Asian Insider: India-Pakistan attacks spark fear of escalation | Are ships the new chip war?

Plus: 'Sistine Chapel sleepover' and other names for the papal conclave | If this e-mail is not displayed properly, click here. THURSDAY, MAY 08 2025 Asian Insider brings you insights into a fast-changing region from our network of correspondents and commentators. Lim Ai Leen Associate Foreign Editor Dear ST reader, We hope you've been keeping well. Fears of open conflict between India and Pakistan grew on Wednesday, after New Delhi launched air strikes against Pakistan to retaliate against a terrorist attack in Kashmir in April. Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours are already threatening livelihoods in border villages, reports Debarshi Dasgupta. Meanwhile, misinformation about the tit-for-tat attacks, ranging from conflicting casualty numbers to misleading videos of wars elsewhere, is adding uncertainty to the volatile situation. Hopefully, we'll see de-escalation here as well as in that other fraught arena – international trade. Later this week, the US and China are set to discuss tariffs, in their first public talks since the US ratcheted up levies on Chinese imports. Read our analysis by Joyce ZK Lim and Aw Cheng Wei on how the negotiations might play out, as China tries to protect its jobs and factory activity, and the US tries to combat rising prices. Finally, we recommend Mara Cepeda's take on another closely-watched power tussle – the election of the next Pope. Discover how Gen Z have turned this secretive, sacred ritual into a process more akin to a Miss Universe contest. India, Pakistan exchange tit-for-tat attacks, sparking fears of escalation The clash has evoked nationalist fervour in both countries. Read more: Avoiding the bigger clash China and US begin diplomatic dance in restarting trade talks Analysts expect the tariff negotiations to be a protracted affair. Read more on trade: 'US tariffs don't hurt': Chongqing's car sector Fake Manolos and Birkins put Indonesia in US crosshairs Making ships like chips: US taps Japan, S. Korea to counter Chinese naval dominance The US shipbuilding industry has a virtually non-existent global market share of 0.1 per cent. Read more: Xi's chance to be the bigger person in South China Sea row Memes on papal conclave bring Gen Z closer to the Catholic Church Names like 'Pope Games' and 'Sistine Chapel sleepover' have turned the process into a pop culture moment. Read more: In Manila's slums, hope rises for Cardinal Tagle Trump's deep sea minerals order a grave risk for the ocean The race for seabed riches is being driven in part by China's dominance of the critical minerals trade. More on environmental issues: US scores own goal by cutting climate finance India-Pakistan conflict: Border residents fret over their next meal amid dwindling trade and tourism The chill in ties is threatening livelihoods in Indian border villages. Listen to this Asian Insider podcast: Haunting house-hunting in Jakarta Sign up for more newsletters here. To manage your newsletters, click here.