August 26, 2026

Ajit Doval and Wang Yi after the meeting. Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India next month, India and China held the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) Dialogue on the Boundary Question, endorsing efforts to formalise the recent turnaround in the relationship on the back of border peace and discussing issues like de-escalation, boundary demarcation and border management.After the talks chaired by Special Representatives Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, while India said both sides agreed to work towards a political settlement of the boundary question in their long-term interests, Beijing also recalled a 2005 bilateral agreement to stress its proposal for a package solution.Doval was quoted as saying by the Chinese side that India and China are partners, not competitors, and developing a stable, predictable, and forward-looking India-China relationship carries great significance also for Asia and the world.“The normalcy we have witnessed in our relationship has been a direct result of both sides maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” said Doval, stressing the significance of border peace for further progress in bilateral ties. Wang, however, reiterated China’s position that the border issue must be placed in an “appropriate position” in ties.According to a Chinese readout, Doval and Wang held “in-depth communications” on advancing boundary demarcation negotiations, improving border management and control and promoting cross-border cooperation, while reaffirming their commitment to the 2005 agreement on political parameters and guiding principles for a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable package settlement” to the boundary question.China had dropped the mention of package settlement, which seeks a quid-pro-quo approach, in its readout of the last round of talks but had used it regularly for SR meetings earlier. Indian governments in the past, like in 2007 in Parliament, have said that they were exploring a “final package settlement” covering all sectors of the boundary under the 2005 bilateral agreement but India has not used that formulation recently, stressing instead on a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement framework.On this occasion, the Indian government said in a statement that under the strategic guidance of PM Narendra Modi and President Xi, – in a constructive and forward-looking spirit – Doval and Wang had a candid exchange of views and agreed to continue their work in seeking a “political settlement of the boundary question in the context of their overall and long-term interests”.The SR talks took place ahead of likely back-to-back bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi – first in Kyrgyzstan on the margins of the upcoming SCO summit and second at the BRICS summit that India will host on September 12-13. Xi is expected to arrive in India on September 12 for his first visit to the country in 7 years. While the schedule is yet to be confirmed, official sources said he will have a bilateral meeting with Modi and attend the PM’s welcome dinner for BRICS leaders on September 12, before participating in the BRICS summit the next day.On the boundary issue, the Chinese side further said that both countries agreed to properly handle the boundary question through dialogue and consultation, jointly safeguarding peace and tranquility in the border areas.According to Beijing, Wang said that China-India relations have surpassed the bilateral scope and hold global and strategic significance and pointed to consensus reached in Modi-Xi metings in Kazan and Tianjin.”China is willing to join hands with India to grasp bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, strengthen communication, enhance understanding, resolve differences, overcome obstacles, and serve as good neighbors, friends, and mutually enabling partners, thereby realizing the vision of the Dragon-Elephant Tango,” said Wang.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDoval also called on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng during the visit and discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquility in the border areas and further improve bilateral relations across economic, political and multilateral forums.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins
Ajit Doval and Wang Yi after the meeting. Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India next month, India and China held the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) Dialogue on the Boundary Question, endorsing efforts to formalise the recent turnaround in the relationship on the back of border peace and discussing issues like de-escalation, boundary demarcation and border management.After the talks chaired by Special Representatives Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, while India said both sides agreed to work towards a political settlement of the boundary question in their long-term interests, Beijing also recalled a 2005 bilateral agreement to stress its proposal for a package solution.Doval was quoted as saying by the Chinese side that India and China are partners, not competitors, and developing a stable, predictable, and forward-looking India-China relationship carries great significance also for Asia and the world.“The normalcy we have witnessed in our relationship has been a direct result of both sides maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” said Doval, stressing the significance of border peace for further progress in bilateral ties. Wang, however, reiterated China’s position that the border issue must be placed in an “appropriate position” in ties.According to a Chinese readout, Doval and Wang held “in-depth communications” on advancing boundary demarcation negotiations, improving border management and control and promoting cross-border cooperation, while reaffirming their commitment to the 2005 agreement on political parameters and guiding principles for a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable package settlement” to the boundary question.China had dropped the mention of package settlement, which seeks a quid-pro-quo approach, in its readout of the last round of talks but had used it regularly for SR meetings earlier. Indian governments in the past, like in 2007 in Parliament, have said that they were exploring a “final package settlement” covering all sectors