Category In News

G20 and India’s Foreign Policy: Exploring a new Link

As the G20 summit successfully concluded in New Delhi last week, it managed to generate some positive headlines for India globally. Even India’s staunchest critics had to concede that contrary to their expectations, New Delhi managed to pull off a successful summit at a time when geopolitical and developmental fault-lines have been sharpening by the day. Despite the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin (and perhaps because of it), a large part of the world agreed and put its stamp on India’s global developmental priorities. A strong message has gone out from New Delhi that India is now, more than ever, willing to lead from the front and shedding its perpetual reticence of yore.

Bharat Mandapam: Bridging Cultural Ties to G20’s Progress

Culture reflects the paradigm of the attitudes and behaviours that are inherited by people. Cultural activities are the mirror of direct and indirect contributions to economic growth and social well-being as well as depicts one’s rich heritage along with ethics and value systems. Culture is always a propellant fuel to G20 agendas as this year's theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” emphasises global unity by promoting  “One World One Family and One Future”.  Moreover, culture is considered a crucial driver for strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth, inclusive of technological advancement and digitalization. 

G20: India’s Stepping Stone Towards Achieving Milestone

The Group of Twenty (G20) was formed in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. It comprises  19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States) and the European Union. The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. G20 is a rotational form of Presidency so it does not have a permanent secretariat or staff. Due to the the global economic and financial crisis of 2007, and 2009, The G20 was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government. Since then G20 Leaders have met regularly, and it has become the premier forum for international economic cooperation. The forum discusses broad macroeconomic issues, as well as agendas in terms of trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption. 

The Growing Duopoly in Indian Aviation

Recent developments in the Indian aviation sector are cause for concern, as the industry has virtually turned into a duopoly market. IndiGo and Air India have proven to be established players, while newer airlines have all but exited the aviation market owing to predatory pricing of flight tickets. The emerging duopoly market between IndiGo and Air India has meant the highest surge in airfare, which is a concern for air travellers.

West Bengal Panchayat Elections: No Free Lunches From Now On

Freebies are valorised as development instruments by ruling parties in India. However, the story is different in real life. While their marginal impact on the lives of the poor is undeniable, their purpose is to mould the electorates’ behaviour in favour of the ruling party. This is what rural Bengal has been witnessing ever since the Trinamul Congress came to power. The project has paid political dividends for the ruling party. But the question before the forthcoming panchayat election is this: will this project be successful in influencing the voting behaviour of the poor in rural Bengal?

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