FRANCE 24’s coverage of political, social and geostrategic issues across Asia and the Pacific, including those affecting China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Australia.https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/Thu, 15 May 2025 02:43:14 GMTAsia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250514-chinese-weapons-pass-combat-test-in-india-pakistan-clash-%E2%80%93-with-flying-colours The recent military engagement over Kashmir by South Asia’s arch enemies saw India deploy its French and US weapons against Pakistan’s new range of sophisticated Chinese arms. In its first battlefield test against Western arms, Chinese weapons mostly hit the mark, sparking interest in some military circles and alarm in some capitals. 49c52400-30d7-11f0-a68d-005056a97652Wed, 14 May 2025 16:34:41 GMT© Aamir Qureshi, AFPLeela JACINTOhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250513-kurdish-militant-group-pkk-ends-decades-of-armed-struggle The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Monday announced its dissolution and the end of its armed struggle, drawing a line under its deadly four-decade insurgency against the Turkish state. Story by Antonia Kerrigan. c73a97f4-2fd7-11f0-90a6-005056bf762bTue, 13 May 2025 08:53:44 GMTFRANCE24The Debatehttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-debate/20250512-kashmir-ceasefire-how-to-spin-a-stalemate What started it? Who ended it? After the worst week of fighting between India and Pakistan in a quarter century, the whole world is breathing a sigh of relief that it didn’t escalate further between nuclear-armed neighbours .... and wondering how much superpower showdowns weigh on the dynamic in the decades-old rivalry over Kashmir. 74a2a0a2-2f5c-11f0-948e-005056bf762bMon, 12 May 2025 18:10:57 GMTFrançois PICARDFocushttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20250512-from-kazakhstan-to-hollywood-equestrian-stuntmen-coveted-by-film-studios Specialising in combat and equestrian aerobatics, Kazakhstan supplies many of the stuntmen for Hollywood productions such as "Mulan" and "Napoleon". With its spectacular landscapes and recognised expertise, the country is becoming a new hub for action films, attracting more and more international shoots. Buoyed by the success of its stuntmen, the Kazakh film industry as a whole is now enjoying a golden age. FRANCE 24's team reports. 2660d0ee-2ce1-11f0-a7ad-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 09:44:22 GMTLucie BERBEYAsia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250512-india-pakistan-military-to-confer-as-ceasefire-holds Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Pakistan on Monday that India would target "terrorist hideouts" across the border if there were future attacks on the country, warning that he wouldn't tolerate what he called Islamabad's "nuclear blackmail".  25f71e3e-2f06-11f0-a688-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 07:53:09 GMT© Money Sharma, AFP FRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250512-integral-to-national-identity-kashmir-has-particular-symbolism-for-india-and-pakistan Tensions soar in South Asia as India claims cross-border strikes killed over 100 militants in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan retaliates, targeting 26 Indian military sites. The violence follows a deadly tourist massacre in Indian Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan, allegations Islamabad denies. FRANCE 24’s Oliver Farry welcomes Dr. Kate Sullivan de Estrada, Director of Contemporary South Asian Studies at Oxford, for expert insight into this dangerous escalation. 7aa39ebe-2f04-11f0-83f1-005056a97652Mon, 12 May 2025 07:41:12 GMTFRANCE24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250511-fragile-ceasefire-between-india-pakistan-holds-overnight-clashes-kashmir A truce between India and Pakistan was holding on Sunday, hours after being shaken by overnight border fighting in the disputed Kashmir region. The two countries agreed a ceasefire on Saturday to defuse the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. a0f75cf6-2e49-11f0-88d3-005056a97652Sun, 11 May 2025 09:35:53 GMT© Sajjad Hussain, AFPFRANCE 24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250510-%F0%9F%94%B4-india-and-pakistan-have-agreed-to-an-immediate-ceasefire-islamabad-confirms India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire Saturday to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades but accused each other of violating the agreement just hours later.  0b569dfc-2d99-11f0-910b-005056bf762bSat, 10 May 2025 12:19:38 GMT© Mukhtar Khan, APFRANCE 24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250509-pakistan-warns-won-t-de-escalate-as-conflict-with-india-spirals Pakistan on Saturday launched what it said were retaliatory attacks against India after three of its air bases were struck by missiles. Islamabad and New Delhi have been carrying out tit-for-tat attacks since Wednesday, and fears are growing that the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could spiral out of control. b57cc560-2d1a-11f0-8318-005056a97652Fri, 09 May 2025 21:15:17 GMT© M.D. Mughal, APFRANCE 24Access Asiahttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/access-asia/20250509-border-tensions-can-diplomacy-defuse-the-india-pakistan-standoff As the tit-for-tat continues between India and Pakistan following New Delhi’s response to April’s terror attack on civilians in Kashmir, we speak to Christopher Clary, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University at Albany, to discuss whether diplomacy can help ease the tensions between the nuclear powers. We also find out how Islamabad has