China

Strategic Importance of Kartarpur Corridor

Published

6 years ago

April 3, 2020

With Pakistan and India making history with groundbreaking Ceremony of kartarpur corridor on both sides of International Boundary to facilitate the people by giving access to Sikhs of India to Baba Guru Nanak Gurdwara- the founder and spiritual leader of Sikhism. Imran Khan conducted Groundbreaking Ceremony of Kartarpur on 28^th November in a huge gathering attended by a delegation from India including Navjot Sidhu.

As an agreement, Pakistan will build a corridor of 4 Kilometer up to International boundary and India will build the same from Gurdaspur to International Boundary of just 2 Kilometers.

Apart from a Religious point of view, the corridor will serve a vital role for Trade and Economic relations and improve ties between two hostile Nations for seven decades. The Kartarpur corridor has strategic Importance and can go a long way bringing two countries closer to Diplomatic Dialogue since both countries may turn over a new leaf to build the strong ties and bury the hatchet to spread love and bring peace in the region.

Ever Since Indian Former cricketer Navjot Sidhu Visited Pakistan on the Good Will gesture and bringing in the Message of Peace and Love from India in the Official Invitation from Imran Khan to participate in his oath-taking ceremony, he was warmly welcomed by all including Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa. Sidhu appeared very optimistic about the Growing friendly ties between the two countries and bringing the message of love and Peace for the people of Pakistan.

The Army chief General Qamar Jawed had a big hug with Sidhu and offered to open the Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh devotees to visit their founder Baba Guru Nanak Gurdwara by giving visa-free access in order to honour the Guest of honour, Navjot Sidhu. Sidhu was very excited to know that an Army chief had offered such thing as it was really unbelievable for him that an army chief could offer such gesture.

His immediately discussed the matter with the Indian government upon his return to his country. The BJP Government at first turned down the proposal and the so-called Indian Media criticized Navjot Sidhu of Hugging Army chief as India consider him the murderer of His soldiers. There were debates over the television that whether Sidhu should have Gone to Pakistan or Not.

The Veteran cricketer turned politician Navjot was undeterred and kept pushing Indian Government to accept the Proposal of kartarpur corridor. At last, the Modi Government accepted the offer and the foundation Stone Ceremony took place on Indian side on 26^th November 2018 by the Vice President of India m Venkaiah Naidu. The Distance from the Indian side is 4 Kilometers from Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur District to International Boundary to connect the same with the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.

On the Other hand, The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan laid the foundation Stone on 28^th November 2018 at District Narowal attended by COAS Qamar jawed Bajwa, Navjot Sidhu and Other delegates from India. PM offered Visa Free Access to the Holy site of Durbar Kartarpur Sahib in order to facilitate the Sikh community pilgrims.

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According to Vice President of India, “The corridor will become a symbol of love and peace between both countries,” Naidu was quoted as saying in Gurdaspur. He went on to say that this was very momentous and historic day and they are fulfilling the wish of Sikh Devotees who are excited to visit the sacred place for Sikhs to celebrate 550^th Birthday anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak next Year .

Indo-Pak Relations have always remained tense due to various Loc based firing, 26/11 Mumbai Attack and the core issue of Kashmir. There were frequent proposals and demands to have a corridor to facilitate Sikh Pilgrims of India to have access to Gurdwara Baba Guru Nanak so as to perform their religious rituals there.

The Immigration and Visa processes were very exhausting and complicated given the tough hostile relations of these neighbours having fought two deadly wars and frequent cold war that impeded the peace efforts and suspended the meaningful dialogue to discuss the grave issues of Terrorism and Kashmir dispute as per the wishes of Kashmiri People through a plebiscite.

The political leadership of both countries have never been engaged in a proper way that might have paved the way to the resolution of issues, Since there has been a great dearth of Confidence-building measures and trust that might have led both countries to ink an agreement.

Unfortunately, the dialogue process was marred and remained suspended given the growing extremist forces such as Shiv Sina and RSS. The Indian leadership failed to withstand the mounting pressure and consequently, succumbed to pressure and took a U-turn from the dialogue by giving any excuse to justify their distancing from the dialogue process.

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However, ever since the PTI-led Government came into power, it reshaped and realigned their foreign policy to suit the interests of the country and defined new terms of engagement with the US and the Neighbours especially Iran, Afghanistan, India and close all-weather friend China.

