AGP Executive Report

Japan Earthquake Response: A 7.1 quake hit Kyushu, collapsing parts of a Kumamoto shopping mall and a paper-factory chimney, triggering fires, power outages and a brief tsunami alert; officials reported injuries and dozens feared trapped as rescue teams searched. India Politics & Protests: Rahul Gandhi escalated attacks on Education Minister Pralhad Joshi amid the NEET paper-leak fallout, while the Cockroach Janta Party warned of renewed nationwide protests over alleged police actions and demanded Parliament debate. India Governance & Tech Scrutiny: Meta apologized after a Modi Facebook video was temporarily removed in India, with MeitY seeking an explanation; separately, India’s power ministry warned AI data-centre growth could strain the grid, projecting major new electricity demand. India–Nepal Diplomacy: India formally invited Nepal PM Balendra Shah to visit New Delhi, signaling renewed momentum after the March election. U.S.–China Pressure: U.S. senators urged Treasury sanctions on vessels supporting China’s distant-water fishing fleet, tying the push to illegal fishing and labor abuses. Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Vote Security: Officials alleged an outlawed group tried to sabotage elections in the region, with violence reported around polling. Regional Legislatures: Cambodia and Vietnam leaders pledged to deepen parliamentary ties and expand trade, investment and people-to-people cooperation.

Philippines–China Tensions: In Manila’s state of the nation speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hit back at China over the 2016 South China Sea arbitration, after Beijing-linked media ran “racist and dehumanising” AI images; he also flagged a new anti-graft case against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Japan Crime & Security: Japan’s ruling LDP intelligence panel backs tougher rules on foreign interference, while the government drafts emergency anti-stalking measures that could require GPS tracking for high-risk cases. India Exam Politics: India’s Lok Sabha is set to debate the anti-paper leak bill as opposition leaders tie participation to accountability over police action against student protesters; CPI also pushes for a judicial commission. India Energy Risk: A commentary warns India remains vulnerable to oil shocks despite recent Gulf calm, underscoring the need for reserves and route diversification. India Aviation & Connectivity: Air India launches “Easy Connect” from Amritsar via Delhi for 27 destinations, boosting Punjab’s international gateway role. China–US Trade Clash: China rejects new US “forced labor” tariffs and warns of countermeasures, while also pushing back on AI-related IP probes. Japan Rare Earth Push: Japan reports deep-sea rare earth findings and plans a mining test from 2027 to reduce reliance on China.

India-China ties and trade: Border trade via Nathu La (and Lipulekh) is set to resume from Aug 1, as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets Chinese officials in Beijing to deepen political and people-to-people exchanges. India’s youth protest politics: The “Cockroach” movement forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged exam paper leaks, with BJP leaders now doing damage control as Parliament restarts. Domestic governance and security: UP has formed a new SIT headed by IGP Kiran S to probe alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement, with the Supreme Court ordering a status report in two weeks. Energy and industry policy: India’s government says it has not assessed how many vehicles are fully E20-compatible, while POWERGRID floats a tender for 500 MW/1,000 MWh battery storage with domestic procurement rules and cyber-safety testing. Regional diplomacy and security: China accuses the US, UK and Australia of building an “Asia-Pacific NATO” after AUKUS hypersonics plans; ASEAN Observer Team monitors the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire in Siem Reap. Bangladesh trade push: Bangladesh launches the China-backed CEIZ industrial zone in Chattogram and waives booth rent for small entrepreneurs at international fairs. Tech and markets: China’s CXMT surges over 500% on its IPO debut, highlighting AI-driven memory demand.

