AGP Executive Report

India–China Tech & Security: India ordered the removal of three Chinese apps (BAT-BMS, Lossigy, Epoch-i-ion) from app stores after viral reports they could remotely disable e-rickshaws, with authorities citing Bluetooth BMS security gaps and promising further blocks. E-rickshaw Crackdown: Delhi also moved to remove the same apps after the disruption videos, as regulators push tighter controls on vehicle-linked software. Middle-Class Growth: India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told a France forum that consumption from a rising middle class is driving growth and could help India overtake China in middle-class size by 2030–35. Teesta Watch: India said it is closely monitoring Bangladesh–China Teesta plans and will take “appropriate measures” if needed. China–Russia Tensions: Germany summoned China’s ambassador over reports of Chinese personnel training Russian troops, calling it “deeply disturbing.” Pacific Diplomacy: Samoa’s PM said there are no plans for military ties with China, while the Pacific will discuss China’s security proposals at the Pacific Islands Forum. Japan Media/Commerce: Japan’s food delivery market is at a crossroads as price wars and inflation squeeze profits, pushing some operators out. Climate/Weather: Typhoon Maysak made landfall in China’s Hainan, disrupting flights, ferries and trains and closing schools in affected areas.

E-Rickshaw Cybersecurity Crackdown: India’s MeitY ordered Apple and Google to remove apps including BAT-BMS, Lossigy and Epoch-i-ion after viral videos showed pranksters remotely disabling Bluetooth-linked battery systems mid-ride, prompting stalled vehicles and safety alarms. Fuel Policy Backlash: India moved to calm anger over mandatory E20 ethanol-blended petrol after a viral court clip had Attorney General R. Venkataramani calling it an “experiment,” while officials said the term referred to ethanol supply volumes, not the policy. India-Japan Marcom & Tech Push: China warned India-Japan cooperation shouldn’t target third parties as the two sides advanced AI, energy and defence initiatives during PM Sanae Takaichi’s visit. AI Business Expansion: Microsoft launched its “Microsoft Frontier Company” to embed thousands of AI engineering experts with clients, signaling a deeper push into enterprise AI services. Corporate Comms: Jindal Stainless appointed Aanchal Wadhwa as lead external communications to boost reputation and stakeholder engagement. Digital Economy Showcase: ITU, ITC and DEC40 released the Global Digital Economy “Lighthouse Cases” collection, with multiple Chinese digital governance and AI examples highlighted.

Digital Media Shift: Phoenix Media Group marks 30 years by moving from satellite TV to a digital-first model, pushing mobile-friendly breaking news and expanding its global correspondent network. India-Japan Marcom & Policy: India and Japan unveiled a roadmap to upgrade CEPA and deepen cooperation on AI, energy resilience and defence, with an early push toward a 2+2 ministerial dialogue. Platform Trust & Fraud: India asked Meta to pause WhatsApp username rollout over fraud and impersonation risks, as regulators tighten rules for VPN providers and compliance. Cyber Pranks Go Physical: A viral BAT-BMS app prank in Delhi claims to remotely disable Bluetooth-enabled e-rickshaw batteries, prompting safety concerns and government review. Ad/Commerce Data Deal: NIQ bought Flywheel’s China and Southeast Asia eCommerce data business to strengthen digital shelf and social commerce measurement. Business Real Estate: Kara Capital advised a Japanese investor consortium on a $454m acquisition of a 50% stake in Sydney’s World Square office complex. China Media/Tech: Chinese carmakers are betting on hybrids over pure EVs for South Africa’s transition, while China launched a new ocean-monitoring satellite to refresh its wind-sensing fleet. Regional Culture & Content: Malaysia launched Omirol, Southeast Asia’s first native AIGC creation ecosystem platform, aiming to boost local digital content production.

India-Japan Deal Push: Modi and Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi unveiled a big roadmap after summit talks, including a new economic partnership framework, defence co-development, and energy resilience measures—plus a target of 10 trillion yen in Japanese investment over the next decade. ASEAN Maritime Assurance: Malaysia told Belgium that ASEAN will keep South China Sea access open, stressing no “blockades” and linking the message to wider shipping disruption fears. China Crash Fallout: Chinese authorities said the pilot who hit Beijing’s tallest skyscraper acted for “personal reasons,” citing insomnia and anxiety, while a nationwide light-aircraft ban followed. Space Industry Watch: India’s Skyroot Aerospace set a maiden test flight window for its first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, from mid-July to early August. Media/Policy: India asked WhatsApp to pause its username rollout over fraud and privacy concerns, as regulators scrutinize messaging identity changes. Sports & Culture: Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu is expected to stay on for the Asian Cup after the World Cup exit.

