Hema Nadarajah

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Hema Nadarajah

ASEAN Summit: Managing the Bloc’s Expansion, Regional Conflicts, and Great-Power Rivalry

The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 26-28, showcased both the bloc’s diplomatic strengths and its strategic vulnerabilities. U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance dominated the proceedings, and featured the signing of legally binding trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, framework arrangements with Thailand and Vietnam, and memoranda of understanding...

Hema Nadarajah

Military Cooperation, Trade Talks Reflect Ottawa’s ‘Integrated Approach’ to Indonesia

Canada has formalized its defence relationship with Indonesia through the recent signing of a Military Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing structured collaboration in joint exercises, maritime security, capacity-building, and professional exchanges. Combined with the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — which is expected to be signed in 2025 — the defence MoU reflects Ottawa’s integrated approach to Southeast Asia...

Hema Nadarajah

Japan: A Steady Ascent: Innovation and International Collaboration in Space

In December 2024, LignoSat — the world’s first wooden satellite — was launched by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) into the Earth’s orbit from the International Space Station (ISS). The satellite, constructed from magnolia wood and without screws using a traditional Japanese technique, was developed to make space more sustainable. Traditional satellites burn up upon re-entry when deorbited, creating...

Hema Nadarajah

Greening the military: Why defence spending must align with climate action

The world is currently gripped by growing geopolitical tensions, with global defence budgets expanding in many countries, including Canada. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to instability in the Indo-Pacific region and the weaponization of emerging technologies, many countries are ramping up military spending at a pace not seen in decades. But while these governments allocate billions to traditional notions of...

Hema Nadarajah, Sasha Lee

Threading the Needle: Cambodia’s Trade Diplomacy with China and the U.S.

On July 7, Cambodia was informed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump of a new August 1 deadline to renegotiate trade terms and avoid steep tariffs. Although the recently revealed 36 per cent duties announced by the U.S. as part of its broader tariff policy are lower than the hefty 49 per cent Washington threatened earlier, they remain...

Hema Nadarajah, Alberto Iskandar, Sasha Lee

Canada-Indonesia Trade Agreement Marks a New Chapter in Indo-Pacific Relations

On November 15, Canada and Indonesia announced the completion of the negotiations for the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Peru. The culmination of three years of negotiations, the agreement aims to strengthen economic ties by reducing trade barriers, expanding market access, and fostering mutual growth. The CEPA...

Hema Nadarajah, Sasha Lee, Calvin San, Su Thet San

Thailand’s Leadership Shakeup Could Portend More Political and Economic Uncertainty

On August 16, the Thai parliament approved Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party as the country’s new prime minister, two days after the Constitutional Court ordered the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, over ethics violations. On August 7, the same court forced the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), which holds a plurality of seats in...