Yunus refers to India's northeast states in bid to lure China; sparks questions

 

Yunus refers to India's northeast states in bid to lure China; sparks questions

Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, during his four-day China visit, made a pitch to Beijing that surprisingly included India's seven northeastern states. He said the seven states were landlocked, and China could use Bangladesh to make extensions.

Any growing influence of China in its immediate neighbourhood would be of concern to India. Bangladesh is of strategic importance to India, and several places in the country are close to the Siliguri Corridor, also referred to as the Chicken's Neck, a tiny strip of land that connects the northeast states to the rest of India.

While urging Beijing to establish an economic foothold in Bangladesh by leveraging its strategic position as the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region, Yunus said, "The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the Seven Sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean."

"So this opens up a huge possibility. This could be an extension of the Chinese economy," Yunus further said at a high-level roundtable discussion on 'sustainable infrastructure and energy' at Beijing's The Presidential hotel on Friday.

Not just the Indian northeastern states, Yunus also referred to Nepal and Bhutan, while he tried to lure China to make investments in Bangladesh.

"That's an opportunity we should seize and implement. Nepal and Bhutan have unlimited hydropower, which is a blessing. We can bring it to our purpose. From Bangladesh, you can go anywhere you want. The ocean is our backyard," Yunus said in Beijing.

"We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. This could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the rest of the world," Yunus added.

EXPERTS QUESTION YUNUS'S REFERENCE TO INDIAN STATES

Yunus' remarks on India's seven northeastern states came in as he was speaking to several Chinese business leaders in Beijing.

Yunus, during the China visit, also sought Beijing's expertise in river water management and proposed the need for a 50-year master plan.

His remarks drew attention from Indian economist Sanjeev Sanyal, who is also a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council.

"China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?" Sanyal asked on X.

"It is very disturbing and needs clarification. Is Yunus publicly calling for China to get involved in the Seven Sister states of India?" asked Chris Blackburn, a political and security analyst, on X.

An expansionist China has tried to get closer to India's northeast. It has built strategic infrastructure, dams and villages close to the border with Arunachal Pradesh, which it claims to be part of "South Tibet".

India, on its part, has tried to match up with border infrastructure, including the Arunachal Frontier Highway, officially National Highway 913 (NH-913). It isn't just another road but India's most ambitious attempt to fortify its borders with China while bringing development to one of the country's most remote and rugged regions.

YUNUS VISIT TO CHINA A MESSAGE TO INDIA?

On March 26, coinciding with Bangladesh's Independence Day, Muhammad Yunus boarded a special China Southern flight for a four-day official visit to China. During the trip Yunus, who also met Chinese premier Xi Jinping, inked several memoranda of understanding (MoUs).

The visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh, marked a key moment in bilateral relations between both nations.

Yunus's visit to China on Independence Day, coinciding with Bangladesh's strained ties with India, was no coincidence. It was a message in itself.

"Muhammad Yunus has chosen China for his first state visit and with this Bangladesh is sending a message," Dhaka's top foreign ministry officer, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, told news agency AFP ahead of Yunus's China trip.

Maritime ties were one of the focusses of Yunus' China visit, with Dhaka inviting Chinese firms to modernise Mongla Port and expand the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram.

China pledged significant financial support, including $400 million for Mongla Port, $350 million for the CEIZ, and $150 million in technical assistance, with additional grants to follow, according to news agency BSS.

With Bangladesh's economy in dire straits, attracting Chinese investment might be critical for Yunus. But what is difficult to understand is his reference to India's seven northeastern states in his investment pitch.

UK to become 'defence industrial superpower', finance minister says

 

UK to become 'defence industrial superpower', finance minister says

Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves said she wanted the country to become a "defence industrial superpower" as she pumped an extra 2.2 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) into the sector in her budget update on Wednesday.

Reflecting heightened geopolitical tension and U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for Europe to do more to protect its own security, Reeves said she would focus on new technology and innovation to drive the country's defence industry.

Under new plans, 10% of the government's defence equipment budget would be spent on new technologies, she said, with a focus on drones and AI, while small companies would be given better access to defence contracts in a reform of what she called a "broken" procurement system.

The government is also setting aside 400 million pounds to be spent on UK defence innovation to bring new technology to the frontline more quickly, she said.

Reeves referenced defence throughout her speech, calling the extra cash for the sector vital in a "a more insecure world", and adding that the investment would help the wider economy.

"This additional investment is not just about increasing our national security but increasing our economic security, too. As defence spending rises, I want the whole country to feel the benefits," she said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month committed to lift defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, the biggest increase in the budget since the end of the Cold War, and said Britain will aim to spend 3% of its GDP on defence in the next parliament.

