Building resilience, innovation, voice of Global South: Modi's BRICS vision
'Under India's BRICS Chairmanship, we will define BRICS in a new form. BRICS would mean 'Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability',' Modi said, addressing fellow leaders at the 17th BRICS meet in Brazil.
He affirmed that India's leadership of the group, which includes among others Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, would build on the inclusive and people-first approach that defined its presidency of the G20 in 2023.
'Just as during our G20 Presidency, we ensured inclusivity and prioritized issues of the Global South, in the same way, during our BRICS Chairmanship, we will take this forum forward with a people-centric approach and the spirit of Humanity First,' Modi said.
He stressed on future-oriented vision for BRICS anchored in multilateral reform, sustainable development, tech equity, and global cooperation. Speaking at the session on Environment, COP30, and Global Health, he emphasised that climate action for India is rooted in ancient tradition and moral obligation.
'For us, climate change is not merely an issue of energy; it is about maintaining balance between life and nature,' Modi said. Despite being the world's fastest-growing major economy, he noted, India was the first to meet its Paris climate targets ahead of schedule. However, he warned that without affordable financing and technology transfer, 'climate action will otherwise remain confined merely to climate talks.'
Calling the COVID-19 pandemic a sobering reminder of shared vulnerability, he added, 'Viruses do not arrive with visas, nor are solutions chosen based on passports.' Modi urged BRICS nations to deepen cooperation on global health.
On economic and institutional reform, Modi welcomed Brazil's emphasis on reworking the international financial system and stressed the need for the BRICS New Development Bank to support development through demand-driven, sustainable, and transparent financing.
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United News of India
18 minutes ago
- United News of India
SC grants interim protection to cartoonist after his apology over derogatory posts about PM Modi
New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today granted interim protection to Indore-based cartoonist Hemant Malviya, booked over a cartoon shared on Facebook allegedly containing derogatory references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS. A bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Aravind Kumar directed that the matter be listed after August 15 for further hearing. The interim order was passed after Malviya submitted an apology. The Court directed Malviya to file the apology in Hindi in the form of an affidavit and asked parties to complete pleadings before the next date. Malviya has challenged a Madhya Pradesh High Court order denying him anticipatory bail in the case. The cartoon in question, originally made in 2021 about the efficacy of Covid vaccines, was re-shared in May 2025 with objectionable comments regarding the Government's decision to hold a caste census. Malviya endorsed the post, leading to an FIR against him. Yesterday, after the bench expressed disapproval of his conduct, Malviya's counsel, Advocate Vrinda Grover, told the Court that he would delete the post and clarify that he did not endorse the comments. Today, Grover informed the Court that Malviya was also offering an apology in addition to deleting the post and sought permission to file it in Hindi. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the State, submitted screenshots of other allegedly objectionable posts made by Malviya. Grover objected, stating the posts were unrelated to the current FIR, arguing, 'Can he not say something just because there is an FIR against him? Has he lost that liberty?' ASG Nataraj submitted that Malviya's conduct constituted an offence and did not deserve indulgence. Justice Dhulia observed that some of the posts were 'very very offensive' and remarked on the language being used on social media, stating, 'There are some among the lawyer community also doing this.' The Court directed the respondents to file an affidavit placing the posts on record and asked Malviya to respond. Grover sought permission to delete the posts, to which ASG Nataraj said that copies must be furnished for investigation. Justice Dhulia recorded the petitioner's intention to delete the posts but did not pass an order to that effect. Malviya's plea contends that the FIR was filed to punish him for exercising his freedom of speech and that no offence is disclosed. The cartoon, published on January 6, 2021, was described as a satirical comment on a public figure's statement likening vaccines to water. The FIR, filed on May 21, 2025, by a person claiming to be from the RSS and Hindu community, alleged that the cartoon insulted the RSS, incited violence, and hurt religious sentiments. Malviya's anticipatory bail was rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge, Indore, and subsequently by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on July 3, 2025. The High Court observed that the cartoon crossed the limits of free speech, depicting a figure representing the RSS being injected by a caricature of Prime Minister Modi, and included derogatory references to Lord Shiva. It held that Malviya's act was 'deliberate and malicious,' intended to provoke religious sentiments, and said custodial interrogation was necessary. In his petition before the Supreme Court, Malviya argued that the case pertains to artistic expression and reposting of public content, which does not warrant custodial interrogation, and alleged that the FIR was being misused to penalise dissent. UNI SNG RN
Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