Undersea Connectivity for AI: Microsoft and Singapore’s Lightstorm are backing the I-2SEA cable to link India with Malaysia and Singapore, aiming to boost AI/cloud capacity with a 3,600-km network due in Q4 2029. Agency Expansion: Singapore’s VIRTUE Asia is launching VIRTUE Arabia in Dubai, taking over its Middle East operation and building a creative network across APAC, India and the region. School Food Fight in India: West Bengal’s Bengal drops eggs from school meals in Kolkata’s KMC area after ISKCON takes charge, reigniting debate over nutrition standards under PM POSHAN. Social Media Accountability Push: A University of Sydney expert urges Australia to require social platforms to hold local licences to tackle hate speech and improve enforceability. Data-Center IPO Talk: Singapore’s BDx Data Centers says an IPO is “on the table” as AI demand drives expansion across Asia-Pacific. UPI Mandate Scam Warning: Indians report surprise Rs 299 debits tied to “free” trials that trigger hidden UPI mandates, with guidance on tracking and revoking. China Military Message: Xi Jinping vows to strengthen China’s military and intensify anti-corruption at the CCP’s 105th anniversary. Cocaine Use Estimate in Japan: A Japanese government study estimates about 350,000 people aged 15-64 have used cocaine. Pacific Media Opportunity: PCBL and SPREP invite Pacific journalists for free training ahead of COP31 in Fiji/Tuvalu and Antalya, Türkiye.

Japan-India Diplomacy: Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi landed in New Delhi for a three-day visit with Modi, aiming to deepen trade, investment and defence ties under the India-Japan strategic partnership. China-Japan Trade Friction: Beijing imposed export curbs on 40 Japanese firms, citing “remilitarization” concerns and requiring licences for dual-use goods. China Tech & Policy: New “national security” rules on outbound investment took effect, giving authorities wider power over cross-border capital and tech transfers. India Digital Regulation: India reportedly halted WhatsApp’s username rollout, asking Meta to explain within three days and pause launch pending consultations. Media & Sports Rights: Zee Entertainment won India rights for Germany’s Bundesliga for five years, starting 2026-27 on Zee5 and Unite8 Sports. Asia Media Watch: A Delhi High Court ruling said private media outlets can be subject to writ jurisdiction when they perform public functions. Public Safety: A man sprayed a substance in a Nagoya post office, injuring eight people.

North Korea–China Ties: Kim Jong Un sent Xi Jinping a message for the CPC’s 105th anniversary, calling the Pyongyang summit a “historic occasion” and pledging to deepen “unshakable” DPRK-China cooperation. China Outbound Investment Rules: A Global Times editorial argues China’s new overseas investment regulation is being misread as a “fortress” move, saying it instead consolidates scattered rules into a clearer framework. India Media & Politics: India’s “Cockroach Janta Party” leaders kept up Delhi sit-ins demanding the education minister’s resignation over alleged exam paper leaks, as reports swirl about a cabinet reshuffle. Marcom & Retail Tech: Singapore’s ITC Asia 2026 opened, with sessions on AI-driven insurance and distribution, while Hero MotoCorp refreshed VIDA’s EV brand identity with “VOOM.” Tourism & Lifestyle: Dusit Collection debuted in Japan with a Kengo Kuma-designed Lake Tōya retreat, and a Little India bakery drew viral queues for Madras-style chai. Energy Costs: India cut commercial LPG cylinder prices by Rs 183.50 from July 1, easing pressure for restaurants and small businesses.

China Space Tech: CAS Space says it has cleared a long-duration qualification test for its Kinecore-2 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine for reusable Kinetica-2 variants, pushing burn time to 620 seconds and building reliability for future mass production. US Court & China Diaspora: Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui was sentenced to 30 years in a New York federal prison over a $1bn fraud scheme, with prosecutors alleging he raised over $1bn from followers via investment and crypto plays. China–Saudi Business Push: Saudi FM Prince Faisal met China’s VP Han Zheng in Beijing, reaffirming coordination and aiming to deepen economic and investment ties. Philippines–ASEAN Defence Prep: Manila convened an ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting working group to advance deliverables for later this year’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus, including peacekeeping-centre efforts. India–Media/Policy: India defended FATF at the UN, urging countries not to shelter terror networks and to strengthen anti-financing compliance. India–Sports & Attention: India arrived in England for a five-match T20I series after a 2-0 loss to Ireland; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to wait for his debut as Sanju Samson stays in the XI. Japan Cyber Safety: Osaka police rolled out an AI “police chief” avatar, AIko, to warn younger users about online scams. Marcom/Ad Tech: Highwire launched AcroIntelligence, an AI platform aimed at helping comms and marketing teams spot emerging narratives and competitive shifts.

