Vannivelampatti, located about 40 kilometres southwest of Madurai, is home to more than 3,000 residents, many of whom are agricultural workers. For decades, families in the village have named their children after communist leaders and revolutionary figures, reflecting the area’s long-standing connection to Left-wing politics.

A Tradition Rooted in Labour Movements

The practice dates back to the 1960s when local labourers became increasingly involved in movements focused on land rights, workers’ welfare and social equality.

Residents say political awareness in the village grew further after the 1968 Keezhvenmani massacre, where 44 Dalit agricultural labourers were killed during a wage dispute in Tamil Nadu. The incident became a major moment in the state’s labour rights movement and strengthened support for communist organisations in several rural communities.

Footage recorded on Sunday showed houses painted in red, displaying the hammer and sickle symbol, while portraits of communist leaders were visible inside living rooms across the village.

Communist Ideals Passed to Younger Generations

Many residents say political values are introduced to children from an early age through rallies, protests and discussions within families.

“We never leave our children behind from communist programs; whether it's protests or rallies, we take them along. I have always taken my son with me,” said local resident Maheshwari.

Villagers say naming children after revolutionary leaders helps create what they describe as an “emotional connection” to communist ideology.

“When people heard my son's name, Ranadive (name of a Communist leader), they would often ask, 'Ranadive? What kind of name is that?' I would explain that we are communists, and we choose names for our children and grandchildren accordingly,” Maheshwari added.

From Traditional Names to Political Symbols

Another resident, Muthulakshmi, said she named her daughter Venezuela after attending demonstrations supporting the socialist-led country.

“They are the first ones to support if there is any social injustice or discrimination,” she said while referring to communist activists.

She also said future generations are expected to continue the naming tradition.

“In the past, our ancestors named us after deities, particularly the village deities. However, the current generation is now choosing names like Aleida, Karl Marx, Ranadive, Lenina, Marksiya, Venezuela, and Venmani for their children,” Muthulakshmi added.

Political Identity Remains Strong

Although Left-wing parties no longer hold the same electoral influence in Tamil Nadu as they once did, communist ideology continues to shape daily life in Vannivelampatti.

Residents regularly discuss politics within the community and maintain strong ties to the principles that influenced earlier generations of labour activists in the village.

But it was the appeal to postpone gold purchases that stood out most in a country where gold is deeply tied to household savings, weddings and cultural traditions.

India imports nearly 85% of its gold requirements, making it one of the world ’s most gold-dependent economies. Gold imports jumped 24% in April to a record $71.98 billion, according to the article, adding to concerns over the country’s widening trade deficit as oil prices climb.

The call comes as Brent crude prices surged beyond $107 per barrel following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. India imports about 88% of its crude oil , with up to half historically flowing through the strait.

Still, the appeal may resonate unevenly across India. For millions of households, gold functions not as a luxury purchase but as a form of savings and financial security , particularly in areas with limited access to formal banking and investment products.

Held in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the festival centres on devotion to Aravan, a figure from Hindu mythology associated with sacrifice and transformation. For many attendees, often from the marginalised hijra community, the event represents both a sacred pilgrimage and a rare space of belonging.

Recent export-import data shows India leading the global market with roughly $3.9 billion in spice exports, representing about 37% of the global share. Vietnam follows closely with nearly $3 billion, capturing around 30%, underscoring a duopoly that now controls well over half of global spice exports.

Industry data confirms the trend. India remains the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, shipping products to more than 150 countries and generating over $4.7 billion in export value in recent years. Vietnam, meanwhile, has carved out a strong position through high-volume exports of black pepper and cinnamon, with exports reaching billions of dollars annually.

What this really means is that the global spice trade is no longer broadly distributed. Instead, it is increasingly concentrated in a handful of high-performing economies.

India’s strength lies in scale and diversity. The country produces more than 60 of the world’s recognised spice varieties and exports a wide range of products, from chilli and turmeric to cumin and spice oils . Its long-established supply chains and strong agricultural base have allowed it to maintain leadership even as competition intensifies.

Vietnam, by contrast, has taken a more specialised approach. Its dominance in key segments, such as black pepper, has enabled it to rapidly expand its global footprint, supported by efficient production systems and export-focused policies .

Beyond the top two, the market drops sharply. Mexico ranks third with about $1 billion in exports, followed by Peru, Uzbekistan and Pakistan, each contributing a far smaller share. Other players such as Chile, Turkey and Colombia maintain niche positions, while Ethiopia rounds out the top ten with a minimal share of the global market.

Global spice production has reached more than 6 million metric tonnes in recent years, with demand driven by shifting consumer preferences, growing interest in health-focused ingredients, and the growth of processed foods.

At the same time, the trade remains vulnerable to disruption. Climate change, supply chain bottlenecks and quality control issues continue to pose risks, particularly for countries heavily reliant on agricultural exports.

The comment came after Trump reportedly reposted criticism of birthright citizenship in the United States that used the term to refer to India, China and others. A U.S. embassy spokesperson later sought to ease concerns, stressing the strength of U.S.-India relations and noting that Trump had praised India’s leadership.

Jaiswal also addressed maritime security concerns linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. He said Indian nationals were aboard two foreign-owned vessels recently fired upon, but confirmed they were safe and in contact with authorities.

India said 10 Indian vessels had safely exited the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks, while 14 remained in the Persian Gulf . Jaiswal reiterated New Delhi’s call for “unimpeded access and transit rights for commercial shipping” through the key waterway.

Demonstrators gathered across Imphal West chanting for justice and calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, restore stability and address their grievances. Many also demanded stronger action against armed groups and criticised the role of central security forces, as anger grows over repeated incidents of violence.

A new global comparison shows that consumers in parts of Asia and emerging markets pay significantly less for a dozen eggs than those in wealthier economies, where prices have surged in recent years due to inflation and supply disruptions.

India tops the list as the cheapest country for eggs, with a dozen large eggs costing approximately $0.91, according to Numbeo’s latest cost-of-living dataset.

Other low-cost countries include:

These figures align with Global Product Prices data, which also shows that many developing economies offer eggs at well under $2 per dozen, making them an accessible source of protein for large populations.

The data points to a clear trend where egg prices are lowest in countries with lower production costs, including cheaper labour, feed and land.

In countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal, prices range between $1.48 and $1.52 per dozen, reinforcing Asia’s dominance in low-cost egg production.

Analysts note that eggs remain a staple protein source in these regions, contributing to steady domestic demand and large-scale local production.

According to Global Product Prices , nations such as Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand rank among the most expensive, with prices reaching $6 to $8 per dozen, on the contrary.

Numbeo data similarly shows significant price gaps, with some European and Western markets charging several times more than countries like India or Pakistan.

Egg prices have become a global economic indicator, reflecting broader food inflation trends. In recent years, supply shocks, including avian influenza outbreaks, have pushed prices higher in several major markets.

In the United States, for example, egg prices have surged amid supply shortages and rising costs, illustrating how vulnerable the market is to disruptions.

China is projected to remain the world ’s largest cotton producer, accounting for 29% of global output, or around 7.7 million tonnes, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) estimates for the 2025/26 marketing year.

The country’s dominance is driven by highly mechanised production in regions such as Xinjiang, which has become the centre of China’s cotton industry. USDA data shows China consistently ranks as both the top producer and consumer of cotton globally, reflecting strong domestic demand from its textile sector.

India is expected to produce 5.1 million tonnes, representing 19% of global supply, maintaining its position as the second-largest producer. However, yields remain sensitive to monsoon variability, a factor that continues to shape output volatility, according to Trading Economics agricultural data trends.

Brazil, now firmly established as a global agricultural powerhouse, is projected to contribute 4.2 million tonnes (16%), benefitting from large-scale, export-oriented farming and rising productivity. USDA data indicates Brazil has steadily increased its share of global cotton exports over the past decade.

The United States is forecast to produce 3.0 million tonnes (12%), ranking fourth globally. While not the largest producer, the US remains the world’s leading cotton exporter, supplying key markets in Asia, particularly China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Trading Economics data highlights that US cotton production is influenced by weather patterns, especially drought conditions in major producing states such as Texas.

Beyond the top four, several countries contribute smaller but still significant shares:

These producers play important roles in regional supply chains, particularly in Asia and Europe .

The comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had agreed to suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks, on the condition that Tehran immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz. India has also said it has been in close contact with regional stakeholders to ensure safe maritime transit, with several Indian vessels crossing the waterway safely in recent days.

