Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating to ‘CC’ from ‘CCC’ and warned there is an increased probability of Colombo defaulting on its external debt obligations unless it receives additional external financing
Why Indo-Pacific Must Follow Europe’s Push for Digital Sovereignty and Open-Source Tech Independence
A common BIMSTEC policy statement on digital sovereignty would give the region a clearer collective voice and a stronger negotiating footing with foreign companies. Additionally, BIMSTEC can be used to initiate a shift from U.S. cloud storage companies to regional alternatives such as TATA Communications (India) and NIPA Cloud (Thailand).
The Silicon Buffer: Where Does India and South Asia Sit in the US-China Semiconductor Decoupling?
India is carving out a vital role in the global back-end chip infrastructure. Washington actively views India's rise in this sector as a strategic hedge, codifying tech cooperation through bilateral frameworks designed to shift critical supply lines away from East Asia.
India’s A.I. Future Requires a New Approach to Groundwater Governance
The implications of mismanagement extend far beyond groundwater depletion. Foreign investors have withdrawn a record $30 billion from Indian equities so far in 2026. Regional data suggests investors have relocated their withdrawals across Taiwan and South Korea’s AI and semiconductor ecosystems.
AI and Us: Decision Making Should Not Be Outsourced to AI
AI literacy should become as important as digital literacy. An informed user is ultimately the first and most effective line of defence against blindly accepting what a machine tells us.
More on AI, Tech and Innovation
Pakistan, China firms to bolster ties in agriculture, food processing and embroidery
Pakistani and Chinese enterprises have expressed their intention to cooperate in the deep processing of potato starch at an online business-matching meeting jointly held by the Ruzhou International Trade Enterprise Association and the trade mission of the Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing
Under SASEC, Bangladesh to boost capacities of land ports to increase trade with neighbours
To increase trade with its neighbouring countries at a sub-regional level, Bangladesh will upgrade three land ports--Akhaura, Sonamasjid and Tamabil-- to international standards, according to a plan made by Bangladesh Land Port Authority
HCL America accused of wage discrimination, law violation
The US Department of Labor has been asked to investigate claims that HCL America, a subsidiary of India’s third-largest IT outsourcing firm generating 63% of its $11 billion in revenue in the United States, systematically violated the law by paying its H-1B workers much less than its US employees with similar skills and doing the same work
World Bank approves USD 3.51M grant for Bhutan for climate resilience and better public service delivery
Bhutan and the World Bank have signed a USD 3.51 million grant financing agreement to improve risk-informed decision making and development planning in targeted sectors, leading to better public service delivery
Bhutan to expand agricultural export market
Bhutan, which currently exports all of its farm produce to India and neighboring countries, has been making efforts to expand export markets for its agricultural produce
India's Adani Group to develop 1,000 MW wind power project in Sri Lanka's Mannar
India’s Adani Group, owned by Ahmedabad-based business tycoon Gautam Adani, is to develop a 1,000 MW wind power project in Mannar in Sri Lanka, valued at over $ 1 billion
Pakistan receives $3 bn bailout from Saudi Arabia
The State Bank of Pakistan has received a much-awaited $3 billion deposit from the Saudi Fund for Development
Maldives seeks long term loans from Bangladesh, as Dhaka's economic profile rises steadily
The Maldives has sought a long-term loan from Bangladesh, as the two South Asian countries try to enhance bilateral ties, with a flurry of high-level visits taking place in the last few weeks, ahead of the upcoming visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later this month
Afghanistan's GDP likely to shrink by 20%; Taliban says women's participation in workforce will be expanded after UNDP censure
The value of Afghanistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is forecast to likely contract further by several billions, as per a UN body report
Bangladesh's exports jump 31 percent; remittances down by 25 percent in November
Bangladesh saw growth of almost 31 percent in its exports, touching $4 billion in November while remittances fell by almost 25 percent—1.55 billion, down by almost $52 million—in comparison to the same period last year
Samsung starts producing mobile phones in Pakistan
Samsung, the South Korean electronics and white goods major, has started production in Pakistan, lifting hopes of the authorities and the industry that this would cut down the import bill of the country in the months to come, local media said
Pakistan imports hit $8.01 billion in November; records all-time high trade deficit $5.1 billion
Pakistans recorded a whopping $5.1 billion trade deficit in November—the highest for a single month—as imports continued their surge, touching around $8 billion, an increase of about 94 percent in comparison to the same month last year
Sri Lanka in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX over internet service
Sri Lanka is in talks with US billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX over its satellite internet division Starlink, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) announced
US-based digital transformation firm set to expand presence in India; more IT recruitments from India expected from global firms
A California-based digital transformation solutions company has announced the expansion of the workforce at its Bengaluru center to over 6000 employees
