INDIA CHINA Connect

India marks 79 years of Independence with unity, resilience and momentum. Operation Sindoor showcased national resolve and Atmanirbhar defence, as policy pivots—High-Power Demography Mission and Mission Sudarshan Chakra—signal firm security deterrence. With 6.5% growth, sweeping reforms, and shrinking disparities, inclusion expands via Ayushman Bharat, digital infrastructure and the India-AI mission. Ambitions span space (Gaganyaan, space station) and energy independence—surg

India is intensifying its diplomatic engagements with Russia and China amidst global trade tensions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss bilateral ties, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit India for boundary talks with NSA Ajit Doval. These meetings aim to ease tensions, strengthen partnerships, and prepare for key summits, including the SCO Summit in China. Meanwhile, India navigates trade cha

A recent report highlights synchronized redemptions across emerging markets, echoing post-2024 election trends. The MSCI China Index surged 9.4%, significantly outpacing MSCI India’s 2.2%, with a valuation gap of $6.3 trillion. India’s high P/E ratio contrasts with China’s competitive valuations, though China’s debt levels deter some investors. Tariffs on Indian goods and US capital inflows have dampened sentiment. Despite challenges, experts emphasize India’s strong GDP grow

India and China are rebuilding strained economic ties amid tensions with the US following steep tariffs imposed by President Trump. Modi’s shift towards BRICS nations, including China, Russia, and Brazil, reflects India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. Recent steps include eased Chinese urea exports to India, visa relaxations, and potential collaborations in clean energy. While mistrust lingers due to historical rivalries, pragmatic engagement is growing. India’s evolving all

Vijay Gokhale’s article in The Times of India offers a nuanced analysis of India-China relations, urging a multidimensional approach across sub-regional, regional, and global levels. Highlighting challenges like strategic collisions and competition in the Indo-Pacific, it also emphasizes opportunities for collaboration in global frameworks like G20 and BRICS. Gokhale advocates moving beyond a binary view and balancing competition with pragmatic engagement. His well-reasoned i

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is introducing a faster cheque clearance system starting October 4, 2025, reducing processing times from two days to a few hours. The new "Continuous Clearing and Settlement on Realisation" system will operate in two phases, requiring banks to confirm cheques promptly or risk automatic approval. Phase 1 allows confirmation by 7:00 PM, while Phase 2 tightens it to three hours. This modernization enhances efficiency, reduces risks, and ensures qu

Rare earth elements, vital for advanced technologies like electric vehicles and defense systems, have become a focal point in the US-China rivalry. China dominates global rare earth supply chains, leveraging this position amid trade disputes. Beijing’s export controls and the US’s semiconductor restrictions highlight their strategic importance. While China accelerates domestic innovation, US efforts to diversify supply chains face challenges. The rare earth contest underscore

ISRO's journey from receiving a small U.S. rocket in 1963 to becoming a global space leader reflects India's remarkable progress in space technology. Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted key milestones, including the Chandrayaan missions, the record-setting launch of 104 satellites in 2017, and the recent NISAR mission with NASA. ISRO plans to triple its satellite count, launch the Gaganyaan mission, and build a space station by 2035. With its contributions to national welfare a

Email startup Titan has partnered with GoDaddy to revolutionize professional email for small businesses, challenging Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Titan’s AI-powered email platform will integrate with GoDaddy’s services, leveraging its global distribution network to reach millions of businesses. Backed by Automattic, Titan offers innovative tools like AI-assisted email composition and campaign management. The partnership aims to empower small businesses, enhance communi

India and China are preparing to resume direct passenger flights, potentially by next month, restoring a vital travel link severed during the pandemic. This move aligns with efforts to ease strained relations, as India recently relaxed visa rules for Chinese tourists. The announcement may coincide with the August 31 SCO summit in Tianjin, where leaders Modi and Xi could meet. While airlines are preparing for operations, challenges remain, as previous attempts to restart fligh

India is set to exceed last year’s export performance despite facing a 50% tariff increase by the US, which could reduce exports to the US by 40%. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism, emphasizing India’s resilience and global trade ambitions. With record-breaking exports of $824.9 billion last year and ongoing trade agreements with various nations, India’s economic growth remains strong. Goyal highlighted India’s demographic and economic advantages, underscoring

India's diamond industry, centered in Surat, faces challenges from U.S. tariffs, global disruptions, and the rise of lab-grown diamonds. Once a global leader, exporting $13.2 billion in 2024-25, the sector struggles with a 52.1% tariff on U.S. imports, pandemic impacts, and reduced demand. Employment for over 2 million workers has been hit hard. However, growth in India's domestic jewelry market and diversification into new regions like Latin America offer hope. Adapting to s

Fifteen years ago, Indians spent $17 million on foreign trips; today, it’s $17 billion. This growth reflects rising incomes, global exposure, affordable travel options, and relaxed forex rules. While foreign education dominated spending in 2009-10, leisure travel now leads, driven by demand for experiences and global investments in real estate and equity. This shift highlights India’s growing affluence, globalization, and evolving aspirations to explore, invest, and engage wi

US tariffs on Indian exports, raised to 50%, are unlikely to significantly impact India’s growth due to its limited export dependency, as per S&P Global Ratings. Moody’s predicts a minor 0.3% GDP dip in 2025-26, while strong domestic demand and services will offset losses. Key sectors like pharmaceuticals remain exempt, and India’s diversified oil imports reduce energy risks. Despite challenges to manufacturing ambitions, India’s large domestic market and "China plus one" str