ASEAN Diplomacy & Trade: Malaysia’s new ambassador to Vietnam pledged to deepen a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, prioritising sustainable energy (ASEAN Power Grid), halal, fisheries, tourism and trade worth about US$22bn last year. Sports-as-Economy: The Olympic Council of Asia said India-Pakistan cricket and hockey at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games set viewership records and helped lift revenue nearly 20%, even as organisers faced accommodation and transport complaints. South Asia Trade Resilience: Experts at India’s Kautilya Economic Conclave urged more open trade and investment to better withstand geopolitical and economic shocks, including deeper India-China economic ties. Financial Stability Watch: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra warned that long calm can breed risk-taking and leverage, stressing vigilance as global shocks and West Asia-linked inflation pressures persist. Energy & Connectivity: UAE signed a MoU with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for a Central Asia–South Asia railway project aimed at boosting trade and regional integration. Tech & Data Infrastructure: NetApp CEO George Kurian said India is its fastest-growing Asia market, driven by BFSI, manufacturing and public sector demand, with AI storage innovations pushing growth. Enforcement: India’s ED carried out searches linked to the TDI Group in a land scam probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.