How India-Africa energy partnership offers model for South-South cooperation
— Samir Bhattacharya Energy security emerged as one of the central themes of engagement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to two strategically important African countries (Ghana and Namibia), which also underscores the significance of burgeoning India-Africa ties. As India seeks to ensure stable and diversified energy sources for its growing economy, Africa's abundant yet largely untapped energy resources present a valuable opportunity for India. In turn, Indian investments and technology can play a pivotal role in supporting Africa in leapfrogging the energy ladder. A strong partnership with India will also help Africa to achieve its much elusive energy security. The abundance of Africa's rich mineral resources is reflected in the fact that the continent accounts for 3.6 per cent of coal reserves, 7.5 per cent of natural gas reserves, and 7.6 per cent of oil reserves globally. The continent also possesses nearly two-thirds of the world's critical minerals, such as platinum, cobalt, copper, lithium, etc, underscoring its importance in the global energy transition. For example, South Africa produces 70 per cent of the world's platinum, a key component in hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing. Similarly, the Democratic Republic of the Congo produces two-thirds of the world's cobalt, a critical ingredient in battery production. Demand for these minerals is projected to rise significantly, putting Africa at the centre of the global energy transition map. Recognising the strategic significance of Africa's energy resources, India has, over the years, undertaken substantial investments in the continent's energy sector. Two Public sector entities, ONGC Videsh Ltd. and Oil India Ltd., have been instrumental in securing equity stakes in oil and natural gas assets across Africa. As a result of this growing engagement, bilateral trade between India and Africa reached USD 100 billion in 2022, with the energy sector constituting a substantial portion of this trade. Furthermore, India's cumulative investments in Africa amount to USD 75 billion, which is projected to double to USD 150 billion by 2030 and is again dominated by the energy industry. Although India's energy trade with major producers such as Angola and Nigeria has grown, the commensurate investments in upstream and downstream energy infrastructure remain limited. Exploring the prospects of larger equity investments, joint ventures and technology transfer partnerships across Africa will help address this gap. Furthermore, given India's demonstrated strengths in refining, consulting, training, and infrastructure development, India is well-positioned to help Africa in moving up the energy value chain. Beyond oil and gas, nuclear energy offers another critical avenue for enhanced cooperation between India and Africa. Given its limited uranium reserves, the share of nuclear energy in India's energy mix is negligible. India relies heavily on uranium imports to meet its nuclear energy demands. Several African countries, such as Namibia, South Africa, Niger, Nigeria, and Malawi, possess abundant but largely untapped uranium reserves. Notably, Niger (7 per cent), Namibia (6 per cent) and South Africa (5 per cent) together contribute 18 per cent to the world's uranium deposits. These reserves could be vital in expanding India's nuclear power capacity. As India has obtained a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), uranium trade is expected to be hassle-free. At the same time, the continent can benefit from India's technological know-how to develop its nascent civil nuclear energy programmes. While Africa is indispensable in India's energy security, India could also play a key role in facilitating Africa's energy development. Despite its vast natural resources, energy poverty remains a persistent challenge in Africa, stifling its socioeconomic progress. Currently, over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity. If existing trends don't improve, approximately 530 million Africans will be without access to power by 2030. Although Africa accounts for 16 per cent of the world's population, it consumes only 3.3 per cent of global energy, highlighting a stark disparity. However, Africa can reverse the trend and become the first continent to develop its economy, primarily through modern energy sources, if correct actions are taken. Nonetheless, achieving this vision will require fully harnessing the continent's vast solar, wind, hydropower, natural gas, and energy efficiency potential. While natural gas will remain significant in meeting Africa's industrial and electricity needs, it is high time to focus on clean energy solutions, especially in view of the continent's disproportionate vulnerability to climate change. India can play a significant role in this transformative journey, offering affordable solutions that are easy to scale and, most importantly, sustainable. As India is uniquely positioned to support Africa's energy transformation, the two sides have already begun deepening their collaboration in renewable energy, particularly in the solar sector. March 2018 marks a watershed moment in this cooperation when India, with the support of France, established the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Within seven years of its inception, the ISA has grown into a strong multilateral platform with 120 signatory members, including 46 African countries. During the third India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015, India committed $2 billion Line of Credit (LoC) to support solar projects across Africa. India also prioritised the training of solar engineers from Africa through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Another important dimension of India's energy cooperation with Africa lies