South Asia: India Considers Loan for Maldives, Sri Lanka Signs Economic Deals With China

The Indian government is reportedly considering offering $1 billion in soft loans to the Maldives to repay Chinese debt while seeking a permanent military presence on the island nation, Nikkei reported Nov. 28. At the same time, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has signed two agreements with China that include a $32 million contract to develop berth capacity at a container terminal in Colombo, Reuters reported Nov. 29....