To break the stalemate and diffuse the tensions between the two countries, the cricket diplomacy came into play when soon after winning the election, Imran Khan envisaged his foreign policy vision inviting India to forward one step and he would go by two steps to reach a lasting solution through dialogue. To display the friendly gesture and using his old cricket fellows of India to bridge the gap and reconnect to Pakistan’s intentions to reinitiate the dialogue process, PM Imran Khan invited Navjot Sidhu to attend his oath-taking ceremony.

Sidhu was given warm reception at the ceremony and the big hug from COAS Qamar Jawed Bajwa was the turning point that melted the ice when he(Bajwa) offered to open the Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate the Sikh Pilgrims to visit their Holy place of Guru Nanak Sahib owing to frequent demand. He said to Sidhu to discuss the issue with his Indian Government to make sure whether they were willing or not.

Sidhu was excited and returned home with the proposal but his Indian Government rejected the proposal by giving the traditional excuse of cross-border terrorism and afterwards when Sikh community pushed the Government to accept the proposal. They agreed to build a modern Corridor equipped with all modern facilities on the Indian side and urged Pakistan to build the same from their side.

Pakistan Government welcomed the move and announced groundbreaking ceremony on November 28th and invited Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu besides 17 Indian journalists to Kartarpur corridor.

Sushma Swaraj and Chief Minister Punjab Amarinder Singh apologized to come due to some commitments, whereas few Indian Ministers, Journalists and Navjot Sidhu were the part of Indian Delegation came to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony. They termed the development as historic since it would spread the message of love for both countries.

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As per the plan, the Indian government will construct and develop the Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Indian Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to the border, while Pakistan will build the other part of the corridor connecting the border to the Gurdwara in the Kartarpur Sahib area of Narowal district as per the official statement of both countries.

Geographically, the two sites – Dera Baba Nanak and Kartarpur Sahib – are barely separated by six kilometres but parted by an international borderline between India and Pakistan that is also toughened by a poisonous rhetoric and lack of Mutual trust.

It is high time that both countries should make serious efforts to ensure people to people contacts and melt the ice that hampered development in the regions. The Kartarpur Corridor may open vistas of opportunities between two countries and they may take the bilateral trade relations to next level if the same corridor is used for trade besides the purpose of Sikh pilgrims.

It might be too early to predict , yet to be optimistic , The corridor will play its role to diffuse tensions between two countries and may bring the relations to normalization if the priorities and attitudes start changing as people set aside all the odds and need love since they are fed up from the warmongering from Indian Authorities . War would be disastrous for both Nuclear capacious neighbours and will bring misery by plunging country into an economic crisis that will never be fruitful for these countries and for South Asia as Whole.

Pakistan may offer the CPEC partnership if positive and meaningful dialogue process restarts since we have to forward by burying our past differences as quoted by PM Imran Khan during the Groundbreaking ceremony regarding the two European powers France and Germany by saying that if these two can engage in an alliance then why not Pakistan and India Since animosity and wars cannot stand longer if people Start pushing their Governments to maintain peace and live like peaceful neighbours.

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Analysis

The Great Launch Rush: How China’s Rocket IPO Surge Is Reshaping the Global Space Race

Published

1 week ago

January 24, 2026

Abdul Rahman

The launchpad is no longer just a stretch of concrete in Florida or Kazakhstan. It has expanded to include the trading floors of Shanghai and Shenzhen. In a coordinated financial maneuver as precise as an orbital insertion burn, China is propelling its top private rocket start-ups into the public markets. This month, the IPO plans for four major firms—LandSpace, i-Space, CAS Space, and Space Pioneer—have advanced with bureaucratic swiftness. It’s a move that signals a profound shift: the 21st-century space race will be won not just by engineers, but by capital markets. As Beijing systematically builds its commercial space arsenal to counter Elon Musk’s SpaceX, we are witnessing the financialization of the final frontier.

Table of Contents

The IPO Quartet: A Strategic Unfolding in Real Time

This is not a trickle of investment but a flood. The Shanghai Stock Exchange’s recent interrogation of LandSpace Technology’s application is the linchpin, advancing a plan to raise 7.5 billion yuan (US$1 billion). They are not alone. i-Space has issued a counselling update, CAS Space passed a key review, and Space Pioneer published its first guidance report—all within a critical seven-day window in January 2025.

