India absolutely on right track under PM Modi’s leadership: Dutch CEOs

IANS | May 16, 2026 11:02 PM

New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with leading Dutch CEOs, during which top business executives from sectors ranging from aviation and semiconductors to shipping, agriculture and technology praised India’s economic growth, innovation ecosystem and expanding global partnerships under his leadership.

Nine years after China pact, Nepal's BRI dreams still grounded

IANS | May 16, 2026 6:51 PM

Kathmandu, May 16 (IANS) Nepal and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on May 12, 2017. Nine years later, no new project has been implemented in Nepal under the BRI, although Beijing has unilaterally categorised the China-assisted Pokhara International Airport in western Nepal as a landmark achievement under the initiative.

Bangladesh economy remains fragile in Q1 2026 over high inflation: Report

IANS | May 16, 2026 6:02 PM

New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) Bangladesh’s economy remained in a “fragile and uneven recovery phase” in Q1 CY2026 as persistent inflation, weak private investment, subdued industrial activity and external sector pressures continued to drag the country's growth, a new report said citing, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).

Iran-US tensions impose rising economic costs on China: Report

IANS | May 16, 2026 4:53 PM

New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) The ongoing US-Iran tensions are imposing rising economic costs on China, exposing Beijing to mounting risks across energy supplies, trade flows and regional investments amid the escalating Gulf crisis, a report has said.