Huge threats to human rights continue in Afghanistan. President Ghani has pledged to end official tolerance for torture, and his government must also protect the freedom of the media, ensure that more women participate in peace talks, and bring transparency to negotiations with the Taliban. These correctives are overdue
The French media’s reportage of Modi’s recent visit to France was limited but significant, and inevitably a lot of it was about the Rafale deal. Various other issues were covered, including the nuclear reactor project in Jaitapur. Some newspapers recommended that France must heavily invest in India, while some expressed concerns, but on the whole the coverage has generated enthusiasm
UK may be on its way to becoming a petro state, again, on back of an oil discovery that may be a whopping 100 billion barrels. The world is awash with cheap energy, and Indian companies need to seize the opportunity to acquire upstream energy assets.
Hillary Clinton finally announced her second bid to be the democratic candidate for the November 2016 presidential election on April 12. Despite her landmark achievements, there are a number of controversial issues from her time as senator, the first lady and as Secretary of State, that will be raised in the coming months
The France-India relationship must not be overshadowed by the Rafale deal. Modi’s visit can be the opportunity to add fresh energy in the economic relationship by harnessing economic complementarities.
If the sanctions against Iran are eased following the April 2 agreement with the P5+1 on the country’s nuclear programme, it will increase global oil and gas supplies, bringing stability to energy markets. It could also resolve the issue of the Farsi Block in Iran, where further exploration of gas by Indian companies has been held back
On 29 May, Buhari was sworn in as the next president of Nigeria, ending the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan. The mandate for Buhari indicates that Nigerians want a firmer hand in dealing with corruption, regionalism, and insurgency. It is now Buhari’s task to fulfil these hopes
India’s Supreme Court struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act as unconstitutional because it infringes on freedom of expression. India's future depends on a social and cultural movement in favor of greater tolerance in public life so that diverse, even offensive, opinions can be freely expressed
The 14 March protests is the latest in a series against corruption in Brazil. While the government is acting, the political and economic environment will continue to deteriorate until it is rooted out.
Making land acquisition for industry compatible with the fairness and equity expected in democratic societies is a challenge that may have creative solutions. Amendments to India’s land acquisition law need to be viewed in this global context