India’s NEET protest fallout: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned amid opposition uproar over alleged police crackdown on students, as Congress pressed for Home Minister Amit Shah’s apology and the government moved to introduce a Public Examinations Bill to tackle paper leaks. Youth politics in India: The “Cockroach” movement’s meme-fuelled, Gen Z-led pressure campaign culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, reshaping how protests target governance and accountability rather than just one scandal. Japan yen and politics: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended growth-focused policy as support for the yen, even as her approval ratings slid amid inflation pressure and debate over Bank of Japan rate hikes. China–Kashmir diplomacy row: Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned Rajnath Singh’s Kashmir remarks as provocative, warning against “adventurism” and urging international scrutiny. ASEAN security monitoring: Cambodia’s Military Region 4 hosted an ASEAN Observer Team to discuss the Cambodia–Thailand border situation after a ceasefire. China–Central Asia outreach: Wang Yi met Kyrgyz officials and SCO partners, highlighting coordination on multilateral platforms and regional security cooperation. Tech and governance: Meta faced scrutiny after serving thousands of AI “nudify” ads via a China-based partner, renewing pressure on platform enforcement.

India Exam Reform: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a high-powered task force led by Nandan Nilekani to overhaul India’s exam system after the “Cockroach Janta Party” protests helped force Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation; the government also signalled new anti-paper-leak legislation and tougher penalties. New Education Minister: Pralhad Joshi was appointed education minister, with coverage focusing on his political profile and the challenge of restoring trust in competitive exams. India–Pakistan Security Rhetoric: On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India will hold no talks with Pakistan except on PoJK, while Pakistan-linked “terror ecosystem” claims and vows of a “befitting response” dominated official messaging. Pakistan Digital Influence Probe: Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar said security agencies arrested a suspect tied to an India-linked disinformation network using bot farms and funds traced to India. Maritime Safety: India issued a Black Sea advisory for seafarers amid heightened missile/drone risks after attacks involving commercial vessels. Indo-Pacific Strategy: Commentary around Marco Rubio’s India visit debated whether the QUAD’s role is shifting beyond China-focused deterrence into broader maritime, supply-chain and AI cooperation. China–Asia Weather & Disruption: Typhoon Noul (Hongxia) hit southern China, killing at least 10 and triggering mass evacuations and major flight and rail cancellations. China Heritage Diplomacy: China shared its World Heritage nomination and protection practices at the World Heritage Committee session in Busan. Sports: Mirabai Chanu won India’s first Commonwealth Games gold at Glasgow with a hat-trick; India also swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in T20Is.

India youth revolt and education shake-up: India’s “Cockroach” Jantar Mantar protests over exam paper leaks forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign, with PM Modi appointing Pralhad Joshi as the new education minister and Parliament expected to resume as the government moves to introduce a Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill. Election-age push in Telangana: CM Revanth Reddy announced a special Telangana Assembly session to urge the Centre to cut the minimum election age from 25 to 21, arguing Gen Z needs representation. Defence and regional security: India marked Kargil Vijay Diwas with Rajnath Singh warning Pakistan has made terrorism state policy, while India’s navy expansion plans (aiming for 200 ships) face pressure from China and Pakistan. Tech and trade pressures: A global chip-trade slowdown is boosting foreign portfolio interest in India, even as US tariffs and West Asia oil risks loom. ASEAN policing against scams: ASEAN chiefs of police approved a regional task force to tackle online scams, with hubs coordinated across borders. China-Taiwan and South China Sea: Taiwan detected Chinese military activity, and a Vietnamese ship sank near a disputed reef with 23 missing. Japan work culture debate: Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi’s “0 to 3 hours sleep” post sparked fresh scrutiny of extreme work hours. Malaysia-China people-to-people ties: Sabah hosted a Malaysia-China run to promote exchanges as diplomatic relations mark their 52nd anniversary.

India Youth Protest Fallout: Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister after weeks of nationwide “Cockroach Janta Party” protests over NEET exam paper leaks, with organizers calling it a win and ending demonstrations after government assurances. Police and Protest Tensions: Reports describe Delhi police using tear gas, baton charges and pellet guns during clashes around Jantar Mantar, while courts and officials move to address allegations of excesses. Leadership Change: Pralhad Joshi was assigned the Education Ministry charge following Pradhan’s resignation, adding to his existing portfolios. Assam Flood Response: In Assam, floods have hit 25 districts with at least 62 dead and eight missing; authorities report relief camps, distribution centres, and intensified rescue, including IAF helicopter airlifts. Sabah Education Funding: Malaysia’s Sabah doubled aid for Chinese private and mission schools and non-Muslim religious bodies to RM90m, citing community cohesion and human capital goals. ASEAN Myanmar Diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers in Manila agreed on benchmarks to measure Myanmar’s progress and discussed a longer-term special envoy, framed as a recalibration of the Five-Point Consensus.