World Cup Drama: Brazil edged Japan 2-1 in Houston with Gabriel Martinelli scoring in stoppage time, sparking respect from Chinese fans for Japan’s disciplined run. US Court Fallout: Chinese exile Guo Wengui was sentenced to 30 years in a US prison over a massive fraud scheme that prosecutors said cost over 1,000 people hundreds of millions. Pacific Climate Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved about US$14m in grants (plus US$43m co-financing) for climate adaptation projects across Fiji, FSM, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Marcom & Media: IBM named Omnicom Media its global media agency of record, expanding the account across Americas, EMEA, Japan and APAC as it pushes AI and automation. Trade & Compliance: Waaree contests a US CBP finding on solar-cell tariff evasion, while China’s new outbound investment rules from July 1 tighten oversight for deals via hubs like Singapore. India Watch: India says it has no official role in Track 2 talks with Pakistan; India’s delayed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train is set to start services in 2027. Regional Security: India’s Army denied PLA encroachment claims in Arunachal Pradesh. Crypto Regulation: Singapore’s MAS added Hyperliquid to its Investor Alert List; Indonesia tightened certification rules for influencers promoting digital assets. Advertising Industry: Philippines’ DMAP expands Boomerang Awards to Southeast Asia for 2026.

China-Belarus Ties: Xi Jinping met Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing, underscoring deepening alignment as Belarus hosts Russia’s nuclear-capable assets and China keeps positioning itself as “neutral” in the Ukraine war. Japan Defence & FX: Japan deployed a Type-12 surface-to-ship missile launcher on Minamitorishima, while the yen slid to a 39.5-year low versus the USD on rate-gap expectations. Bangladesh-India Port Pivot: Bangladesh cancelled India’s Mongla Port deal and awarded it to China, a sharp test of Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First” approach in the Bay of Bengal. Media/Marcom: Fox News apologized after Kevin O’Leary repeated claims linking Utah data-center opponents to China; separate China media coverage pushed CPC modernization Q&As. APAC Marketing Tech: BRAHMA AI and Hakuhodo Technologies partnered to scale high-fidelity digital humans across Japan and APAC. Sports & Culture: India’s Prince Yadav grabbed a debut four-wicket haul vs Ireland; Malaysia named APP Asia HQ in Penang for a July pickleball tour stop. India-UAE Consular: India extended emergency-only consular services in the UAE until July 1 during a provider transition.

MedTech Deal Risk: A Singapore panel at LSI Asia ’26 spotlighted how connected medical-device deals get killed by late cybersecurity fixes, compliance shortcuts, and weak teams. Fraud Prevention in Japan: Osaka police unveiled “AIko,” an AI avatar teaching scam tactics in plain language, targeting younger victims as fraud shifts beyond the elderly. India Urban Cost Debate: A Bengaluru founder’s viral claim that ₹2.5 lakh/month is the new ₹1 lakh sparked a wider inflation-and-rents conversation. China Youth Employment: Reports say 12.7 million graduates are entering the job market, with youth unemployment still high and many looking beyond traditional careers. Asia Cybercrime Scale: Raids and survivor accounts describe trafficked workers forced into cyberscam centres across Asia, including abuse and violence. Vertical Entertainment Push: Yash Raj Films invested in Rusk Media to build Gen Z/Gen Alpha vertical IP via microdramas and animation. China Market Tightening: China’s regulator ordered brokers to stop new foreign exposures via total return swaps, tightening outbound investing. Southeast Asia Heat: Wet-bulb humid heatwaves are lasting longer, pushing human limits in parts of the region. India-Pakistan Row: India rejected Pakistan’s Karachi attack allegations as baseless, urging action against terror networks at home. World Cup Media Angle: Japan will miss Takefusa Kubo vs Brazil; knockout matchups heat up with Brazil-Japan, Germany-Paraguay, and Netherlands-Morocco.

Bangladesh-China Investment Push: Twelve Chinese firms have proposed about US$9.2bn in Bangladesh during PM Tarique Rahman’s China visit, spanning Mongla Port upgrades, a Chattogram industrial park, highways and waste-to-energy. India-US Tech Partnership: India and the US are moving from talks to “trusted technology” projects in semiconductors, AI, quantum and critical minerals via a USISPF roundtable. S. Korea-Japan Defence Cooperation: Defence chiefs agreed to deepen exchanges, including AI and maritime search-and-rescue, plus continued aerobatic team cooperation. Japan Storm Damage: Two tropical storm systems battered western Japan, triggering floods and landslides; one death reported. China Disaster Response: After major quakes in Venezuela, a Chinese-trained rescuer credited mentors’ skills while death toll rose to 1,430. China Energy Milestone: China’s world’s largest tension-leg floating wind platform sailed for commercial deployment. Media & Marcom: Bangladesh’s information ministry says new China MoUs aim to upgrade its media tech and AI capabilities. India-Pakistan Row: India rejected Pakistan’s Karachi attack allegations as “baseless,” urging action against terror infrastructure at home.

