A top Chinese official has opined that he hopes to see Afghanistan's future leadership pursuing a “moderate Muslim policy” and a foreign policy of peace to maintain friendly ties with neighbouring countries and firmly combat all forms of terrorism
South Asia's Balance of Payments Challenge: The Changing Dynamics of External Balances in South Asia
South Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world despite geographical proximity and complementary economic structures. Greater regional trade, improved transport connectivity, cross-border electricity markets, digital payment systems and investment partnerships could substantially reduce external vulnerabilities.
India's Employment Debate: A Future With Plenty of Work, But Fewer Jobs
Between 2004 and 2023, India produced roughly five million graduates every year, but graduate employment increased by only around 2.8 million annually. Even fewer obtained salaried employment. Millions are either unemployed or working below their qualifications or in the waiting room for the elusive government job.
How Sri Lanka Missed the Opportunity to Become a 200-billion dollar economy
Policy instability during the 2015-2024 likely pushed back Sri Lanka’s path towards becoming South Asia’s first High-Income Country. The 2022 financial crisis would never have happened as stable growth during the first half of 2015–2024 would have built enough buffer to weather impact of the Covid pandemic
When Nations Employ the Expansionary Grammar of Corporate Acquisitions
China’s Belt and Road Initiative - which funded Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port through loans resulting in a 99-year lease to Chinese State-owned enterprise in 2017 due to Colombo’s struggle to service said loans - follows the same expansionary script.
More on Economy, Trade and Development
Nepal’s ministries in blame game for delayed response on Chinese vaccine
Even as Nepal’s vaccine procurement woes continue amidst a surge in coronavirus cases, it has now come to light that the health ministry has been sitting on a proposal sent by the Nepali embassy in Beijing on procuring a Chinese vaccine
Deteriorating bond: Chinese students told to avoid Australia
A study has found that while students from China were still interested in studying in Australia, some agents were insisting that students apply to another country, an immediate effect of the growing animosity between Canberra and Beijing
Countering China: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demands diplomatic boycott of Beijing Games
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has joined human rights activists in demanding a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics that is scheduled to take place in Beijing next year
US likely to use more drones to spy on China, feel experts
Experts believe that the US is likely to make more use of drones to spy on China, media reports said
Pakistan PM, Chinese premier exchange call on 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had a telephonic conversation as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations
China, Pakistan to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties
China and Pakistan have planned a series of activities later this year, marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, reported The Express Tribune. Officials from both sides are planning to host around 100 events
China donates another 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines to Sri Lanka
China will donate 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Sri Lanka, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo announced
China expresses protest as US vessel passes through Taiwan Strait
China is deeply concerned by the US Navy destroyer passing through the Taiwan Strait, Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, the spokesman for the Chinese army Eastern Theater Command, said on Wednesday
Won’t take harmful advice, Bangladesh PM Hasina’s response to Chinese threat
In an apparent response to China’s veiled threat of “damaging ties” with Dhaka over Quad, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her country won’t any advice that would cause any “damage” to her country
Dhaka inks non-disclosure vaccine deal with Beijing
Bangladesh has signed a non-disclosure agreement with China on purchasing Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine and producing it in Bangladesh, a senior minister said
China offers to host intra-Afghan talks
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during phone talks with Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, offered to hold intra-Afghan talks in China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said
China supports India's patent waiver for Covid vaccine proposal
China has voiced its support for waiving intellectual property protections for novel coronavirus vaccines to help developing nations suffering from the ongoing pandemic
Nepal Army forges deal with two Chinese companies for expressway, ignoring parliament
The Nepal Army has inked a deal for the construction of tunnels and bridges along the Kathmandu-Tarai expressway, without heeding a directive from the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to scrap the bidding process
China's Ladakh aggression has brought India closer to US: Expert
An Indian geopolitical expert has said the recent aggression by China shown in the Himalayas has brought India closer to the US
