Japan has marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirming the country's commitment to its long-standing non-nuclear principles.

Thousands gathered at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to honor the victims of the world's first atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. During the ceremony, Japan pledged to continue supporting global nuclear disarmament while maintaining its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The commemoration comes as Japan undertakes its largest military buildup since World War II, citing growing regional security challenges from China, North Korea, and closer Russia-China-North Korea cooperation. The country recently conducted its first live-fire test of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile, highlighting its expanding conventional defense capabilities.

Japan Honors Hiroshima Victims While Expanding Military Capabilities | Hiroshima Anniversary

China has conducted joint naval and air combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, further escalating tensions in one of the world's most contested maritime regions.

The exercises, announced by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, were described as a test of combat readiness and a demonstration of China's ability to defend what it calls its maritime rights and interests.

The drills took place around Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Dao in China and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines. The reef lies approximately 220 kilometres west of Luzon and falls within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under international law.

China-Philippines Dispute Deepens | PLA Conducts Joint Naval And Air Exercises

#Gravitas U.S. Officials say Beijing is rapidly narrowing America's long-standing advantage in orbit by building one of the world's largest surveillance satellite networks. 

China Builds 500+ Spy Satellites as U.S. Space Lead Shrinks  | GRAVITAS 

China has showcased its advanced YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile, a weapon that analysts believe could significantly challenge the dominance of U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific.

State media footage reportedly shows a Chinese Type 055 destroyer launching the YJ-20, also known as the Eagle Strike-20. The missile is designed to travel at hypersonic speeds, maneuver during flight, and evade interception, making it one of Beijing's most advanced anti-ship weapons.

China Unveils YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile | New Threat to U.S. Aircraft Carriers?

#Gravitas Thailand is set to abandon one of its biggest infrastructure projects.  A fresh government review concluded that a $30 billion proposed landbridge project aimed at bypassing the Malacca Strait is no longer financially viable and could cause serious environmental damage. 

Thailand Plans to Scrap Land Bridge Project Bypassing Malacca Strait  | GRAVITAS 

The Philippines has praised India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, calling it a major boost to the country's defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. In an exclusive conversation, the Philippine Ambassador to India highlighted how the BrahMos missile strengthens Manila's deterrence strategy and opens the door for deeper defense cooperation with New Delhi. The development comes as External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visits Manila for ASEAN meetings and as the Philippines continues to challenge China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. Here's everything you need to know about the growing India-Philippines strategic partnership and its impact on regional security.

Philippines hails BrahMos missile, seeks stronger defense partnership with India amid China dispute

India hosted the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' Meeting in New Delhi, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval chairing discussions involving security leaders from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience amid rising geopolitical tensions. NSA Doval emphasized India's Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, and MAHASAGAR vision while calling for greater collaboration to tackle common security challenges across the Bay of Bengal region. Bilateral meetings with several member nations also explored mechanisms to enhance intelligence cooperation and regional stability.

BIMSTEC Security chiefs meet in New Delhi | Ajit Doval leads talks on terrorism & maritime security 

India is strengthening regional security cooperation ahead of the Fifth BIMSTEC National Security Advisers' Meeting in New Delhi. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with senior officials from Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to discuss key regional security issues. The discussions focused on maritime security, intelligence sharing, counterterrorism cooperation, law enforcement coordination, and regional stability. Ajit Doval also reviewed bilateral security cooperation with Myanmar and explored deeper collaboration with Thailand on intelligence sharing and security coordination. During his meeting with Bangladesh's Defence Adviser, the two sides discussed emerging security challenges facing the Bay of Bengal region, including cross-border crime, terrorism, insurgency, narcotics trafficking, and climate-related security risks.

Ajit Doval meets BIMSTEC security chiefs to boost regional security and counterterrorism cooperation

The global balance of power just shattered. Watch the special report on how India is systematically rewriting the rules of the Indo-Pacific using lethal Brahmos supersonic cruise missile diplomacy. From sealing the Malacca and Lombok straits with Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to triggering massive diaspora waves in Australia and New Zealand, New Delhi has successfully nixed traditional Western dominance. Discover how India is building an alliance of real friends while others only managed to acquire dependents.