in its emphasis on grassroots innovation. In this context, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Barefoot College have played a pivotal role. While TERI conducts ITEC-sponsored courses on issues like sustainable development, climate change and sustainability, renewable energy, and energy efficiency, Barefoot College provides training to rural African women to become solar engineers. Seen as one of the most inspiring examples of India's grassroots innovation for Africa, these women carry out solar installations in their villages and conduct routine maintenance and repairs. More such grassroots initiatives, using similar inclusive and sustainable approaches, would be a step in the right direction. To sum up, as global attention intensifies on decarbonisation and energy transition, there is an urgent need to strengthen India-Africa energy ties further. Both India and Africa have ambitious goals in their respective energy sectors. Moreover, India's technological know-how in solar, wind, and hydro, if combined with Africa's untapped potential, can present a unique opportunity, powering each other's progress, moving beyond the exchange of resources. As India and Africa are simultaneously pursuing inclusive economic development and climate resilience, their energy partnership holds the potential to serve as a robust model of South-South cooperation. Why is Africa important to India's energy security, and how can India support Africa's energy development in return? In what ways can India's experience with solar and other renewable technologies benefit Africa's energy transition? India is uniquely positioned to support Africa's energy transformation by offering affordable solutions that are easy to scale and, most importantly, sustainable. Comment. How might increased nuclear cooperation reshape the India-Africa energy partnership in the coming years? How can India-Africa energy cooperation serve as a model for South-South cooperation? (Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.) Read other articles from the series Conflicts in Africa Conflicts in Africa | The Sahel crisis and implications for India Conflicts in Africa | India's growing role in Africa's development Conflicts in Africa | Rising tensions in the Great Lakes Region Conflicts in Africa | Instability in Great Lakes region and implications for India Conflicts in Africa | Sahel's strategic drift towards Russia Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why Starbucks wants its leaders in Seattle or Toronto and what it means for US remote work
Starbucks mandates relocation for corporate leaders as US remote work policies tighten. (AI Image) Starbucks has announced a significant change to its remote work policy for corporate employees, requiring many of its people leaders to be based in either Seattle or Toronto within 12 months. The Seattle-based company is increasing the number of days corporate employees must work in the office from three to four days a week starting early October, signalling a shift away from remote working arrangements. Brian Niccol, Starbucks chairman and CEO, addressed employees in a letter posted on Monday, stating the company's intention to reestablish its in-office culture. Niccol wrote, "We do our best work when we're together. We share ideas more effectively, creatively solve hard problems, and move much faster," as quoted by the Associated Press. The move comes amid wider changes in the US workplace, where several major employers have been calling employees back to company sites. Detailed requirements for corporate leaders Starbucks' new policy specifically requires all corporate "people leaders" to relocate to either Seattle or Toronto within the next year. This expands on a previous February mandate that only required vice presidents to move to these cities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Individual employees reporting to these leaders will not be required to relocate, but all future hiring and lateral moves will require employees to be based in one of these two locations. The company has approximately 16,000 corporate support employees worldwide, including roles such as coffee roasters and warehouse staff, though Starbucks spokeswoman Lori Torgerson did not provide exact figures for how many corporate employees currently work remotely or as "people leaders," as reported by the Associated Press. Niccol himself was initially exempt from relocation when he was hired last August, with Starbucks offering support for an office near his Newport Beach, California home and use of a corporate jet to commute to Seattle. However, he has since purchased a home in Seattle and regularly works from the company's headquarters, Torgerson added. Implications for US remote work trends The Starbucks decision reflects a broader trend in the US corporate sector, where companies including Amazon, AT&T, and the federal government have tightened remote work policies, often requiring employees to return to the office five days a week. These moves come as many workers, having grown accustomed to working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, face a shift back to in-person work. Employees affected by the new Starbucks policy who choose not to relocate will be eligible for a one-time voluntary exit programme that includes a cash payment, the company confirmed. This signals a clear stance on prioritising in-office collaboration and presence, as Starbucks aims to foster faster decision-making and greater creativity within its teams. The company's updated remote work policy for corporate staff and relocation requirements for leaders may influence workplace norms across the US, highlighting ongoing debates about the future of work and the balance between remote flexibility and in-person collaboration. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
