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Russia has begun to make its presence felt in the Indo-Pacific as an independent player. A slew of high-level visits has shown Russian intention to engage, following its isolation by the West. The region is ambivalent, but open to listening to multipolar voices.
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The India-Australia bilateral is one of the most promising new partnerships within India’s circle of trusted countries. It is multi-dimensional and modern, ranging from enhanced people-to-people ties, to deepening government engagement, to futuristic technology and digital services. The free trade agreement can be a model for others seeking similar ties with India.
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The events of August 5 turned Bangladesh from a development model to unstable entity. A variety of players have been stirring trouble in the country, from within and without. Great powers and neighbours, NGOs and the diaspora, Islamist groups and armed forces. All these are entangled in the U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry that Bangladesh seems to be caught in.
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Bangladesh’s economy has been in distress for some time and is not doing as well as assumed. This could have been one of the factors that drove the protests and the subsequent coup.
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The term Global South is no less ambiguous today than when it first originated in the 1960s. This time though, it is a big tent that accommodates all non-West aspirations, from the G77 to the Non-Aligned Movement to the Third World. It is a geopolitical fact rather than a geographical demarcation whose appeal lies in its ability to get to the heart of shared priorities and goals.
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The Quad foreign ministers meeting, held in Tokyo on July 29, took a clear position against China’s coercive actions in the East and South China seas. The four ministers have done their bit by reviewing the progress of the grouping’s many initiatives and reiterating its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. For continued progress, the Quad now needs solid initiative from the top leadership – and a summit at the earliest.
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Thousands of Ladakhi Shia men and women in Kargil mourned the death of Iranian President Ebrahimi Raisi on May 21, 2024. Iran’s influence in the region goes back to the 15th century with the arrival of Shia missionaries. Their identity was reinforced by the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The cultural and religious practices of the Iranian-influenced community underscore the local politics in the sensitive border region.
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The 22nd India-Russia summit, held in Moscow on July 9 during Prime Minister Modi’s official visit, focused on expanding bilateral economic, energy, cultural and defense cooperation. It indicates the two nations’ commitment to adding substance and new momentum to their relationship. The long-delayed summit, which coincided with the NATO summit in Washington, should be viewed through the wider lens of a multipolar world.
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Comparing India and China’s defence forces reveals that it is more than just a numbers game. Increased defence spending and modernization with AI and quantum computing has given China a substantial edge over India’s military capability. India is working to close the gap with an energetic focus on indigenous procurement and expanding international exercises.
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Digital ecosystems, their evolution and regulation was the focus of USAID’s annual conference on global digital development. For Global South actors, the conference offered suggestions on addressing climate impact, disinformation, and building resilient digital infrastructure.