of the boundary under the 2005 bilateral agreement but India has not used that formulation recently, stressing instead on a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement framework.On this occasion, the Indian government said in a statement that under the strategic guidance of PM Narendra Modi and President Xi, – in a constructive and forward-looking spirit – Doval and Wang had a candid exchange of views and agreed to continue their work in seeking a “political settlement of the boundary question in the context of their overall and long-term interests”.The SR talks took place ahead of likely back-to-back bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi – first in Kyrgyzstan on the margins of the upcoming SCO summit and second at the BRICS summit that India will host on September 12-13. Xi is expected to arrive in India on September 12 for his first visit to the country in 7 years. While the schedule is yet to be confirmed, official sources said he will have a bilateral meeting with Modi and attend the PM’s welcome dinner for BRICS leaders on September 12, before participating in the BRICS summit the next day.On the boundary issue, the Chinese side further said that both countries agreed to properly handle the boundary question through dialogue and consultation, jointly safeguarding peace and tranquility in the border areas.According to Beijing, Wang said that China-India relations have surpassed the bilateral scope and hold global and strategic significance and pointed to consensus reached in Modi-Xi metings in Kazan and Tianjin.”China is willing to join hands with India to grasp bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, strengthen communication, enhance understanding, resolve differences, overcome obstacles, and serve as good neighbors, friends, and mutually enabling partners, thereby realizing the vision of the Dragon-Elephant Tango,” said Wang.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDoval also called on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng during the visit and discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquility in the border areas and further improve bilateral relations across economic, political and multilateral forums.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes 3,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy


India, China to work towards political settlement of boundary question in long-term interests; Beijing stresses package solution
Ajit Doval and Wang Yi after the meeting.

Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India next month, India and China held the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) Dialogue on the Boundary Question, endorsing efforts to formalise the recent turnaround in the relationship on the back of border peace and discussing issues like de-escalation, boundary demarcation and border management.After the talks chaired by Special Representatives Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, while India said both sides agreed to work towards a political settlement of the boundary question in their long-term interests, Beijing also recalled a 2005 bilateral agreement to stress its proposal for a package solution.Doval was quoted as saying by the Chinese side that India and China are partners, not competitors, and developing a stable, predictable, and forward-looking India-China relationship carries great significance also for Asia and the world.“The normalcy we have witnessed in our relationship has been a direct result of both sides maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” said Doval, stressing the significance of border peace for further progress in bilateral ties. Wang, however, reiterated China’s position that the border issue must be placed in an “appropriate position” in ties.According to a Chinese readout, Doval and Wang held “in-depth communications” on advancing boundary demarcation negotiations, improving border management and control and promoting cross-border cooperation, while reaffirming their commitment to the 2005 agreement on political parameters and guiding principles for a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable package settlement” to the boundary question.China had dropped the mention of package settlement, which seeks a quid-pro-quo approach, in its readout of the last round of talks but had used it regularly for SR meetings earlier. Indian governments in the past, like in 2007 in Parliament, have said that they were exploring a “final package settlement” covering all sectors of the boundary under the 2005 bilateral agreement but India has not used that formulation recently, stressing instead on a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement framework.On this occasion, the Indian government said in a statement that under the strategic guidance of PM Narendra Modi and President Xi, – in a constructive and forward-looking spirit – Doval and Wang had a candid exchange of views and agreed to continue their work in seeking a “political settlement of the boundary question in the context of their overall and long-term interests”.The SR talks took place ahead of likely back-to-back bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi – first in Kyrgyzstan on the margins of the upcoming SCO summit and second at the BRICS summit that India will host on September 12-13. Xi is expected to arrive in India on September 12 for his first visit to the country in 7 years. While the schedule is yet to be confirmed, official sources said he will have a bilateral meeting with Modi and attend the PM’s welcome dinner for BRICS leaders on September 12, before participating in the BRICS summit the next day.On the boundary issue, the Chinese side further said that both countries agreed to properly handle the boundary question through dialogue and consultation, jointly safeguarding peace and tranquility in the border areas.According to Beijing, Wang said that China-India relations have surpassed the bilateral scope and hold global and strategic significance and pointed to consensus reached in Modi-Xi metings in Kazan and Tianjin.“China is willing to join hands with India to grasp bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, strengthen communication, enhance understanding, resolve differences, overcome obstacles, and serve as good neighbors, friends, and mutually enabling partners, thereby realizing the vision of the Dragon-Elephant Tango,” said Wang.

