Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • India’s fertiliser supplies under strain as war disrupts shipments

    India’s fertiliser supplies under strain as war disrupts shipments

    India’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure as Middle East shipping disruptions jeopardize critical fertilizer supplies, potentially triggering cascading effects on food production and pricing. The world’s second-largest fertilizer consumer relies heavily on Gulf-region imports that transit through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, where ongoing conflict has severely compromised maritime logistics.

    Current government data indicates urea reserves of approximately 6.2 million tonnes as of mid-March, which analysts consider adequate for the imminent June-September monsoon sowing season under normal conditions. However, industry experts warn that prolonged supply chain disruptions could rapidly deplete these reserves, creating significant shortages during peak agricultural periods.

    The crisis extends beyond inventory concerns to fundamental production challenges. Natural gas—the primary feedstock for urea manufacturing—faces import constraints, with Indian plants currently receiving only 70% of their required volumes following recent government directives. This shortfall has already forced some manufacturers to curtail production operations.

    Farmers in Punjab and Haryana, India’s crucial grain-producing regions, report adequate immediate supplies through cooperative networks and distributor warehouses. Yet agricultural stakeholders express deepening anxiety about long-term availability. “We cannot predict how existing stocks will sustain if geopolitical tensions persist,” noted Manpreet Singh Grewal of a Punjab Agricultural University-affiliated farmers’ collective.

    Global market dynamics exacerbate domestic concerns. International fertilizer prices have surged dramatically in recent weeks, with urea benchmarks and Asian gas prices climbing simultaneously. This trend may substantially increase government subsidy burdens, as New Delhi maintains controlled pricing for agricultural inputs.

    While experts suggest short-term yield impacts might remain limited due to historical over-application in some regions, Siraj Hussain, former federal agriculture secretary, emphasizes that “the government must prepare for potential monsoon harvest shortages.” The situation demands urgent diversification of import sources and enhanced domestic production capabilities, measures Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirms are already underway.

    The ultimate agricultural and economic impact hinges critically on conflict duration, with analysts noting that normalized shipping could stabilize supply chains within weeks. Nevertheless, the episode underscores India’s vulnerability to global geopolitical shocks and the intricate connections between international conflicts, agricultural security, and food price inflation.

  • Iran’s FM says messages exchanged with US through intermediaries, but no talks held

    Iran’s FM says messages exchanged with US through intermediaries, but no talks held

    Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has disclosed that diplomatic communications between Tehran and Washington have occurred through third-party channels in recent days, while firmly maintaining that no direct negotiations have taken place. The minister’s statements, delivered during an interview with state-run IRIB TV on Wednesday, come amid ongoing regional tensions following last month’s joint US-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.

    Araghchi clarified the nature of these communications, stating, ‘The American side has initiated the transmission of various messages through multiple intermediaries. When friendly nations relay these communications to us and we respond by articulating our positions or issuing necessary warnings, this constitutes neither negotiation nor dialogue. It represents merely an exchange of messages through our allies, during which we have consistently reaffirmed our principled stances.’

    The Foreign Minister revealed that some messages contained Iranian warnings against potential US attacks on critical infrastructure, which he claims prompted Washington to retract its threat to strike Iranian power facilities within a 48-hour window. Araghchi emphasized Iran’s defensive posture, asserting, ‘We did not initiate this conflict and seek its conclusion, but in a manner that prevents its recurrence.’

    Significantly, Araghchi rejected the concept of a ceasefire, describing it as part of a ‘vicious circle’ of negotiation, warfare, and temporary truce. Instead, he stated Iran’s objective is ‘to end this war on our own terms.’ The minister outlined Iran’s current policy as one of continued resistance and national defense, explicitly denying any plans for formal negotiations.

    Regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi characterized the waterway as part of Iranian and Omani territorial waters and indicated Tehran is evaluating ‘new arrangements for safe passage through the strait.’ These comments follow claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran is negotiating with Washington and desires a settlement to terminate hostilities.

