The first batch of a Chinese made Covid 19 vaccine being processed in Pakistan would be available for use by May end, a senior Minister said
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
Pakistan witnessing sharp decline in pangolin numbers due to Chinese demand
Pakistan's deep bond with China also costs its wildlife species
$354 million power extension project in Pakistan awarded to Chinese firm
Authorities in Pakistan have awarded a hydropower extension project worth $354 million to a Chinese firm, reported Dawn
US lawmaker welcomes India's decision not to allow Chinese telecom companies for 5G trials
A top US lawmaker has welcomed India's decision to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in the nation, a move seen as a strong message sent to Beijing by New Delhi
With China in mind, India, Australia, France vow to create rules-based Indo-Pacific
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne met in London for the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue on 4 May on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where they once again reiterated the commitment to advance shared values and working together to achieve a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific
Pakistan to seek debt restructuring from China
In a bid to preempt any possibility of raising power tariff, Pakistan will seek debt restructuring of USD 3 billion against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects, a top official said
Chinese foreign minister likely to visit Sri Lanka in June
Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, will visit Sri Lanka next month, Daily Mirror reported
India's Jaishankar interacts with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, highlights the importance of supply chains, air flights
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday interacted with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in the current scenario when India is witnessing massive rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said
Expert believes China’s military modernization is a threat to global security
Geopolitical analyst Fabien Baussart feels that China's military modernization is a threat to global security
Xi sends condolences to Modi over COVID-19 pandemic in India
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the COVID-19 pandemic in the country
Bangladesh to import Chinese Sinopharm vaccine
Bangladesh will ink a contract soon to import the coronavirus vaccine made by China’s Sinopharm, a senior minister said
China, Sri Lanka discuss strengthening bilateral ties, tourism
Visiting Chinese Minister of Defence General Wei Fenghe held discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and tourism with Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa
China to continue strategic cooperation with Bangladesh
China was keen to help Bangladesh in tackling the COVID-19 outbreak and would continue its strategic cooperation in the development of the South Asian nation’s armed forces, according to BSS
China takes lead in regional COVID-19 response as crisis-hit India looks inward
With a crisis-gripped India failing to provide its committed vaccines to neighbors in South Asia, the region seems to be turning towards China for broader pandemic response support
China-led South Asia initiative gets regional support
The region needs active cooperation to effectively respond to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic like economic recovery and uplifting rural livelihood, said Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at a meeting on the COVID-19 response, a regional initiative taken by China
