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At the 5th BRICS Summit that begins in South Africa today, the heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are expected to ratify the creation of the BRICS Bank. After discussion and study for over a year by the respective governments, the bank will be launched with seed money estimated at between $50 billion to $100 billion, and most likely an equal share of voting rights for the management of the bank. What remains
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Bilateral relations between India and Italy grew increasingly tense following Italy’s refusal to return two of their Marines – who are accused of killing two Indian fishermen. Given how both countries otherwise enjoy warm relations, how should New Delhi address this diplomatic debacle?
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The five-point formula put forth by newly-elected Chinese President Xi Jinping to bolster bilateral relations with India signifies once again that Beijing is increasingly going for a semblance of stability in relations with its largest neighbour, without making any strategic concessions on contentious issues.
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New Delhi has taken some opportunistic actions, such as its vote against Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Council, to pacify internal political demands. But these extract a price in the international arena. Should we anticipate a further decline in India’s regional and international credibility?
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In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Gandhian philosophy and values among Chinese citizens. Can the Mahatma’s philosophy of non-violence, social harmony, and environmental protection be applied to address issues facing present-day China?
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Maritime piracy is one of the several grave security issues faced by today’s world. This problem, however, isn’t a new phenomenon, and nations have long-battled this issue. How did piracy manifest itself in the Indian Ocean in the 19th century, and what was the nature of counter-piracy efforts during that period?
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There is much global discussion on creating new metrics of ‘valuation’ to make markets respond to burgeoning crises such as the widening income gap, ecological imbalance and social instability. Can Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Trusteeship enable the creation of a broader, more wholesome definition of value?
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The youth of Bangladesh, a generation born well after 1971, are now demanding long overdue accountability, secularism, and neighbourly friendship. If the movement is successful, Bangladesh will have shown all South Asian countries that to transcend the past it is necessary to be transparent and secular.
Courtesy: Prasar Bharati
Doordarshan, India’s national TV broadcaster, has been long known for its low production quality, and the lack of a global reach. With India’s steady rise as an economic power, there is increasing curiosity about India in the world. How can Doordarshan promote India’s interests in the global market?
Courtesy: Press Information Bureau
The government, knowing well what the markets wanted, ensured that there were no surprises for the 2013-14 budget by forecasting a fiscal deficit of 4.8%. A closer look at the math, however, reveals a different story.