Author: Editor
-
Global South Goes North
Global South, a term coined in the 1960s but was confined to diplomatic circles, is now back in vogue. In the run-up to the G20 summit in Delhi in September 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India would be the “voice of the Global South”. A month earlier, the BRICS summit held in Johannesburg…
-
Russia recognises two rebel regions of Ukraine as independent countries
Ratcheting up the tensions over Ukraine by several notches, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday night signed a decree recognising two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine – Donetsk and Lugansk – as sovereign nations. Putin signed the document after an hour-long, detailed televised address to the nation in which he explained the rationale for the…
-
Russia, US wage mind games over Ukraine
War clouds hovered over Ukraine on Sunday with both Russia and the US deepening their mind games over a possible invasion of Kyiv by Moscow. While Russia extended its military drill in Belarus involving a large number of troops, which was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, the US said Putin’s playbook for invasion of…
-
When Japan’s Princess Mako gave up royal status to marry a common man
In a decision that has evoked mixed reaction, Japan’s Princess Mako has chosen to give up her royal status so that she can marry the man she fell in love with. Pained by the harsh reactions and opposition to her choice, Mako went in on a simple ceremony on Tuesday October 26, 2021 followed by…
-
US troops to stay put in Afghanistan
American troops are unlikely to withdraw from Afghanistan by May 1 as envisaged in the “peace deal” signed by the Trump administration and Taliban leaders last year. Days after US President Joe Biden said it would be “tough” to meet the May 1 deadline, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made a surprise visit to…
-
Mysterious blast rips through Beirut, ripples felt across the sea
Over 100 people were killed and another 4,000 seriously injured as a gigantic, nuclear-like explosion rocked Lebanon capital Beirut on Tuesday evening. The blast happened at 6 pm local time at the port area in Central Beirut. It as so powerful it sent up a huge mushroom-shaped shock wave flipping vehicles and blowing out windows…
-
Indian Defence Minister Visits Ladakh
Even as the border tension stand-off between India and China is yet to abate, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Stakna forward areas in Leh, the capital of Ladakh on Friday. During his interaction with soldiers at the Lukung post near Pangong Lake, Singh said, “Not an inch of our land can be taken…
-
Nepal does a China, and Hou!
Days after China blocked access to Indian newspapers and television channels to deny its citizens of credible news from across the border, China’s vassal Nepal decided to please its master but it did not have the courage to do it openly. So, instead of announcing a government ban on Indian media, the Nepal government nudged…
-
India cuts Pakistan by half
Days after two Indian diplomats faced harassment in Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday summoned the Charge d’ Affaires of Pakistan to convey New Delhi’s decision to “reduce the staff strength in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by 50%”. This effectively means India will expel half the Pak diplomats. According…
-
‘Historical injustice as India’s role in WW-II remains unacknowledged’
Excerpts from India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar’s opening remarks at the RIC trilateral foreign ministers’ video conference on June 23, 2020 Friends, We welcome this special RIC meeting of Foreign Ministers to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, as well as the foundation of the United Nations. The victory…