Company	Planned Raise (Est.)	Flagship Vehicle / Tech	Current IPO Stage (Jan 2025)	Strategic Angle
LandSpace	¥7.5 Bn (~$1Bn)	Zhuque-3 (Reusable Methalox)	SSE Star Market Review	China’s direct answer to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 reuse.
i-Space	To be confirmed	Hyperbola series	Counselling Phase	Early private pioneer, focusing on small-lift reliability.
CAS Space	To be confirmed	Lijian-1 (Solid)	Review Passed	Spin-off from Chinese Academy of Sciences, blending state R&D with private agility.
Space Pioneer	To be confirmed	Tianlong-3 (Kerosene)	Guidance Published	Aims to be first private firm to reach orbit with a liquid rocket.

The message is clear. As noted in a Financial Times analysis of state-guided industry, China is executing a “cluster” strategy, fostering internal competition within a protected ecosystem to produce a national champion. These IPOs provide the war chest not just for R&D, but for scaling manufacturing—a key lesson learned from watching SpaceX.

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State Capitalism Meets the Final Frontier

To view this solely through a lens of Western-style venture capitalism is to misunderstand the engine of China’s space ambition. This IPO wave is a masterclass in the synergy between state direction and private market discipline. Beijing’s “China Aerospace 2030” goals and the mega-constellation project Guowang (a direct competitor to Starlink) create a guaranteed, sovereign demand pull. The government, as the primary customer, de-risks the initial market for these companies, allowing them to scale at a pace unimaginable in a purely commercial environment.

As a Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report on space competition astutely observes, China’s model “leverages the full toolkit of national power—industrial policy, military-civil fusion, and strategic finance—to create a self-sustaining space ecosystem.” The IPOs on the tech-focused Star Market are a critical piece, moving the funding burden from state balance sheets to public investors, while retaining strategic oversight. This contrasts sharply with the U.S. model, where SpaceX and its rivals have been fueled primarily by private VC, corporate debt, and, in Musk’s case, the cash flow of a billionaire’s other ventures.

The Valuation Galaxy: Appetite, Hype, and Calculated Risk

Investor appetite appears voracious, driven by the siren song of the trillion-dollar space economy projected by firms like Morgan Stanley. The narrative is compelling: China has over 100 commercial space firms, a booming satellite manufacturing sector, and a national imperative to dominate low-Earth orbit. The IPO funds will be channeled into the holy grail of reuse—LandSpace’s goal to land and refly its Zhuque-3—and scaling launch rates to dozens per year.

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Yet, risks orbit this sector like space debris. Overcapacity is a real threat, as four major firms and dozens of smaller ones vie for domestic launch contracts. Technical reliability remains unproven at SpaceX’s scale; a high-profile public failure post-IPO could shatter confidence. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions threaten supply chains and access to foreign components, pushing an already insulated market further into redundancy. As Reuters reported on China’s tech sector challenges, self-sufficiency is both a shield and a potential constraint on innovation.

The Long Game: Catching SpaceX or Carving a Niche?

The central question for analysts and investors alike: Is the goal to create a true, global SpaceX competitor, or a dominant national champion that secures the Chinese sphere of influence? The evidence points to the latter, at least for this decade.

While reusable rocket technology is the stated aim—with LandSpace targeting a first reuse by 2026—the immediate market is sovereign. The launch of the 13,000-satellite Guowang constellation will require hundreds of dedicated launches, a contract pool likely reserved for domestic providers. This creates a parallel “space silk road,” where Chinese rockets launch Chinese satellites for Chinese and partner-nation clients, largely decoupled from the Western market.

However, to dismiss this as merely a protected play is to underestimate Beijing’s long vision. By achieving cost parity through reuse and massive scale, China’s leading firm could, by the 2030s, emerge as a formidable low-cost competitor on the commercial international market, much as it did in solar panels and telecommunications infrastructure.

The Bottom Line: An Inflection Point, Not a Finish Line

This month’s IPO rush is not the culmination of China’s commercial space story, but the end of its first chapter. It marks the transition from venture-backed experimentation to publicly accountable scale-up. The capital influx will test whether these firms can evolve from innovative start-ups into industrially disciplined aerospace giants.

