After military disengagement from eastern Ladakh, India and China are set to engage in a political dialogue led by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China's state council and foreign minister Wang Yi
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's Galwan video showed Indian Army captain's bravery
China, in a video released on social media, showcased the bravery of an Indian Army officer during the Galwan Valley clashes in Eastern Ladakh
Pakistan softens terms to get Chinese loans for crucial rail project
After a delay of whole three years to kick start its most ambitious rail line project, Pakistan appears to soften its terms for getting $6 billion loans from China
India, China military talks on Saturday for further disengagement
Indian and Chinese military delegates will meet on Saturday for the tenth round of talks to discuss disengagement at other friction places at the Line of Actual Control, sources said
China honours five soldiers for Galwan clashes
For the first time, China on Friday honoured its four People's Liberation Army soldiers killed and one injured during clashes with Indian Army troops at Galwan Valley, Chinese state media said
Quad to oppose China's 'forceful attempts' in Indo-Pacific
China figured in the Quad ministerial meeting with the four foreign ministers concurring that Beijing’s “forceful attempts” to change situation on the seas in the region should be strongly opposed, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry
Nepal approves Sinopharm vaccines developed by China
The drug regulator in Nepal has granted emergency use approval to the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine developed by a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical firm, reported The Kathmandu Post
43 Chinese firms to invest in Gwadar port in Pakistan; 200 more show interest
The first phase of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of the Gwadar port in Pakistan will see investment by 43 Chinese companies, reported The Express Tribune
To oust Chinese firm, India offers grant for power project in Northern Sri Lanka
Within a month after a Chinese firm won the bids to develop three renewable power projects in three northern islands in Sri Lanka, just 50 km off the Tamil Nadu coast, India has reportedly offered Sri Lanka $12 million grant to develop the power projects
Can Pakistan Railways stay on track with China waving red flag?
The Imran Khan government is struggling badly to keep Pakistan Railways on track after putting "all its eggs in the Chinese basket" and Beijing pulling the plug on financing various projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Indian Army uses drones, cameras to monitor Chinese troop pullback
Indian Army teams armed with drones and cameras are monitoring evacuation and dismantlement of military infrastructure by Chinese troops at Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh
With eye on China, India and Japan see strategic convergence in Northeast
With China as the elephant in the room, India-Japan strategic ties are moving to the next level
Chinese army vacating Finger 4 area of Pangong Lake, says India
The Chinese People's Liberation Army is finally vacating Finger 4 area on the northern bank of Pangong lake that it had occupied last year and changed the status quo on the Line of Actual Control with India
China-funded nephrology hospital completed in Sri Lanka
The construction of a China-funded National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa district of the north-central region of Sri Lanka has been completed, reported Newswire
Another Chinese vaccine gets nod for emergency use in Pakistan
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued emergency use authorisation to the COVID-19 vaccine by Chinese company Cansino Biologics Inc, officials said, adding the supply of the doses will begin in a few weeks
