Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that a railway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will boost the country's exports by improving connectivity
South Asia's Balance of Payments Challenge: The Changing Dynamics of External Balances in South Asia
South Asia remains one of the least integrated regions in the world despite geographical proximity and complementary economic structures. Greater regional trade, improved transport connectivity, cross-border electricity markets, digital payment systems and investment partnerships could substantially reduce external vulnerabilities.
India's Employment Debate: A Future With Plenty of Work, But Fewer Jobs
Between 2004 and 2023, India produced roughly five million graduates every year, but graduate employment increased by only around 2.8 million annually. Even fewer obtained salaried employment. Millions are either unemployed or working below their qualifications or in the waiting room for the elusive government job.
How Sri Lanka Missed the Opportunity to Become a 200-billion dollar economy
Policy instability during the 2015-2024 likely pushed back Sri Lanka’s path towards becoming South Asia’s first High-Income Country. The 2022 financial crisis would never have happened as stable growth during the first half of 2015–2024 would have built enough buffer to weather impact of the Covid pandemic
When Nations Employ the Expansionary Grammar of Corporate Acquisitions
China’s Belt and Road Initiative - which funded Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port through loans resulting in a 99-year lease to Chinese State-owned enterprise in 2017 due to Colombo’s struggle to service said loans - follows the same expansionary script.
More on Economy, Trade and Development
Trump signs Tibet policy, stops China from installing own Dalai Lama
US President Donald Trump has signed it into law a decision that strengthened the American policy on Tibet and reaffirmed the government's steadfast support for the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration based in India
Chinese leaders meet Nepalese leaders
Concerned over the recent political crisis in Nepal following the dissolution of the House of Representatives, a high-level Chinese Communist Party (CCP) delegation arrived in Kathmandu and started marathon meetings with the top leadership of the Himalayan nation
US support if Sri Lanka ‘asserts sovereignty' against China
US financial support will be contingent on Sri Lanka asserting its sovereignty “against influence by the People’s Republic of China,” and improving human rights and promoting inter religious and ethnic reconciliation, a 900 billion dollar spending bill before the congress says
Beijing sending a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party leader to Kathmandu amid political turmoil
With the Nepal Communist Party unity falling apart, China is sending a vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party to Kathmandu in what is believed to be Beijing's effort to assess the ground situation
Chinese national among four held in Hyderabad in loan apps scam
A Chinese national was among four people arrested by Cyberabad police on Friday during a raid on a call centre in Hyderabad in the continuing crackdown on illegal loan apps
CPEC moves towards new direction of development
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is moving towards a new direction of industrial and agricultural development, which needs a proactive role by the private sector combined with technology companies, said Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood
India launches drive against clandestine entry by Chinese firms
After banning Chinese apps, India has now launched an offensive against Chinese companies trying to enter into security-related sectors
Chinese envoy holds talks with Nepal's top leadership
As the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) is all set to split into two factions, Chinese Ambassador Hou Yanqi held talks with the top political leadership of the ruling party
CPEC economic zone to generate $1bn investment in Pakistan's Sindh
The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to be developed under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Sindh province will generate $1 billion investment and provide 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for local population, a top official said
Pakistan-China joint air exercise culminates
The Pakistan-China joint air exercise “Shaheen-IX” culminated on Thursday with a resolve to jointly cope with shared security challenges, said a statement released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)
Indian Army chief visits forward locations at LAC with China
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Wednesday met troops deployed in harsh winter conditions at forward locations at the Line of Actual Control and reviewed the prevailing tense situation with China. General Naravane also reviewed troops preparedness at the forward location
Chinese envoy Yanqi meets Nepal President Bhandari amid NCP crisis
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari following the dissolution of House of Representatives – a decision that led to the formal splitting up of the largest party in Nepal
Longing to see 'homeland' still fresh in Dalai Lama's mind
Though living in exile for over half a century in the Himalayan foothills, the longing to see his homeland Lhasa - currently under Chinese occupation - is still fresh in the mind of an elderly globe-trotting Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama, who resides in this north Indian hill town
China seeks additional guarantees from Pakistan for $6b new loan
China has sought additional guarantees before sanctioning $6 billion loan for Main Line-1 (ML-1) project due to weakening financial position of Pakistan and also proposed a mix of commercial and concessional loan against Islamabad’s desire to secure the cheapest lending