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The global implications are stark. The United States and Europe now face a competitor whose space ambitions are underwritten not by the fleeting whims of market sentiment, but by the deep, strategic alignment of state policy, national security, and now, liquid public capital. The race for space dominance has entered a new, more financialized, and intensely more competitive phase. The countdown to a bipolar space order has well and truly begun.

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Analysis

The Leading Economic Giants of 2025: Fourth Quarter Insights as December Ends

Published

2 months ago

December 10, 2025

Abdul Rahman

Table of Contents

Introduction

As December 2025 draws to a close, the global economy stands at a fascinating crossroads. The fourth quarter has revealed both continuity and disruption: familiar giants, such as the United States and China, continue to dominate, while rising powers, including India and Germany, reshape the hierarchy. The chessboard of global GDP leaders is shifting, and the implications for trade, investment, and geopolitics are profound.

This article provides a data-driven analysis of the leading economic giants of 2025, comparing nominal GDP, purchasing power parity (PPP), and growth trajectories. It integrates authentic statistics from the IMF, OECD, and Fitch Ratings, while embedding SEO-rich

United States – Still the Nominal Leader

The United States remains the world’s largest economy in nominal terms, with GDP estimated at $29 trillion in 2025. Growth has moderated to around 2%, reflecting a mature cycle but supported by robust consumer spending and AI-driven productivity gains.

Inflation: ~2.75%, easing from earlier highs.
Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve has begun rate cuts, balancing inflation control with growth support.
Sectoral Strength: Technology, healthcare, and financial services continue to anchor resilience.

Despite China’s PPP dominance, the U.S. retains unmatched influence in global capital markets, innovation ecosystems, and reserve currency status.

China – Closing the Gap

China’s economy has expanded to nearly $26 trillion nominal GDP, with growth around 4.8% in 2025. On a PPP basis, China leads the world, outpacing the U.S. by an estimated Int. $10.4 trillion.

Exports: Strong performance in EVs, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
Domestic Demand: Rising middle-class consumption continues to drive growth.
Challenges: Property sector fragility and demographic headwinds remain.

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China’s ability to sustain growth above advanced economies underscores its role as a global GDP leader 2025, though questions linger about structural reforms.

India – The Rising Star

India has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy, with GDP growth near 6% in 2025. Its nominal GDP is projected at $4.8 trillion, positioning it to surpass Japan by 2026 and claim the fourth-largest spot globally.

Drivers: Digital economy expansion, infrastructure investment, and strong domestic demand.
Demographics: A youthful workforce contrasts sharply with aging populations in advanced economies.
Global Role: Increasing influence in supply chains, fintech, and renewable energy.

India’s trajectory exemplifies the emerging markets rise 2025, making it a focal point for investors and policymakers alike.

Germany – Europe’s Anchor

Germany solidified its position as the third-largest economy, overtaking Japan in 2023 and maintaining momentum in 2025. With GDP around $5.5 trillion, Germany anchors the Eurozone, which grew at 1.4% in 2025.

Industrial Strength: Automotive, engineering, and green technologies.
Policy Focus: Energy transition and fiscal discipline.
Resilience: Despite global headwinds, Germany’s export machine remains robust.

Germany’s role as Europe’s anchor highlights the Eurozone Q4 outlook, balancing stability with innovation.

Japan & Emerging Markets

Japan, once the world’s second-largest economy, has slipped to fifth place with GDP around $4.7 trillion. Growth remains sluggish (~1%), constrained by demographics and deflationary pressures.

Meanwhile, emerging markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria are showing resilience. Their collective growth underscores the global growth forecasts 2025, with commodity exports, digital adoption, and regional trade blocs driving momentum.

Comparative Data Table

Country	Nominal GDP (2025 est.)	Growth Rate	PPP Position
US	$29T	2%	#2
China	$26T	4.8%	#1
Germany	$5.5T	1.4%	#4
India	$4.8T	6%	#3
Japan	$4.7T	1%	#5

Conclusion – Looking Ahead to 2026

As 2025 ends, the economic giants Q4 2025 analysis reveals a reshaped hierarchy. The U.S. remains the nominal leader, China dominates PPP, India rises rapidly, and Germany anchors Europe. Emerging markets add dynamism to the global outlook.

