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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

Sino-Japanese Tension: Chinese buying up land around military bases in Japan

Chinese are buying land around military bases in Japan, an episode that might trigger security concerns and further tensions between the two nations with already frayed relations, media reports said on Friday

China hopes new Afghan regime will pursue ‘moderate Muslim policy’

A top Chinese official has opined that he hopes to see Afghanistan's future leadership pursuing a “moderate Muslim policy” and a foreign policy of peace to maintain friendly ties with neighbouring countries and firmly combat all forms of terrorism

Nepal’s ministries in blame game for delayed response on Chinese vaccine

Even as Nepal’s vaccine procurement woes continue amidst a surge in coronavirus cases, it has now come to light that the health ministry has been sitting on a proposal sent by the Nepali embassy in Beijing on procuring a Chinese vaccine

Deteriorating bond: Chinese students told to avoid Australia

A study has found that while students from China were still interested in studying in Australia, some agents were insisting that students apply to another country, an immediate effect of the growing animosity between Canberra and Beijing

Countering China: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi demands diplomatic boycott of Beijing Games

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has joined human rights activists in demanding a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics that is scheduled to take place in Beijing next year

US likely to use more drones to spy on China, feel experts

Experts believe that the US is likely to make more use of drones to spy on China, media reports said

Pakistan PM, Chinese premier exchange call on 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had a telephonic conversation as the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations

China, Pakistan to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties

China and Pakistan have planned a series of activities later this year, marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, reported The Express Tribune. Officials from both sides are planning to host around 100 events

China donates another 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines to Sri Lanka

China will donate 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Sri Lanka, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo announced

China expresses protest as US vessel passes through Taiwan Strait

China is deeply concerned by the US Navy destroyer passing through the Taiwan Strait, Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, the spokesman for the Chinese army Eastern Theater Command, said on Wednesday

Won’t take harmful advice, Bangladesh PM Hasina’s response to Chinese threat

In an apparent response to China’s veiled threat of “damaging ties” with Dhaka over Quad, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her country won’t any advice that would cause any “damage” to her country

Dhaka inks non-disclosure vaccine deal with Beijing

Bangladesh has signed a non-disclosure agreement with China on purchasing Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine and producing it in Bangladesh, a senior minister said

China offers to host intra-Afghan talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during phone talks with Afghan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib, offered to hold intra-Afghan talks in China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said

China supports India's patent waiver for Covid vaccine proposal

China has voiced its support for waiving intellectual property protections for novel coronavirus vaccines to help developing nations suffering from the ongoing pandemic

Nepal Army forges deal with two Chinese companies for expressway, ignoring parliament

The Nepal Army has inked a deal for the construction of tunnels and bridges along the Kathmandu-Tarai expressway, without heeding a directive from the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to scrap the bidding process