    The backdrop to these diplomatic developments includes the late February joint US-Israeli offensive against Tehran and other Iranian cities, which resulted in the death of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei alongside senior military officials and civilians. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and US assets throughout the Middle East, while implementing strict control measures over Strait of Hormuz transit, prohibiting passage to vessels affiliated with Israel or the United States.

  • Australia bans Iranian tourists with valid visas for six months

    Australia bans Iranian tourists with valid visas for six months

    The Australian government has enacted a significant immigration policy shift by imposing a six-month ban on tourist visa entries for Iranian nationals. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the immediate implementation of this measure on Wednesday, citing concerns that Iranian visitors might overstay their visas due to deteriorating conditions in their home country.

    The policy will affect approximately 6,800 Iranian visa holders who had previously obtained valid travel documents. Minister Burke emphasized that the decision reflects the government’s intention to maintain control over permanent migration outcomes rather than allowing them to become ‘a random consequence of who had booked a holiday.’

    Notably, the ban contains several exemptions, including provisions for partners and children of Australian citizens. Burke also indicated that ‘sympathetic consideration’ might be extended to parents of citizens, suggesting some flexibility within the framework.

    The controversial decision was announced concurrently with the government’s granting of humanitarian visas to seven members of an Iranian women’s football delegation, five of whom subsequently returned to Iran. Burke defended the simultaneous actions as demonstrating the government’s capacity to balance humanitarian concerns with national interests amid ‘rapidly changing global conditions.’

    However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from refugee advocates and cross-party politicians. Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, condemned the move as ‘a massive betrayal of the Iranian community and a breathtaking moral failure.’ Independent MP Zali Steggall expressed concerns about the ‘sweeping, unchecked powers’ granted to the government through this legislation, warning it undermines confidence in Australia’s migration system.

    The Australian Greens party characterized the decision as revealing the government’s true stance toward the Iranian people amid regional conflicts. The policy specifically targets Iranian citizens and does not apply to nationals of any other country.

  • Southeast Asia revisits nuclear power plans for AI data centers as Iran war disrupts energy supplies

    Southeast Asia revisits nuclear power plans for AI data centers as Iran war disrupts energy supplies

    Southeast Asia is undergoing a profound energy transformation as multiple nations revive dormant nuclear power ambitions to address escalating electricity demands driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure and growing concerns about energy security. This strategic pivot marks a historic departure for a region that has never generated nuclear energy despite decades of consideration.

    The convergence of several critical factors is driving this nuclear renaissance. Surging global oil prices exacerbated by Middle East conflicts have highlighted the vulnerability of traditional energy supplies, while climate commitments necessitate low-carbon alternatives. Simultaneously, the explosive growth of data centers—with Malaysia positioning itself as an AI computing hub attracting investments from Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia—has created unprecedented electricity demands that existing grids struggle to meet.

    Five ASEAN members are leading this nuclear charge: Vietnam is constructing two Russian-backed nuclear plants; Indonesia aims to build small modular reactors by 2034; Thailand targets 600 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2037; the Philippines is revitalizing a never-operated 1970s nuclear facility with a 2032 target; and Malaysia has set a 2031 goal for atomic energy deployment. Even nations without firm plans, including Cambodia, Singapore, and Brunei, are actively exploring nuclear options.

    This regional movement mirrors global trends, with nearly 40 countries committing to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. According to industry projections, Southeast Asia could contribute nearly a quarter of the 157 gigawatts expected from newcomer nuclear nations by mid-century.

    Despite the momentum, significant challenges remain. Safety concerns stemming from historical disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima continue to shape public perception, while questions about waste management and supply chains persist. Energy analysts caution that nuclear development requires careful consideration compared to renewable alternatives, particularly for nations building nuclear infrastructure from scratch.

    The International Energy Agency notes that Southeast Asia will account for a quarter of global energy demand growth by 2035, making these energy decisions critically important for both economic development and climate objectives. As the region balances its AI ambitions against energy security and environmental goals, nuclear power has emerged as a potentially transformative solution—though one requiring cautious implementation.

