India and China recently concluded a two-day foreign secretary-level meeting where several important decisions were made, marking a step toward stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations. The most significant outcome was the agreement to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra during the summer, which has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of this sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake in Tibet is expected to ease tensions and foster people-

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

On December 13, 2024, the United States and China signed a bilateral science and technology agreement, revising a 45-year-old pact. However, this new agreement limits research collaboration and narrows the scope of topics allowed for joint study, reflecting heightened concerns over international research security. Governments worldwide, including the U.S., European Union, Canada, and Japan, have introduced stricter measures to safeguard sensitive scientific data from foreign interference, esp

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun

2024 has been officially declared the hottest year in China’s history, with the national average temperature reaching 10.92°C (51.66°F), according to the China Meteorological Administration. This marks the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking heat in the country. The year witnessed the hottest month, July, along with the warmest August and autumn season on record. Global temperature records were also shattered, with the United Nations confirming that 2024 was set to be the

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of

The US Treasury Department confirmed that a China state-sponsored actor was responsible for a recent cyber breach, compromising its workstations and some unclassified documents. The incident occurred earlier this month when the actor gained access through a third-party cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust. Once the breach was detected, Treasury swiftly contacted the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and began working with law enforcement to investigate the incident and assess

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel tanks from China, following a complaint by domestic company Inox India Ltd. The company has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duties, claiming that the influx of cheap imports is negatively affecting the profit margins of the domestic industry. These LNG fuel tanks are used for transporting methane gas in vehicles like trucks. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which handles

China has officially approved the construction of what is set to be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the Yarlung Zangbo River in Tibet. This ambitious project, which will span the lower reaches of the river, is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, far surpassing the Three Gorges Dam's output of 88.2 billion kWh. The new dam is also seen as a significant step toward China’s goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, alongside

Pakistan, a country grappling with terrorism, political instability, and economic challenges, has once again found itself in a precarious diplomatic situation with its long-time ally, China. The latest controversy centers around Pakistan's attempt to negotiate over the use of Gwadar port in Balochistan, which is part of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During a high-level meeting, Pakistan reportedly demanded that China provide a second-strike nuclear capability in e

A Chinese court has ruled that Li, a man involved in a complicated breakup, is not required to return a 300,000 Yuan (₹3.2 crore) gift given to him by his ex-girlfriend, Xu. The unusual legal case, which has gained significant attention, centers on the couple's tumultuous relationship. Li and Xu had been in a stable relationship since 2018 until 2020, when Li discovered that Xu had an affair with his nephew. The revelation led to a breakup, but Xu later transferred a large sum of money

India and China have reached a significant agreement on six points to resolve their long-standing border issues. This agreement was made during a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first Special Representative-level discussions since the 2020 border clashes. Key points of the agreement include maintaining peace at the border, cross-border tourism in Tibet, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and boosting Nathu La border trade.

India and China’s Special Representatives for the border mechanism, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, met in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of issues, including peace management along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of bilateral ties. These ties had been severely impacted by the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which began in May 2020, following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley. The meeting, marking the 23r

China has expanded its visa-free transit policy, allowing travelers from 54 eligible countries, including the United States, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in the country for up to 10 days (240 hours) without a visa. This move is part of China's effort to boost international tourism and revive its economy post-pandemic. Eligibility: Passport holders from 54 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Germany, France

China, the world's second-largest economy, is working to recover from the effects of its three years of pandemic isolation. In a bid to attract more international visitors and boost its economy, China recently announced an expansion of its visa-free transit policy. The new policy, which is effective immediately, allows travelers from 54 countries, including the US, Canada, and several European and Asian nations, to stay in parts of China for up to 10 days. Previously, the visa-f

Robots are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life, and in a groundbreaking development, China has introduced an advanced AI-powered spherical police robot known as RT-G. Developed by Logon Technology, the RT-G is designed to go beyond traditional surveillance and actively pursue and apprehend suspects. Unlike many Western models focused on monitoring, this robot can chase criminals, shoot nets, and even withstand falls from heights. The RT-G robot is equipped with advanced se

In a significant statement made in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the need for peace and tranquility in the border areas as a prerequisite for improving bilateral ties with China. He emphasized that both nations will engage in discussions on de-escalation and managing activities in these areas in the near future. Jaishankar shared that disengagement has been fully completed in eastern Ladakh, particularly in the regions of Depsang and Demchok. J

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China announced on Tuesday that it would ban the export of several key materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States. These materials are vital for high-tech applications, including advanced electronics and military technologies. The Chinese Commerce Ministry's decision follows a recent expansion of the U.S. “entity list,” which now includes 140 Chinese companies—many based in China, though some

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, providing an update on the current state of India-China relations, which have seen improvement following the tensions that arose from the 2020 military clash in eastern Ladakh. The clash, which resulted in fatalities on both sides, marked a significant deterioration in the two countries' ties, making the situation "abnormal" until recent diplomatic efforts led to progress. Jaishankar explained