Philippines–China Security: Manila’s defense chief Gilberto Teodoro said any warmer ties with China hinge on Beijing building a government “other countries can trust,” keeping focus on Chinese state behavior amid South China Sea concerns. Shangri-La Dialogue: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured Pacific allies on Washington’s commitment while softening China rhetoric and notably avoiding Taiwan in his remarks; Australia’s Richard Marles called China’s low-profile attendance a missed chance for strategic reassurance. AUKUS Arms Race: The US, Australia and the UK backed a new undersea drone push under AUKUS, with Beijing warning it could fuel an arms race. Karnataka Power Transition: Congress lawmakers unanimously chose DK Shivakumar as Karnataka CM-designate, setting up his June 3 swearing-in after Siddaramaiah’s step-down. India Trade & Industry: India waived customs duties on cotton imports until Oct 30 to ease textile input costs, alongside a broader Mission for Cotton Productivity. China EV Battery Rules: China moved to tighten recycling rules for retired EV batteries, targeting illegal disposal and substandard processing as retired volumes surge. Hormuz Transit: An Iranian parliamentarian said Russia and China will get “special privileged treatment” for Strait of Hormuz passage. India–Myanmar Diplomacy: Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in India for talks with Modi, with attention on deepening ties.