18th BRICS Summit

The Real Test for BRICS: More Choices for South Asia, or Just New Dependencies?

But the choice test applies to India as much as to the countries it hopes will follow its lead. If BRICS genuinely widens India's menu of markets, technology partners and financing sources without deepening its dependence on any one of them, it becomes a credible model for the rest of the Global South.

BRICS and the Mask of De-Dollarisation: Of Political Rhetoric and Financial Reality

India’s stand for a dollar-based system is not a rejection of BRICS alignment or unity, but it is a determined choice to act in favour of self-interest like any other founding member. The key difference is India’s position has been the most transparent of all founding members rather than standing behind the collective rhetoric.

Welfare Politics and State Borrowing in India: Easy Populism or Developmental Necessity?

The evidence indicates that the increase in state borrowing over the past decade is best understood as the outcome of a changing fiscal federal system rather than simply an expansion of welfare politics.

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. 

More on Geoeconomics, Trade and Development

New law to give immunity to CPEC Authority in Pakistan

The Pakistani government has decided to introduce a new law to replace defunct China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Ordinance, local media reported

Australia invited to join Malabar naval exercise with India, US and Japan

In a message to China on getting a wider footprint in the Indo-Pacific region, India invited Australia to take part in an annual naval drill -- Malabar Exercise -- in the Indian Ocean region along with the US and Japan to which Australia has agreed

Nepal-China agreements are stuck

After the 2015 Indian blockade, the Nepal government tried to diversify trade and access to the sea through China

Chinese soldier detained by India, to be released soon

India detained a Chinese soldier in the Demchok sector in the disputed border in Eastern Ladakh. As per established protocols, he will be returned to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities

India stars in Taiwan's 'new southbound policy'

Taiwan has launched its "new southbound policy", which is looking at setting up large scale production bases in India, in tune with a surge in the New Delhi-Taipei engagement

Quad can play a key role in curbing China's belligerence

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for the QUAD countries to contain China in the Indo-Pacific but there remain several caveats

India, China militaries to hold eighth round of talks over border dispute

Indian and Chinese military commanders will meet for the eighth time next week to deliberate on resolving the border dispute in eastern Ladakh, after all earlier rounds of talks ended up in deadlock with no sign of de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control even as the winter is setting in

Tibetan leader invited to US State Department for first time

In a strong message to Beijing, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President Lobsang Sangay has been invited formally to the US State Department, officials said on Friday

Maldives, China discuss boosting economic cooperation

Maldives and China engaged in discussions on Thursday, to explore economic cooperation in a post COVID-19 environment

Sri Lanka cannot alienate other creditors and solve debt problems with only China: Opposition MP

Sri Lanka’s cannot alienate other creditors and solve its debt problem by banking on China alone, with sovereign bond investors now taking about what would happen in the event of a credit event, Harsha de Silva, an opposition legislator said

US appoints special officer for Tibet

A day after President Xi Jinping called on Chinese troops to prepare for war, the United States appointed a senior official as its special coordinator for Tibetan issues

Chinese President XI asks troops to 'put minds and energy on preparing for war'

At a time when the seventh round of India and China military talks to resolve the border disputes in Eastern Ladakh have ended in a deadlock, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his soldiers, "We must put all our minds and energy on preparing for war."

China says Sri Lanka willing to promote BRI projects

Sri Lanka is willing to make every effort to promote China’s Belt and Road (BRI) projects in the country and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa publicly refuted the claim that China had set up a debt trap to control Sri Lanka, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday

Sri Lanka, China sign supplementary agreement on water supply, technology cooperation

Sri Lanka and China on Wednesday signed a supplementary agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding on water research and technology cooperation, aimed at providing clean drinking water to several areas of the country, a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said

India, China talks to de-escalate border tensions ends in deadlock

The seventh round of India and China military talks to resolve border disputes in Eastern Ladakh have ended in a deadlock