Iran arms missile sites after Trump's ‘bombing’ threat, rejects talks, ‘all depends on America's behaviour’ | 10 points

 

Trump Proposes Talks to Iran on Nuclear Program, Tehran Rejects Offer

After threatening to ‘bomb’ Iran, Donald Trump on Sunday wrote to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to start talks on ending Tehran's nuclear weapons programme. However, Iran rejected the offer on Sunday saying that ‘It’s the behavior of the US that determines the future path of negotiations’.

Here's look at top 10 developments in the US, Iran conflict:

• Iran has reportedly armed all launchers in its underground missile sites. The country is ready to attack after President Trump threatened to bomb Iran if it refused a nuclear deal, reported The Tehran Times.
• They said on X, “Information received by the Tehran Times indicates that Iran's missiles are loaded onto launchers in all underground missile cities and are ready for launch. Opening the Pandora's box will come at a heavy cost for the U.S. government and its allies.”

• Trump told NBC on Saturday that “If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing”. “But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.”
• Trump also said the US and officials from the Islamic Republic are already "talking."
• Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian said in televised remarks on Sunday that Iran has\ informed Trump the country won’t engage in direct negotiations with the US, Bloomberg reported.
• Pezeshkian said the decision was conveyed in Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s response to a letter Trump had sent earlier this month on the prospect of new talks over Tehran’s nuclear program.

• Pezeshkian still noted that in Iran's response indirect negotiations with the Trump administration were still possible.
• “They must prove that they can build trust regarding their decisions, and I hope this will happen,” Pezeshkian said. “It’s the behavioUr of the Americans that determines the future path of negotiations.”
• Iran delivered its response to Trump’s letter via Oman on Wednesday, according to the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Over the weekend, Araghchi described the letter as containing “both a threat and an opening for diplomacy,” adding that Iran remained skeptical of Trump’s intentions
• As per AFP report, analysts have said Iran may be just weeks away from producing a deliverable nuclear weapon -- though Tehran denies it is building such arms. Either way, such an attack carries a risk of spreading to a wider conflict.

Here's all about Trump-Iran conflict over nuclear program

Trump in 2018 pulled the US out of an agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program. Now, in his second term, he has said he is open to talks on a new deal that could reduce the risk of military escalation.

Trump revealed in early March that he had sent a letter proposing such talks to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, he has pushed ahead with his "maximum pressure" program of additional sanctions and the threat of military action.

Iran, deeply suspicious of the US administration after Trump's withdrawal from the original nuclear deal, has refused to negotiate directly with Washington.

(With inputs from agencies)

10 Things You Can Do When You Start Feeling Lonely

 

10 Things You Can Do When You Start Feeling Lonely

__START__Accept loneliness.

Loneliness

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Don't fight loneliness. Accept it. It's not a disease; it's actually a cure for broken souls. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Get busy.

Job

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We couldn’t agree more when a stoic Sherlock tells Watson, “Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson.” Getting busy with your work is a productive way to avoid this feeling. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Run.

Running

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Go for a quick run to clear out the fog of thoughts from your mind. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Get a DSLR.

Camera

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Invest in a camera. Take up photography; you’ll be surprised at how much it can help.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Travel.

Travel

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Explore new places alone. Try out the local food and understand how your culture differs from that of the locals.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Dance.

Dance class

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We can't stress on this enough! Dance like nobody's watching. Lose your inhibitions by dancing to the tunes you love. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Read.

reading

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Books teach us the importance of solitude. If you’re a reader, then a good book is the only company you need.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Start a blog.

Blogging

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Start jotting down your thoughts on a blog. Write about your interests, narrate an incident or simply put pictures and quotes which inspire you. You'll be amazed at how much you discover about yourself.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Learn a new language.

Language

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Learning a new language is quite challenging. Speaking a foreign language, other than your first language will always make you feel good.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Love yourself.

Julia Roberts

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Always remember Oscar Wilde's beautiful quote - “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

The Remarkable Journey of the Indian-American Community in the U.S: A Story of Ambition, Resilience & Success

 

The Remarkable Journey of the Indian-American Community in the U.S: A Story of Ambition, Resilience & Success

The narrative of the Indian-American community is one of remarkable ambition, resilience, and success. More than half a century after the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act opened doors for Indian migration to the United States, the Indian American community has matured into a significant and influential force. Their rapidly growing numbers, economic success, and increasing political visibility have made them a prominent part of American society, often portrayed as a model of the success that new immigrants can achieve in the US

Initially, Indian immigrants faced a struggle marked by the need to prove themselves in a new and challenging environment. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian immigrants, primarily labourers, were deemed undesirable and faced harsh exclusionary laws. They were denied citizenship and faced legal restrictions on bringing family or marrying outside their race. The revocation of citizenship led to personal tragedies, and though attitudes shifted post-World War II as the U.S. sought to build alliances in Asia, Indian Americans still grappled with anti-Asian racism. The path to recognition and success was fraught with racial barriers and systemic exclusion.