  • Why transport workers are protesting in the Philippines

    Why transport workers are protesting in the Philippines

    Manila’s streets fell silent as thousands of transport workers launched a widespread strike, bringing the capital’s transit system to a virtual standstill. The massive protest movement emerged in response to soaring operational costs and perceived government inaction regarding critical transportation sector reforms.

    Protest organizers representing jeepney drivers and public utility vehicle operators articulated three primary grievances: unsustainable fuel prices exacerbated by global market fluctuations, inadequate government subsidies for public transport operators, and impending modernization requirements that many small-scale operators cannot financially accommodate.

    BBC News Asia Business Correspondent Suranajana Tewari reported from the ground, documenting how the transportation halt created ripple effects throughout Manila’s economy. Essential workers struggled to reach their workplaces, students were unable to attend schools, and commercial activities slowed significantly in normally bustling districts.

    The Philippine government responded by deploying military vehicles to provide emergency transit services and opening dialogue channels with protest leaders. Officials from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board acknowledged the legitimacy of some concerns while emphasizing the necessity of vehicle modernization programs for environmental and safety reasons.

    This transportation crisis highlights broader socioeconomic challenges facing developing nations balancing modernization agendas with grassroots economic realities. The protest’s timing proves particularly sensitive for the administration, occurring amid already elevated inflation rates affecting essential commodities nationwide.

  • ‘We are being choked’: Philippines transport workers strike over fuel costs

    ‘We are being choked’: Philippines transport workers strike over fuel costs

    Manila faces severe transportation disruptions as hundreds of transport workers launch a two-day strike protesting skyrocketing fuel costs, plunging the Philippine capital into chaos. The industrial action, organized by transport union coalition Piston, comes amid a national energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand Marcos following the Iran conflict that erupted on February 28.

    The crisis has seen diesel and petrol prices more than double, pushing many drivers to financial brink. Guillermo Japole, a 62-year-old driver, exemplifies the desperation: “I lined up for more than five hours yesterday for cash aid, but my name was not there. No cash aid, no earnings, no food for the family.” With five school-age children, Japole’s family now faces imminent eviction from their rental home.

    Protesters gathered across multiple locations in Manila, holding signs demanding government intervention. The demonstrations included jeepney drivers—operators of the city’s iconic low-cost mini-buses—alongside motorcycle and car ride-hailing drivers. Many complain they haven’t received the promised 5,000 peso ($83) subsidy from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

    The human impact is starkly visible. Anjo Lilac, a 28-year-old driver, brought his infant daughter Hannah to protests, explaining, “No one will look after her since my wife got a temporary job. Financial aid would help us—for food, house rent and most especially milk for our baby.”

    Veteran driver Ronnie Rillosa, with 30 years behind the wheel, captured the collective despair: “It feels like we are being choked. We don’t need cash aid if the government will cut the prices of fuel, food, electricity, water.”

    The strike has severely affected commuters in one of Asia’s most congested cities. Arnold Irinco, a 52-year-old liaison officer waiting for government-provided free rides, expressed sympathy: “I understand what the protesters are fighting for. This is their livelihood, they have mouths to feed.”

    President Marcos has responded by signing legislation allowing temporary suspension of excise taxes on petroleum when Dubai crude exceeds $80 per barrel for a month. The government has implemented subsidies, reduced ferry services, and introduced a four-day work week for civil servants to conserve fuel.

    The national energy emergency grants the government legal authority to ensure energy stability and protect the economy. A special committee has been formed to oversee distribution of essential goods, and the government can now directly purchase fuel to bolster supplies.

    However, labor coalition Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) criticized the emergency declaration as an “admission” of government failure, expressing concerns about “anti-worker provisions” that could restrict strike activities. In contrast, business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, chair of several major utilities, supported the emergency powers, noting his companies are feeling the strain of rising energy costs.

