Hi agentkhoo,
Asia is a big place. You cannot generalize a lot of things. But some can be stated:
1. Political Situation
In India you have a relatively stable system since power changes hands between only a couple of groups (among them the Ghandi-clan). On a local level you have a great deal of bureaucracy and corruption in getting relatively straightforward things done. Fortunately there are soliciters and consultants specialized for the legal side of setting up businesses and property acquisition.
In other Asian countries like Malaysia you have a political cast that has everything pretty tightly under control but has great interest in foreign investment (which makes them richer).
2. Human rights Situation
In most Asian countries human rights are a relative term. If you do not have any money, authorities just don't give a damn about you. I do not believe this is out of pure malice, but just because keeping up any type of standard is just too much of a bother.
If you are an expatriate affiliated to some larger group then you will enjoy a greater deal of respect and protection. Again this is only because it is too much of a bother for authorities to take the flak for mistreating important people.
3. Environmental situation
Things are slowly changing in Asia insofar as environmental issues are at least getting some notice. But in actual fact (in China and India) they still do not care very much.
The only places where some regulations are being checked and upheld are the big cities. This is done because the level of pollution has reached nearly unbearable levels. In some Indian cities it is hard to breath in the summer due to exhausts.
This is admittedly a slightly biased but realistic view - Hope this answers some of your questions.
Silvana
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