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. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday approved a hike in salaries of Adarsh Schools’ teachers taking their monthly pay from around Rs 10,000 to over Rs 22,000, officials said.According to an official release the decision will benefit around 1,100 teachers and reaffirms the state government’s commitment that those shaping Punjab’s future must themselves receive fair compensation, dignity and due recognition.Mann said his government will continue to safeguard the interests of teachers because strengthening the education system and securing the future of every student begins with empowering the teachers who build it.Chairing a meeting with a delegation of the teachers, Mann said successive governments neglected the teaching community despite their pivotal role in shaping the future of Punjab.”Teachers are the backbone of our education system. For nearly two decades, these teachers have served with dedication despite receiving a meagre salary. Our government has decided to correct this long-standing injustice by increasing their salaries by more than 120 percent,” he said.The CM said teachers would not only receive enhanced salaries but would also be extended facilities on the Kendriya Vidyalaya school pattern, providing them with improved service conditions.More than 15,000 students are currently studying in these CBSE-affiliated Adarsh Schools, and the state government remains fully committed to protecting the interests of both students and teachers, he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”When teachers feel secure and respected, students receive better education. Our priority is to safeguard the interests of teachers so that the future of every child studying in these schools remains secure,” he added.Mann said every genuine demand of the Adarsh School teachers had been addressed after years of neglect under previous governments.”Our government is committed to the welfare of every section of society. We have accepted the legitimate demands of these teachers and will continue ensuring they can discharge their responsibilities in a smooth and hassle-free manner,” he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes 3,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration BlowJaishankar Meets Putin In Moscow, India-Russia Trade Soars As Both Sides Target 0 Billion By 2030123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday approved a hike in salaries of Adarsh Schools’ teachers taking their monthly pay from around Rs 10,000 to over Rs 22,000, officials said.According to an official release the decision will benefit around 1,100 teachers and reaffirms the state government’s commitment that those shaping Punjab’s future must themselves receive fair compensation, dignity and due recognition.Mann said his government will continue to safeguard the interests of teachers because strengthening the education system and securing the future of every student begins with empowering the teachers who build it.Chairing a meeting with a delegation of the teachers, Mann said successive governments neglected the teaching community despite their pivotal role in shaping the future of Punjab.”Teachers are the backbone of our education system. For nearly two decades, these teachers have served with dedication despite receiving a meagre salary. Our government has decided to correct this long-standing injustice by increasing their salaries by more than 120 percent,” he said.The CM said teachers would not only receive enhanced salaries but would also be extended facilities on the Kendriya Vidyalaya school pattern, providing them with improved service conditions.More than 15,000 students are currently studying in these CBSE-affiliated Adarsh Schools, and the state government remains fully committed to protecting the interests of both students and teachers, he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”When teachers feel secure and respected, students receive better education. Our priority is to safeguard the interests of teachers so that the future of every child studying in these schools remains secure,” he added.Mann said every genuine demand of the Adarsh School teachers had been addressed after years of neglect under previous governments.”Our government is committed to the welfare of every section of society. We have accepted the legitimate demands of these teachers and will continue ensuring they can discharge their responsibilities in a smooth and hassle-free manner,” he added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration BlowJaishankar Meets Putin In Moscow, India-Russia Trade Soars As Both Sides Target $100 Billion By 2030123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Vamsikrishna 0
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also announced plans for the country’s first Trade Acceleration Zone. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu called upon Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to pivot away from being framed solely by climate vulnerability and isolation, while also urging global leaders and private sector partners to view island economies as dynamic “laboratories for innovation”.Delivering a keynote statement at the opening ceremony of the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network (SIDS GBN) Forum 2026, Muizzu outlined an economic modernization plan aimed at turning geographic constraints into digital and strategic advantages.With the global dialogue surrounding small island nations focused on their acute climate risk, geographical isolation, and structural economic constraints, Muizzu stressed that vulnerability represents only half the story.”For too long, the story of Small Island Developing States has been told primarily through the lens of vulnerability. The other part is our determination. Our scale can become an advantage. SIDS can serve as laboratories for innovation and incubators for ideas, technologies, and solutions,” he said.The president’s address focused on the Maldives 2.0 agenda, designed to leverage technology to overcome the traditional barriers of an archipelagic state. Under this strategic initiative, the Maldivian government aims to expand its digital and creative sectors, setting a target for these industries to account for 15 percent of national GDP by 2030.