singapore.

Mr Janadas also reflects on his father, Mr Devan Nair, who was the only PAP MP voted into the Malaysian Parliament at the time. When the two sides separated, his father decided to stay on in Malaysia, only returning to Singapore in 1969.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:11 The political climate of the 1960s

7:59 Why young Singaporeans may struggle to understand why the PAP pushed for merger with Malaysia

9:32 Early trouble after merger in 1963; Umno lost 3 seats it contested in Singapore GE to PAP’s Malay candidates

13:13 Was a looser federation ever an option?

17:23 The role of the British as Singapore and Malaysia leaders tried to work through their disagreements

18:35 What did Lee Kuan Yew mean by making life intolerable for the Malaysian leadership?

27:35 Diverging views: Lee always wanted a looser federation but Dr Goh felt separation was the answer

32:45 How Mrs Lee says that the closest her husband came to a nervous breakdown was August 9th, 1965

39:03 Janadas on how his father, Devan Nair, refused to accept Separation at first, before being convinced by Lee to eventually return

44:32 Do Singaporeans today underestimate how fragile the nation’s early years were?

Buy the book: The Albatross File: Inside Separation (Standard/Collector’s Editions) https://www.stbooks.sg/products/the-albatross-file-inside-separation-collectors-edition

Book tickets to the exhibition opening Dec 8 at the National Library Building: https://thealbatrossfile.nlb.gov.sg

Host: Sumiko Tan ([email protected])

Read Sumiko’s articles: https://str.sg/Jbhe 

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

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Our guest expert explains the Americas-focused doctrine, inspired by the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine’s hemispheric stance.

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Ravi speaks with Don McLain Gill, the eminent Filipino geopolitical expert and strategist, on declining US influence in Asia and the ‘Donroe’ Doctrine.

They discuss the doctrine’s precursor, the Monroe Doctrine, and how key American allies in Asia are reacting to talk of the Donroe Doctrine.

Ravi and Gill also discuss the potential of a ‘G-2', or Group of Two, which would include just the US and China. This, too, is a concept that many Asian nations with their own view of their place in the world, actively resist.

Highlights: (Click/Tap Above)

1:24 What is the Donroe Doctrine?

4:47 Implications for Philippines

7:30 Reactions of allies Japan, South Korea, Australia, and quasi-ally India

13:10 ‘G2’ & the Donroe Doctrine: Clear concerns

16:11 A misguided strategy? US-China gap narrowing

19:47 Quad, Squad and increasing mini-laterals minus US

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

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