Unlike the predominantly low-skilled migrant workers from India who arrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries, most post-World War II Indian migrants were professionals or students pursuing higher education in the United States. Today, Indian immigrants primarily enter the U.S. through employment- and family-based pathways. India is the second-largest source of international students in U.S. higher education, and Indian nationals receive the majority of employer-sponsored H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.

These pathways have shaped the distinct characteristics of the Indian-American community. Four-fifths of Indian immigrant adults possess at least a bachelor's degree, and their median household incomes are more than double those of both the overall immigrant population and U.S.-born citizens. This emphasis on education and professional achievement has propelled Indian Americans to significant economic success, setting them apart from other immigrant groups. Despite making up only 1.5% of the U.S. population, Indian-Americans have made significant contributions to the U.S. economy, culture, and society.

The Indian-American community has played a pivotal role in strengthening the relationship between the United States and India, two of the world's most significant democracies. Indian-Americans have excelled in diverse fields such as technology, healthcare, education, and public policy, embodying the spirit of innovation and community engagement.

With a dynamic network of 5.1 million people, including 2.8 million first-generation immigrants, Indian-Americans bridge continents, drive innovation, and enrich the communities they inhabit. They are highly concentrated in states like California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, and 70% of the community holds a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly outpacing the U.S. national average. Approximately 78% of Indian Americans are employed in management, business, science, or arts-related professions, contributing substantially to the U.S. economy. CEOs of Indian origin lead 16 Fortune 500 companies, including Satya Nadella of Microsoft and Reshma Kewalramani of Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Beyond corporate leadership, Indian-Americans have a strong presence in the startup ecosystem, co-founding 72 out of 648 U.S. unicorns as of 2024. These startups employ over 55,000 people and are valued at $195 billion. Additionally, the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian-Americans is evident in small businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, where they own about 60% of all U.S. hotels.

Indian-Americans also have a profound impact on society through their hard work, resilience, and adaptability. Their ability to navigate diverse cultural landscapes while serving as a bridge between communities exemplifies a model for global integration and unity. The diaspora plays a pivotal role in innovation, with a 5x increase in U.S. patents co-authored by Indian-origin inventors between 1975 and 2019. Indian cuisine has gained prominence in the U.S., with over 6,000 Indian restaurants, and Indian Americans have made notable contributions to arts and entertainment, with figures like Mindy Kaling bringing Indian-American narratives to mainstream media.

Philanthropy is another area where the Indian diaspora shines. Indian-American households contributed over $1.5 billion to U.S. philanthropy in 2023 alone. Significant donations have also been made to U.S. universities and Indian organisations, amplifying the community's influence. Politically, Kamala Harris, the first woman of Indian descent to be elected Vice President of the United States, symbolises the political achievements of the Indian diaspora. Figures like Ajay Banga, the new World Bank President, and Gita Gopinath, the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director, play pivotal roles in shaping global economic policies.

In a Research Paper, Priya Mathur discusses the growing influence of Indians in the U.S., highlighting their contributions to both their adopted country and India. Indian Americans have mobilised resources for relief efforts in India during crises and are increasingly investing in their homeland as economic reforms advance. Despite facing a "glass ceiling" in political and executive positions, the community remains politically active, cohesive, and engaged in enhancing India's global image and strengthening India-U.S. relations.

The Indian diaspora has been a driving force behind innovation in Silicon Valley, with Indian talent accounting for about one-third of tech employees in the region. U.S. companies continue to invest in India's technology sector, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Education also plays a key role, with approximately 270,000 Indian students studying in the U.S., contributing $10 billion annually.

Dhruva Jaishankar in his Policy Paper writing for the Observer Research Foundation, highlighted how India's large diaspora in the US and shared democratic values have deepened bilateral ties but also underscored growing frictions. Jaishankar suggests fostering mutual understanding through increased work, study, and travel opportunities and enhanced dialogue between key stakeholders. As India-U.S. relations expand, he argues that beyond defence, trade, and business, issues of diaspora and democracy should play a crucial role in strengthening this partnership.

The Indian-American community continues to enrich American society with its talent, resilience, and cultural heritage. The community's strong emotional ties to India remain influential in their lives, as evident during the devastating resurgence of COVID-19 in India. Indian Americans, individually and collectively, mobilised to push the U.S. government for a large-scale humanitarian response, raising millions for relief efforts.

