The Palk Strait Link

The Palk Strait Link: Sri Lanka’s Unresolved Question With India

Neutrality and balance — Colombo’s habitual vocabulary — have yielded little economic benefit. Ultimately, Sri Lanka slid into bankruptcy. Given this background, the land link is not merely a strategic starting point but a necessity. India’s strategic position on Sri Lanka is perennial; whether the bridge is built or not, India’s concerns remain fundamental. As an immediate neighbour and rising global power, India will not allow rivals to use Sri Lanka as a base.  

Disruptive Diplomacy: Why India and China Must Lead Humanity Beyond Fossil-Fuel Chokepoints

If India and China choose collaboration by setting aside strategic suspicion in the climate domain, they could fundamentally reshape the trajectory of the 21st century, as they have already demonstrated individually through their pursuit of clean energy over the past decade. More importantly, such a coalition could revive the COP28 fossil-fuel phase-down pledge, which stalled at COP29 in Baku and appears to be drifting further at COP30 in Belém.

Bridging Oceans, Building Regions: India–New Zealand FTA and Potential of South Asian Integration

Increased industrial activity in India could generate demand for raw materials, intermediate goods, and services from countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh’s textile industry could strengthen its links with Indian manufacturing networks, while Sri Lanka may gain from expanded opportunities in tourism, logistics, and services.

A New Era in India–ADB Relations: Will Play a Defining Role in Shaping Asia's Economic Future

ADB’s role has evolved beyond financing into shaping India’s structural transformation into a high-growth, technology-driven, and climate-conscious economy. Compared to other multilateral institutions, it offers a more agile, implementation-focused, and regionally attuned approach. As India moves toward becoming one of the world’s largest economies, this partnership will play a defining role in shaping not only India’s growth trajectory but also the broader economic future of Asia.

More on Geoeconomics, Trade and Development

Pakistan approves most expensive China-aided project to date

Pakistan's top economic body on Wednesday approved its costliest project to date as part of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, giving the go-ahead for a $6.8 billion project to upgrade its railway lines, the government said

Mi Browser Pro, Meipai among Chinese apps banned by India: Report

Smartphone maker Xiaomi's Mi Browser Pro and Meitu Technology's short video and prediction tool Meipai feature in the list of 47 Chinese apps that India banned late in July, media reports said

Tibetans in exile to elect next president in 2021

Tibetan exiles across the world will vote to elect their new 'Sikyong' or President as well as members of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, based here in this northern hill town, in 2021, it was officially announced on Wednesday

Chinese firm applies for corona vaccine trial in Bangladesh

A Chinese firm Synovac Biotech has applied for the third phase clinical trials of vaccine against COVID-19 in Bangladesh, secretary of Health and Family Welfare Ministry Abdul Mannan said. Bangladesh will get the benefit of getting the vaccine, he added

Talks with China unsatisfactory, India plans for long haul

As China's commitment to disengagement at the border in Eastern Ladakh remains unsatisfactory, India has directed its armed forces to prepare for a long haul, sources said on Tuesday

India restricts entry of Chinese firms in commercial coal mine auctions

The Indian government has restricted participation of companies from countries sharing a land border with India in the ongoing auction of coal mines for commercial extraction by the private sector

Longest-serving Tibetan political prisoner dies in India

Adhe Tapontsang, popularly known as Ama Adhe and one of the longest-serving Tibetan political prisoners, died at her residence on Monday in this northern Indian hill town, the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)

Chinese envoy says Pakistan has 'greatest potential' to be trade hub

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that Pakistan has the "greatest potential" to be the hub of regional connectivity and trade

India, China holding fifth round of military talks

The fifth round of talks between the Indian and Chinese military representatives to discuss disengagements are set to take place on Sunday in Moldo, even as Beijing has started troop and material build-up across the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC)

Sri Lanka defense secretary extols China’s relationship with Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the historical relationship between China and Sri Lanka had been growing on the mutual trust built on pillars of political, economic, cultural, educational and most importantly in defense over the years

Pakistan Army chief hails military ties as 'key components' of Pak-China relations

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, on the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has said both the countries militaries were key components of Pak-China strategic relations

Sri Lanka to give tax-free salaries to top execs of billion-dollar China project

Sri Lanka will give tax-free salaries to 30 executives of billion-dollar property project from China which will be a landmark in the reclamation that is expanding the island’s capital into the Indian Ocean

‘China meddling in internal affairs of Nepal, Sri Lanka’

Lisa Curtis, senior director for South and Central Asia, US National Security Council, said China was meddling in internal affairs of Nepal and Sri Lanka

Trial of Chinese Vaccine: Dhaka's indecision puzzles experts

It remains a mystery why the Bangladesh government is still in a fix about allowing a clinical trial of the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine here when health experts are saying the trial can help the country access the life-saving vaccine quickly and build national capacity for advanced research

REC arm cancels contract to Indian subsidiary of Chinese firm

Days after the opposition Congress accused the government of engaging a China-linked company in a meter installation project in Jammu & Kashmir, the REC Power Distribution Company Ltd (RECPDCL) said that sub-contractor, Dongfang Electric (India) Pvt Ltd, which was a subsidiary of a Chinese company, has been removed