managed to sustain its influence on the global stage, as India inches closer to the West.  8171e1a0-2cdf-11f0-9576-005056a97652Fri, 09 May 2025 14:54:37 GMTJoanna COCKERELLRevisitedhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/revisited/20250509-fall-of-saigon-50-years-on-a-tale-of-war-loss-and-renewal It's been 50 years since the fall of Saigon, a day that marked the end of a long and brutal chapter in Vietnam’s history. In the years that followed, Ho Chi Minh City rose from the ashes of war, reinventing itself as a bustling metropolis. Yet, beneath the modern skyline and the hum of economic growth, the memories of April 30, 1975, continue to echo. William de Tamaris takes us back to that pivotal moment and explores how a city shaped by conflict now faces the future, while still carrying the weight of its past. ce40c7e6-2bfc-11f0-bc2a-005056bf762bFri, 09 May 2025 09:25:51 GMTWilliam DE TAMARISAsia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250509-india-accuses-pakistan-of-launching-fresh-drone-and-artillery-attacks Deadly tensions between India and Pakistan increased further on Friday as New Delhi said it had overnight repelled fresh drone and artillery attacks from Islamabad. Pakistan denied it had launched the attacks but said it would not "de-escalate" and blamed India for moving the two countries "closer to a major conflict".  af624a76-2ca0-11f0-a5db-005056a97652Fri, 09 May 2025 07:07:45 GMT© Sajjad Hussain, AFPFRANCE 24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250508-pakistan-and-india-trade-fire-as-fears-of-a-wider-military-confrontation-rise-drone-attacks-conflict India fired attack drones into Pakistan on Thursday killing at least two civilians, the Pakistani military said. India, meanwhile, accused its neighbour of attempting its own attack, as tensions soared between the nuclear-armed rivals. a9be2466-2c58-11f0-bb65-005056bf762bThu, 08 May 2025 22:26:36 GMT© Sajjad Hussain, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250508-many-in-kashmir-fear-the-deadly-india-pakistan-escalation-heralds-another-war India and Pakistan have fought for decades over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. Since India and Pakistan became independent nations, and British colonial rule ended, the two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought two wars over Kashmir, which is split between them but claimed by both in its entirety. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Delano D'Souza welcomes Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Mr. Tarar says they do not support terrorism, they are victims: "No terrorists were killed in (India's) attacks, there are no terrorist camps, no terrorist havens here, we are the biggest victims of terrorism in the world."   b98f8146-2c17-11f0-84a9-005056bf762bThu, 08 May 2025 14:21:24 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250508-pakistan-claims-it-shot-down-12-indian-drones India and Pakistan exchanged gunfire along their border overnight in Kashmir, New Delhi said Thursday, a day after India launched deadly missile attacks on what it claimed were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan. India's attack came two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for an attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir.  2a6a8e12-2be4-11f0-b3da-005056a97652Thu, 08 May 2025 08:12:20 GMTFRANCE24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250508-india-and-pakistan-trade-fire-after-deadly-escalation India and Pakistan exchanged gunfire along their border overnight in Kashmir, New Delhi said Thursday, a day after India launched deadly missile attacks on what it claimed were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan. India's attack came two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for an attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of disputed Kashmir.  8a5e75b2-2bcc-11f0-ad63-005056bf762bThu, 08 May 2025 05:23:13 GMT© Tauseef Mustafa, AFPFRANCE 24A proposhttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/a-propos/20250507-all-out-war-will-be-costly-and-both-sides-will-try-to-avoid-it-researcher-says FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Sudhir Selvaraj, Assistant Professor in Peace Studies and International Development at the University of Bradford about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. He says that an “all-out war will be costly and both sides are going to try to avoid it at all costs”. bf654124-2b85-11f0-9f84-005056bf762bWed, 07 May 2025 20:56:28 GMTSharon GAFFNEYhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250507-dangerous-situation-india-s-act-of-war-demonstrates-it-s-in-a-mood-for-military-adventurism Amid the worst cross-border violence in two decades between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, triggered by deadly missile strikes and fierce artillery exchanges, tensions are again flaring over the contested region of Kashmir. With New Delhi accusing Islamabad of orchestrating a deadly attack, an allegation Pakistan firmly denies, the stakes are perilously high. For deeper insight, FRANCE 24's François Picard is joined by our International Affairs Editor Leela Jacinto and is pleased to welcome Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Pakistan’s Ambassador to France and Monaco. Her Excellency is also a Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. 1ea1ca9e-2b64-11f0-bba0-005056bf762bWed, 07 May 2025 16:55:45 GMTFRANCE24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250507-settle-the-score-dozens-killed-as-india-and-pakistan-heighten-violence-over-kashmir At least 43 people were killed in India and Pakistan on Wednesday after India launched missile strikes on its longtime adversary on Tuesday, sparking an exchange of artillery fire between the two countries. As airlines cancelled and diverted flights, world leaders warned against an escalation of military conflict. 