Jaiswal added that India remained focused on the safety of its citizens in the region, with evacuation efforts continuing through neighbouring countries as airspace restrictions complicate travel .

“We are in touch with Iran and other countries there to see how best we can get unimpeded transit and safe transit for our ships, which are carrying products including LPG, LNG and other products. Through this conversation that we have had over the last several days, we have had six Indian ships which have been able to safely cross Hormuz and we continue to be in touch with relevant parties on this matter,” Viory quotes.

He said New Delhi would continue engaging with relevant parties to safeguard the movement of Indian vessels through the strategic waterway.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s ruling party, stands as the largest political organisation globally by membership, with around 180 million registered members. The figure places it far ahead of its closest rival, China’s Communist Party, which reports roughly 98 million members.

The scale of these numbers reflects not just population size, but increasingly sophisticated political outreach strategies, digital enrolment systems, and grassroots expansion efforts.

India also accounts for four of the ten largest political parties worldwide. The Indian National Congress, once the dominant force in Indian politics, remains third globally with about 50 million members. Regional and newer parties are also prominent: the AIADMK is estimated at 16 million members, while the Aam Aadmi Party has crossed the 10 million mark.

In the United States, where party membership is less formally structured, estimates place the Democratic Party at just over 47 million members and the Republican Party at around 36 million. These figures are typically derived from voter registration data rather than formal enrolment, making direct comparisons more complex.

Outside Asia and North America, Turkey’s AK Party holds approximately 11.24 million members, while Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party is close behind with 11 million. Pakistan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rounds out the top ten with roughly 10 million members.

In India, political membership drives have become highly organised operations, often linked to election cycles, welfare outreach, and ideological campaigns. Mobile technology and social media have further lowered the barrier to entry, enabling parties to scale rapidly.

The data also highlights the growing institutional strength of ruling or dominant parties in several countries, raising questions about political competition, internal party democracy, and the evolving nature of civic participation.

The origins of the ritual are linked to Hindu folklore, particularly a mythological marriage dispute. Two groups take part in the event. One group, including members from castes such as Golla and Kammara, throws cow dung in the name of Goddess Bhadrakali. The opposing group participates in honour of Lord Veerabhadraswamy.

Participants acknowledge the possibility of injuries but often express little concern, citing traditional beliefs about healing. The festival is traditionally held a day after Ugadi, which marks the first day of the Hindu calendar year.

Since the accident, Rana has remained in a persistent vegetative state with no meaningful interaction or prospect of recovery, according to medical assessments.

The court’s ruling followed evaluations by two medical boards, which concluded that Rana’s condition was irreversible and that continued artificial nutrition could sustain biological life but could not improve his condition. 

Thus, his parents had petitioned the court seeking permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, arguing that their son was being kept alive artificially with no hope of recovery.

While widely described as a landmark, the case is notable for another reason: India has technically recognised passive euthanasia since 2018. 

In the landmark Common Cause v. Union of India ruling, the Supreme Court held that the constitutional right to life under Article 21 includes the right to die with dignity. The judgment also introduced the concept of “living wills,” allowing individuals to specify in advance whether life support should be withdrawn if they become terminally ill or incapable of giving consent.

Yet for years the right remained largely theoretical. The procedures set out in the 2018 ruling were widely criticised as too complex for families and hospitals to implement. In 2023, the Supreme Court simplified the process, removing several bureaucratic requirements and clarifying the role of hospital medical boards in end-of-life decisions.

Rana’s case is the first time that framework has been applied to an individual patient by the Supreme Court.

The ruling also underscores how India’s jurisprudence on end-of-life care has evolved over decades. Earlier judgments had rejected the idea of a constitutional “right to die,” but later rulings gradually reframed the issue as one of dignity at the end of life. 

Passive euthanasia — allowing death by withdrawing medical treatment — is now permitted under strict safeguards, while active euthanasia, in which substances are administered to cause death, remains illegal.

Even so, the Supreme Court has noted that India still lacks comprehensive legislation governing passive euthanasia. The current system operates largely through judicial guidelines, leaving many ethical and procedural questions unresolved.

For now, the Rana ruling demonstrates that a right recognised by the courts eight years ago is finally beginning to function in practice — bringing India’s legal promise of a dignified death closer to reality.

#16 – Carlos Slim Helu

Carlos Slim Helu remains the richest person in the Global South in 2026. The Mexican tycoon built his fortune through telecom giant América Móvil and a vast portfolio of investments under the conglomerate Grupo Carso.

Slim once held the title of the world’s richest person between 2010 and 2013 and continues to dominate business in Mexico and much of Latin America. His holdings stretch across telecommunications, infrastructure, retail and finance, reflecting decades of acquisitions across the Mexican economy.

#21 – Mukesh Ambani

Mukesh Ambani is the wealthiest person in India and one of Asia’s most influential business figures. As chairman of Reliance Industries, he oversees a conglomerate involved in petrochemicals, oil refining, telecommunications and retail.

Reliance has expanded aggressively into digital services through Jio, which transformed India’s telecom market by bringing affordable internet to hundreds of millions of users.

#26 – Zhang Yiming

Zhang Yiming, co-founder of ByteDance, built his fortune from the global success of TikTok and other digital platforms. The company’s rapid expansion turned him into one of China’s richest entrepreneurs.

ByteDance’s algorithm-driven content platforms have attracted billions of users worldwide, making it one of the most valuable technology firms to emerge from China.

#27 – Zhong Shanshan

Often dubbed the “Lone Wolf” of Chinese business, Zhong Shanshan founded bottled-water giant Nongfu Spring and later expanded into pharmaceuticals.

His companies have benefited from China’s vast consumer market, helping him rise to become one of the country’s richest individuals.

#30 – Germán Larrea Mota Velasco

Mexican magnate Germán Larrea Mota Velasco leads Grupo México, the country’s largest mining company and one of the world ’s major copper producers.

Under his leadership, the firm has expanded its mining and infrastructure operations across the Americas, cementing his position as one of Latin America’s richest businessmen.

Who dominates the top 10?

The very top of the global wealth rankings remains heavily dominated by US technology billionaires, according to the latest Forbes Billionaires data.

Elon Musk sits far ahead of the rest with an estimated $839 billion, making him by far the richest person in the world. His fortune is tied mainly to Tesla, SpaceX and artificial intelligence firm xAI.

The gap between Musk and the rest of the billionaire class is enormous. The next richest individuals have fortunes roughly one-third of his wealth or less.

Among them are several other US technology founders. Larry Page is worth roughly $257 billion, while fellow Google co-founder Sergey Brin has about $237 billion.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, holds an estimated $224 billion, while Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Meta, has around $222 billion.

The top ranks also include figures outside the US technology sector. Bernard Arnault, chairman of luxury group LVMH, remains Europe’s richest person with a fortune of about $178 billion.

Under diplomatic practice, a host country must issue an agrément, formal consent, before an ambassador can take up the post. Nigeria’s officials told The Punch the hesitation is tied to timing rather than the nominee, with some countries viewing the Tinubu administration as nearing the end of its current term.

The report notes that Nigeria is trying to persuade India to make an exception, arguing that bilateral ties could help “scale through” the hurdle.

Tinubu approved postings for 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners on March 6, but the foreign ministry has so far received agrément only from the United Kingdom and France , leaving most deployments pending.

According to the 2026 Global Navy Index , the United States Navy remains the most capable naval force in the world, even as China commands the largest fleet by ship count.

The Global Navy Index evaluates naval strength on a 0–100 scale, measuring overall combat capability rather than simply the number of vessels. The ranking considers factors such as fleet composition, advanced technology and combat effectiveness.

The United States Navy ranks first with a score of 100, reflecting its unmatched ability to operate across multiple oceans simultaneously. While the U.S. does not possess the largest fleet in raw numbers, it maintains a powerful combination of aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and advanced destroyers that allow it to project power globally.

The American fleet included 20 capital ships and 146 major combatants in 2026, with 241 ships counted in the core fleet measured by the index. Carrier strike groups, supported by long-range missiles and sophisticated surveillance systems, give the U.S. Navy a level of operational reach no other maritime force currently matches.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ranks second in overall capability with an index score of 94, but it stands out as the largest navy in the world by number of vessels.

China’s fleet includes 157 major combatants and more than 1,000 vessels in total, a dramatic expansion driven by the country’s rapid shipbuilding programme over the past two decades.

Beijing has invested heavily in modern destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers as part of a strategy to secure maritime trade routes and strengthen its influence in the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Russia occupies third place in the ranking with a score of 75. The Russian Navy operates 79 major combatants and nearly 480 vessels overall, supported by a significant submarine fleet.

Although Russia retains formidable capabilities, particularly in nuclear-powered submarines and missile systems, analysts note that parts of its surface fleet are ageing and undergoing gradual modernisation. Moscow continues to focus its naval strategy on areas such as the Arctic, the North Atlantic and the Black Sea, where it seeks to maintain strategic influence.

North Korea’s navy ranks fourth in the index with a score of 72, largely due to the size of its fleet. The Korean People ’s Army Naval Force operates around 385 vessels, including 75 major combatants, though it lacks large capital ships.

Most of these vessels are smaller patrol ships, submarines and coastal defence craft designed for regional operations rather than long-distance power projection.

Several Asian powers are strengthening their maritime forces as strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force ranks fifth, with an index score of 60. The Japanese fleet includes 75 major combatants and around 154 ships, with a strong emphasis on advanced destroyers, missile defence systems and submarine warfare. Japan’s naval strategy focuses heavily on safeguarding vital sea lanes and maintaining stability in East Asia.

India follows in sixth place with a score of 51. The Indian Navy operates two capital ships, 41 major combatants and roughly 290 vessels in total. India has been steadily expanding its naval capabilities to secure the Indian Ocean region, which carries a large portion of the world’s maritime trade.

Other countries appearing in the ranking include South Korea, Turkey, Indonesia and Finland, each maintaining naval forces designed primarily for regional defence and maritime security.

South Korea’s navy operates 52 major combatants and around 155 ships, while Turkey maintains 191 vessels and 30 major combatants, reflecting its strategic position between the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Indonesia fields a large fleet of 326 vessels, emphasising maritime patrol across its vast archipelago, while Finland maintains a coastal defence navy of around 200 vessels focused on Baltic security.

The above map shows that Japan, South Korea, India and China would be among the biggest losers if the Strait of Hormuz were blocked, reflecting their heavy reliance on crude oil shipped from the Persian Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is widely considered the most critical oil transit chokepoint in the world. According to energy analytics firm Kpler, roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait every day, making it essential to global energy markets.

Any disruption would send shockwaves through global trade, pushing oil prices higher and threatening energy security for countries that rely heavily on Gulf crude.

The waterway is only about 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, meaning shipping lanes are particularly vulnerable to military conflict or blockades.

Japan appears to be the most vulnerable major economy in the graphic. Around 75% of its crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to roughly 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels per day.

The Japan Times has reported that the country remains deeply dependent on Middle Eastern oil despite efforts to diversify energy sources since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Much of Japan’s crude still comes from Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Because Japan imports nearly all of its oil, any disruption in the strait could immediately affect fuel prices, electricity costs and industrial production.

South Korea follows closely behind Japan in exposure. Around 65% of its crude oil imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, or approximately 1.5 to 1.7 million barrels per day.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, would also face major disruptions. Roughly half of India’s oil imports pass through the strait, amounting to 2.5 to 2.7 million barrels per day, according to energy shipping data cited by Kpler.

India’s dependence on Gulf crude has grown alongside its rapidly expanding economy. Analysts note that energy security remains a key concern for the country as demand for fuel continues to rise.

Reporting from The Better India has highlighted how India has been trying to reduce vulnerability by increasing strategic petroleum reserves and diversifying supply sources, including imports from Russia and the United States.

China, the world’s largest crude oil importer, is also significantly exposed. About 48% of Chinese oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, equivalent to around 5.4 to 5.6 million barrels per day.

However, China’s broader supply network gives it slightly more flexibility than other Asian economies. Beijing imports oil from a wide range of producers, including Russia, Brazil and West Africa.

While Asian economies are the most exposed, the entire world would feel the effects of a Hormuz disruption.

Swiss private bank Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has warned that any closure of the strait could trigger a sharp surge in global oil prices because such a large share of supply flows through the corridor.

UBP analysts say that even a temporary disruption could push oil prices significantly higher and disrupt global supply chains.

The impact would extend far beyond the countries that directly import Gulf crude, affecting everything from transport costs to food prices worldwide.

This narrow waterway between Iran and Oman carried about 13 million barrels a day of crude in 2025 — roughly 31% of global seaborne crude flows — according to energy consultancy Kpler.

Any impact, however, will be uneven across Asia, with the most exposed economies those that rely heavily on imported energy or Middle Eastern supplies.

Thailand

Thailand stands out as one of the most vulnerable economies in the region.

Nomura said Thailand’s net oil imports amount to about 4.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), the highest share in Asia. The Japanese investment bank estimates that every 10% rise in oil prices could worsen Thailand’s current account balance by around 0.5 percentage points of GDP.

Research from Bank of America Global Research paints a similar picture, describing Thailand as having Asia’s largest negative energy trade balance. Net energy imports were estimated at about 6% of GDP in 2025, leaving the country particularly exposed to swings in global oil and gas prices.

Thailand imports roughly $29 billion worth of oil annually, with more than $17 billion sourced from the Middle East.

South Korea

South Korea is also highly exposed due to its near-total reliance on imported fossil fuels.

About 98% of the country’s oil and gas consumption comes from overseas, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Disruptions to shipping routes or sustained price increases therefore pose significant risks to both its economy and financial markets.

Those concerns were reflected in South Korea’s stock market this week. The benchmark Kospi index plunged more than 12% in early trading on Wednesday amid fears that escalating conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global energy supplies and trade.

Shipping and logistics companies were among the hardest hit as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed sharply.

India

India is also considered vulnerable because of its heavy reliance on imported energy.

Nomura identified India among the Asian economies most exposed to higher oil prices, warning that sustained increases could significantly raise the country’s import bill.

In addition to higher crude costs, India could also face pressure from rising LNG prices as Asia competes with Europe for limited supplies if shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain constrained.

Philippines

The Philippines faces particular exposure through its reliance on Middle Eastern crude.

Bank of America Global Research estimates that about 95% of the country’s oil imports come from the Middle East, making it one of the most dependent economies in the region on Gulf energy supplies.

Any disruption to shipping routes or sustained surge in prices could therefore translate quickly into higher domestic fuel costs and inflation.

Japan

Japan remains highly dependent on energy imports from the Middle East.

According to Bank of America Global Research, about 94% of Japan’s oil imports originate from the region. Analysts warn that supply disruptions or sustained price increases could therefore significantly affect Japan’s energy costs.

Nomura added that Japan typically maintains only two to four weeks of liquefied natural gas (LNG) stockpiles, limiting its ability to absorb prolonged supply disruptions.

Vietnam

Vietnam is also heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy supplies.

Bank of America Global Research estimates that about 88% of the country’s oil imports come from the region, making it vulnerable to any disruption to shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Who could gain in Asia?

Not all Asian economies would be hit equally.

Malaysia, for example, could see higher government revenues as an oil and gas exporter if prices remain elevated.

Speaking before Israel’s parliament, Modi reflected on the migration of Indian Jews to Israel in the mid-20th century, noting the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

“For over 20 years, Brazil, India, Japan and Germany have defended the increase of the UN Security Council,” Lula said, referring to the G4 bloc. “The UN needs more representation.”

The G4 proposal calls for expanding the 15-member Council to 25 seats, adding six permanent and four non-permanent members to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.

Lula argued that expanding both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership is necessary for a more credible multilateral system, adding that Brazil and India should be part of any reconfigured Council. 

Framing the bilateral meeting as more than routine diplomacy, Lula described India and Brazil as the two largest democracies in the Global South and as emerging superpowers in their respective domains.

“This is a meeting of superlatives,” Lula said. “We are both mega diverse countries and hubs of the cultural industry and we both defend multilateralism and peace.”

He said closer coordination between New Delhi and Brasília would not only strengthen bilateral ties but also amplify the voice of developing nations in global forums, including the UN, the World Trade Organization and the G20.

Lula also emphasized a shared commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and peace, warning that sustainable development cannot be achieved in a conflict-ridden world.

By elevating their partnership and pressing for Security Council reform, Lula signaled efforts to consolidate India and Brazil’s roles as leading voices for a more assertive Global South.

