Pakistan is still continuing cotton trade with China, especially from the controversial Xinjiang region of the country
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
Pakistan: Sindh Revenue Board suspends sales tax registration of Chinese company
The Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has suspended sales tax registration of a Chinese energy company after it failed to produce purchase invoices, media reports said
People have become casual, PM Modi on Covid resurgence
A Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker Asad Qaiser, was turned back from Kabul on Thursday as their plane was refused landing permission citing “security reasons, media reports say
Nepal starts inoculating essential workers with Chinese vaccines
Nepal on Wednesday started inoculating essential workers using the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines, reported the Kathmandu Post
11th India-China military level talks on LAC likely on April 9
The 11th round of India-China military-level talks will take place on April 9 in which issues like friction at Gogra-Hot Springs, restoring the pre-April 2020 status quo ante, long-standing patrolling issues at Depsang Bulge due to friction in the area during the 2013 stand-off with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are likely to be discussed, a Hindustan Times report said referring sources
Pakistan considers granting two-year visa extension to Chinese nationals
The Pakistani government is considering the possibility of granting a two-year visa extension to Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the country, reported the Express Tribune
Use of Chinese vaccines in Sri Lanka questioned
Opposition parties in Sri Lanka have questioned the manner in which the Sri Lankan government has approved the use of the Chinese vaccines in the island nation, reported Colombopage
India seeks military disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh with China for ties' improvement
India called on China to withdraw troops from all friction points in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and asserted that the disengagement alone will ease tension in the border areas
Sri Lanka to receive Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on 31 March
Sri Lanka is likely to get 600,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from China on 31 March, reported Daily Mirror
Quad ‘democracies’ will hold Chinese ‘autocracy’ accountable for its actions: Biden
The Quad summit “got the Chinese attention” on their seriousness in holding Beijing accountable for its actions in the Indo-Pacific region, according to US President Joe Biden
Myanmar turmoil no hurdle for India in completing strategic Kaladan project
India has expedited work on its ambitious road infrastructure project -- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project -- that opens a gateway to Southeast Asian countries in an attempt to counter the growing influence of China in the region
India's China policy needs change; build alliances, leverage democracy, suggests think tank
India's stance on China has to irreversibly change in the light of the recent developments, both bilateral and global
Sri Lanka signs $1.5 billion currency swap deal with China
In what seems a temporary respite for Sri Lanka’s dwindling forex reserve, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has signed a $1.5 billion currency swap agreement with China, reported Colombopage
Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka to get priority vaccination
Authorities in Sri Lanka will administer the Chinese-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines first to Chinese nationals living in the country
US, India to expand defence and security cooperation - with China in mind
As part of expanding global security cooperation between the world's oldest and largest democracies, India will intensify military cooperation with the US Central Command in Florida and with the US Commands in the Indo-Pacific region and Africa
