In the grand mosaic of global affairs, where threads of power once tightly woven by a few dominant hands now fray under the strains of multipolarity, a new pattern is emerging. Great-power rivalries, prolonged conflicts, climate crises, and institutional inertia expose the limitations of the post-World War II order. Yet, amid this turbulence, the Global South is no longer a passive observer but an active artisan, reshaping the fabric toward greater equity and inclusion. The rise of multipolarity—marked by the expansion of platforms like BRICS, South-South cooperation, and calls for fairer representation in global governance—offers a profound opportunity
Tag: Russia
BRICS 2026: Can India Reclaim Multilateralism?
India’s acceptance of the BRICS presidency in 2026 occurs during a period characterised by substantial transformation in global politics. The global economy persists in a state of instability as a consequence of resurgent protectionism, nationalist trade policies, and increasing geopolitical tensions. The tariffs, threats, and unilateral actions undertaken by President Donald Trump have contributed to heightened instability in global market systems. Concurrently, developing economies within the Global South, grappling with debt-related pressures, energy market volatility, and disparities resulting from the post-pandemic context, are advocating for a more equitable global order.
India-Russia Partnership Stands Firm Amidst Global Pressure: Key Takeaways from the Summit
The recent two-day visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, culminating in a joint media briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, underscored the enduring strength of the India-Russia strategic partnership. This high-profile summit, held against the volatile backdrop of the Ukraine conflict and mounting Western pressure on Delhi, served as a powerful testament to the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, particularly in energy, trade and defence.
The Evolving Nexus: A Deep Dive into the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit
The State Visit of Russian President H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, is not merely a routine diplomatic exchange; it represents a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. This summit, occurring against the backdrop of an intensely volatile geopolitical landscape marked by the lingering impacts of the Ukraine conflict, forces a comprehensive reassessment of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.’ The core dynamic now defining this relationship is a sophisticated act of strategic balancing by India, leveraging Russia’s crucial, albeit redefined, military role against a mushrooming, energy-driven economic dependence.
2+2=5, the Mathematical Fallacy Distorting Truth through Politics
In George Orwell’s 1984, “2 + 2 = 5” is used a metaphor of power over truth i.e., if the government regime says something is true, you’re forced to believe it. In this commentary, I will explore this simple arithmetic falsehood that is often used metaphorically to represent government propaganda, symbolising the manipulation of truth across different periods of modern history, including the World Wars and contemporary times. I will also interpret this fallacy in the context of the Kashmir’s Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed militants.
The Hinge in American Transatlantic Defence
Over the past three years, the transatlantic alliance has demonstrated considerable cohesion in evolving geopolitical dynamics and shifting domestic priorities. The alliance has demonstrated considerable cohesion by delivering substantial military aid, enforcing strict economic sanctions, and contributing over €185 billion in support of Ukraine. Yet, as Russian aggression persists and public support in parts of Europe diminishes, the strategic landscape has changed with a potential return of a Trump. Under this emerging paradigm, the U.S. strategy has anticipated a pivot away from military engagement and extensive financial assistance to Ukraine and press European partners to assume a larger share of the defence burden.
Is Russia’s Economy Slowing or Stalling?
Data released on Wednesday will help answer an important question: is Russia’s economy slowing or stalling? In the three years since the country invaded Ukraine, its economy has held up better than most observers had expected. Unemployment fell to just 2%. GDP growth has been decent due to oil exports, which were strong despite Western sanctions. Russian consumers benefited from the knock-on effects of an enormous boost to spending on defence, welfare and infrastructure. But that could now be changing. In late 2024 the West tightened its financial infrastructure and oil trade.
The Price of Europe’s Support for Ukraine
The war’s origins trace back to 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea following pro-EU protests in Kyiv, which led to conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and Luhansk. Tensions escalated in late 2021 as Russia massed troops near Ukraine’s borders, demanding security guarantees from NATO. When diplomatic efforts failed, Russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, citing security concerns and alleged persecution of Russian speakers. Initial assaults targeted Kyiv, but after failing to seize the capital, Russian forces withdrew in April, refocusing their offensive on eastern and southern Ukraine, where as of 2024, they occupy around 20% of Ukraine, having gained over 4,000 square kilometres.
Trump to Mediate Peace between Russia and Ukraine
Nobody expects Donald Trump to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, as he has claimed he could in the past. However, the new administration, which takes office on January 20th, is highly invested in bringing both sides to the negotiating a peace deal. But even that may prove difficult. In an Interview on December 30th the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, slammed leaked proposals from Trump’s team for a peace deal. Putin, who believes Russia is winning, has given no sign of retreating from his maximalist goals.
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.