India Youth Protest Showdown: India’s Supreme Court will hear Monday petitions alleging excessive police force against student protesters in the NEET exam-leak protests, as the government seeks time to respond to demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Digital Crackdown: India’s cybercrime unit ordered GitHub to remove access to Jack Dorsey-linked BitChat, citing risks around anonymous Bluetooth messaging during unrest. Protest Goes Viral: The “Cockroach” movement is leaning hard on memes and satire to pressure Modi’s government, even as talks with youth leaders stall. ASEAN-China South China Sea: ASEAN and China are pushing to wrap up a South China Sea code of conduct by year-end, but experts warn legal and scope disputes remain. Japan Immigration Shift: Japan plans tougher permanent residency rules tied to income and pension projections. Ukraine-Japan Defense Link: Ukraine seeks Japan’s support to produce Patriot systems under US license, arguing pacifist constraints shouldn’t block defensive cooperation. US Tariffs Ripple: Japan’s business leaders warn Trump’s added tariffs could hit global manufacturing.

India Youth Protests: India’s “cockroach” movement pressed the Modi government after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan faced renewed calls to resign over exam paper leaks; Reuters reports talks offered the protesters time until Saturday afternoon, after Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike. Digital Crackdown: Authorities ordered GitHub to block Jack Dorsey’s Bitchat repositories as mobile internet curbs pushed students toward Bluetooth-based messaging to keep organizing. ASEAN Diplomacy: In Manila, Asean foreign ministers wrapped talks that reaffirmed dialogue on the South China Sea and advanced a long-awaited Code of Conduct track, while the US stressed any outcome must not undermine its interests. US-China Security Tensions: The Pentagon added 130 research entities in China, Russia and Iran to a funding ban list, citing risks to US-funded science. Japan Strategic Moves: Japan advanced a “secondary capital” law to keep government functions running after major disasters, while also flagging rare-earth potential from deep-sea mining. India Tech Investment: HCLTech will invest $1.48b in an AI data centre in Odisha with Sarvam AI, signaling India’s push to build domestic AI infrastructure. India-Education Policy: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launched “Project Manobal,” a mental health education program for government schools. South China Sea Flashpoints: China and the Philippines traded fresh accusations after water cannon incidents near disputed shoals.

South China Sea Flashpoint: The Philippines accused China’s coast guard of firing water cannon near Scarborough Shoal for a second straight day, escalating a third confrontation this week as ASEAN foreign ministers wrapped talks in Manila. ASEAN Diplomacy: Manila hosted the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, adopting a joint communiqué and pushing progress on a South China Sea code of conduct with China, while also signaling Myanmar’s re-engagement remains “far off” pending Five-Point Consensus compliance. India NEET Crisis: India’s Parliament stayed deadlocked for a fourth day over the NEET paper leak, with opposition MPs demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and protests continuing despite government offers of discussion and fast-track courts. India Telecom Sovereignty: India’s Department of Telecom ordered telecom data and logs to be stored only within India, barring infrastructure providers from sharing data abroad. US Tariffs, Forced Labour: Washington imposed new 10%-12.5% tariffs on 60 partners, including India, after forced-labour probe findings—while India said it had taken steps to prohibit such imports. Regional Politics Poll: In the Philippines, Pulse Asia found Vice President Sara Duterte leading the 2028 presidential race amid her Senate impeachment trial. Cambodia-ASEAN Tech Push: Cambodia used ASEAN dialogue partner talks to press for deeper cooperation on trade, AI, digital transformation, human capital and green growth. India Space Investment: India said private space funding has surged to $618.5m with 17 private entities authorized under IN-SPACe.

