Figure 1 - Intervention points: emergency assistance, flexible repayments, affordable restructuring, independent debt advice.

Can South Asia Build a Microfinance System That Protects the Poor?

Samurdhi’s community-based banking system provides a foundation in Sri Lanka through savings, member participation and livelihood support. Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank offers useful lessons in lending without conventional collateral, organising small borrower groups and placing women at the centre of financial participation. 

Divided Growth in South Asia: Need for Regional Economic Architecture

The October 2026 IMF WEO projections show that South Asia's growth prospects do not follow a uniform pattern. These differences are not a reason to abandon regional cooperation, but rather a basis for strengthening more inclusive and productive integration mechanisms.

India's 'Refining Superpower': Key Role in Energy Security Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

India may not match the United States or China in total refining capacity, but its sophisticated refining infrastructure, crude-processing flexibility, and export capability give it an important place in the global energy system. 

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.

More on Geoeconomics, Trade and Development

Circular debt hits CPEC projects

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power projects have been affected by circular debt and the Pakistani government has not been able to clear Rs 188 billion due payments in breach of a bilateral energy framework agreement, media reports said

China to create 'line of separation' on Mount Everest over COVID-19 fear in Nepal

As the Everest base camp in Nepal reported several COVID-19 cases, China has decided to create a “line of separation” at the summit to prevent climbers from COVID-19 hit Nepal from mingling with those from the Chinese side

China 'working closely' for co-production of Covid vaccine in Sri Lanka

China has said it was working closely with Sri Lankan authorities to encourage collaboration among biotech companies of the two countries to produce a covid vaccine in the island nation

China reluctant to approve loan to Pakistan citing mounting debt

Expressing concern over Pakistan’s growing debt, China has shown reluctance to approve USD 6 billion loan for the Mainline-I (ML-I) railway track -- the single largest project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -- according to the record of a meeting and senior Pakistani officials, Express Tribune reported

Chinese Covid vaccine processed in Pakistan to be available by May end: Minister

The first batch of a Chinese made Covid 19 vaccine being processed in Pakistan would be available for use by May end, a senior Minister said

Pakistan witnessing sharp decline in pangolin numbers due to Chinese demand

Pakistan's deep bond with China also costs its wildlife species

$354 million power extension project in Pakistan awarded to Chinese firm

Authorities in Pakistan have awarded a hydropower extension project worth $354 million to a Chinese firm, reported Dawn

US lawmaker welcomes India's decision not to allow Chinese telecom companies for 5G trials

A top US lawmaker has welcomed India's decision to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in the nation, a move seen as a strong message sent to Beijing by New Delhi

With China in mind, India, Australia, France vow to create rules-based Indo-Pacific

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne met in London for the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue on 4 May on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where they once again reiterated the commitment to advance shared values and working together to achieve a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific

Pakistan to seek debt restructuring from China

In a bid to preempt any possibility of raising power tariff, Pakistan will seek debt restructuring of USD 3 billion against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects, a top official said

Chinese foreign minister likely to visit Sri Lanka in June

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, will visit Sri Lanka next month, Daily Mirror reported

India's Jaishankar interacts with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, highlights the importance of supply chains, air flights

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday interacted with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in the current scenario when India is witnessing massive rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said

Expert believes China’s military modernization is a threat to global security

Geopolitical analyst Fabien Baussart feels that China's military modernization is a threat to global security

Xi sends condolences to Modi over COVID-19 pandemic in India

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the COVID-19 pandemic in the country

Bangladesh to import Chinese Sinopharm vaccine

Bangladesh will ink a contract soon to import the coronavirus vaccine made by China’s Sinopharm, a senior minister said

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