Finance and Economy

The UN assessment ends on a note of cautious urgency. The Seville Commitment, though imperfect, still represents the clearest roadmap available.

As the two-week ceasefire takes effect, markets will be watching closely for signs of sustained de-escalation. Yet even if fighting subsides, the economic scars of the Iran war may take far longer to heal, the three organisations said.

India’s economy is projected to grow at 6.6 per cent in fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27), a moderation from the 7.6 per cent expansion expected in FY26, as higher energy prices triggered by the Middle East conflict and supply chain disruptions weigh on activity.

The narcotics ban is one of the Taliban’s most visible governance tests. It demonstrates their ability to impose nationwide edicts in a fragmented country, but it also exposes the limits of ideology without economic support.

According to the Taliban’s own Commission for the Collection of Beggars and Prevention of Begging, nearly 75,000 individuals – 74,968 to be precise – have been rounded up from Kabul’s streets since the nationwide campaign began in 2022.

Remittances already account for nearly 67 per cent of Nepal’s total foreign currency earnings. Tourism and exports from the Gulf add smaller but important flows. Last fiscal year, 20,504 tourists from Gulf countries visited Nepal, representing 1.8 per cent of total arrivals.

The kingdom’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, which places equal weight on economic progress and environmental stewardship, faces a practical test here.

With the region still recovering from previous shocks, the latest ADB analysis serves as a timely reminder of the region’s exposure to distant geopolitical events.