Calling the Indo-Pacific "increasingly the geopolitical centre of the world", United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India in April to ostensibly create a democratic counterweight to China
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
China says Quad reflects 'ideological bias'
China has accused the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), a four-nation grouping comprising Australia, India, United States and Japan, of "ideological bias and cold war mentality" and described it as a clique based on an ideology that is "detrimental to the border"
China steps up cyber-attacks after Ladakh disengagement
Indian government organisations such as Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) and National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) have reported that Chinese hackers have attempted to infiltrate the country's cyberspace after troops from the two neighbours disengaged from Pangong Lake in eastern Ladak
Sri Lankan flag on doormat: Colombo raises objection with Beijing
A controversy erupted in Sri Lanka on Friday when people in Sri Lanka noticed that Amazon, an online platform, was selling doormats with imprinted Sri Lankan flag on them, reported Colombopage
IMF closely monitoring Lanka’s $1.5 billion currency swap with China
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that they are “closely monitoring” the Sri Lanka’s recent currency swap deal of $1.5 billion with China, reported Colombopage
Islamist groups ask Bangladesh government to sever ties with China over 'Uighur Muslims brutality' issue
Islamic political parties have called upon the Bangladesh government to sever all diplomatic ties with China, owing to alleged persecution of Uighur Muslims in the country
US defence secretary to visit India to discuss security partnership, China threat
On the heels of the Quad summit, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit India next week to confer with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as the US focuses on China as an emerging threat, according to a Pentagon official
China harvesting 20% of world's data, including from India
As the virtual private network (VPN) usage grows in countries like India and South Asia to have a more secure and private Internet browsing experience, a new report has warned that Chinese government have access to massive sets of data like private emails, messenger conversations and personal records, as most of the VPNs being used are Chinese-owned, a new report has warned
Quad to harness India's vaccine capability, secure free and open Indo Pacific
Leaders at the first Quad summit committed Friday to harness India's vaccine manufacturing prowess in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a “landmark” partnership to deliver a billion doses to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond as the four-nation group eyes a broader cooperation agenda centred around their common democratic ethos
Quad a force for global good, united by democratic values, says Modi at four-nation virtual summit
“The Quad has come of age,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Friday at the summit of their leaders to take the group to a next level of enhanced cooperation between the four countries - the US, Australia, Japan and India
China should have no role to play in deciding Dalai Lama's successor:US
The United States has said China should have no role to play in deciding the successor of spiritual leader Dalai Lama
Rafales' second squadron in West Bengal to counter threats from China
The Indian Air Force plans to raise its second squadron of Rafale fighter jets at Hasimara Air Force base in West Bengal by next month to counter threats from China
To keep China out, DoT mandates trusted sources for telecom networks
Spelling the end of Chinese equipment in Indian telecom networks, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that from June 15 this year telecom operators will only use "trusted products" in their networks
Ahead of Quad summit, Japan sounds alarm about China's intent
Japan has sounded an alarm about Chinas regional intent ahead of the May 12 summit of the Quad grouping, which also includes India, Australia and the US, that is likely to take place later this week
China manages business as usual with India
Without complete disengagement in Ladakh, China is back as India’s topmost trading partner, writes Lt Gen Prakash Katoch for South Asia Monitor
