India Foreign Exchange

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 

More on Economy, Trade and Development

Ill-equipped Nepal security personnel patrolling Hilsa border with China

A border outpost (BOP) of the Armed Police Force was established in Hilsa five months ago, and security personnel have been patrolling the border area since

Pakistan, China air exercise Shaheen IX underway

Pakistan-China Joint Air Exercise ‘Shaheen-IX’ is underway at a PAF’s operational base since December 8th, officials said

‘Maldives needs breathing space,’Speaker Nasheed hits out at Chinese loans

The Maldives’ speaker Mohammad Nasheed on Friday came down heavily on the Chinese banks for not deferring the country’s loan installments at a time when the Maldives is facing the biggest ever downfall in its economy

Maldives seeks foreign ministers-level dialogue, resumption of flights with China

The Maldives expressed its “keen interest” to seek foreign ministers-level dialogue with China in a virtual meeting that took place on Thursday between the representatives of the two nations at the level of director-general

'India-China ties badly damaged due to Beijing's dishonesty'

India has acknowledged that India-China relations are significantly damaged and has also blamed "Beijing's dishonesty" as the reason for massive troop deployment along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh

Pakistani exports to China witness 30% increase

Pakistan’s exports to China increased by 30% year-on-year in November 2020, improving trade balance between the two countries

Maldives, China to hold high-level talks tomorrow

The Maldives and China will hold a director-general level bilateral consultation on Thursday where the two nations would discuss, post-pandemic economic recovery, tourism among other issues to enhance the bilateral cooperation

China delayed loan to Sri Lanka expressway for 4.5 years: ex-minister

China delayed a loan for an expressway to Kandy for 4.5 years through the building contract was awarded to a Chinese contractor was re-confirmed during his time, former Sri Lanka Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said

'CPEC is a transformational project for Pakistan'

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood has described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformational project, adding that there was a complete national consensus on CPEC's indispensability for the country's development efforts

India to deploy high-speed boats at Pangong Lake to thwart Chinese incursions

India will deploy boats with enhanced capabilities, including anti-ramming features, at Pangong Lake at eastern Ladakh, one of the border locations witnessing a dispute with China

China border situation sensitive, need for wider access highway, says Indian government to Supreme Court

India's Ministry of Defence, seeking expansion of road width in the Char Dham Highway project in Uttarakhand state, told the Supreme Court that situation on the ground at the India-China border has changed significantly this year and it has become imperative that men and equipment should move swiftly from army stations to the frontier

India's high-altitude readiness prompts China to go for emergency procurements

China is making last-minute efforts to make emergency procurements of high-altitude gear and clothing for its troops as they were caught unaware with India's readiness for the harsh winter atop the Eastern Ladkah heights that has been the bone of contention between the two Asian majors, Indian military intelligence officials say

China, Pakistan to enhance defense ties, expedite CPEC projects

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fanghe visited Pakistan on Monday and met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa

Maldives launches marketing blitz in China to increase tourist traffic

In an effort to boost tourist arrivals from China, the Maldives launched two major promotional campaigns in China, Sun news reported

Nepal Airlines comes up with options to get rid of six Chinese aircraft

Nepal Airlines has submitted four options to the Ministry of Tourism to get rid of the six inefficient Chinese aircraft in its fleet, five months after its board of directors unanimously decided to stop flying them as they were worsening its losses