"India and Brazil's partnership on the global stage has been strong and influential,” he said. “As democratic nations, we will continue to advance the priorities and aspirations of the Global South.” 

“When India and Brazil work together, the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident,” he added. 

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the summit as a “disorganised PR spectacle,” raising concerns that foreign products were being highlighted while India’s own talent and data were underutilised.

The opposition accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of damaging India’s global image in artificial intelligence by allowing what it said was the projection of Chinese hardware as indigenous development. 

Criticism was also directed at IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for allegedly promoting the display.

The row intensified after a video aired by state broadcaster DD India — later deleted — showed a Galgotias professor describing the robotic dog as developed by the university’s “Centre of Excellence.” 

Galgotias University has denied claiming to have built the robot. In a statement, the school said it was the target of a “negative propaganda campaign” and insisted the device was used as a learning platform to expose students to “globally available tools and resources.”

“Let us be clear Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed,” the university said in an earlier clarification, adding that its goal was to train students who would eventually design and manufacture such technologies.

The summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in the capital, was intended to showcase India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Apart from potentially sparking tensions between the two Asian giants, the issue also cast a shadow over Modi’s AI ambitions. 

Earlier, the prime minister said he wanted to put India “among the top three AI superpowers globally, not just in the consumption of AI but in creation,” vowing homegrown technology would soon be “deployed worldwide.”

Modi described AI as a “civilisational inflection point” that can expand human capability but also test social foundations if left unguided. 

This is reflected in the theme of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI gathering of its scale hosted in the Global South: “Welfare for All, Happiness for All.”

Modi said India’s vision is to ensure AI delivers equitable outcomes rather than narrow innovation gains. Discussions at the summit focus on governance, inclusive datasets, climate action, agriculture, public health and multilingual access.

Linking AI to the 2047 development roadmap, Modi said the technology is already being deployed in healthcare, education and farming.

He cited AI-based early detection of diseases such as tuberculosis and diabetic retinopathy at public health centres. In education, personalised learning platforms in Indian languages are supporting students in rural and government schools .

In agriculture, AI tools are being used for crop advisory, soil analysis and weather intelligence to help farmers make localised decisions.

Modi also highlighted India’s digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and Unified Payments Interface, as a foundation for scaling AI in public services.

On risks, he acknowledged concerns over bias, deepfakes and misuse. He called for global cooperation and stronger safeguards, including transparency, human oversight and data protection .

Ultimately, the prime minister said India’s goal is not merely to consume AI but to create it. 

“Every Indian will experience AI as an enabler of opportunity, a multiplier of capability, and a servant of human dignity, not as a threat to their livelihood or an instrument of control,” Modi said. 

State Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh has said the development will anchor a technology ecosystem spanning about 100 kilometres and host up to 6 gigawatts of data centre capacity.

Major investors have signed on, with Google pledging around $15 billion for AI infrastructure in the state, while a joint venture between Reliance Industries, Brookfield and Digital Realty is investing a further $11 billion in a large data centre complex.

Lokesh has argued that Andhra Pradesh has planned for the heavy electricity and water demands of the sector, suggesting that excess monsoon water flowing into the Bay of Bengal could be channelled to cool facilities.

However, environmental experts have long warned that large data centres are among the most water-intensive pieces of digital infrastructure. Cooling high-density servers requires constant water circulation, much of which is lost to evaporation.

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute , a medium-sized data centre can consume up to 110 million gallons of water annually for cooling, while larger facilities may use as much as 5 million gallons a day — comparable to the needs of a small town.

That demand comes at a sensitive time for India, with UNICEF estimating that waterborne diseases cost the country roughly $600 million each year, with drought- and flood-prone regions affecting around a third of the population in recent years.

Two-thirds of India’s 718 districts face extreme water depletion, according to UNICEF. 

India is also the world’s largest user of groundwater, drawing supplies from more than 30 million access points. Groundwater provides 85% of drinking water in rural areas and nearly half of urban needs.

Beyond on-site consumption, data centres also carry indirect water costs. Power plants supplying electricity — particularly fossil fuel facilities — require substantial volumes of water for steam generation and cooling.

Manufacturing the semiconductor chips that power AI systems is also water-intensive, requiring ultrapure water in large quantities before equipment even reaches a data hall.

As India seeks to cement its place in the global AI race, the challenge will be balancing digital ambition with the realities of a country where access to safe and reliable water remains uneven.

Lokesh described the AI boom as unavoidable. “The AI revolution is here,” he said, adding that India has decided to embrace the shift fully. 

Among the biggest commitments is a reported $15 billion investment by Google to build its largest AI infrastructure hub outside the United States . A joint venture involving Reliance Industries, Canada’s Brookfield and US-based Digital Realty is also investing $11 billion in an AI-focused data centre in the same city.

The plan envisions a 100-kilometre technology ecosystem anchored by high-capacity data centres, server manufacturing, cooling systems and submarine internet cable links connecting India to Singapore. The state government is offering land at heavily subsidised rates to attract investors.

India currently ranks third globally in AI capacity, according to Stanford University’s AI index, behind the US and China .

Dalits — formerly labelled “untouchables” under India’s caste system — have long faced entrenched social exclusion despite constitutional safeguards. Thus, Poola’s rise is widely seen as a landmark in a society where caste discrimination, though outlawed, remains deeply rooted.

Poola was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2022, becoming the first Dalit cardinal in the Catholic Church. His appointment as CBCI president now places him at the forefront of Catholic engagement with the Indian state.

In his first remarks after the vote, Poola described Church leadership as a form of service grounded in listening and dialogue. He pledged to promote unity among India’s diverse Catholic rites and to foster reconciliation in what he called a period of mounting social tension.

The bishops used their annual meeting to issue a pointed defence of constitutional freedoms, warning that religious liberty is under strain. They renewed calls for the repeal of anti-conversion laws enacted in several Indian states.

Those laws criminalise religious conversions alleged to involve coercion, fraud or inducement, and in some states require prior official approval before a person changes faith. Christian leaders say the legislation is frequently used to harass clergy and worshippers through false complaints.

Hindu nationalist groups have long accused Christian missionaries of targeting vulnerable communities for conversion — a charge the Church rejects. Rights advocates say accusations have at times been accompanied by mob violence and arrests carried out without due process.

The bishops also highlighted discrimination faced by Dalit Christians, who are excluded from certain state welfare benefits available to Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits under India’s reservation system. The exclusion has been contested for decades.

Under a 1950 presidential order, only Dalits belonging to specific religions qualify for “Scheduled Caste” status, granting access to quotas in public employment and education. Christian and Muslim Dalits remain ineligible, despite similar social disadvantage.

Christians account for about 2.3% of India’s 1.4 billion people .

With a Dalit cardinal now leading the episcopal conference, the Church has signalled both an internal reckoning with caste and a renewed appeal for equal protections under India’s secular constitution.

The so-called “Epstein files” include millions of pages of emails and records detailing his social and professional contacts.

Speaking to reporters hours after Gandhi’s address, Puri said he encountered Epstein “three or four times at most” while serving with the New York-based International Peace Institute (IPI), where his then-supervisor knew the financier. 

“Our interactions had nothing to do with the crimes he is accused of,” Puri said, adding that references to him in the documents were limited.

He said one email exchange, in which Epstein was copied, related to discussions about India’s digital economy and outreach to technology investors, including LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. 

Puri said the correspondence focused on India’s internet growth and investment opportunities and did not concern Epstein’s personal activities. In another exchange from 2014, Puri said, Epstein referred to him as “two-faced,” which the minister cited to argue that he was not part of Epstein’s inner circle.

Gandhi’s remarks are part of a broader political offensive by India’s main opposition party, which has sought to question the government over references to Indian public figures in the US disclosures. 

The government has dismissed such references as irrelevant or misleading. 

Last month, India’s foreign ministry rejected as “trashy ruminations” an email mentioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel, stressing that official travel details were publicly known and unrelated to any wrongdoing.

The US Justice Department last month released a new tranche of records under transparency rules aimed at shedding light on what authorities knew about Epstein’s abuse of underage girls and his connections with influential figures. 

While the documents list a wide range of global business leaders and politicians, inclusion in the records does not in itself imply criminal conduct.

India has already built a reputation for low-cost satellite launches, having sent dozens of satellites from countries such as Singapore into orbit. Officials say this gives India an edge as more nations and companies turn to smaller, cheaper satellites for communications, climate monitoring and urban planning.

