India and China have long taken very different approaches to controlling the internet. But is that gap starting to narrow?

India’s government is proposing new rules that could bring bloggers, influencers and online creators under regulations similar to those governing traditional broadcasters.

Officials say it’s about accountability, but critics worry it could limit free expression and political speech online.

So how far could these changes go? And how do they compare to China’s highly controlled internet?

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to BBC Hindi journalist Umang Poddar in Delhi and Tom Nunlist from Trivium China in Shanghai to break down what India’s proposed rules actually mean, how creators are reacting, and how China built one of the world’s most sophisticated censorship systems.

Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geopolitical flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop-inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week.

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

A $2 billion deal between Meta and rising AI company Manus was done and then suddenly, China stepped in and blocked it.

The move stunned the tech world. Manus, a fast-growing AI startup with roots in China but based in Singapore, had been gaining attention for its powerful AI agent tools.

Meta - the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - saw it as a strategic bet in the race to dominate artificial intelligence.

But Beijing saw something else. Chinese regulators intervened, reportedly framing the deal as a threat to national security and a potential loss of critical technology.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks with Rui Ma, founder of Tech Buzz China, and Wendy Chang from the Mercator Institute for China Studies to unpack what Manus is, why Meta wanted it, why China blocked the deal and what this tells us about the intensifying US-China AI rivalry.

This episode was recorded on 4 May.

Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.

Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.

Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week.

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk

New Zealand has signed a major free trade deal with India, but a provision to lock in thousands of skilled migrants each year has sparked a backlash.

The agreement promises economic benefits for both countries, including expanded trade and easier movement for Indian skilled workers. But a comment by a senior minister in the governing coalition describing the migration agreements as a “butter chicken tsunami” has ignited criticism and raised concerns about attitudes toward the Indian community.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks with BBC journalist Vandhna Bhan and NZ BusinessDesk senior correspondent Dileepa Fonseka to unpack what’s actually in the deal, why immigration has become such a flashpoint, and what this reveals about New Zealand’s changing social landscape.

Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.

Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt

Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk