Wang Yi in Delhi: A New Chapter in India-China Relations? Vantage with Palki Sharma
One year ago, this headline would've sounded impossible—China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi. After years of tension—border clashes, app bans, suspended flights, frozen visas—India and China are cautiously resetting ties. But this shift isn't driven by trust. It's driven by Donald Trump's tariffs. His trade war put both countries in the same corner, turning rivals into reluctant partners. Palki Sharma tells you more.
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Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dubai's Free Zones are powering a new wave of Indian SME global expansion
Small and medium enterprises have long been the backbone of India's industrial economy, driving innovation, creating employment, and reinforcing supply chains. As these enterprises evolve, their ambitions are no longer confined to domestic markets; they are seeking to scale, diversify, and compete globally. To achieve this, Indian SMEs are looking for ecosystems that provide more than just operational support– they seek world-class infrastructure, seamless market access, and policies that encourage growth. Many are finding this combination in Dubai. With its logistics-first planning, pro-business environment, and unmatched connectivity to global markets, the city has become a preferred base for Indian businesses ready to scale abroad. From product to port - Building global SMEs from the ground up Dubai is no longer just a regional base for trade—it's becoming an operating system for SME-led international expansion. Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly setting up lean export units in hubs like Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), using new digital tools and bonded infrastructure to simplify market entry. With fast licensing, 100% foreign ownership, repatriable profits, and full customs integration, Dubai's free zones help SMEs scale without red tape or capital intensity. From Jebel Ali Port to Dubai World Central Airport, India-facing supply chains are now directly connected to over 300 cities globally. Free zones offer zero income tax, long-term Golden Visas for founders and their families, and integrated support services that eliminate unnecessary compliance barriers. These conditions are drawing a new wave of Tier 2 and Tier 3 entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, and bootstrapped manufacturers ready to go global. Indian SMEs are now exploring micro-manufacturing, B2B e-commerce, and re-export-ready models in Dubai Industrial City, where logistics corridors link bonded warehouses with fast customs clearance. Digital platforms powered by AI and tokenised trade are also helping them match with buyers and manage supply chains efficiently. Recent bilateral efforts have also focused on improving SME financing, simplifying trade infrastructure, and expanding sector-specific support—especially in areas like advanced manufacturing and logistics. Our role is to provide a continuous pathway for growth,' says H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. 'We support companies with workshops and seminars that help them capitalise on bilateral frameworks and use Dubai's trade infrastructure to become global competitors.' Dubai Chambers and its international offices are helping Indian SMEs connect with the right partners, markets, and support systems. 'Connecting Indian SMEs to global opportunities is a major part of our role, ' says H.E. Lootah. 'Our representative offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru help Indian companies understand the landscape and build strategic connections even before they establish a presence in Dubai. Our network of 36 international offices acts as a gateway to new markets, facilitating introductions and business expansion.' How Free Zones are rewriting the SME expansion playbook Each of Dubai's free zones is becoming a springboard for SME-led innovation and export scale. Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) offers a Fast Track Licensing model tailored for product-led founders and colo ventures with integrated warehousing and export-readiness built into the setup. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is streamlining global trade with tokenised transactions, digital trade facilitation and smart warehousing that simplifies international buyer access. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), backed by DP World assets, has become the logistics backbone for India–Africa trade, offering 100% foreign ownership, digitised customs processes and sector-specific support. 'Our Indian Incubation Centre supports businesses from setup to logistics,' says Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO & Managing Director, DP World GCC. 'We've partnered with Dubai Customs and Dubai Chambers to digitise trade flows and reduce turnaround times - an essential factor for SMEs scaling globally.' JAFZA is also becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing. Earlier this year, Ayu Life Sciences, an Indian medical devices and cell therapy company, announced a $9 million facility in the free zone to produce next-generation wound care solutions and surgical treatments for global markets. Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) continues to innovate around support services. 'The launch of the first smart clinic in DAFZ, in cooperation with Fakeeh Health, reflects our commitment to enabling a seamless business environment,' said Amna Lootah, Director General of DAFZ. 'This is part of our broader mission to deliver future-ready infrastructure and improve quality of life for business owners and their teams.' In Dubai Industrial City, SMEs are now building micro-production and assembly units across verticals like auto components, electronics and medical devices located right beside Dubai's integrated port-airport corridor. Dubai Chambers is actively running trade facilitation programs and matchmaking initiatives, helping SMEs identify high-growth sectors and enter new markets. 'Indian entrepreneurs should be optimistic,' says H.E. Lootah. Our focus for 2025–26, guided by the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, is to nearly double the size of Dubai's economy and propel foreign trade to US$7 trillion. We see major opportunities in wholesale and retail, supply chain management, and advanced manufacturing, supported by smart logistics hubs for cross-border partnerships. The bigger picture: Future outlook (2025–26) Dubai is designing next-gen trade infrastructure— precision manufacturing clusters, AI-powered portals, and advanced financing tools - specifically built for SMEs. These systems will allow even the smallest founder-led ventures to tap into global demand without chasing VC funding. Reforms to reduce compliance bottlenecks, speed up working capital cycles and digitise exports are already underway. For Indian SMEs, this is not just a chance to export - it's a chance to rewire the model of global growth. Dubai is where ambition meets systems, and even self-funded businesses can become global players.