“We have identified the digital economy and digitalisation as central to advancing our economy. Through our Maldives 2.0 agenda, we are working to use digital connectivity to overcome the limitations of geography and scale — making government and financial services more accessible, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently, and connecting Maldivian enterprises and talent to global markets,” said Muizzu.The Maldives is enhancing financial technology accessibility for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Key measures include launching homegrown digital payment platforms such as BML Swipe and expanding international gateway integration through services like PayPal.Muizzu also announced plans for the country’s first Trade Acceleration Zone, set to launch by January 1, 2027, to incentivize enterprise development and fast-track commercial growth.While reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to attracting international capital through a modernized foreign investment framework, Muizzu stressed that foreign partnerships must align with national interests. New legal safeguards have been introduced to protect domestic commerce by reserving specific commercial activities strictly for local entities, ensuring economic growth directly benefits Maldivian citizens, he stressed.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMuizzu called upon international investors, technology companies, and global financial institutions to establish concrete commercial partnerships with small island states. He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), urging global stakeholders to bridge the gap between initial innovation and sustainable commercial financing.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes 3,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also announced plans for the country’s first Trade Acceleration Zone. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu called upon Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to pivot away from being framed solely by climate vulnerability and isolation, while also urging global leaders and private sector partners to view island economies as dynamic “laboratories for innovation”.Delivering a keynote statement at the opening ceremony of the Small Island Developing States Global Business Network (SIDS GBN) Forum 2026, Muizzu outlined an economic modernization plan aimed at turning geographic constraints into digital and strategic advantages.With the global dialogue surrounding small island nations focused on their acute climate risk, geographical isolation, and structural economic constraints, Muizzu stressed that vulnerability represents only half the story.”For too long, the story of Small Island Developing States has been told primarily through the lens of vulnerability. The other part is our determination. Our scale can become an advantage. SIDS can serve as laboratories for innovation and incubators for ideas, technologies, and solutions,” he said.The president’s address focused on the Maldives 2.0 agenda, designed to leverage technology to overcome the traditional barriers of an archipelagic state. Under this strategic initiative, the Maldivian government aims to expand its digital and creative sectors, setting a target for these industries to account for 15 percent of national GDP by 2030.“We have identified the digital economy and digitalisation as central to advancing our economy. Through our Maldives 2.0 agenda, we are working to use digital connectivity to overcome the limitations of geography and scale — making government and financial services more accessible, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently, and connecting Maldivian enterprises and talent to global markets,” said Muizzu.The Maldives is enhancing financial technology accessibility for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Key measures include launching homegrown digital payment platforms such as BML Swipe and expanding international gateway integration through services like PayPal.Muizzu also announced plans for the country’s first Trade Acceleration Zone, set to launch by January 1, 2027, to incentivize enterprise development and fast-track commercial growth.While reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to attracting international capital through a modernized foreign investment framework, Muizzu stressed that foreign partnerships must align with national interests. New legal safeguards have been introduced to protect domestic commerce by reserving specific commercial activities strictly for local entities, ensuring economic growth directly benefits Maldivian citizens, he stressed.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMuizzu called upon international investors, technology companies, and global financial institutions to establish concrete commercial partnerships with small island states. He reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), urging global stakeholders to bridge the gap between initial innovation and sustainable commercial financing.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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Baglihar stage-I in Ramban district has remained non-operational for a week (Photo for representation) SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir is grappling with power shortages and unscheduled outages after key hydroelectric projects, including the 450MW Baglihar stage I and the Salal project, were shut for silt-flushing operations. Baglihar stage-I in Ramban district has remained non-operational for a week, with accumulated silt at its gates delaying restoration work.Officials said desilting work at Baglihar stages I and II and the Salal project began on Aug 18. While Baglihar stage II resumed generation on Aug 22, stage I is yet to restart. Salal is expected to resume operations on Tuesday.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe prolonged shutdown has widened the region’s power deficit. Jammu & Kashmir’s peak electricity demand stands at about 2,500MW in summer and 3,000MW in winter. With both Baglihar units largely unavailable for most of the past week, Jammu & Kashmir faced a shortfall of nearly 900MW.Built on the Chenab river, Baglihar stages I and II are among Jammu & Kashmir’s key power sources. Following the disruption, the power department is exploring alternative arrangements to bridge the supply gap.The crisis comes amid criticism of the Omar Abdullah-led govt over rising electricity tariffs. From Sept 1, power consumers in Jammu & Kashmir will face a 6.83% tariff hike.