To support this demand, India is developing dedicated launch infrastructure for small satellites, including new launch pads and multiple small satellite launch vehicles capable of carrying payloads of up to 500kg. These are expected to become fully operational within the next two years.

At the same time, India has opened up its space sector to foreign investment, allowing up to 100 per cent foreign ownership in certain categories. The move is aimed at drawing capital, technology and customers from abroad, especially as Asia’s space market expands. The country plans to build its own space station by 2035 and send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040, narrowing the technological gap with the US and China.

While the US currently dominates the global satellite launch market and China holds a strong second position, Indian officials believe their focus on affordability, private-sector innovation and regional partnerships will help the country carve out a larger role in the global space race.

“Our growth will come from both domestic demand and international collaboration,” said Pawan Goenka, chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre.

The IPL exit and political pressure

In December, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed Rahman for Rs 9.2 crore ($1 million) during the IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi, making him one of the most expensive overseas players at the event. However, on January 3, the BCCI instructed KKR to release Rahman.

The move was influenced by political pressure within India. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised objections to the participation of Bangladeshi players in the IPL following reports of communal violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

These leaders called for a boycott of Bangladeshi products and public figures, with Rahman’s presence in the IPL becoming a focal point of the criticism. In retaliation for the removal, Bangladeshi authorities banned all broadcasts of the IPL within their borders.

Tensions have been high between the South Asian neighbours since former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in 2024.

Escalation to the T20 World Cup

Rahman’s removal soon had implications beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested that its T20 World Cup matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka, citing "security concerns".

The ICC rejected this request, citing an "absence of any credible security threat". When the BCB failed to confirm its participation within a 24-hour deadline, the ICC removed Bangladesh from the tournament, replacing them with Scotland.

The ICC defended its firm stance by stating it was vital "not to establish 'precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events'".

Pakistan boycott and financial risks

The situation worsened when Pakistan intervened in support of Bangladesh. The Pakistan government and the PCB accused the ICC of "double standards".

In a significant blow to the tournament’s commercial viability, the Pakistani government ordered its national team not to take the field against India for their scheduled match on 15 February.

This "selective participation" poses a major financial threat to the ICC, as India-Pakistan matches generate significant broadcast and commercial revenue that can attract over 600 million viewers.

The ICC has warned that such actions are "not in the interest of the global game" and called for a "mutually acceptable resolution". Supporting the government's stance, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi stated: "This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it is impartial, independent and fair to every member".

Transition to the Pakistan Super League

Amid the ongoing dispute, Rahman secured a contract in the PSL with the Lahore Qalandars, signing for $230,000. He was one of two players signed directly outside the league’s auction process. This is Rahman’s third stint with the franchise since the PSL began in 2016, where he is viewed as a foundational member of the squad.

Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana publicly backed the player, stating: “Once a Qalandar, always a Qalandar. Mustafizur is not just a player; he’s a brother, a key part of our family who never left”.

Rana added that Rahman’s “talent, experience, and dedication” would be important as the team prepares to defend its title in the upcoming PSL 11 season.

"All negotiations have been completed, with legal drafting reaching 90 percent. We are now waiting for the signing schedule," Airlangga said on February 3, as quoted by local news site Tempo .

The announcement comes moments after Washington agreed to slash reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, easing pressure on Asia’s third-largest economy. 

Indonesia is now set to become the next major Asian country to secure tariff relief under the Trump administration.

Airlangga has previously said the U.S. agreed to cut reciprocal tariffs on Indonesian goods from 32% to 19%, supported by import concessions and purchase commitments, though details will only be released after the deal is signed.

The tariff talks began in April 2025 and covered market access, non-tariff barriers, investment and critical minerals cooperation. Once signed, the agreement will be reported to lawmakers in both countries.

Indonesia ran a $16.5 billion trade surplus with the United States in the January to November 2025 period, up from nearly $13 billion in all of 2024, underscoring the economic stakes of the deal.

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the country’s growing economic influence after presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, noting India contributes about 17 % of global GDP growth, second only to China and ahead of the United States , based on IMF-projected data shared by Elon Musk. She said this reflects India’s resilience and structural strength amid global headwinds, including trade uncertainty and geopolitical risk, urging critics to acknowledge this shift. Sitharaman argued that continued reforms, infrastructure investment and productivity expansion will help close the gap with China. The remarks also served a domestic political message to the opposition, underscoring growth as a point of national pride.

Telangana’s KTR slams Congress after SIT questioning of former CM

In Telangana, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) accused the Congress-led state government of political vendetta and diversionary tactics after his father and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was questioned for hours by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in an alleged phone-tapping case. KTR described the government’s actions as an attempt to distract from administrative failures ahead of the upcoming local elections. He claimed the SIT did not follow legal norms and urged the media not to rely on unofficial leaks, emphasising that KCR cooperated out of respect for the law. BRS leaders framed the probe as politically motivated rather than a genuine investigation, heightening tensions in state politics.

Assam poll battle takes shape amid polarisation and fractured opposition

In the poll-bound state of Assam, political analysts say Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is leveraging polarisation, especially around fears about “Miya” Muslims of Bengali origin, to strengthen the ruling BJP’s electoral base. The Congress and other opposition parties remain divided and struggle to present a cohesive alternative, even as welfare schemes and infrastructure development play in Sarma’s favour. Critics argue this early polarising tone might entrench social divisions around ethnicity and religion rather than focus solely on policy. Allegations of manipulation of electoral rolls have also surfaced, adding to the contested political context.

Rare BJP–Congress local front reshapes Malegaon civic politics

Ahead of the mayoral and deputy mayoral election in Malegaon Municipal Corporation (Maharashtra), corporators from traditional rivals the BJP and Congress formed an independent group called Bharatiya Vikas Aghadi to influence the civic body where no party has a clear majority. The largest party in the corporation, the ISLAM (Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra) Party, holds 35 seats but needs allies to secure power. The unexpected cooperation between BJP and Congress councillors could tilt the power dynamics in the 84-member body and affect who becomes mayor. This unusual alliance highlights evolving local political strategies.

Sunetra Pawar faces party leadership challenge after Ajit Pawar’s death

In Maharashtra national politics, opinion columnists note that Sunetra Pawar, following the sudden death of her husband Ajit Pawar (a senior leader in the Nationalist Congress Party), faces significant tests in holding the party together amid a competitive political environment. Analysts argue that beyond the symbolic moment of her elevation, the real challenge lies in how male party figures and rival alliances respond within the state’s complex power landscape. These dynamics come as regional parties adjust strategies ahead of future elections .

What is Nipah virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic pathogen carried by fruit bats. It can jump to humans via infected animals or contaminated food (notably raw date palm sap), and it can spread between people through close contact. The World Health Organization lists it as a high-priority pathogen because of its severity and outbreak potential.

Symptoms to watch for

Infection ranges from mild or asymptomatic to severe:

How does it spread?

Nipah reaches humans in three main ways:

No cure, no vaccine

Where has it appeared before?

Sardana contends that institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank remain largely shaped by Western interests, often advancing political priorities rather than addressing the development needs of the Global South. In this context, the dollar is increasingly viewed not just as a reserve currency but as a strategic tool that enables countries like the United States to impose sanctions and exert influence over nations that diverge from its policy positions.

Momentum for alternatives has been reinforced by reports that India’s central bank has proposed linking the official digital currencies of BRICS members to facilitate cross-border trade and tourism payments. Such a system, supporters argue, would reduce exposure to dollar-based transactions and enhance global financial stability. The idea builds on commitments made in the 2025 BRICS declaration in Rio de Janeiro, which called for greater interoperability between national payment systems.

Why it matters

What’s in it for India

What’s in it for the EU

What’s driving the push now

What they said

Geopolitics behind it

What happens next

Once concluded, the India–EU FTA would mark a rare moment of trade liberalisation in a protectionist era — binding two uneasy but increasingly aligned partners as global commerce splinters.

The push follows a brief but intense conflict with Pakistan in May 2025, during which Indian forces relied heavily on satellite imagery to track military movements. Officials said the confrontation exposed blind spots in India’s surveillance capabilities, particularly at night and in bad weather.

To address this, India plans to upgrade its satellites with synthetic aperture radar, a technology that allows imaging in darkness and through cloud cover. The government is also working on systems that enable satellites to share data directly, reducing reliance on ground stations.

