How Sri Lanka Missed the Opportunity to Become a 200-billion dollar economy

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 

Will Sri Lanka's Trincomalee Fulfil its Long-Promised Potential? New Strategic Convergence to Revamp Assets Neglected for Eight Decades

If one location matters most to India in Sri Lanka, it is Trincomalee. With one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Trincomalee has immense commercial, naval, and energy value. For decades, strategists in New Delhi have viewed it as critical to the security architecture of the Bay of Bengal. 

EU and India Deepen Strategic Partnership, but Contentious Issues Remain Unresolved

It also demonstrated that the EU increasingly sees India as a strategic alternative to excessive dependence on China and India increasingly sees the EU as an important technology and investment partner amid a more fragmented global trading system.

More on Economy, Trade and Development

Why China has high stakes in a Buddhist archaeological site in Afghanistan

China has sought to grab this crucial mining opportunity due to the absence of major power competition in Afghanistan. Beijing's previous efforts were foiled but currently it is the only major power willing to make a bet on the Taliban government. In 2023, the official mining deal was signed between Afghan Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Xing. Both view this project as the start of a new era of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. 

After India-China thaw, Beijing draws Nepal in strategic embrace

Oli is scheduled to China after November 15. The primary discussion will likely be on speeding up the BRI as well as economic cooperation between the two nations. Beijing will do its best to draw Nepal deeper into its strategic sphere and further a joint approach in dealing with India to further China’s national interests. 

Indian and China: Two different paths to economic progress

It is not possible for India to follow the China model of governance of less political freedom and more economic freedom. Yet, the present government may be well advised to implement pending reforms like land, labor, and judicial at the earliest.

Tonga's 'debt trap' illustrative of China's strategic stakes in South Pacific

The debt problem facing Tonga sheds light on the intricate nature of economic reliance and the broader geopolitical landscape in the South Pacific. Concerns regarding geopolitical control in a strategically significant region and the sustainability of debt have been highlighted by China's growing influence, not just in the region but beyond stretching to South Asia

US could play a larger role in shaping Bangladesh's future trajectory

This visit was strategically important for both the US and Bangladesh. For the US, it was an opportunity to solidify its presence in South Asia at a time when the region is becoming increasingly important in the broader context of US-China competition. Bangladesh, situated at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia, plays a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Indian states have growing stake in a Free and Open Indo Pacific

India’s ties with South Korea, Japan and Taiwan which have grown in recent years have become even more important in the context of the current geopolitical and economic situation in the Indo-Pacific. India would also want to be one of the beneficiaries of the China+1 strategy being followed by many companies in East Asia. 

Pakistan needs to play a larger role in the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

The evolving Indo-Pacific strategy, led by the United States, has added a new layer of complexity to the geopolitics of the Indian Ocean. As the U.S. and its allies seek to counter China's influence in the region, India has emerged as a key partner in this strategic framework. However, this realignment has implications for regional stability, particularly for Pakistan

The Quad remains relevant in upholding Indo Pacific security

Quad does create an overarching arc of stability in the region, checking the expansion capacity of Beijing, which will in turn boost India’s regional ambitions that are mutually aligned with the Quad’s objectives.

Modi visits to Brunei, Singapore show India's commitment to Indo Pacific engagement

Modi marked a new chapter in his strategic geopolitical moves over the past few months since the start of his third term with visits to the region and to Ukraine. All these marked a new frontier for India’s power projection while sending a clear message to allies and adversaries that New Delhi has its own bargaining chips in pursuance of its strategic neutrality while ensuring the best returns for its national security and international interests.

With increased militarisation, is a PLA demobilisation possible in Ladakh?

Vacating the Kailash Range without linking it to PLA withdrawal from Depsang-Demchok was a strategic blunder, proving how easily China cons our negotiators. Our political hierarchy wouldn't know how poorly this decision was viewed by our units/soldiers

How China-inspired democratic model empowering Sri Lanka's local communities

Sri Lanka’s TEPES and PEC share many similarities with China’s whole-process democracy. Both nations are working closely to exchange experiences and collaborate on the implementation of these systems in Sri Lanka.  

‘Axis of Upheaval’: China, Russia-led coalition threatens West-led global order

First, Russia is engaged in a war that marks Putin's point of no return in his effort to undermine NATO and the West—particularly the U.S.—pursuing a long-term confrontation. To better position Moscow for this conflict, Putin has effectively doubled down on relations with like-minded partners - China, Iran, and North Korea.

US sanctions three Chinese companies for aiding Pakistan’s ballistic missiles programme

China-based  Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Limited, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited (also known as Lontek) are sanctioned for having “knowingly transferred equipment and technology” to Pakistan, which is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) group, Miller said.

China-Bangladesh relations in an uncertain environment: Regional stakeholders need to see cooperative opportunities, not adversarial challenges

The intensification of geopolitical competition in the Bay of Bengal region may affect the healthy interaction between China and Bangladesh. Bangladesh, strategically located at the crossroads of South Asia and Southeast Asia, is a significant factor in the geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape of the Bay of Bengal. 

Why China is playing the name game with India on Arunachal Pradesh

The historical manipulation of Tibet's relations with Monyul is a front that China plays against India on the China-India border dispute over the Indo-Tibet border. China has misinterpreted the history of Tibet's relations with Monyul to assert its territorial claim in the region.