The Chinese government has sent a final funding proposal for Pakistan’s $6.8 billion modern rail project, ML-1, to the Exim Bank of China, as per a report in The Express Tribune
Slow Pace of Strategic Indian Projects: These Can Potentially be Gateways to Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival
For India, delays in its strategic projects are not merely bureaucratic setbacks but a matter of national security. Colombo’s motives remain opaque, but for New Delhi, a presence in Sri Lanka’s North and East is non-negotiable.
Beyond De-Dollarisation: Payment Diversification and Debt Resilience for Global South Nations
India could potentially become a bridge between regional economies and the wider Asian and Global South payment architecture. Greater interoperability could support remittances, tourism, trade and financial inclusion while reducing some transaction costs.
Critical Minerals: The New Oil of the 21st Century?
Critical minerals are not literally the new oil, but they may play a comparable role in defining the balance of power. The race has already begun, and India’s preparedness will determine whether it merely secures access to the resources of the new century or helps shape the industrial order that emerges from them.
Trade Pivot Weakens Pakistan’s Grip on Afghanistan, as Others Move in
Afghanistan has sought to limit or reduce its structural vulnerability by moving trade through Iran’s Chabahar Port and Central Asian corridors. Kabul is realigning Afghanistan’s external economic geography by looking towards Iran, Central Asia, China and India.
More on Economy, Trade and Development
China offers six million doses of Sinopharm to Bangladesh
As Bangladesh struggles to procure vaccines, Sinopharm, the Chinese drug firm, has offered to provide six million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to the country, a report in The Daily Star said
Colombo Port City will not become Chinese colony: Sri Lankan government
Under attack from all sides over the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, the Sri Lankan government defended the move, saying the city will not become a Chinese colony
Sri Lanka to get $500 million from China this month
Sri Lanka is expected to receive $500 million in dollar credit from the China Development Bank this month, according to a report in The Sunday Morning
China’s 2049 plan a big challenge before the world
The only way before the US and the world is to confront China in the economic, diplomatic, and military spheres, writes Ivaylo Valchev for South Asia Monitor
China, Pakistan agree to jointly safeguard Asian peace and stability
Pakistan and China have agreed to jointly safeguard peace and stability of the world, especially Asia, and strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping in the UN framework, according to a report in Dawn
Can Quad stop China’s rise?
China forcibly entered Tibet, then an independent country, a few decades back and violently suppressed the protest by the Tibetans
Would like to see disengagement in remaining areas of East Ladakh: India on standoff with China
India hassaid it would like to see disengagement by Chinese troops in the remaining areas of Eastern Ladakh which would lead to restoration of peace with Beijing
Pakistan continues cotton trade with China's controversial Xinjiang region
Pakistan is still continuing cotton trade with China, especially from the controversial Xinjiang region of the country
Pakistan: Sindh Revenue Board suspends sales tax registration of Chinese company
The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has suspended sales tax registration of a Chinese energy company after it failed to produce purchase invoices, media reports said
People have become casual, PM Modi on Covid resurgence
A Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker Asad Qaiser, was turned back from Kabul on Thursday as their plane was refused landing permission citing “security reasons, media reports say
Nepal starts inoculating essential workers with Chinese vaccines
Nepal on Wednesday started inoculating essential workers using the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines, reported the Kathmandu Post
11th India-China military level talks on LAC likely on April 9
The 11th round of India-China military-level talks will take place on April 9 in which issues like friction at Gogra-Hot Springs, restoring the pre-April 2020 status quo ante, long-standing patrolling issues at Depsang Bulge due to friction in the area during the 2013 stand-off with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are likely to be discussed, a Hindustan Times report said referring sources
Pakistan considers granting two-year visa extension to Chinese nationals
The Pakistani government is considering the possibility of granting a two-year visa extension to Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the country, reported the Express Tribune
Use of Chinese vaccines in Sri Lanka questioned
Opposition parties in Sri Lanka have questioned the manner in which the Sri Lankan government has approved the use of the Chinese vaccines in the island nation, reported Colombopage