The first batch of 52 satellites, under a programme known as Space-Based Surveillance-3, is being fast-tracked and could begin launching as early as April 2026, according to earlier reports by Indian media .

India is also considering building overseas ground stations in regions such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Scandinavia to speed up data transmission, though these plans would require approval from host governments.

During the 2025 standoff, satellites played a key role in identifying targets, while China reportedly helped Pakistan adjust its satellite coverage, according to an Indian defence research body.

India currently has more than 100 satellites in orbit, compared with about eight operated by Pakistan, according to satellite tracking data.

At the centre of the phenomenon is a long-running community conservation effort. Volunteers gather daily at a designated feeding ground on the outskirts of the village, where grain is laid out to protect the birds from disturbance and village traffic.

The tradition dates back to the 1970s, when a small feeding practice gradually attracted more cranes each year. As participation grew, so did the numbers, with more than 30,000 birds recorded by 2014. Arriving as early as August and staying until March, the cranes have turned Khichan into one of India’s most unusual and well-known seasonal wildlife havens.

That is the central message from the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook , which projects wide disparities in GDP growth across G20 economies this year.

A visual ranking of projected annual real GDP growth rates places India firmly at the top, followed by Indonesia and China, while major advanced economies such as Japan, Germany, and Italy sit at the bottom of the table.

India Leads the G20 Growth Rankings

India is forecast to grow by 6.2% in 2026 , making it the fastest-growing economy in the G20. The IMF attributes this momentum to strong domestic demand, sustained public investment, and the country’s expanding manufacturing and services sectors.

Indonesia follows with a projected growth of 4.9%, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s role as a key engine of global expansion. China, despite ongoing structural challenges and a cooling property sector, is still expected to post a solid 4.2% growth rate, keeping it among the top performers.

Argentina and Saudi Arabia are both projected to grow by 4%, reflecting commodity-linked recoveries and policy adjustments aimed at stabilising their economies.

Middle performers: Growth, but at a slower pace

Türkiye is forecast to grow by 3.7%, supported by consumption and post-election economic recalibration. Australia and the United States are both expected to expand by 2.1%, signalling resilience but also highlighting the limits imposed by tight monetary policy and cooling labour markets.

Brazil’s growth is projected at 1.9%, while South Korea is expected to record 1.8%. Canada and Mexico are both forecast at 1.5%, closely tied to trends in US demand and trade conditions.

Europe and Japan lag behind

The outlook is notably weaker for much of Europe. The European Union as a bloc is projected to grow by just 1.4%, with the UK slightly lower at 1.3%. France and Germany are both forecast at 0.9%, while Italy trails at 0.8%.

Japan sits at the bottom of the G20 rankings, with growth projected at just 0.6%. Ageing demographics, weak productivity growth, and persistent inflationary pressures continue to weigh on the country’s economic prospects.

Russia is projected to grow by 1%, reflecting ongoing geopolitical pressures and structural constraints.

India has formally assumed the BRICS presidency for 2026, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiling the official website, theme and logo in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 13. Jaishankar said India’s chairship “will adopt a ‘humanity-first’ and ‘people-centric’ approach,” aimed at resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. “Launched preparations for BRICS India 2026 with the unveiling of website, theme and logo,” he wrote on X, adding that the presidency would “seek to bring together the potential of the member countries of the grouping to promote greater global welfare.” Noting that BRICS will mark 20 years since its inception in 2026, Jaishankar said the bloc has evolved into a key platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. India took over the presidency from Brazil on January 1, marking its fourth turn at the helm, having last chaired the grouping in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labour reforms

Major delivery platforms Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy have begun moving away from their 10-minute delivery model following an intervention by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The decision comes after gig workers staged a one-day strike on December 31, citing safety risks and health concerns linked to ultra-fast delivery timelines. Ministry sources said Blinkit has already removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding, with others expected to follow. A senior official said Mandaviya raised concerns with aggregators, urging them to stop the practice “considering the health and welfare of delivery workers,” a request the companies agreed to. Blinkit has since revised its tagline to “30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep.”

Army chief issues blunt warning to Pakistan

India’s Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday warned Pakistan that any future provocation would be met with a firm response, describing the counterterror Operation Sindoor as “ongoing.” Speaking at the Army Day press conference, he said , “At least 6 terror camps still active across the LoC & 2 across the International Border after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Will act, if any (nefarious) attempts are carried out.” Dwivedi said the operation was executed with precision, dismantling terror infrastructure and “resetting strategic assumptions.” He added that around 100 Pakistani personnel were killed during heightened tensions along the Line of Control and International Border, and acknowledged the coordinated role of intelligence agencies, civil authorities and multiple ministries in the operation.

India slips to third place in Russian fossil fuel imports

India fell to third place among importers of Russian fossil fuels in December 2025 after private and state-owned refiners sharply reduced crude purchases, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). India’s imports dropped to €2.3 billion in December from €3.3 billion in November, with Türkiye overtaking India as the second-largest buyer. China remained the top importer. CREA said crude oil made up 78 percent of India’s purchases, with coal and refined products accounting for the rest. The think tank noted that Reliance Industries halved its Russian imports in December, while state refiners cut purchases by 15 percent, amid tighter sanctions on major Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil.

Trump’s Iran tariffs add to India’s trade worries

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with Iran, a move that could further strain India’s trade outlook. “Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said , adding that the order was “final and conclusive.” India’s bilateral trade with Iran stood at $1.34 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, with exports including rice, tea, sugar and pharmaceuticals. The new tariffs come as India is already grappling with 50 percent U.S. levies linked to Russian oil purchases, with exporters warning that sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather and marine products could be hit hardest if the Iran tariffs are applied on top of existing duties.

The reclassification was attributed to what officials described as “emerging integrity risks.” 

While Australia has not publicly cited a specific trigger, Indian media said the move followed international reporting on “fake degree busts” in India that raised red flags about the authenticity of academic credentials used in overseas applications.

India is one of Australia’s most important international education markets, accounting for about 140,000 of the country’s roughly 650,000 foreign students. Together, the four countries now in the highest risk tier represent nearly a third of enrolments in 2025.

The assessment level change is expected to subject Indian applicants to closer checks, including stricter requirements for financial proof, English proficiency and evidence of genuine study intentions, according to Australian education analysts.

Fake diploma racket

The decision comes as police in India’s Kerala state dismantled a sprawling fake university certificate racket last month. Investigators said forged degrees from multiple universities were produced and distributed nationwide, with tens of thousands of counterfeit documents seized.

Australia’s Minister for International Education, Julian Hill, has previously warned that Australia is becoming the “least worst” option among major study destinations as countries such as the United States , Britain and Canada tighten their own student visa rules.

Education officials say that shift has increased pressure on Australia’s visa system, prompting tougher risk filtering and a renewed focus on documentary evidence to protect the integrity of the programme.

Data from Budget Your Trip indicates that in parts of South, Southeast and Central Asia, travellers can comfortably get by on as little as $23 per day, covering accommodation, food, transport and basic activities.

Kazakhstan and Laos emerge as the cheapest destinations, both averaging around $23 a day. At this level, a traveller can typically afford a simple guesthouse or hostel, eat three local meals, move around using public transport or shared taxis, and still pay entry fees for local sights.

These low costs reflect inexpensive living standards and tourism sectors designed around budget travellers rather than high-end visitors.

Mongolia follows closely with an average daily cost of about 30 dollars. While long distances can make transport more expensive, daily expenses such as accommodation and food remain low, often involving homestays and locally run eateries.

South Asia continues to be one of the best-value regions for travellers. Nepal and India both average just over 40 dollars per day, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan range between the mid-50s and low-60s.

At these prices, travellers can usually stay in budget hotels or well-rated guesthouses, eat at local restaurants, travel between cities by bus or train, and visit cultural sites, temples or hiking routes without stretching their budget. In destinations such as India and Nepal, careful planning can even allow for domestic flights or multi-day trekking within this spending range.

Vietnam and Indonesia average in the mid-60s per day, while the Philippines comes in slightly higher at around 73 dollars. These budgets typically cover comfortable hostels or budget hotels, street food with the occasional café meal, local transport or scooter hire, and activities such as city tours or island excursions. In the Philippines, higher transport costs between islands contribute to the higher average.

