Critical Minerals

Critical Minerals: The New Oil of the 21st Century?

Critical minerals are not literally the new oil, but they may play a comparable role in defining the balance of power. The race has already begun, and India’s preparedness will determine whether it merely secures access to the resources of the new century or helps shape the industrial order that emerges from them.

Trade Pivot Weakens Pakistan’s Grip on Afghanistan, as Others Move in

Afghanistan has sought to limit or reduce its structural vulnerability by moving trade through Iran’s Chabahar Port and Central Asian corridors. Kabul is realigning Afghanistan’s external economic geography by looking towards Iran, Central Asia, China and India.

India's Sugar Economy and Ethanol Politics: The Demand-Supply Imbalance Threatens to Mar Festival Season

The current rise in Indian sugar prices is the result of several factors rather than ethanol alone. Lower-than-expected production—from an initial estimate of 343 LMT to about 306 LMT—is central to the supply concern. Weather damage, disease, festival demand, global prices and market speculation have added to the pressure.

Can Iran's Chabahar Help Turkiye and India do Business?

Chabahar will not transform Türkiye–India relations. It can, however, show whether two countries with serious political disagreements are capable of making one difficult commercial route work.

More on Economy, Trade and Development

'Coronavirus will not impact China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects'

The multibillion-dollar projects being implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not be affected by the temporary challenge of coronavirus, declared Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing.

'Pakistan-China true friends and good brothers'

China reiterated its gratitude and appreciation over the enormous support and assistance offered by Pakistan in the wake of the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Chinese President Xi likely to visit Pakistan soon

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Pakistan either in May or June to further expand strategic partnership and trade ties between the two neighbouring countries, according to informed sources.

Bangladesh trade body urges banks to be flexible as coronavirus outbreak hits imports

Bangladesh's apex trade body has urged banks to exercise more flexibility in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in China that has hit the supply chain of imported raw materials and products for local businesses.

Air India suspends China, Hong Kong operations till June

India's national passenger carrier Air India has extended the suspension period for its Delhi-Shanghai and Delhi-Hong Kong services till June 30, owing to the outbreak of deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Chinese workers resume work in Sri Lanka after quarantine

Chinese workers in Sri Lanka, who were subjected to a 14-day quarantine amidst fears of the novel coronavirus, have resumed work this week, a media report said on Friday

Pakistan stands behind China: PM Imran

Pakistan firmly stands behind China in its efforts to eliminate the coronavirus, said country's Prime Minister Imran Khan in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping according to a statement issued by the prime minister's office.

Families of Pakistanis stranded in China reject government briefing

The families of Pakistani citizens who have not been evacuated from China amid the coronavirus outbreak have rejected a government briefing, while calling for their return, it was reported on Thursday.

China opposes Indian Home Minister's visit to Arunachal

Even as it is bogged down by the coronavirus epidemic, China on Thursday reopened a hostile front with India as Beijing "firmly opposed" Indian Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Arunachal Pradesh on its statehood day and warned India against "complicating" the border issue.

IAF flight to China delayed due to technical reasons

Indian Air Force's largest plane C-17 Globemaster's scheduled flight on Thursday to coronavirus affected city Wuhan in China to evacuate Indians stranded there has been delayed due to technical reasons

China to help fight locusts as major crops face danger

A team of experts from China is set to visit Pakistan to deliberate on the aerial management of locust swarms in the country. A senior official of the food security ministry told Dawn that the Chinese technical experts’ delegation will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday to start the evaluation of the locust situation

Situation critical in China, say Indian students

"How's the Josh," Lieutenant Colonel Manjunath asked the students camped in India Army quarantine base in Manesarand their reply was: "High Sir". It resonated across 10 barracks they were kept in after returning from China's Wuhan, the ground zero of coronavirus.

Chinese envoy advises against evacuation of 171 Bangladeshis from virus-hit Hubei

Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Li Jiming has advised against evacuating 171 Bangladeshi nationals from the locked-down cities in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of a deadly coronavirus, bdnews24 reported

China urges Bangladesh not to ditch it

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming urged Bangladeshi businesses not to switch over its supply chain to any other countries as an alternative to China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

175 Nepalis airlifted from Wuhan arrive in Kathmandu

175 Nepalis who were stranded in Hubei Province of China after the outbreak of COVID-19 arrived in Kathmandu on a chartered Nepal Airlines plane.