India
Emerging Asia overtakes the UK per-capita benchmark
For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, the major emerging economies including China, India and Indonesia have seen GDP as a percentage of the UK’s GDP increase as the leading BRICS countries start to overtake the Developed Markets.
Kerala becomes India’s first state to declare freedom from extreme poverty
The state's Chief Minister described the moment as the dawn of a new era for Kerala, attributing the achievement to a sustained four-year effort under the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project.
COMMENT: For Asia, dealing with Europe isn’t about achieving success; it’s about concealing failure
To be taken seriously in Asia, Europe must rediscover the courage to deliver, not merely declare. Asia has moved on to execution. Europe is still editing its initial policy draft.
Indian bank deposits to grow steadily in FY26 amid liquidity boost
Deposit growth at Indian banks is projected to remain adequate in FY2025-26, supported by an improved liquidity environment and regulatory measures that are expected to sustain credit expansion of 11–12%
Hasina says supporters to boycott Bangladesh election
Hasina asserted that millions of her and Awami League’s supporters are expected to boycott the upcoming 2026 national polls after authorities barred the party from taking part.
The Arctic and Antarctica record "off the charts" heat as polar warming accelerates
Parts of both the Arctic and Antarctic have experienced historically high temperatures in recent weeks, with weather stations in East Antarctica recording record-breaking warmth for the month of October, alarming climate scientists.
US expands oil sanctions on Russia
US President Donald Trump imposed his first sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies on October 22, the state-owned Rosneft and the privately-owned Lukoil in the latest flip flop by the US president.
Asian economies weigh their options amid fears of over-reliance on Chinese rare-earths
Just how control over these critical minerals plays out will be a long fought battle lasting decades, and one that will increasingly define Asia’s industrial future.
Bill Gates makes surprise Indian TV debut
In a move set to spark both intrigue and curiosity, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has made a cameo appearance on Indian television, entering the iconic drama series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
Turkmenistan’s TAPI gas pipeline takes off
Turkmenistan's 1,800km TAPI gas pipeline breaks ground after 30 years with first 14km completed into Afghanistan, aiming to deliver 33bcm annually to Pakistan and India by 2027 despite geopolitical hurdles.
China’s state-owned oil giants halt Russian crude purchases in response to US sanctions
China’s state-owned oil giants have paused their purchase of Russian crude oil in response to recent US sanctions targeting Moscow’s two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil
India, US near major trade deal cutting tariffs to 15–16% if New Delhi will limit Russian crude imports
India and the United States are close to finalising a long-awaited bilateral trade deal that could sharply lower tariffs on Indian exports to about 15–16% from the current average of 50%
Andaman gas find signals fresh momentum in India’s deepwater exploration
India’s latest gas discovery in the under-explored Andaman-Nicobar Basin could become a turning point for the country’s domestic upstream production and energy security
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India’s opposition slams Modi over Trump’s Russia oil claim
Indian National Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in an X post criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for staying silent over US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that India would cut back on oil imports from Russia.
Bangladesh seeks death penalty for former Prime Minister Hasina
Bangladesh’s interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has requested the country’s criminal tribunal impose the death penalty on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
India’s retail payment revolution
India’s payments landscape has reached a pivotal stage, with digital transactions now accounting for 99.8% of all retail payments.
India’s finance minister to miss upcoming IMF and World Bank meetings
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will not attend this week’s annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington remain unresolved.
IMF: Global economic outlook shows modest change amid policy shifts and complex forces
Dialing down uncertainty, reducing vulnerabilities, and investing in innovation can help deliver durable economic gains.
The Asian nations backing the Russian war effort – from India to Taiwan, China to Indonesia
While many Asian nations have quietly distanced themselves from Moscow in a bid to fall into line with US or European allies, several continue to engage with Russia, providing varying degrees of support that help sustain its military campaign.
Global renewables to double by 2030, but IEA warns momentum must accelerate
Global renewable energy capacity is on course to double by 2030, reaching 4,600 GW—comparable to the current combined total of China, the European Union and Japan—according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2025 report.