India’s NEET “Cockroach” protests: Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc MPs marched to Gandhi Smriti to back students after July 20 clashes, while Delhi tightened mobile internet and courts/Parliament faced fresh disruption as Modi promised fast-track courts for exam-fraud cases. Parliament & policing flashpoint: Opposition and government MPs staged rival protests inside Parliament House complex, and a new Delhi High Court petition sought criminal action over alleged police inaction during the violence. China-India diplomacy: Wang Yi met Jaishankar in Manila, stressing “partners not competitors” and pointing to resumed institutional exchanges and higher trade, as both sides also flagged regional security and maritime concerns. ASEAN-plus-three foreign ministers: Japan pledged more cooperation on energy security and online scams, backing ASEAN centrality as West Asia tensions and regional security risks dominated talks. South China Sea: China’s coast guard fired water cannon at Philippine vessels near disputed areas, keeping Manila’s pressure on Beijing high. Japan-PNG Taiwan issue: China praised Papua New Guinea for closing Taiwan’s economic office, escalating the Taiwan-diplomacy contest in the Pacific. India defense milestone: DRDO’s maiden flight test of the long-range “Kusha” missile marked progress toward an indigenous air-defence layer. Renewables push: India reported wind capacity at 57,443 MW and announced new solar module partnerships to scale next-gen manufacturing.

South China Sea Tensions: China’s coast guard said it acted “professional, lawful” to expel Philippine vessels near Huangyan Dao, warning Manila to stop “infringing and provocative acts.” China’s Internal Power Shift: Beijing expelled Politburo member Ma Xingrui in a fresh purge, underscoring Xi’s tightening grip amid economic and governance strains. ASEAN Diplomacy Under Pressure: At ASEAN talks in Manila, China urged unity with ASEAN while the US and Russia met on the sidelines; a draft communique is set to stress freedom of navigation in straits as the US-Iran war reshapes regional energy worries. India’s Youth Protest Crisis: India’s NEET paper-leak agitation escalated into street clashes and a Parliament standoff, with Modi promising “stringent punishment” and fast-track courts, while opposition MPs demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Japan Economic Watch: Japan’s yen hit a multi-decade low, prompting finance chief Satsuki Katayama to say authorities will act “resolutely” if needed. Pacific Politics: Australia’s Pacific minister said it won’t “dictate” to the Pacific Islands Forum on whether to condemn China’s missile test, as consensus remains elusive.

South China Sea Diplomacy: Philippines and China kept talking in Manila after fresh West Philippine Sea clashes, with both sides lodging strong protests but also reaffirming a push to conclude the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct this year. ASEAN-US Signals: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN partners Washington “will never abandon” the bloc, citing $2.5bn in strategic investments and Quad coordination on trade and defense. US-China Tech Tensions: The White House says China’s Moonshot AI covertly distilled Anthropic’s Fable for its K3 model and used advanced Nvidia chips, escalating pressure for AI curbs. India NEET Political Crisis: Parliament stayed locked as opposition MPs and students pressed for action over alleged NEET paper leaks; Rahul Gandhi renewed claims of “rigged” education while the government offered debate and demanded resignations. India Domestic Fallout: A Delhi High Court PIL seeks an NIA-monitored probe into the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” protest, alleging organized violence and a wider conspiracy. Regional Security Talks: Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar met Russia’s Lavrov and Bangladesh’s foreign minister on the sidelines of an ASEAN forum, underscoring parallel diplomacy. Pacific Climate Push: Pacific climate ministers agreed the region must speak with one voice ahead of COP31. China-ASEAN Narrative Clash: China’s foreign ministry rejected outside “intervention” in South China Sea disputes, blaming Philippine “provocations” for instability. Human Rights in ASEAN: Indonesia’s classification of “LGBTQ culture” as a non-military threat drew alarm from an ASEAN SOGIE caucus.