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
Jaishankar Interacts With Russian Scholars In Moscow, Pays Tribute At Tomb Of Unknown Soldier
Jaishankar's visit to Russia comes against the backdrop of strains in India's ties with the US following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently on a three-day visit to Russia to strengthen the 'time-tested" relations between New Delhi and Moscow, interacted with Russian scholars, during which he discussed India-Russia ties and broader global issues. Jaishankar's visit to Russia comes against the backdrop of strains in India's ties with the US following President Donald Trump doubling tariffs on Indian goods to 50% which included an additional penalty of 25% for purchasing Russian crude oil. Taking to X, Jaishankar said, 'Pleased to interact with prominent scholars and think tank representatives of Russia. Discussed India-Russia relations, contemporary world geopolitics and India's viewpoint." Pleased to interact with prominent scholars and think tank representatives of India-Russia relations, contemporary world geopolitics and India's viewpoint. 🇮🇳 🇷🇺 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 20, 2025 Later, the External Affairs Minister also paid tribute at Moscow's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Wednesday. The historic war memorial near the Kremlin is dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), announcing Jaishankar's trip, said he will co-chair the 26th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation to be held on Wednesday. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that Jaishankar will hold talks in Moscow with his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, over the latest initiatives by the Trump administration to bring peace to Ukraine. He will review the bilateral agenda and share perspective on regional and global issues with Lavrov. 'The Ministers will pay special attention to the current and future avenues for promoting bilateral cooperation," said MFA Russia on X. Jaishankar's visit comes before a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding the possibility of Putin visiting India later this year. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared his insights about the recent meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump over the Ukraine conflict. PM Modi said India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard. (with inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Hindustan Times
42 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Prashant Kishor backs NDA bills on PM, CM removal: ‘Constitution makers may not have imagined…'
Election campaign strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, who is fighting to emerge as a non-NDA, non-INDIA bloc choice in poll-bound Bihar, on Wednesday spoke in favour of three contentious bills brought in by the NDA's central government to remove ministers if they face serious criminal allegations. Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor during a campaign rally in Bihar.(PTI File) 'When the Constitution was drafted, the people who created it and the country's founders may not have anticipated that those in power would become so corrupt and criminal that they would have to go to jail. Moreover, that these leaders would not relinquish their positions even after imprisonment,' Kishor said in a video by ANI. "I believe the bill is good because if a leader is accused and sent to jail, they cannot continue running the government from jail," Kishor added. His assertions were similar to those made by union home minister Amit Shah, who introduced the bills in the Lok Sabha. Shah posted on X: 'When the Constitution was framed, its makers could not have imagined that in the future, political leaders would refuse to resign on moral grounds even after being arrested.' The set of three bills — since referred to the parliamentary panel for review — says the PM, CMs, and ministers at any level of government shall be removed automatically if they spend 30 consecutive days in prison on charges that carry jail sentence of at five years or more. Such removal won't need the leader to have been proven guilty, the Opposition has pointed out. Hence the bills weaponise mere allegations, leaders of the Congress, RJD and other parties in Bihar and at the Centre have said. Current laws require conviction by a court of law for an MP or MLA to lose their seat, and positions held thereof. In Bihar, RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav faced disqualification on this count after he was found guilty in corruption cases.