Japan Storms & Quakes: Two typhoons (Mekkhala, Higos) battered Japan’s rainy season, triggering floods and landslides; one man died in Yamaguchi after a house collapse, while a separate 6.1 quake hit northeastern Japan early Sunday with no tsunami warning. China Aviation & Censorship: A small plane crash into Beijing’s CITIC Tower killed the pilot and injured 13; reports say online references were quickly scrubbed, raising questions about transparency. Pacific Fisheries: Pacific Island fisheries ministers met in Wellington to push sustainable tuna management across shared waters and improve limits for albacore. Bangladesh-India Reset: India resumed tourist visas for Bangladeshis from June 28, a confidence-building move after months of estrangement. India-US Marcom & Defense Links: Indian envoy Vinay Mohan Kwatra met US officials at the Pentagon to advance the strategic partnership, including defense industrial cooperation and emerging tech. China-Bangladesh Strategy: Xi and PM Tarique Rahman agreed to upgrade cooperation across trade, infrastructure, water, defense, technology and regional diplomacy. Media/Commerce: A viral claim about AI adult-film stars appearing on Netflix’s India’s Got Latent was debunked as fake.

ASEAN Sustainability: Malaysia is set to get its first Zero Energy Office Building, retrofitting SEDA’s Cyberjaya HQ with Japanese NEDO tech—aimed at cutting emissions and setting a regional benchmark. India–West Asia Politics: Sonia Gandhi urges India to speak up for Palestinians, citing a UN report alleging genocide in Gaza and warning India is drifting toward Israel’s orbit. Bangladesh–China Diplomacy: China backs Bangladesh’s BRICS bid and SCO partner push, and reiterates support for the Teesta river project, stressing it’s not aimed at any third party. US–India Talks: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump could visit India early next year as a trade deal nears completion. Disaster & Safety: A deep 6.2 quake hits Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush, with tremors felt across India and Pakistan; Japan meanwhile faces typhoon-linked floods and landslides. Aviation Shock in Beijing: A small plane crash into CITIC Tower kills the pilot and injures 13, raising fresh questions amid strict airspace controls. Media Regulation: A PIL in India’s Supreme Court seeks an expert panel to curb misleading social media content and add child-protection safeguards. Sports & Culture: Japan’s storms disrupt life; in India, OTT content and self-medication debates keep trending alongside World Cup matchday coverage.

China-Canada Trade Push: Canada’s charge d’affaires in Beijing says Ottawa aims to boost exports to China by 50% by 2030, framing it as a long-term relationship shift after PM Mark Carney’s January visit. Europe Heatwave Meets “AC Freedom”: A record-breaking European heatwave is driving demand for cooling, with Chinese-made air conditioners flying off shelves as many households still lack AC. US Digital Tax Clash: Trump threatens 100% tariffs on countries imposing digital services taxes, with India seen as less exposed after dropping its own measures. AI, Jobs & Content Arms Race: China’s tech workers fear “optimisation” as AI reshapes roles, while Asia’s streaming platforms bet big on micro-dramas and AI-generated content. Media & Comms: Sichuan Media Group launches PandaVox to export multilingual TV/radio content globally. India–Pakistan Sports Diplomacy: India and Pakistan hockey players shake hands in London, signaling a thaw after earlier tensions. Geopolitics Energy Pressure: Iran warns ships to seek approval to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a direct hit to India’s crude lifeline. China–Bangladesh Connectivity: Beijing proposes a Bangladesh-Myanmar-China economic corridor and backs Teesta river management, raising regional leverage questions. Japan Security Alert: Report says Japan’s military used China-linked malware-infected counterfeit USB drives for nearly a year before detection. Cannes Lions Reality Check: India ends Cannes Lions 2026 with five metals and no Gold, a sharp drop from last year.

China–EU Trade Friction: The European Commission is reportedly preparing anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles, even as Chinese brands keep gaining ground in Europe—Q1 exports jumped 84.7% and China’s share hit a record 9.8% by April. Bangladesh–China Connectivity: Bangladesh’s PM Tarique Rahman discussed connectivity with Xi Jinping; China proposed a Bangladesh–Myanmar–China economic corridor and interest in modernising Chittagong port. Media & Training in the Global South: ACCPA launched a second Ghana–China Media Fellowship to boost reporting skills on complex international issues. AI in Advertising: OpenAI pitched ChatGPT as an ad platform at Cannes Lions, signaling a push into sponsored placements as it targets major ad revenue growth. Japan’s Defense Shift: Japan approved plans to reorganize the Air Self-Defense Force into an “Air and Space” force, expanding space operations—sparking concern over remilitarisation. Sports & Social Culture: Japan World Cup fans’ stadium clean-up tradition is spreading, with locals joining in after matches. India–Cricket Spotlight: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of India’s XI vs Ireland despite hype, with captain Shreyas Iyer citing a “winning combination” approach.