China has warned Bangladesh that their bilateral ties would be "substantially damaged" if Dhaka participated in any form in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as Quad
India’s Balance-of-Payments Challenge: Need for Structural Transformation in Uncertain Times
India possesses immense talent, entrepreneurial capacity, and a large domestic market, yet it still lacks sufficient depth in high-end manufacturing, research and development, semiconductor ecosystems, advanced engineering, and globally dominant product companies.
What Trade Patterns Reveal About South Asia’s Economic Future
One of the most striking features of South Asian trade is how little the region trades internally. Intra-regional trade within South Asia remains among the lowest in the world relative to geographic proximity. Political tensions — especially between India and Pakistan — have prevented the emergence of a deeply integrated regional production system comparable to ASEAN or the European Union. This is a major missed opportunity.
The West Asia Conflict: Challenging Times for Indian Economy
Scarcity of cooking fuel is pushing people, particularly across South Asia, toward hunger. Livelihoods have been lost among the large unorganised labour force while thousands of self-employed street vendors, smaller restaurants and eateries are being forced to close shop, facing a scary, insecure future. For middle class households across India, everyday snacks like the samosa or dosa have become scarce because of shortage and high prices of cooking gas cylinders.
New EU Medicines Law Could Impact FTA With India
India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of generic medicines and APIs to Europe. If the EU begins favouring “Made in EU” pharmaceutical production through procurement preferences, subsidies or state aid, Indian drug manufacturers could face reduced access to EU public procurement contracts and tougher supply-chain resilience requirements.
More on Geoeconomics, Trade and Development
Circular debt hits CPEC projects
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power projects have been affected by circular debt and the Pakistani government has not been able to clear Rs 188 billion due payments in breach of a bilateral energy framework agreement, media reports said
China to create 'line of separation' on Mount Everest over COVID-19 fear in Nepal
As the Everest base camp in Nepal reported several COVID-19 cases, China has decided to create a “line of separation” at the summit to prevent climbers from COVID-19 hit Nepal from mingling with those from the Chinese side
China 'working closely' for co-production of Covid vaccine in Sri Lanka
China has said it was working closely with Sri Lankan authorities to encourage collaboration among biotech companies of the two countries to produce a covid vaccine in the island nation
China reluctant to approve loan to Pakistan citing mounting debt
Expressing concern over Pakistan’s growing debt, China has shown reluctance to approve USD 6 billion loan for the Mainline-I (ML-I) railway track -- the single largest project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -- according to the record of a meeting and senior Pakistani officials, Express Tribune reported
Chinese Covid vaccine processed in Pakistan to be available by May end: Minister
The first batch of a Chinese made Covid 19 vaccine being processed in Pakistan would be available for use by May end, a senior Minister said
Pakistan witnessing sharp decline in pangolin numbers due to Chinese demand
Pakistan's deep bond with China also costs its wildlife species
$354 million power extension project in Pakistan awarded to Chinese firm
Authorities in Pakistan have awarded a hydropower extension project worth $354 million to a Chinese firm, reported Dawn
US lawmaker welcomes India's decision not to allow Chinese telecom companies for 5G trials
A top US lawmaker has welcomed India's decision to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in the nation, a move seen as a strong message sent to Beijing by New Delhi
With China in mind, India, Australia, France vow to create rules-based Indo-Pacific
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne met in London for the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Ministerial Dialogue on 4 May on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting where they once again reiterated the commitment to advance shared values and working together to achieve a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific
Pakistan to seek debt restructuring from China
In a bid to preempt any possibility of raising power tariff, Pakistan will seek debt restructuring of USD 3 billion against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects, a top official said
Chinese foreign minister likely to visit Sri Lanka in June
Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, will visit Sri Lanka next month, Daily Mirror reported
India's Jaishankar interacts with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, highlights the importance of supply chains, air flights
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday interacted with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and discussed the importance of supply chains and air flights being kept open in the current scenario when India is witnessing massive rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said
Expert believes China’s military modernization is a threat to global security
Geopolitical analyst Fabien Baussart feels that China's military modernization is a threat to global security
Xi sends condolences to Modi over COVID-19 pandemic in India
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the COVID-19 pandemic in the country