  • Bus sinks in Bangladesh river, killing at least 18 people

    Bus sinks in Bangladesh river, killing at least 18 people

    A tragic transportation accident in central Bangladesh has resulted in significant casualties following a bus catastrophe. On Wednesday afternoon, a passenger vehicle carrying approximately 50 individuals veered off a ferry ramp and submerged into the powerful currents of the River Padma in Rajbari district, located approximately 84 kilometers from the national capital of Dhaka.

    The incident occurred as citizens were returning to their workplaces following celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, the important religious festival marking the end of Ramadan. The bus had been traveling from the southwestern district of Kushtia toward the capital city when the devastating accident transpired during the ferry boarding process.

    Fire and rescue authorities, led by official Dewan Sohel Rana, reported that while numerous passengers managed to reach safety through swimming, others became trapped within the submerged vehicle. Rescue operations faced substantial challenges throughout the night due to powerful river currents and adverse weather conditions with heavy rainfall.

    A specialized rescue vessel deployed to the location successfully raised the bus from the riverbed after arriving on Wednesday evening. Recovery teams worked continuously through the night and into Thursday morning, ultimately confirming 18 fatalities. Among the deceased were ten women and two children, according to the official report from Bangladesh’s Fire Service and Civil Defense Department.

    Authorities have indicated that uncertainty remains regarding potential missing persons as investigation and recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of this devastating incident.

  • Pakistan will export surplus food to Gulf as Iran cements control of Hormuz strait

    Pakistan will export surplus food to Gulf as Iran cements control of Hormuz strait

    In a strategic response to mounting food security concerns in the Arab Gulf, Pakistan has initiated plans to export surplus food supplies to the region. This development comes as Iran’s tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted maritime traffic, creating critical supply chain vulnerabilities for several Gulf nations.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed Pakistani authorities to accelerate food export mechanisms while ensuring domestic supply stability remains uninterrupted. The government is simultaneously working to expand flight operations and enhance port efficiency to facilitate this crucial trade initiative.

    The maritime crisis stems from Iran’s implementation of a new corridor system through the strategic waterway, which handles approximately 20% of global energy shipments and serves as a vital passage for Gulf food imports. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, traffic through the strait has dramatically declined, with Iran selectively permitting vessel transits while imposing fees reaching $2 million in some instances.

    While Saudi Arabia maintains alternative access through the Red Sea, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar face particularly severe challenges. Approximately 90% of the UAE’s food supplies traditionally transit through Hormuz, making these nations disproportionately vulnerable to the ongoing disruption.

    Pakistan emerges as a uniquely positioned actor in this geopolitical landscape. The country recently demonstrated its ability to navigate the strait successfully when the Pakistan-flagged vessel Lorax (also known as Karachi) became the first non-Iranian crude carrier to transit Hormuz since the implementation of new Iranian protocols.

    This diplomatic tightrope walk reflects Islamabad’s delicate balancing act between maintaining relations with neighboring Iran while preserving crucial partnerships with Gulf states that have long served as financial lifelines. The country itself faces significant economic pressure from reduced Gulf energy exports, implementing fuel rationing measures including a four-day government work week and temporary school closures.

    The evolving situation has broader regional security implications. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan solidified a mutual defense pact last year, a move interpreted partly as diversification beyond US security arrangements. Some Saudi commentators have suggested this agreement potentially places the kingdom under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella amid ongoing regional tensions.

    According to Financial Times reporting, Iran has circulated communication to International Maritime Organization members indicating that ‘non-hostile vessels’ may coordinate transit with Iranian authorities, potentially creating opportunities for neutral actors like Pakistan to maintain crucial supply lines to food-insecure Gulf nations.

  • White House doubles down on Iran threats as Republican lawmakers retreat

    White House doubles down on Iran threats as Republican lawmakers retreat

    A significant rift has emerged between Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration regarding the ongoing military engagement with Iran, following a classified briefing that legislators described as fundamentally inadequate. Key members of the House Armed Services Committee expressed profound concerns about the transparency and objectives of Operation Epic Fury, now in its 26th day.

    Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) publicly declared her opposition to ground troop deployment following the briefing, stating on social media platform X that the justifications presented to the American public dramatically differed from the military objectives discussed in the confidential session. She warned that continuing this pattern would rapidly erode congressional and public support for the conflict.

    The committee’s chairman, Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), corroborated these concerns, telling reporters that administration officials were withholding substantive information about strategic options and decision-making processes. This complaint extends beyond the current operation, with lawmakers describing a persistent pattern of superficial briefings that technically fulfill notification requirements without providing meaningful insight.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the briefings as a ‘courtesy extended out of respect’ for legislators, while simultaneously asserting that presidential authority alone suffices for military operations deemed necessary. This position challenges the constitutional principle that Congress holds war-declaring powers, though this distinction has blurred considerably since the expansive 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.

    The administration’s stated objectives have evolved throughout the conflict, initially focusing on nuclear capabilities, then shifting to naval destruction, and currently emphasizing leadership change. Leavitt claimed the operation has achieved unprecedented success, eliminating what she described as ‘the largest navy on the planet’ within three weeks—a claim impossible to verify independently.

    Despite administration assertions that Iran is reviewing peace proposals, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi explicitly denied any negotiations with Washington. The rhetorical war intensified as IRGC Commander Majid Mousavi declared that any ultimatum against Iran constitutes an act of war itself, while Leavitt warned that Iran should not ‘miscalculate again’ regarding presidential resolve.

    The administration maintains that Operation Epic Fury remains ahead of schedule and may conclude within two weeks if core objectives are met, though Iranian governance structures appear intact despite significant military losses.

  • Iraqi Kurdish commander says there are no plans to invade Iran

    Iraqi Kurdish commander says there are no plans to invade Iran

    A senior Kurdish military commander in Iraq has vehemently denied any intentions to invade Iran while expressing profound frustration over persistent Iranian attacks on Kurdish positions. Major-General Sirwan Barzani, a prominent Peshmerga leader and successful businessman, revealed that Iran has launched approximately 430 drone and missile assaults against the Kurdistan region of Iraq since the commencement of US-Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28.

    Speaking with Middle East Eye on Tuesday, coinciding with a devastating Iranian ballistic missile strike that killed six Peshmerga soldiers and wounded thirty others, Barzani characterized the attack as an act of terrorism. The commander, who bears responsibility for maintaining Kurdish defensive lines against the Islamic State in northern Iraq, emphasized the historical and trade relations between the Kurds and Iranians while questioning the rationale behind the continuous assaults.

    Despite his visible anger, Barzani firmly dismissed Western media reports suggesting Iraqi Kurds were facilitating border crossings for Iranian Kurds to combat Iranian forces. “We have not made such a decision. This is not our job,” he stated, clarifying that their duty exclusively involves defending Iraqi Kurdistan.

    The situation has grown increasingly complex with the involvement of Iranian-backed Iraqi factions, particularly elements within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Barzani revealed that 85-90% of attacks on the Kurdistan region originate from these PMF groups, some of which he claims attack Kurdish positions more frequently than Iran itself. These hardline factions have also targeted Iraq’s oil fields, military installations, and intelligence headquarters, potentially jeopardizing the nation’s economy and international relations.

    The conflict has drawn in multiple international actors, including a March incident where an Iranian drone strike near Makhmur killed one French soldier and injured six others. Barzani asserted that Iranian intelligence possesses comprehensive knowledge that Western allegations about French training of Kurdish groups are unfounded.

    With the US-led coalition scheduled to withdraw from Iraq by September 2026 under a 2024 agreement, regional tensions continue to escalate. Barzani noted that even before the current conflict, several coalition countries had already relocated their forces from Erbil due to security concerns.

    The Kurdish commander expressed particular concern about attacks on civilian infrastructure, including his own Korek Mountain Resort which has been struck seventeen times. He warned that Iran’s current policy risks causing irreparable damage to regional relations, suggesting that targeted nations will eventually demand accountability for infrastructure destruction during future negotiations.