Latest news with #NorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization
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Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Standard
'Western vs Indian': Differing management approaches reflect cultural roots
Western management abhors ambiguity. Indians tolerate and thrive in it R Gopalakrishnan Mumbai Listen to This Article Several Indian thinkers (me included) place an emphasis on an 'Indian' way as compared to a 'Western' way of management. They refer to Swami Vivekananda or the Mahabharata to draw lessons. Is this relevant or valid? There is some degree of validity, but only some, particularly in the equilibrium between efficiency and effectiveness. Our assumptions about life and work are shaped by deep and unmanifest influences of culture, for example, deference to power, authority, and age, as seen in Indian business leaders genuflecting before ministers and bureaucrats. When I saw North Atlantic Treaty Organization chief Mark Rutte, a blunt Dutchman,
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Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Wang Son-taek] As NATO falters, the SCO advances
When the Cold War ended in 1991, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization inevitably faced serious concerns over its continued existence. NATO had been a multilateral alliance ensuring peace and stability against potential invasion by the Soviet-led socialist bloc. But with the collapse of the Soviet Union and other socialist forces, the justification for NATO's existence disappeared. After much deliberation and debate, NATO has sought to redefine its role by emphasizing its function as a supporter of the US-led liberal international order on a global scale. However, NATO now finds itself seriously weakened by the "ally-bashing" policy of US President Donald Trump. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while NATO member states agree on the need to strengthen military capabilities, they find themselves bewildered and betrayed by the excessively aggressive demands of the United States. While NATO member states are suffering from dizziness, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by China and Russia, is displaying a contrasting vitality. Judging by the recent diplomatic movements of the two leading nations, it is clear that the SCO is gaining new momentum. It cannot be ruled out that the SCO may become a meaningful multilateral alliance capable of rivaling NATO. Among those engaged in SCO-related diplomacy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has shown the most dynamic activity. On July 9 and 10, he attended the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and articulated Russia's position. In normal times, his participation would not be particularly noteworthy. But now it holds significance. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the country has borne the stigma of a war criminal state and shown signs of diplomatic isolation for more than three years. This time, by attending the ASEAN forum, Russia signaled a more active diplomatic posture. Following his Kuala Lumpur visit, Lavrov flew to Wonsan, North Korea. He was warmly received by Chairman Kim Jong Un, and they discussed enhancing strategic cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Lavrov demonstrated solidarity with North Korea by actively participating in tourism promotion events celebrating the opening of the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone, one of Chairman Kim's flagship projects. Lavrov's efforts to manage the relationship with North Korea will likely help Russia escape its diplomatic isolation. Lavrov's next destination after Wonsan was Tianjin, China, to attend the SCO foreign ministers' meeting. He held a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and paid a courtesy visit to President Xi Jinping. During the talks, Lavrov coordinated the schedule for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing. Putin is scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin at the end of August and then participate in China's Victory Day military parade in early September. This summit, following Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow in May, marks the second summit between the Chinese and Russian leaders in four months. Lavrov also met with India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in China and reaffirmed a commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Notably, he proposed reviving the RIC (Russia-India-China) trilateral cooperation framework. This initiative, aimed at building a multipolar order to replace the US-centered unipolar world, is significant as it seeks to structurally reshape the international system. China has also been exhibiting dynamic diplomacy this year. In April, President Xi Jinping toured three countries — Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. In May, he paid a state visit to Russia. In June, he visited Kazakhstan to attend the China-Central Asia Summit. While Xi's foreign travels are not unprecedented, in light of rumors suggesting his political downfall, his recent trips symbolize a proactive diplomatic posture. Xi notably met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar during the SCO foreign ministers' meeting. Despite ongoing tensions over border issues, China's success in improving relations with India could position it as a mediator in the India-Pakistan conflict, thereby expanding its diplomatic influence. This indicates that China is trying to turn the tide diplomatically through the SCO summit. The frantic diplomatic moves by China and Russia are significantly influenced by the bizarre foreign policy of the United States. Since taking office in January, President Trump has imposed absurdly high tariffs on other countries and demanded concessions in return for reducing them. Most notably, he has pressured US allies — key pillars of American hegemony — to increase defense spending and cost-sharing, often behaving like an unpredictable hegemon. Many countries around the world remain anxious and uncertain, unable to find proper responses to the intimidation