Indian-Americans have significantly contributed to the U.S. economy and society while maintaining strong ties to India. The community's exceptional emphasis on education and family has set it apart in the American social fabric, and its perseverance underscores its vital role in driving progress and unity. The continued potential of the Indian diaspora to contribute to the betterment of societies in both India and the U.S. is undeniable, and their story is one of success, innovation, and resilience.

India's economy may be about to overtake Japan's, but hold those celebrations

 

Rising, but then the lights aren't all green for the Indian economy, (File photo)

With real GDP touching $4.3 trillion, the Indian economy leaped from 'Fragile Five' to the fastest fifth in just a decade. But that's no reason to be excited about.

What could instead offer buttery chunks of happiness is that, we are trailing closely behind Japan's $4.4 trillion and can surpass it as the world's fourth-largest economy any moment now.

Ironically though, this milestone isn't entirely because we are pulling the economy by its bootstraps, but because luck is playing a critical role.

Japan is aging poorly and its growth has been stagnant for decades. For instance, in 2015, its GDP stood at $4.4 trillion and is still stuck at $4.4 trillion in 2025. In contrast, India marched purposefully with its GDP rising from a little over $2 trillion in 2014 to $4.3 trillion now.

India's growth is slowing down too as we speak, but even if we manage to sustain the current run-rate of 6%-6.5%, the prospect of overtaking Japan seems to be written in the stars.

For decades, Japan has endured complete economic stagnation barely adding $200 billion worth of output, or less than 0.25% every year from 2000-2019. Its economy contracted 1.3% in the last 10 years, according to IMF's World Economic Outlook 2024.

Historically touted as an economic miracle, Japan rose from the ashes of World War II to emerge as the world's second-largest economy after the US. However, following the financial bubble that began in 1990, it collapsed into the sickbed and remained there for over 30 years now.

 

Until 2010, it reigned as the world's second-largest, only to be overtaken by China. Finally in 2023, when its economy contracted further, it slipped into the fourth spot falling behind Germany.

In contrast, the Indian economy made a substantial splash during the same period.

Though we got off to a ropy start after Independence, taking as much as six decades to clock our first trillion in 2007, the next milestones were relatively easy. It took just seven years each to double from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in 2014 and to $3 trillion in 2021. Lastly, the Indian economy capped off the next trillion in an even shorter timeframe of four years, notwithstanding black swan events like the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.  

With undisguised delight, the government took the applause for outpacing all the nations in the G7, the G20, and the BRICS by more than doubling its size.

According to the IMF, India has doubled its GDP in the past decade, and by growing by 105%, it emerged as the fastest-growing large economy in the world, ahead of the US and China. In fact, it bounced like a spring in the foot during the last decade, overtaking both the UK and France.

In 2015, France's GDP stood at $2.4 trillion, ahead of India's $2.1 trillion GDP. But by 2025, France's GDP stood at $3.3 trillion, while India led the happy way forward, growth it approximately 30% bigger than the French economy.

Likewise, the UK was ahead of India at $2.9 trillion in 2015, but trailed behind with a GDP of $3.7 trillion by 2025.

Moving forward, Asia's third-largest economy is about to mount its white horse and is expected to add $1 trillion every 1.5 years. And as the IMF noted, with the current growth trajectory, India could become $10 trillion by 2032. And should the average growth rate continue and if as they say, one good turn deserves another, India will likely surpass Germany's $4.9 trillion economy -- currently, the world's third largest -- by 2027. Fancy that!

It's likely to emerge as the third largest with a GDP of $5.7 trillion by 2027 and $6.3 trillion by 2029.

Critics, however, warn against betting on such a goal rush and counter that these projections are akin to tossing a coin to see if it'll come down as a head or a tail.

For, both the Japanese and German economies were powered by industrialization. Like Japan in the 1960s-1980s, Germany too roared with its manufacturing prowess, dominating global markets for high-end products like luxury cars and industrial machinery and thrived on exports. India, on the other hand, acutely lacks manufacturing muscle and also needs to get a bent on exports.

Also, despite its impressive growth rates, India is nautical miles behind China. In 2015, its economy stood at $11.1 trillion, more than five times bigger than the Indian economy and the gap has widened since. That said, Chinese economy too has slowed considerably and between 2015 and 2025, when it grew at 77%, slower than India's 105%.

All said, we can warm up to the theme that India will continue to be the fastest-growing major economy in the coming years as well, as acknowledged by the IMF. Its projected 6.5% growth rate in both FY25 and FY26 is higher than all the top-10 world economies. Still, several factors need attention.

For one, the IMF has called for deeper structural reforms, stressing the need for fiscal consolidation, labour market improvements, and trade policy adjustments to boost long-term economic growth. In its latest Article IV Consultation report for 2024, while commending India's economic resilience, it flagged potential risks stemming from geopolitical tensions, inflation volatility, and weak private consumption.