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes 3,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Baglihar stage-I in Ramban district has remained non-operational for a week (Photo for representation) SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir is grappling with power shortages and unscheduled outages after key hydroelectric projects, including the 450MW Baglihar stage I and the Salal project, were shut for silt-flushing operations. Baglihar stage-I in Ramban district has remained non-operational for a week, with accumulated silt at its gates delaying restoration work.Officials said desilting work at Baglihar stages I and II and the Salal project began on Aug 18. While Baglihar stage II resumed generation on Aug 22, stage I is yet to restart. Salal is expected to resume operations on Tuesday.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe prolonged shutdown has widened the region’s power deficit. Jammu & Kashmir’s peak electricity demand stands at about 2,500MW in summer and 3,000MW in winter. With both Baglihar units largely unavailable for most of the past week, Jammu & Kashmir faced a shortfall of nearly 900MW.Built on the Chenab river, Baglihar stages I and II are among Jammu & Kashmir’s key power sources. Following the disruption, the power department is exploring alternative arrangements to bridge the supply gap.The crisis comes amid criticism of the Omar Abdullah-led govt over rising electricity tariffs. From Sept 1, power consumers in Jammu & Kashmir will face a 6.83% tariff hike.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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Two separate accidents occurred at NHAI construction sites in Samba and Jammu districts (Representative image) JAMMU: Two workers, aged 25 and 45, died in two separate accidents at NHAI construction sites in Samba and Jammu districts in J&K on Tuesday.“Gotam Sahu, from Bihar, was engaged in laying the pier of a bridge on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra project in Samba’s Jakh, when a concrete structure collapsed suddenly, killing him on the spot. Another worker, also from Bihar, suffered injuries,” said NHAI project director Rajiv Kumar.Officials said Sahu’s wife has been given an immediate relief of Rs 5 lakh from the contractor and Rs 5 lakh from the state administration. Another Rs 5 lakh will be credited to her account, they added.In a similar incident, Budhi Singh (45), from Ramban, died after falling from a height at his workplace near Sidhra Tawi Bridge construction site in Jammu on Tuesday, officials said.“He was rushed to Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, where doctors declared him dead,” an official said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes 3,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Two separate accidents occurred at NHAI construction sites in Samba and Jammu districts (Representative image) JAMMU: Two workers, aged 25 and 45, died in two separate accidents at NHAI construction sites in Samba and Jammu districts in J&K on Tuesday.“Gotam Sahu, from Bihar, was engaged in laying the pier of a bridge on the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra project in Samba’s Jakh, when a concrete structure collapsed suddenly, killing him on the spot. Another worker, also from Bihar, suffered injuries,” said NHAI project director Rajiv Kumar.Officials said Sahu’s wife has been given an immediate relief of Rs 5 lakh from the contractor and Rs 5 lakh from the state administration. Another Rs 5 lakh will be credited to her account, they added.In a similar incident, Budhi Singh (45), from Ramban, died after falling from a height at his workplace near Sidhra Tawi Bridge construction site in Jammu on Tuesday, officials said.“He was rushed to Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, where doctors declared him dead,” an official said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak’s Nuke Storage Area Kirana Hills Hit In Op Sindoor? Ex-cds Anil Chauhan Reveals Shocking DetailsBihar BPSC Protest Explodes In Patna As Students Break Barricades, Police Use Water Cannons | WatchIndia Opens DRDO Missile Technologies To Defence Firms In Major Push For Indigenous ProductionXi-Modi Meeting In Delhi? China Prepares Massive Delegation As India-China Ties Show Fresh ThawExplained: Why Are Sugar Prices Rising In India Despite Record Sugarcane Production?Supreme Court Notice To 20 Rebel TMC MPs On Abhishek Banerjee’s Disqualification Plea’People Were Shot In The Head’: Sonam Wangchuk Seeks Inquiry Report Into 2025 Ladakh ViolenceAjeet Bharti EXCLUSIVE On ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, Harsh Dubey, CJP & His Criticism Of BJPTMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Moves Supreme Court Over Delay In Disqualification Of 20 Rebel TMC MPsTrump Pushes $103,265 H-1B Fee; 71% Indian Professionals Brace For Major Immigration Blow123PhotostoriesWho is Sheikha Moza? The Qatari royal who made haute couture her signature5 iconic places in Maharashtra where Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festivalChinese singer Liu Yu’s Manish Malhotra couture moment in Paris is proof that Indian craftsmanship needs no introduction10 baby girl names that sound modern but have ancient roots5 traditional Bengali sarees you probably haven’t heard ofFrom castor to coconut oil: Natural oils for faster beard growthTraitors 2: From Shalini Passi’s over Rs 2,000 crore family wealth to Mallika Sherawat’s Rs 170 crore fortune, here’s a look at the net worth of popular contestantsYour blood pressure could be rising because of these 7 everyday habits you may think are completely harmless7 simple ways to live every day like a holiday like Dua Lipa, despite working full-timeUrvashi Rautela makes a tricolour statement in a one-of-a-kind gown that took 3 months to create123Hot PicksBPSC exam rowSugar priceNew Zealand social media banTrump tariffICSI CS june resultNEET UG 2026Sridhar VembuTrump’s SpaceXNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingBandra Parsi BungalowSuresh GowdaRupali ChakankarKarnataka Food Licence SuspensionAllahabad High CourtMumbai Airport DemolitionRam RahimDelhi Women AccidentDelhi Gurgaon RainMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

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