1f73b898-2b5e-11f0-8f54-005056bf762bWed, 07 May 2025 16:49:27 GMT© Sajjad Qayyum, AFPFRANCE 24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250507-why-was-india-s-strike-on-pakistan-called-operation-sindoor India hit Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir with missiles on Wednesday and Pakistan said it had shot down five Indian aircraft and vowed to retaliate, in the worst fighting in more than two decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Leela Jacinto explains why India called its attacks "Operation Sindoor" in reference to the bright red vermillion powder worn by married Hindu women. 35981b70-2b57-11f0-8516-005056bf762bWed, 07 May 2025 15:23:20 GMTFRANCE24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250506-india-launches-strikes-on-pakistan-as-islamabad-vows-retaliation In a major escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals, India said it attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday where strikes against it had been planned. Pakistan reported at least 26 people died and 12 were injured, according to an initial assessment.  eada72ce-2abe-11f0-8835-005056a97652Tue, 06 May 2025 21:13:10 GMT© Reuters/StringerFRANCE 24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250506-live-india-carries-out-strikes-on-nine-sites-in-pakistani-kashmir The EU on Wednesday called on India and Pakistan to take "immediate steps' to de-escalate after India fired missiles into Pakistani-administered territory in several locations in what Pakistan's leader called an act of war. At least 34 people were reported killed – Islamabad said 26 civilians were killed by the Indian strikes and firing along the border, while New Delhi said at least 12 died from Pakistani shelling, the Indian army said. Read our liveblog to see how the day's events unfolded. 5dea66b6-2aba-11f0-9fd1-005056a97652Tue, 06 May 2025 20:46:00 GMTAP - Muhammad SajjadFRANCE 24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250506-indian-pm-vows-to-divert-key-water-resources-amid-tensions-with-pakistan Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged Tuesday to stop the flow of water from India into neighbouring countries, a move that has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan has warned that any interference with its river flows would be considered an “act of war”. 1b45e228-2aa0-11f0-998b-005056bf762bTue, 06 May 2025 17:44:52 GMT© Sajjad Hussain, AFPFRANCE 24Focushttps://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20250505-in-the-philippines-arrest-of-former-president-duterte-divides-opinion On March 11, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Interpol on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands to stand trial. The former Philippine leader is accused of crimes against humanity for his deadly war on drugs. Human rights groups say his policies left tens of thousands of Filipino men dead, many of them from poor backgrounds with no proven connections to drug use. But despite these accusations, many Filipinos continue to support Duterte and denounce a worsening security situation, particularly in the capital Manila. Meanwhile, relatives of victims are demanding justice. FRANCE 24's correspondents Alexis Bregere, Mélodie Sforza and Jan Camenzind Broomby report. 42dbc42c-2773-11f0-a303-005056bf762bMon, 05 May 2025 12:47:16 GMTAlexis BREGEREhttps://www.france24.com/en/video/20250505-pakistan-farmers-worry-after-india-suspends-key-water-treaty Farmers are voicing concern in Pakistan after India announced the suspension of a key water treaty with its neighbour. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks following a deadly attack on Indian-administered Kashmir. 8e7c827c-298f-11f0-b2e3-005056a97652Mon, 05 May 2025 09:01:38 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250503-tensions-between-india-and-pakistan-soar Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a shooting that killed 26 civilians on the Indian side of the disputed territory on April 22. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his military "full operational freedom" to respond while Islamabad stared test firing ballistic missiles. 18985dd8-2813-11f0-b78c-005056a97652Sat, 03 May 2025 11:38:12 GMTFRANCE24https://www.france24.com/en/video/20250503-australia-votes-in-general-election-overshadowed-by-trump-tariffs Australians voted in Australia’s general election on Saturday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his rival Peter Dutton ended campaigning along the east coast. If Albanese wins, he would be “the first prime minister in over 25 years to win a second term”, FRANCE 24’s Grégory Plesse said, adding that US President Donald Trump and his volatile tariff policies have overshadowed the vote. ee4f8fd2-27fa-11f0-b35a-005056a97652Sat, 03 May 2025 08:45:13 GMTFRANCE24Asia / Pacifichttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250503-pakistan-military-says-conducts-training-launch-of-missile Pakistan's military in a statement on Saturday said it conted a a training launch of a "surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 kilometres", upping tensions with arch-rival India. New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for backing an attack on tourists last month in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking a ramping up of rhetoric between the nuclear-armed neighbours. a573055a-27fa-11f0-b494-005056a97652Sat, 03 May 2025 08:43:11 GMT© Narinder Nanu, AFPFRANCE 24en