INDIA CHINA Connect

India and the UK have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a historic step in strengthening bilateral ties. The deal offers duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports, benefiting sectors such as textiles, gems, and engineering. It also enhances opportunities in services like IT, finance, and education while simplifying visa processes for Indian professionals. The agreement promotes inclusivity, supports MSMEs, and exempts Indian workers from U

India has achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, surpassing its 2030 target by five years. This milestone reflects forward-thinking policies like PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar, which have empowered farmers and households with solar energy. Renewable energy initiatives, including solar parks and wind projects, have reduced emissions while boosting jobs and rural incomes. As a global leader in climate action, India now aims for 500 GW rene

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has overtaken Visa as the world’s top real-time payment system, processing over 650 million daily transactions. Launched in 2016 by NPCI, UPI now handles 83.7% of India’s digital transactions, powering 185.8 billion in FY25—a 41% year-on-year growth. Beneficiaries include fintech firms, banks, and CPaaS providers, while larger players see minimal impact. With global expansion underway and innovations like embedded credit and IoT paymen

India plans to support Chinese investments in electronics manufacturing through joint ventures with Indian firms that ensure technology transfer. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) views this as vital to boosting local production and meeting value addition targets. Despite tightened FDI norms under Press Note 3, MeitY backs collaborations that align with India’s push for a robust electronics ecosystem. While trade tensions with China pose challenges, partnerships with

Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong highlighted efforts to strengthen China-India ties through cultural exchanges, such as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, economic cooperation, and multilateral engagement. He emphasized the importance of mutual trust, resolving trade challenges, and maintaining border stability. Ambassador Xu welcomed India's participation in initiatives like the SCO Summit and regional cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Stressing dialogue for regional p

China’s high-speed rail network, the largest globally, is undergoing upgrades to enhance services and cut logistics costs. Between 2021 and 2024, 10,000 kilometers were added, bringing the total to 48,000 kilometers, covering 97% of cities with over 500,000 people. Passenger trips hit 2.24 billion in the first half of 2025, fueled by rising demand. Investments in transport infrastructure reached $2.2 trillion during this period, expanding expressways, waterways, and airports.

Indian families may spend $91 billion on foreign education by 2030, up from $44 billion in 2024. Hidden fees and exchange rate markups, mostly from traditional banks, could cost families nearly half a billion dollars annually. While RBI aims to reduce remittance costs through digital innovations like UPI, overseas education remittances have declined. Despite financial challenges and stricter visa norms, Indian students abroad could surpass 2.5 million by 2030, with emerging d

India is considering a policy shift to allow Chinese firms to invest up to 24% in Indian companies without security clearances, potentially easing investment hurdles. Current rules, introduced in 2020 amid national security concerns, mandate approvals for such investments. The proposal, under review by key ministries, aligns with the Economic Survey 2024's call to relax restrictions on Chinese FDI, aiming to enhance global supply chain participation and exports. This move coi

The US immigration backlog has hit a record 11.3 million pending cases as of March 2025, with 1.6 million new filings in just three months. Processing efficiency has sharply declined under the Trump administration, with experts citing deliberate slowdowns, insufficient staffing, and outdated systems. Key forms like I-765 and I-90 face severe delays, leaving Indian green card applicants and workers at risk of job losses and prolonged uncertainty. Legal counsel and preparation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans high-profile visits to Japan in August for the annual summit and China in September for the SCO summit, aiming to stabilize India-China ties strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. A potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other SCO leaders, including Vladimir Putin, could foster dialogue. Ahead of these visits, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed trade concerns with China's Wang Yi. These engagements hig

India’s exports surged in Q1 FY26, driven by electronics (47% growth to USD 12.41 billion), apparel (USD 4.19 billion), and marine products (USD 1.95 billion). The United States dominated as the top market across sectors, highlighting India’s growing reliance on mature economies. Diversification, skilled manufacturing, and enhanced logistics bolstered competitiveness. Automobile exports also hit record highs, led by Maruti Suzuki. This growth underscores India’s expanding glo

India reaffirmed its commitment to energy security amid geopolitical tensions and potential sanctions. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized energy independence as a top priority, urging global fairness and balance. Russia remains India's leading oil supplier, despite warnings of sanctions from NATO and U.S. officials. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressed confidence in India’s diversified supply network, highlighting alternative sources like Guyana and Brazil. Indi

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) must file income tax returns (ITRs) for compliance, refunds, and loss carryovers if earning taxable Indian income, like NRO account interest, rent, or capital gains. Disclosures include Indian income, assets, and TDS details, with a pre-validated Indian bank account required for refunds. NRIs can claim deductions (e.g., under Sections 80C, 80D) and avoid double taxation through DTAA provisions by filing Form 67. Most NRIs use Form ITR-2. Accurate f

Tesla's entry into India marks a significant moment for the country's electric vehicle (EV) market. However, China already dominates India's imported EV segment, accounting for 61.1% of imports in FY25, up from 22.8% the previous year. Germany, once the top supplier, saw its market share drop to 27.8%, though it remains the leader in import value. Tesla’s Shanghai-made vehicles and first Indian store, launched on July 15, could reshape this evolving market, challenging China'