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China

Second China-Europe Railway Forum 2025: Xi’an Hosts Global Leaders for Belt and Road Connectivity Boost

Published

3 months ago

November 13, 2025

Abdul Rahman

Xi’an, China – November 13, 2025 – In a landmark move for Eurasian trade and logistics, the ancient city of Xi’an is set to become the epicenter of innovation as it hosts the Second China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum from November 18-20, 2025. Announced by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), this high-profile event promises to accelerate the China-Europe Railway Express—a vital artery of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—delivering faster, greener, and more reliable freight connections between Asia and Europe.

If you’re tracking the future of international rail freight, Eurasian supply chains, or sustainable logistics, this forum is unmissable. With freight volumes surging 20% year-over-year on key routes, the event arrives at a pivotal moment for global trade amid geopolitical shifts and rising demand for eco-friendly transport alternatives to air and sea shipping.

Table of Contents

Why the China-Europe Railway Express Matters in 2025

The China-Europe Railway Express, operational since 2011, has revolutionized cross-continental cargo movement. Trains now zip from cities like Chongqing and Chengdu to European hubs such as Duisburg and Madrid in just 12-15 days—half the time of maritime routes. Last year alone, over 17,000 trains carried 1.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), underscoring its role in resilient global supply chains.

Hosted in Xi’an—the historic starting point of the ancient Silk Road—this forum builds on the inaugural 2023 event in Lianyungang, which drew 500+ delegates and sparked collaborations worth billions. Under the theme “Connecting Asia and Europe for a Shared Future”, expect deep dives into:

Enhancing safety and efficiency: Strategies for “bulletproof” rail systems amid increasing volumes.
Expanding trade corridors: New routes through Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond to diversify beyond traditional paths.
Green innovation in logistics: Low-carbon tech, electric locomotives, and digital twins for sustainable BRI growth.

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Agenda Highlights: What to Expect at the Xi’an Forum

The three-day extravaganza kicks off with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring speeches from NDRC officials, EU transport ministers, and BRI partners. Parallel sessions will ignite discussions on:

Ultra-Efficient Transport Systems: Exploring AI-driven scheduling, automated customs clearance, and high-speed upgrades to handle 2 million+ TEUs annually by 2030.
Diverse Trade Corridors: Mapping untapped routes like the New Eurasian Land Bridge, with spotlights on Kazakhstan, Poland, and emerging African extensions.
Integrated Development Breakthroughs: From blockchain for secure tracking to renewable energy powering rail hubs—unlocking $100B+ in BRI investments.

Live demos, B2B matchmaking, and networking galas will connect freight forwarders, policymakers, and tech innovators. Past attendees rave about tangible outcomes, like the 2023 forum’s MoUs that boosted rail freight by 15% on key lines.

Key Forum Stats	Details
Date	November 18-20, 2025
Location	Xi’an International Convention Center, Shaanxi Province
Expected Attendees	800+ from 50+ countries
Focus Areas	Rail Safety, New Corridors, Green Tech
Predecessor Success	2023 Lianyungang event: 500 delegates, 20+ partnerships

Xi’an: Where History Meets High-Speed Future

As Shaanxi’s capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, Xi’an blends Terra Cotta Warriors grandeur with modern rail prowess. Home to the Xi’an Dry Port—handling 1M+ TEUs yearly—it’s a natural fit for this Belt and Road milestone. Visitors can tour the Silk Road Museum post-forum, tying ancient trade vibes to today’s China-Europe freight revolution.

Join the Momentum: Register Now for the China-Europe Railway Forum

Whether you’re a logistics exec eyeing Eurasian rail opportunities or a policy wonk passionate about sustainable BRI projects, secure your spot via the official NDRC portal. Early bird registration closes November 15—don’t miss riding the rails to a connected tomorrow!

ALSO READ: The Challenges to Startups in Pakistan

For more on China-Europe trade trends, Belt and Road updates, or global logistics news, subscribe to our newsletter. Share your thoughts: How will this forum shape international freight in 2026? Comment below!

Sources: NDRC Press Release, Belt and Road Portal. Images: Courtesy of Xi’an Convention Bureau (alt: “High-speed freight train on China-Europe Railway Express route”).

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