No Winner in Pakistan Election Courtesy: Gateway House
8 February 2024

No winners in Pakistani elections

As Pakistan heads to the polls, debt restructuring and economic recovery are on the ballot. The winner of the contest will inherit a weak economy while wielding little authority to implement reform, and will eventually shoulder the blame for the inevitable crisis.

Colombo-port Courtesy: The Wire
3 August 2023

India-Sri Lanka: Connecting grids

India and Sri Lanka recently signed six energy agreements, including plans for an oil pipeline from India to Sri Lanka, electricity grid connectivity, and cooperation in renewable energy. Sri Lanka can benefit from India's cost-effective oil sourcing and processing and pay for it in rupees, easing its balance of payments crisis. Its wider use of the Rupee fulfills a long term objective for Indian policymakers.

Supply-chains-cover Courtesy: Gateway House
5 July 2023

The Great Supply Chain Shift from China to South Asia?

Supply chains are central to the new chapter of India-U.S. relations. Simultaneously, China-centric global supply chains, which underpinned East Asia’s prosperity, are changing as multinationals re-assess risks in the post-Covid era. Is the shift to India and the rest of South Asia occurring? This paper finds that South Asia supply chain pessimism could be changing, and India can spread gains through regionalising supply chains in its neighbourhood.

pic for website Courtesy: IMF
19 January 2023

Trade Integration: South Asia and East Asia

Since the 1990s, South Asia–East Asia trade and free trade agreements have accelerated as India’s trade realigned toward East Asia. As regional trade recovers after the COVID-19 pandemic, South Asian economies have opportunities to participate in global value chains and services trade. BIMSTEC may catalyze more effective regional cooperation for small and large economies alike.

SL Courtesy: AP
14 July 2022

Awaiting Sri Lanka’s Narasimha Rao

Sri Lanka is experiencing an economic, political and strategic crisis it has never had before. The situation is fragile – but a creative solution and determined national interest can help return the island nation to stability and growth. Amb. Rajiv Bhatia, in conversation with economist Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja on how Sri Lanka came to the current condition, and the remedies to adopt.

china pakistan flags Courtesy: Shutterstock
22 June 2022

Understanding Pakistan’s China Debt Problem

Pakistan’s latest economic survey reveals the extent of the country’s indebtedness to China. High-interest Chinese loans, reckless multilateral borrowing, and ever-increasing defence budgets have deleteriously impacted Pakistan’s finances. Any lasting solution to these problems will have to involve China.

IMG_3050 Courtesy:
24 November 2017

Opening Remarks at the Second International Blue Economy Dialogue, Dhaka

These are the opening remarks given by Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia at the Second International Blue Economy Dialogue, ‘Promoting Blue Economy: Making the best use of Opportunities from the Coasts, Seas and Oceans’ in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He discusses the economic endowment of the blue economy and the necessity to utilise its resources in a sustainable manner