Indo-BrahMos-Pacific: How Modi Has Nixed US In Indo-Pacific

Prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jakarta has quietly reshaped the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific. Amid the broader bilateral engagements, India and Indonesia agreed to jointly develop Sabang port.


India Gains Deep Water Edge Near Malacca

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta to a warm welcome from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, marking the start of an important diplomatic visit focused on trade, defence and cultural cooperation. The trip highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, two key Indo-Pacific powers.


PM Modi Indonesia Visit: PM Narendra Modi Receives Indonesia's Highest Honour

The US, Japan, and South Korea are collaborating extensively with the Philippines to bolster its armed forces and increase maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. These allied nations are providing training, technology, and hardware rather than a single joint unit.


US, Japan, South Korea & Philippines Militaries Unite

Even as G7 leaders keep affirming support for Taiwan Strait stability, the US restored the Pacific Command name from its 2018 renaming as Indo-Pacific Command. This is raising questions about US strategy, China policy, the Quad, regional security and India's positioning

US Indo-Pacific Command changes to Pacific Command amid G7 summit. What message is it sending? The Big Question

In a big move to counter China, Quad nations have jointly agreed to build a port in Fiji. This assumes significance as Fiji is a key nation in Indo-Pacific, where China's influence has increased. Quad also opposed unilateral actions in South China Sea that threaten peace and security.


QUAD to Build Fiji Port to Counter China's Influence Amid Hormuz Crisis

S. Jaishankar described the recent QUAD foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi as “substantive,” highlighting the depth of discussions among member nations. The talks involved representatives from India, the United States, Japan, and Australia focusing on Indo-Pacific security and regional cooperation.


Indo-Pacific Stability Dominates QUAD Discussions

Reassessing rules-based order: India, Japan, and ASEAN in changing Indo-Pacific

#Gravitas The United States and China are rapidly advancing toward what could become the world’s first high-tech drone confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. has strategically deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones across key locations near China’s periphery, strengthening surveillance and strike capabilities. Meanwhile, images circulating online appear to show a stealth drone aboard China’s new amphibious assault ship — signaling Beijing’s growing unmanned warfare ambitions.

World's Next Drone War Over Indo-Pacific? US-China High-Tech Race

Canada is spearheading a new trade strategy aimed at countering US tariff pressures under President Donald Trump. Led by Mark Carney, Ottawa is working to unite the European Union and Indo-Pacific partners across five key areas including trade, digital cooperation and WTO reforms. The move signals a major shift in global trade alignments.


Canada’s New Trade Strategy: EU & Indo-Pacific Unite To Counter Trump's Tariff War 

Questions are being raised about China’s air defence capabilities after reports suggest Chinese stealth radar systems failed to detect U.S. aircraft during recent operations. The development has sparked debate among military analysts over the effectiveness of Beijing’s early warning systems and the evolving balance of air power in the Indo-Pacific. This video breaks down what is known about the incident, how stealth technology challenges modern radar, and what it could mean for U.S.–China military dynamics.

Chinese Stealth Radars 'Fail' to Detect U.S. Aircrafts

The F-35B Lightning fighter jet of UK Royal Navy is a multirole stealth aircraft that took to air from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

F-35 stuck in India: 'Stealth code' talk, ‘OLX listing’, Modi-Starmer memes swirl about UK fighter jet stranded for 6 days

Coming as it does amid conflicts in West Asia and Europe, the G7 summit is also an opportunity for India to highlight the challenges of security, climate change and disruption of supply chains while foregrounding its advantages.

PM Modi at G7: India has advantages on security, stability, trade, climate action and Global South. Can a membership be next?

India's envoy to Japan Sanjay Verma has said that Indo Pacific vision is the 'new currency' even as he listed out how Quad is a grouping of 'convergence of principles'.

Indo Pacific is new currency, says Indian envoy to Japan Sanjay Verma; Backs Tokyo Olympics 

'Indo-Pacific' has grown in usage across diplomatic and security circles in Australia, India and Japan in recent years

Trump says 'Indo Pacific' & not 'Asia Pacific', China reacts

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