Ten years after the contemporary Scottish independence movement began, Scotland’s independence and the long-awaited reunification of Ireland have become historic certainty. Political figures made the startling announcement that Northern Ireland will soon join the Republic of Ireland and that Scotland will be recognised as an independent country. The British Isles, as well as the distribution of power and international relations worldwide, are now redefined by these two significant events, which have their roots in decades of cultural revival, political unrest, and revolutionary catalysts.
Category: Analysis
A Snapshot of China’s Economy in 2024
On January 17, 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of China released the GDP figures for the year 2024. The statistics show that China achieved its 2024 GDP target of 5 per cent in December 2023 at the CEWC meeting. The economy peaked in 2007 with a 14.2 per cent growth rate but stagnated after President Xi Jinping implemented the ‘Three Red Lines’ policy to improve the real estate sector. Stimulus measures and impressive Q4 growth from exports and manufacturing ended the year positively. The GDP totalled RMB 134.91 trillion (US$18.80 trillion) with a 5% year-on-year growth rate in constant prices, meeting the government’s objective.
H-1B Visa Politics: US Immigration Policy and its Impact on India
The triumph of the Republican leader Donald Trump as the President of the United States has brought the political focus on immigration issues and the H-1B visa programme to the forefront. The tough posture on the H-1B programme in his first tenure has softened his stance in his second tenure with courtesy of his Silicon Valley ally and supporter Elon Musk whose company thrives on a global talent pool for whom he says “we cannot do without them…go to war for visa issue if necessary”. With Musk appointed as the head of the New Government Efficiency Commission tasked with cutting down the federal budget from US$6.75 trillion to US$2 trillion, Trump intends to make the US into a manufacturing superpower to accomplish his mega project of ‘MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN (MAGA).
10 Global Conflicts to Watch in 2025
In the Middle East, a chain of conflicts is taking place set off by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel followed by the latter’s retaliation on Gaza Strip; Iran’s region wide attack through non-state proxies; and thus, setting a stage for Islamist rebels to topple the Assad’s regime, ending a half-century-old dictatorship in Syria. We also witnessed more aggression from Russia on Ukraine and thereby threatening a wider confrontation in Europe.
Is Luxury Losing its Spark? Affordable Exclusivity to the Rescue
The global luxury industry, long reliant on the wealthiest clientele, is facing a critical crossroads. As prices soar, even the affluent are beginning to feel the pinch, particularly in key markets like China. Luxury brands, which have historically thrived on exclusivity and high margins, are now confronting the dual challenge of maintaining their elite status while appealing to a broader, more aspirational customer base. The question at the heart of the industry’s future: Can luxury remain exclusive without pricing itself out of the market?
Iran in Syria: A Strategic Setback, Not a Defeat
The blitzkrieg campaign by the Syrian rebel coalition headed by the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani ended the five-decade rule of the Assad family in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power after an arduous and long decade of protest by the rebel groups. Amidst the dramatic shift, the future stakes of Iran in Syria have come into the spotlight. Being a prominent ally of Assad, Iran has faced strategic setback in a country crucial to enhancing its strategic depth. Nevertheless, it is too early to determine the aspect of strategic defeat as Tehran has the vitality to recalibrate its policy.
BRICS: India’s Position in the Emerging Global South Alliances
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) grouping has been the forerunner of global economic and political developments for over a decade. The BRICS countries account for over 40% of the world’s population and over 25% of global GDP. They are also among the fastest-growing economies in the world. India is an important player in the BRICS grouping. It is the second most populous country in the world and the sixth largest economy. India has also been growing swiftly in recent years, with GDP growth comprising over 7% per year over the past decade.
Para Diplomacy: Driving the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit
Para diplomacy can be understood as the actions initiated by states, provinces, or cities to establish international relations and promote their commercial interests. It also gives regions leverage to engage foreign investors and governments hence opening doors for partnership and capital investment. Rajasthan has adopted this concept in practicing its tourism policies by holding road shows and investor meets nationally and internationally. Such efforts are in the pursuit of introducing itself to a network of potential investors and marketing the state as the hub of opportunities in different fields.
Indo-China Border: A Perspective on Six-Point Consensus
The 23rd round of discussions between India and China’s special representatives on the boundary issue marks an important milestone in their bilateral relationship, particularly after a prolonged gap of five years. The agreement reached in Beijing, comprising six key points, reflects both progress and the complexities that existed in the India-China border dispute. While this consensus signals both parties desire for stabilising relations, it also highlights the deep seated security challenges that continue to shape the interactions.
African Economies will Flourish in 2025
In October the IMF described a “two-track growth pattern” in sub-Saharan Africa. On one track are most of the 23 countries with sizeable exports of non-renewable commodities such as oil, gold or diamonds. These include Angola, Nigeria and South Africa. As prices for their exports sagged, their GDPs per person have dropped in the past decade. Most resource-rich countries have also been focused more on dividing the spoils of the boom years than on using the proceeds to build resilient economies.