by the world's sole superpower. The problem is that, while the United States is undermining its own leadership, the next most powerful nation — China — is widely perceived as a bully due to its lack of empathy and rigid leadership style. As a result, it has not been seen as a viable alternative. In particular, China experienced a dark chapter in October 2022, ahead of Xi Jinping's third-term inauguration. During that period, multiple senior Chinese diplomats issued a flurry of threatening messages to certain countries, claiming to showcase the greatness of China. This heavy-handed approach backfired and led to a substantial loss of soft power. However, China now seems to be working to reverse that image, portraying itself as a possible alternative to the US amid American leadership fatigue. If China successfully hosts this year's SCO summit, its image and international standing are likely to improve. While the SCO has 10 full members, it also includes two observer states and 14 dialogue partners, indicating considerable potential as a multilateral cooperation body. If President Trump continues his current foreign policy line, we will soon witness the SCO expanding and gaining weight. Conversely, should the US revise its current course, China and Russia's recent diplomatic momentum may subside, and NATO could find space to recover. Whether the SCO emerges as a genuine counterweight to NATO depends less on China and Russia, and more on the choices made in Washington.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korea to attend intl. defense exhibition in Turkey this week
South Korea will participate in a global defense industry fair in Turkey this week to promote homegrown defense products and boost their export bids, the arms procurement agency said Wednesday. The International Defence Industry Fair, which opened Tuesday (local time) in Istanbul for a five-day run, will bring together defense officials from more than 80 countries, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states. Six South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises will showcase homegrown defense technologies aimed at entering the European and Middle Eastern markets, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said. DAPA said it plans to operate joint booths at upcoming defense exhibitions in Poland in September and the United States in October. (Yonhap)
Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Business
- Scroll.in
Donald Trump will impose 100% tariffs on India, China, Brazil for Russian oil imports: US senator
United States President Donald Trump will impose ' 100% tariffs ' on countries such as India, China and Brazil if they continue to buy oil from Russia amid the war in Ukraine, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Sunday. In an interview with Fox News, Graham said, 'Those three countries buy about 80% of cheap Russian oil and that is what keeps [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war machine going.' Graham's remarks come almost a week after Trump warned that a 100% secondary tariff would be imposed on countries purchasing Russian exports unless a peace deal was reached between Moscow and Kyiv within 50 days. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, which triggered the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. The United States and its European allies have imposed sanctions on Russian businesses and exports to force Moscow to negotiate a peace deal with Kyiv. India and China are among the countries whose imports of cheaper fuel from Russia have increased since 2022. This has raised concerns in Washington that high volume purchases are undermining the West's attempts to squeeze the Russian economy and thus, indirectly, helping finance its military operations in Ukraine. On Sunday, Graham added that Putin could withstand sanctions and disregard Russian soldiers, but countries like India, China and Brazil were 'about to face a choice between the American economy or helping Putin'. 'If [India, China and Brazil] keep buying cheap Russian oil…we are going to tear the hell out of you and crush your economy,' he said. 'What you are doing is blood money.' On July 16, North Atlantic Treaty Organization chief Mark Rutte also warned that secondary sanctions could hit India, China and Brazil if they continue to trade with Russia. NATO is a military alliance of 32 countries, including the United States and several members of the European Union.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
No Health, Gender And Economic Justice Without Ending Wars, Invasions And Genocides
While health, gender and other sustainable development goals are reeling under severe funding cuts, governments of richer nations are increasing defence budgets. More shocking is that same governments who are raising spending on militarisation, are the ones committing to 'peace' at a global meet on financing for development and refusing on debt cancellation for the Global South nations. In June 2025, a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its allies was held which pledged to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035. 'Yet these same countries - the same NATO countries - during negotiations of 4th Financing for Development Conference of the UN (FfD4), refused to include a reference to debt cancellation for the Global South. This increased commitment to militarisation without relieving the persistent debt crisis remains a major gap in the FfD4 process,' said Swetha Sridhar, Senior Global Policy Research Officer at Fos Feminista. "This is the money (5% rise in budgets for militarisation) they are taking off from programmes on gender equality and human rights (including human right to health),' said Mabel Bianco, physician activist from Latin America and founding president of FEIM (foundation for studies and research on women). A Feminist Forum was organised right before the FfD4 began. 