INDIA CHINA Connect

Fujii Kaze’s global rise stems from introspective, emotionally rich music rather than spectacle. Blending genres, his work explores peace, compassion, and meaning. India plays a profound spiritual role in shaping his philosophy and art. Prema reflects inner growth and acceptance, while his India debut symbolizes connection, stillness, and shared spiritual energy between cultures.

China’s winter tourism is booming, with inbound bookings nearly doubling year on year. About 70% of foreign visitors come from Southeast Asia, attracted by snow experiences. Visa-free entry and expanded air routes are improving access. Ice and snow tourism is entering sustained growth, underpinning a trillion-yuan winter economy and strengthening regional tourism links.

India is electrifying faster than China did at comparable income levels, reshaping traditional development paths. Despite rising demand, per-capita fossil fuel use remains low. Falling costs of solar, batteries, and EVs are driving the shift, motivated by economics and energy security rather than climate alone. China’s manufacturing dominance presents risks but also incentives for India to build domestic capacity and strengthen its energy ecosystem.

This edition brings together the latest stories and insights published on INDUQIN, capturing key developments from this week across India and China, global economics, politics, culture, and international affairs. Stay informed with the narratives shaping our shared present and future. If you find our selection valuable, please share it and encourage others to read and engage. We also invite you to subscribe to our WhatsApp channel for timely updates. Happy reading!

The long‑negotiated India–EU free trade agreement, launched in 2007, is nearing conclusion at the January 27 summit. Covering markets of almost two billion people, the deal seeks to expand trade and investment, strengthen supply‑chain resilience, and deliver gains in market access, exports, services growth, and strategic economic diversification amid global disruptions.

The IMF has raised India’s 2025 growth forecast to 7.3%, driven by stronger corporate earnings and economic momentum. Growth is expected to ease to 6.4% in 2026–27 but remain above global averages. India is set to outperform major economies and lead emerging Asia, as global growth holds at 3.3% amid AI investment, despite risks from valuations, trade tensions, and geopolitics.

Temu’s cross‑border market share jumped from under 1% in 2022 to 24%, equaling Amazon worldwide. Amazon’s share has slipped as Chinese platforms expand. Shein remained stable, while AliExpress and eBay declined. Temu’s rise reflects low‑cost Chinese sourcing, heavy marketing, and fast global rollout, though upcoming US and EU regulations could alter competition.

Advanced mobility and clean‑energy technologies in China are shifting from pilots to everyday use. Heavy state investment is speeding adoption of EVs, battery swapping, autonomous vehicles, drones, and high‑speed rail. Automation is transforming logistics and urban transit efficiency. China’s scale, pace, and risk tolerance drive global leadership, despite debt pressures, regulatory constraints, and uneven outcomes.

India and the UAE aim to reach $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032 under CEPA, underscoring closer economic ties. A long‑term LNG agreement strengthens India’s energy security. Cooperation in defence, space, and supercomputing signals high‑tech alignment, while investments in Dholera SIR and GIFT City deepen industrial and financial integration, complemented by strong cultural and people‑to‑people links.

India is projected to reach the World Bank’s upper‑middle‑income category by 2030, with per capita GNI nearing $4,000. Economic growth has accelerated, pushing GDP toward $5 trillion, while per capita income has doubled since 2009. India’s global growth ranking has improved markedly, and sustained momentum underpins its long‑term ambition of becoming a high‑income economy.