Philippines Security & Diplomacy: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received Japan’s Motegi and Australia’s Wong in Manila, as ASEAN foreign ministers meet amid West Philippine Sea tensions and wider regional crises; Marcos also named Gen. Antonio Nafarrete AFP chief, underscoring a renewed China-facing defense posture. ASEAN Credibility Under Pressure: Indonesia urged ASEAN to turn Middle East, South China Sea and Myanmar challenges into tangible results, warning the bloc’s charter credibility is being tested. Quad Signals Indo-Pacific Strategy: Quad foreign ministers in Manila reaffirmed a free and open Indo-Pacific and backed ASEAN unity and centrality, while discussing maritime and transnational security. Hormuz Warning: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN that any move to control Strait of Hormuz tolls would set a dangerous precedent for freedom of navigation. India Protest Politics: Rahul Gandhi was released after detention during education-system protests; opposition MPs escalated pressure in Parliament over alleged police action and exam integrity, as the “Cockroach Janta Party” movement continues. Japan Trade & Policy Stress: Reuters reported Japan’s exports rose on a weak yen and AI-linked demand, but imports surged and the country ran a June trade deficit amid shipping and oil-price uncertainty. China Tech & Trade: China said it will expand imports of advanced tech and key resources under its 15th Five-Year Plan, while China Southern Power Grid showcased AI-linked power systems at the World AI Conference. Pacific Climate Push: Pacific climate ministers advanced a united agenda ahead of COP31, with Solomon Islands’ minister urging one front as negotiations loom.

ASEAN Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Manila for ASEAN and East Asia Summit meetings, signaling openness to talks with China’s Wang Yi as Washington weighs how to respond to alleged China election meddling. India Protests & Governance: India’s “Cockroach Janta Party” protests over exam leaks and corruption spread after police crackdowns, with opposition lawmakers rallying behind youth anger—raising the stakes for Modi-era politics. Japan–China Security: Japan protested China’s live-fire drill in its EEZ near Okinotori, while China rejected Tokyo’s claims and argued Okinotori is a rock that cannot generate an EEZ. US–China Election Row: Trump softened his tone on retaliation after accusing Beijing of 2020 election interference, while China dismissed the allegations as fabricated. Tech & AI Rivalry: India launched an open-source, offline-capable AI hackathon to build local multilingual devices, as the US warned it could sanction Chinese AI firms over alleged IP theft. Trade & Regional Order: ASEAN admitted Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, expanding international backing for ASEAN’s non-interference principles. Economic Signals: China–US goods trade rebounded in Q2 after a Q1 slump, alongside renewed tariff-cut talks.

South China Sea & ASEAN diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Manila as the region wrestles with renewed Middle East tensions and South China Sea flashpoints, with China’s Wang Yi, the US’s Marco Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov expected to attend and Manila warning external pressures could pull ASEAN apart. Japan-China military signals: Tokyo says a Chinese destroyer carried out live-fire drills with Russia inside Japan’s EEZ—an escalation Japan says could endanger navigation—while it also protests China-Russia exercises near Okinotori. Philippines-China maritime incident: Manila’s president condemns a China Coast Guard assault on a Philippine Navy sailor at Ayungin Shoal, backing diplomatic response after the baton strike. India protest politics: India’s youth-led “Cockroach” Janta Party says it will keep protesting but won’t march again after clashes with police injured nearly 180 people; Delhi Police register FIRs and probe possible conspiracy. India governance & parliament: Congress MPs move adjournment motions alleging a “lockdown” around Parliament during the protest and press for debate on NEET paper leaks and police action. India security & foreign policy: India summons Russia’s charge d’affaires over the killing of four Indian seafarers in a missile strike off Ukraine; separately, India keeps the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance unless Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism. China human rights framework: Beijing releases its 2026-2030 National Human Rights Action Plan, stressing economic, social and digital rights alongside environmental goals. Regional economy: Indonesia’s parliament passes a law enabling international financial centers to attract investment, while India’s renewable push hits 288 GW capacity and a SECI pumped-storage tender awards 1,580 MW.