The contrast becomes clear when compared with Asia’s most expensive destinations. Daily travel costs in places such as the Maldives, Hong Kong and Singapore can reach well into the hundreds, largely due to accommodation prices and service-driven tourism models. In practical terms, what a traveller spends in one day in the Maldives could fund nearly two weeks of travel in Laos or Kazakhstan.

The figures from Budget Your Trip reflect average daily spending by travellers and are intended to represent realistic travel conditions rather than luxury or extreme backpacking. They generally include accommodation, food, local transport and activities, but exclude international flights and visa fees, which vary widely.

“There’s no such thing as a Collective West. There’s no such thing as a Global South. There are, but nations that can dialogue for their mutual interests,” Barrot said on January 7. His comments come at a time when India is positioning itself as a leader in the Global South. During a recent visit to Ethiopia , Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the “Global South is writing its own destiny.”

The bike was developed over more than a year and features AI-assisted functions such as self-parking, automatic speed control, obstacle detection and collision avoidance, powered by a Raspberry Pi processor and long-range sensors. According to the team, the design went through multiple revisions, particularly in the steering system, to improve safety and performance.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, Garuda offers a reported range of up to 220 kilometres in Eco mode and around 160 kilometres in Sport mode, with a charging time of about two hours. Despite being a prototype, the bike includes a touchscreen dashboard, GPS navigation, cameras and smartphone connectivity, and has already attracted interest from technology firms and the entertainment industry.

Footage from the affected Bhagirathpura area shows residents queuing with containers to collect safe water, while municipal staff deploy heavy machinery to clean sewers and distribute filtered supplies. Hospitals have seen a surge in cases of severe diarrhoea and dehydration, with some patients arriving in critical condition. Health workers and volunteers report that even residents who consumed boiled water fell ill, and many households were temporarily abandoned as the crisis escalated.

The incident highlights how infrastructure failures in densely populated cities can escalate into public health crises.

Before launching a campaign that would go on to capture the imagination of many New Yorkers, Mamdani was a little-known state assemblyman. For many voters, 2025 was the first time they had even heard of his name. 

Yet the core message of his campaign — affordability — resonated in one of the most expensive cities in the world and its de facto financial capital. On November 4, Mamdani won 50.74 percent of the vote, enough to defy expectations and overcome attacks that often went for his African, Asian and Muslim identity. 

But what does a Mamdani-run New York mean for the Global South, if anything at all?

Representation and access

Mamdani is among a small number of senior elected officials in the United States whose personal background is rooted in the developing world. For officials and observers in Africa, Asia and the Middle East , that has drawn attention, even as expectations remain limited.

To be clear, his election does not alter Washington’s stance on trade, security or development assistance. New York’s mayor does not set US foreign policy. But it does place a Global South-born leader at the helm of a city where embassies, consulates and multilateral missions are densely concentrated, and where access to local political leadership often shapes day-to-day diplomatic and economic engagement.

Global South leader for Global South communities

More than one in three New York residents were born outside the United States, according to census data, with large communities originating from Latin America, South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. The city’s economy depends heavily on migrant labour and transnational business networks, while remittances sent from New York sustain households across the developing world.

In that context, Mamdani’s background is not merely symbolic. It intersects directly with the lived realities of a significant share of the city’s population, many of whom navigate the same pressures of cost, precarity and access that shape urban politics across the Global South.

Policy and stance

Affordability sat at the centre of Mamdani’s campaign, reflecting mounting pressure from housing costs, transport fares and basic living expenses. In key respects, the challenges facing New York increasingly mirror those long familiar to major cities in the Global South — rapid growth, entrenched inequality and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity.

Mamdani has also signalled an awareness of struggles that resonate across the Global South. He has been outspoken on the war in Gaza, a stance that has drawn criticism — particularly over his past refusal to condemn the phrase “globalise the intifada”. He later said he would discourage the term’s use.

Migration has been another central theme. In his victory speech, Mamdani declared: “New York will remain a city of immigrants — a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”

He later underscored that position during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, a leading proponent of hardline immigration policies, where the newly elected mayor sought to press New York’s case directly at the White House.

A model

For many in the Global South, Mamdani’s rise carries a quieter implication. Sure, his story is not a conventional rags-to-riches narrative. He was born into privilege, the son of an Oscar-nominated filmmaker and a Columbia University professor.

Yet his ascent to power, despite persistent scrutiny of his Global South roots, suggests that individuals born outside the traditional centres of power can still reach the highest levels of political authority in the Global North. 

Whether his tenure ultimately succeeds or falters, his election alone stands as evidence that pathways into Western power structures, while narrow, are not entirely closed.

Of these, 566 links were targeted for allegedly disrupting public order.

The data, compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, reveals that only a small fraction of the notices related to clear criminal activity. Just 14 notices across a 20-month period alleged offences such as betting scams, impersonation linked to financial fraud , or child sexual abuse material.

Instead, much of the enforcement focused on speech-related concerns, including content aimed at political leaders and public figures. At least 124 URLs were flagged for targeting politicians, while others were accused of spreading misinformation or defamation.

The scale of intervention spiked during sensitive political moments. During the Lok Sabha elections in April and May 2024 alone, authorities flagged 761 URLs, including nearly 200 links accused of violating election laws. One single notice, issued on May 13, 2024, sought the removal of 115 URLs over an allegedly doctored video said to influence voters.

X has repeatedly objected to several of these orders, arguing that posts cited by the government did not violate the laws invoked. In some cases, the platform asked officials to reconsider takedown demands involving opposition party accounts and political commentary.

At the centre of the dispute is the legal route used by the government. The MHA has relied on Section 79(3)(b), which deals with intermediary liability, rather than Section 69A of the IT Act — the provision traditionally used for blocking online content on grounds such as national security or public order.

X argues that using Section 79(3)(b) widens the state’s power to remove content without the procedural safeguards built into Section 69A, including clearer thresholds and a more formal review process. The company has challenged the legality of the government’s Sahyog portal, which issues such notices, in the Karnataka High Court.

The government, for its part, says X has questioned both the authority of officials issuing notices and the classification of content as unlawful. In its court filings, the MHA maintains that the takedowns are necessary to prevent unrest, misinformation and threats to public order.

The pattern of notices also shows how broadly “public order” has been interpreted, covering everything from allegedly manipulated images of senior leaders to critical posts about government institutions. Critics say this blurs the line between preventing harm and suppressing dissent.

As the courts weigh X’s challenge, the figures underline a larger question facing India’s digital governance: where regulation ends and censorship begins — and who gets to draw that line in the world ’s largest democracy.

India, the world ’s fifth-largest economy, is facing elevated trade uncertainty as negotiations with the US continue to drag on. Any meaningful strengthening in the rupee is likely to depend on clarity over a bilateral trade agreement, economists say.

“We believe the rupee to be undervalued currently, with correction anticipated after there is more clarity on the US-India trade agreement,” said Hanna Luchnikava-Schorsch, head of Asia-Pacific economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence. 

India remains among the highest-tariffed countries globally, with average duties of around 50%, exceeding even those imposed on China . The steep levies have weighed on trade flows as talks between New Delhi and Washington stall.

After higher tariffs came into force in August, India’s exports to the US fell nearly 12% in September and 8.5% in October. Exports rebounded sharply in November, however, rising 22.6%, offering some relief to exporters.

Nomura’s chief economist for India and Asia ex-Japan, Sonal Varma, said the main risk is that India could lose momentum from global supply chain shifts. 

Firms focused on the US market may look elsewhere if high tariffs persist, she warned.

The rupee’s slide gathered pace earlier this month when it breached the psychologically important 90-per-dollar level. The currency began the year at 85.64 to the dollar and crossed the 91 mark in fewer than 15 trading sessions.

Foreign investors have remained largely bearish on India, with net outflows of more than $10 billion across asset classes this year, according to NSDL data. While India’s central bank has reiterated that market forces should determine the exchange rate, it reportedly intervened aggressively this week to curb the rupee’s fall.

Despite persistent and systemic challenges, 2025 has delivered meaningful victories in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) across the Global South.

Landmark legal reforms, policy shifts, regional coordination, and grassroots wins have shown that sustained advocacy and political pressure continue to yield results.

South Africa

Gender-based Violence elevated to a national emergency

In November 2025, South Africa reached a critical policy milestone when the government formally declared gender-based violence a national disaster .

The immediate catalyst was mass mobilisation in the lead-up to the G20. Women For Change coordinated a nationwide “Women’s Shutdown,” including silent lie-down protests, deliberately timed to coincide with heightened international attention.

