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

Majority in advanced world perceive China negatively: Pew survey

Majority of the people in the 14 most economically advanced countries have a negative view of China, especially since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, as per the latest survey of the Pew Research Center

High-powered Chinese delegation to visit Colombo

A high-powered Chinese delegation led by former Chinese Foreign Minister and the current Communist Party Political Bureau Member Yang Jiechi, is expected in Colombo today (Oct. 08), the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday (Oct. 07)

As consensus fails, Indian, Chinese soldiers battle minus 20-degree temperatures

Temperatures at critical mountain peaks and passes in the Himalayas along the disputed India-China border have dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, presenting a fresh challenge to the thousands of troops deployed on both sides

Sindh islands 'illegally annexed' by China, alleges PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto

A presidential ordinance by the Imran Khan government to take control of the Sindh islands has kicked up a political storm in Pakistan, with the opposition calling it "illegal annexation" by China

China accuses US ambassador to Sri Lanka of violating diplomatic protocols

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka accused the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka of severely violating diplomatic protocols during an interview with a local newspaper

Be wary of engagement with China; India can play significant role in region: US envoy to Sri Lanka

In an interview to the Daily Mirror of Sri Lanka, US Ambassador Alaina B Teplitz flagged apprehension about the Chinese development projects in the region, warning how some of the projects have transitioned in Djibouti and Cambodia, whicn the ambassador said were  worth examining

EU must act to stop China’s expanding espionage activities: EICC

The Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC), a Brussels-based non-profit organisation which serves as the liaising body representing views of European and Indian businesses and enterprises, has flagged reports of “increasing espionage activities by Chinese Secret Service in Brussels" and the "dangers it may pose to the European Union’s people, media,  political institutions, and governance.”

Nepal's Tatopani transit point with China to resume operation

The Tatopani transit point at the Nepal-China border in Sindhupalchowk is reopening on Monday

India sees China digging in for winter: IAF chief

India sees China digging in for the winter along the disputed border in eastern Ladakh, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said on Monday

China ready to improve strategic relations with Bangladesh

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he stands ready to work with Bangladesh to better align the two countries' strategies and jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road to take the China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights, reports Xinhua

China exercising war on multiple fronts

Xi Jinping is aware that his dream of world domination is not achievable without conflict. Should he wait for the world to arm against China, or is the present environment the best opportunity with the US in election mode? writes Lt Gen Prakash Katoch for South Asia Monitor 

China-Pakistani La: FTA-II a significant milestone

Esar Ali, the owner of a garment badges factory in Federal B Industrial Area, shifted his business to a cattle farm when imports became tougher due to strict government policies to push down imports and step up exports

Test of endurance and logistics as Indian soldiers guard peaks at 17,000 ft

For over a month soldiers are perched on peaks rising to 17000 ft as a turn-around of all troops is yet to happen because of the terrain and logistics

Memorial in Ladakh commemorates soldiers killed in clash with China

A memorial has been set up near the international border, remembering the 20 Indian soldiers who were killed in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15 during a clash with Chinese troops

Chinese vaccine Trial in Bangladesh: Sinovac now wants co-financing

The much-talked-about mass trial of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine in Bangladesh has become uncertain after drugmaker Sinovac Biotech Ltd asked the government to co-finance the initiative