Southeast Asia Drug Crackdown: Arrests across Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand linked to Malaysia’s growing role as a “disposable” courier-sourcing hub have exposed a more organised regional drug smuggling pipeline, with authorities citing recruitment patterns rather than isolated cases. West Asia Security Pact: Türkiye’s foreign minister says the Türkiye–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Mecca defence deal is “technically” like NATO’s Article 5 but notably names no common enemy or target—designed as collective self-defence amid rising regional instability. India-US Strategic Push: US Vice President JD Vance called PM Narendra Modi to discuss deepening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, including trade, defence, critical and emerging technologies, energy security and critical minerals. Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace, US Role: The US State Department marked the one-year anniversary of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal, pointing to infrastructure and economic integration efforts under the TRIPP corridor and a new Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund. India Med-Tech Self-Reliance: PM Modi said India’s medical technology ecosystem is strengthening via domestic manufacturing, lower import dependence and government schemes like PLI and Medical Device Parks. Central Asia Connectivity: Uzbekistan and the US highlighted expanding cooperation on transport, logistics and digital technologies, with a growing portfolio of contracts worth over $100 billion. ASEAN Anniversary Diplomacy: Pakistan’s DPM/FM sent congratulations to ASEAN on its 59th anniversary, reaffirming regional cooperation and friendship. Philippines-Vietnam 50 Years: The Philippines and Vietnam marked 50 years of diplomatic ties with cultural events spotlighting shared heritage and people-to-people exchange.