The action amplified domestic demands while placing South Africa’s GBV crisis squarely under global scrutiny, increasing political pressure on the state to respond decisively.

This declaration means gender-based violence issues are formally recognised as a cross-government priority. Greater public accountability for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBV and Femicide, which says governments and society that respond to GBV issues have strengthened accountability and bold leadership.

Over one in three women in South Africa have experienced physical violence at some point in their lives, while nearly one in ten have been subjected to sexual violence, figures that translate into millions of women navigating daily life under the persistent threat of harm within their homes and communities.

Brazil:

Strengthened Legal Protections for Survivors

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has signed a new law aimed at strengthening protections for women facing gender-based violence, a response to public anger over record levels of violence and a series of high-profile cases that sparked demonstrations across the country.

The law enhances judicial powers to protect victims by allowing judges to suspend or restrict an alleged abuser’s access to firearms, remove them from the victim’s home and impose no-contact orders. It also requires offenders subject to protective measures to wear ankle monitors, with associated technology to notify victims if the offender approaches.

In addition, the legislation increases maximum sentences for the rape of children under 14 and substantially raises penalties where a child is raped and killed.

Feminist activists have welcomed the measures as positive but have emphasised the need for greater funding for prevention, support services, and broader systemic and cultural change to reduce violence.

Kenya

Historic State Compensation for Survivors of Sexual Violence

In 2025, Kenya marked a historic breakthrough for gender-based violence accountability by issuing its first-ever state compensation to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence linked to the 2007–2008 post-election crisis.

Following a landmark High Court ruling, the government paid a compensation of 16 million Kenyan shillings (approx. USD $124,000) to survivors who had waited more than a decade for recognition and redress, signalling an important, if overdue, acknowledgement of state responsibility.

While the payments covered only part of what survivors are owed and excluded those harmed by non-state actors, the move set a powerful precedent: sexual violence in times of political crisis is a matter of state accountability, not private suffering.

Civil society organisations framed the moment as a partial but critical victory, renewing calls for a comprehensive national reparations framework, full implementation of victim protection laws, and broader compensation for survivors across regions and periods.

India

Expanded survivor support and digital safety measures

In 2025, India strengthened its institutional response to gender-based violence through the nationwide expansion of One-Stop Centres under the Mission Shakti framework. With more than 800 centres now operational across states and union territories, survivors of violence can access medical care, legal aid, psychosocial counselling, police support and temporary shelter through a single, coordinated entry point.

The scale-up reflects sustained advocacy for survivor-centred services that reduce fragmentation and barriers to justice. Fully funded by the central government and implemented at the state level, the centres also benefit from targeted capacity-building for frontline staff to improve case management and survivor care.

While gaps in access and quality remain, the expansion represents a significant structural win for GBV activism, embedding survivor support more firmly within public service delivery across the Global South.

China currently maintains the world’s largest active-duty military, with more than 2 million personnel, compared with India’s approximately 1.45 million.

However, analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) note that raw troop numbers tell only part of the story. China has increasingly emphasised modernisation, restructuring its forces to prioritise mobility, joint operations, and advanced technology rather than sheer manpower.

Air power remains one of the clearest areas of divergence. China operates more than 6,000 aircraft and helicopters, giving it a significant advantage over India’s fleet of just under 4,000. This gap has widened as Beijing invests heavily in fifth-generation fighter jets such as the J-20, long-range bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

India, however, slightly exceeds China in the number of tanks and armoured combat vehicles, reflecting its strategic focus on defending long land borders, particularly along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC). Since deadly clashes in 2020, both countries have reinforced troop deployments, infrastructure, and heavy equipment in high-altitude regions, underscoring how unresolved border disputes continue to shape military planning.

China, however, maintains a clear advantage in artillery and naval power. With more than 7,000 artillery systems, including long-range rocket launchers, Beijing has developed significant firepower designed for rapid escalation scenarios.

At sea, China’s navy has become the largest in the world by number of vessels, surpassing 370 ships. This expansion includes aircraft carriers, advanced destroyers, and a growing fleet of submarines, enabling China to project power well beyond its coastline.

India’s navy, while smaller, plays a strategically vital role. Positioned along major global shipping lanes, it serves as a key stabilising force in the Indian Ocean, where a significant share of global trade and energy supplies passes each year.

India’s maritime posture has gained additional importance as China increases its naval presence in the region, prompting closer cooperation between India and partners such as the United States, Japan, and Australia through frameworks like the Quad.

These military comparisons come amid broader shifts in global defence priorities. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reports that China and India rank among the world’s top military spenders, with budgets increasingly directed toward missiles, cyber capabilities, space systems, and artificial intelligence rather than traditional force expansion.

Several areas in the Indian capital reached the maximum measurable AQI level of 500, including industrial zones such as Wazirpur, beyond which official monitoring systems do not register additional deterioration.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that by mid-afternoon, nearly all of Delhi’s active monitoring stations were in the “severe” pollution category, reflecting widespread exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities attributed the spike to unfavourable meteorological conditions, including weak winds and low temperatures, which trapped pollutants close to the ground and prevented dispersion.

In response, India’s Commission for Air Quality Management ordered the immediate suspension of all outdoor physical activities across Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, citing serious health risks, particularly for children.

The commission also enforced the strictest level of emergency pollution controls, including a blanket ban on construction and demolition activities, as part of its graded response plan.

Meanwhile, in Bangkok , average PM2.5 concentrations were reported at 26 micrograms per cubic metre on Saturday, below Thailand’s national safety threshold but still categorised as moderate in several districts.

Eastern and southern parts of the Thai capital recorded the highest readings, with some districts approaching the upper end of the moderate range, according to the city’s Air Quality Information Centre.

Angry fans stormed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13, after football star Lionel Messi left the venue earlier than expected during a heavily attended event . Thousands of fans, many wearing Argentina jerseys and waving flags, had gathered as part of Messi’s three-day “GOAT Tour” of India. Frustration grew as tight security limited access to the player, despite high ticket prices. Fans vandalised stadium property, ripped out seats and hurled objects onto the track, while some stormed the pitch. A senior police official confirmed the arrest of the event’s chief organiser, adding that authorities were exploring refunds. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and fans and ordered a probe, while the All India Football Federation said it was not involved in organising the private event.

World Bank approves major clean air programmes in India

The World Bank has approved financing for two major air quality programmes in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, aimed at improving air quality for about 270 million people. The Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program will invest nearly $300 million in cleaner transport, agriculture and industry, including electric buses, electric three-wheelers and access to clean cooking for millions of households. A separate $300 million programme in Haryana will strengthen air quality monitoring and support clean transport and cleaner technologies for small businesses. The initiatives are part of a broader regional effort to tackle air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan foothills.

Prada partners with Indian artisans after cultural backlash

Italian luxury brand Prada will launch a limited-edition sandal collection inspired by traditional Indian Kolhapuri chappals, turning earlier accusations of cultural appropriation into a formal collaboration with Indian artisans. Around 2,000 pairs will be produced in Maharashtra and Karnataka and sold globally from February 2026. Prada has signed agreements with two state-backed Indian leather development corporations and plans a three-year partnership that includes training programmes in India and Italy. The company said artisans would be fairly compensated, with the project expected to cost several million euros.

Pakistan and Bangladesh signal openness to new regional grouping

Pakistan has indicated openness to forming a regional grouping with Bangladesh, following Dhaka's assertion that it is strategically possible to pursue such cooperation without India. Pakistan’s Foreign Office  said  any proposal from Bangladesh would be viewed within the context of Islamabad’s commitment to multilateralism. The comments follow confirmation that a trilateral mechanism involving Bangladesh, China and Pakistan has already begun, with the first meeting held in China in June. Officials from the three countries said the framework is based on cooperation, openness and “true multilateralism,” and is not directed at any third party.

India eases business visas for Chinese professionals

India has moved to speed up business visas for Chinese professionals by cutting bureaucratic scrutiny and reducing approval times to under a month, according to officials. The decision marks a shift after years of tight restrictions following the 2020 border clashes between the two countries. Industry groups say the earlier delays led to billions of dollars in production losses, particularly in electronics and solar manufacturing. China welcomed the move as a positive step toward improving people-to-people exchanges, while Indian officials said the changes were part of broader efforts to stabilise economic ties and attract investment.