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South Asia’s Development Finance Dilemma: Debt, FDI and the Search for Productive Capital

Remittances have become an unusually large source of external finance for South Asia. But a development model in which workers migrate because domestic employment is inadequate, and then send income home to support domestic consumption, cannot indefinitely substitute for creating productive employment at home.

Growth of Underground Economy and Rising Income Disparity is a Social Concern in Sri Lanka

In 2025, Sri Lanka was ranked as the second most expensive housing market in the world based on rentals compared to average income. It is possible that market distortions caused by black economy and corruption have contributed to this. 

From Infrastructure to Investment: Building West Bengal’s Next Growth Cycle

The larger opportunity before West Bengal is therefore not another round of infrastructure creation in isolation. It is the creation of an ecosystem in which infrastructure, private capital, local enterprise and skilled labour reinforce one another. 

Did BRICS Help Thaw India-China Ties? Need to Convert Broken Ice into a Workable Business Relationship

Why not begin by reopening serious discussions with Chinese conglomerate BYD about an Indian factory? BYD is now one of the world’s dominant EV manufacturers. Its Indian ambitions were caught in the post-Galwan investment freeze. Invite it back to the table—but on Indian terms

More on Geoeconomics, Trade and Development

'Check the account book', Chinese envoy counters Maldives’ speaker

The Chinese envoy to the Maldives refuted Speaker Mohammad Nasheed who claimed on Friday that the Maldives will need to repay $15 million- in the next 14 days to Chinese banks

Ill-equipped Nepal security personnel patrolling Hilsa border with China

A border outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force was established in Hilsa five months ago, and security personnel have been patrolling the border area since

Pakistan, China air exercise Shaheen IX underway

Pakistan-China Joint Air Exercise ‘Shaheen-IX’ is underway at a PAF’s operational base since December 8th, officials said

‘Maldives needs breathing space,’Speaker Nasheed hits out at Chinese loans

The Maldives’ speaker Mohammad Nasheed on Friday came down heavily on the Chinese banks for not deferring the country’s loan installments at a time when the Maldives is facing the biggest ever downfall in its economy

Maldives seeks foreign ministers-level dialogue, resumption of flights with China

The Maldives expressed its “keen interest” to seek foreign ministers-level dialogue with China in a virtual meeting that took place on Thursday between the representatives of the two nations at the level of director-general

'India-China ties badly damaged due to Beijing's dishonesty'

India has acknowledged that India-China relations are significantly damaged and has also blamed "Beijing's dishonesty" as the reason for massive troop deployment along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh

Pakistani exports to China witness 30% increase

Pakistan’s exports to China increased by 30% year-on-year in November 2020, improving trade balance between the two countries

Maldives, China to hold high-level talks tomorrow

The Maldives and China will hold a director-general level bilateral consultation on Thursday where the two nations would discuss, post-pandemic economic recovery, tourism among other issues to enhance the bilateral cooperation

China delayed loan to Sri Lanka expressway for 4.5 years: ex-minister

China delayed a loan for an expressway to Kandy for 4.5 years through the building contract was awarded to a Chinese contractor was re-confirmed during his time, former Sri Lanka Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said

'CPEC is a transformational project for Pakistan'

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood has described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformational project, adding that there was a complete national consensus on CPEC's indispensability for the country's development efforts

India to deploy high-speed boats at Pangong Lake to thwart Chinese incursions

India will deploy boats with enhanced capabilities, including anti-ramming features, at Pangong Lake at eastern Ladakh, one of the border locations witnessing a dispute with China

China border situation sensitive, need for wider access highway, says Indian government to Supreme Court

India's Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Char Dham Highway project in Uttarakhand state, told the Supreme Court that situation on the ground at the India-China border has changed significantly this year and it has become imperative that men and equipment should move swiftly from army stations to the frontier

India's high-altitude readiness prompts China to go for emergency procurements

China is making last-minute efforts to make emergency procurements of high-altitude gear and clothing for its troops as they were caught unaware with India's readiness for the harsh winter atop the Eastern Ladkah heights that has been the bone of contention between the two Asian majors, Indian military intelligence officials say

China, Pakistan to enhance defense ties, expedite CPEC projects

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fanghe visited Pakistan on Monday and met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa

Maldives launches marketing blitz in China to increase tourist traffic

In an effort to boost tourist arrivals from China, the Maldives launched two major promotional campaigns in China, Sun news reported