DeepSeek-R1, developed by a Chinese AI lab, is potentially highly competitive and shockingly cost-effective, and could be a boon to the Indian IT sector.

After a recent diplomatic breakthrough, both India and China have come out with their statements. A careful reading reveals interesting convergences and divergences on various key issues. Take a look.

A top Tory says Britons need a better work ethic if the UK is to compete globally with nations like India, China and South Korea.

India's IT minister has praised Chinese startup DeepSeek for shaking up the sector with its low-cost AI assistant, likening its frugal approach to his government's efforts to build a localized AI model.

Russia has suffered a major economic setback, after China and India halted their purchases of Kremlin oil. Oil and gas revenues are vital sources of revenue, accounting for between a third and half of Russia 's federal budget over the last decade. In particular, these revenues play a key role in helping Putin to finance his war in Ukraine.

The Economic Survey states that a robust public transportation system will help reduce traffic congestion, promote energy efficiency, and ensure that the benefits of clean mobility are accessible to all socioeconomic groups.

For all this "dam for a dam" water war, relations between the two nations along their disputed Himalayan border are not currently at boiling point. In recent years, there have been skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops in the area but 2024 "witnessed a thaw", with both sides "withdrawing troops from two flashpoints", said VOA News.

China is reportedly building a laser-ignited nuclear fusion research centre that it could use to develop nuclear weapons design and explore power generation. As Beijing expands its nuclear capabilities,

China has become a topic of discussion in South Asia over the past few days. Whether it is Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to China from January 14 to 17, during which he signed 15 MoUs;

Considering how much China has come to dominate manufacturing and supply chains in the world, more and more trade restrictions are being placed and a reset of the dependence on China appears to be in the making,

Identifying India’s dependence on China for many products as a key risk, the Economic Survey has recommended that India needs to go all out to “attract, promote and facilitate further domestic and foreign investments”.