'Feminist Forum's Political Declaration importantly called for deescalating wars and ending territorial invasions and genocide - nothing less from this is acceptable,' said Sai Jyothirmai Racherla, Deputy Executive Director of ARROW (Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women). Agrees Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of Asian People's Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD): 'I would echo what Political Declaration of Feminist Forum organised before FfD4 said that no real financing justice can be reached without an urgent end to escalating wars, territorial invasions and genocides, in Gaza, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and other places.' 'There is growing realisation of debt. Global North has plundered Global South for centuries. Systematic accountability for the historical role of the Global North in causing and perpetuating the debt crises in the Global South, along with reparations and non-debt creating finance are central demands for a feminist transformation of the existing international financial architecture,' responded Zainab Shumail of Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD). Global South is reeling under perennial debt and debt servicing. But governments at FfD4 shy away from addressing this issue. Unless we go for structural reforms, stop privatisation of public services – so that public health, education and social support are fully funded – how will we deliver on SDGs where no one is left behind? The global financing architecture must be geared towards the realisation of a gender-just economy in which financing for development will result in equitable outcomes and fair distribution of resources that promotes social, economic, and environmental justice, instead of just providing lip service. This was being discussed at a SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) session co-hosted by International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) 2025, Family Planning News Network (FPNN), Global Center for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and CNS. FfD4 failed to deliver on feminist agenda 'Feminist agenda refers to a gender transformative economic system that is based on rights to justice, care, and equality for everyone urgently. This was central to the Political Declaration of Feminist Forum held before the FfD4 in Seville, Spain. But FfD4 failed to deliver on gender equality and feminist agenda,' said Sai Jyothirmai Racherla. 'FfD4 compromised on the ambition that was warranted as per the urgency of our current times, and lack of political will which is required to embrace the much-needed bold reforms,' said Lidy Nacpil. 'FfD4 outcome document was influenced and shaped by main 'blockers' of any real progress. These 'blockers' were Global North countries, and this is not a surprising fact. There was very active undermining and opposition to the proposals for actionable mandates for the transformation of the international debt and aid architectures. This transformation is vital to address the colonial and patriarchal legacies that plague the current financial architecture. There was a lack of transparency throughout the whole FfD4 negotiation process. Accountability of the process was absent and restrictions of civil society participation which continued up to - and even worsened during the Seville FfD4 conference – were major impediments,' added Lidy Nacpil. She explained further that: 'FfD4 failed because the FFD4 outcomes failed to make meaningful progress on establishing a global financing framework that we have always demanded for many years which should be centred on human rights, promote the stability of the biosphere and brings all planetary boundaries back to a safe zone and uphold the principle of CBDR (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities). This framework should address the redistribution of care work which is predominantly done by women and acknowledges and addresses the racial dimension of SDGs.' 'FfD4 outcome document also failed to prioritise public financing for high quality essential services and move beyond an over reliance on private finance to fill in development financing gaps. It failed to address the equity for income distribution. It failed to strengthen and uphold democratic space and civic participation. And it failed to call for reparations for the economic and environmental harm caused by colonialism, patriarchy, slavery, and resource extraction from the global south,' Lidy added. FfD4 outcome document should have included a clear commitment to shift away from so-called debt resolution mechanisms which are dominated by creditors. It should have taken us steps forward for a process towards a UN Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt – which was among the strong calls given by civil society. Connect the dots: Debt, tax, trade, justice and feminist agenda 'Issues of debt, tax, trade, and justice are all deeply intertwined with a feminist agenda for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice. For example, we know that financial autonomy translates to greater bodily autonomy. We also know that gendered impacts of poverty leave marginalised communities unable to access services for sexual and reproductive health and rights,' said Swetha Sridhar. Agrees Mabel Bianco: 'FfD4 compromise document is so weak. For example, it mentions about the access of universal health coverage but not about sexual and reproductive health. But this is what we acutely need because it is not possible to reach development if we are not having these rights recognised - including access to safe abortion.' 'Since FfD4 outcome document is so weak, we must consider that this is not the end rather it is just the beginning of our further struggles to achieve gender justice and human rights. We are also going to find strength in struggles and align with other like-minded movements advocating for rights around the UN. We are going to put in what we need. We are not resigning of our principles, ideas, or our proposals. If you read the Political Declaration of Feminist Forum held before FfD4, this is what we need. We need to continue resisting and fighting till we achieve our goals,' added Mabel Bianco. 'For the young people, especially young girls and women, we need to request them to consider and recognise that what we reached before (in terms of gender equality and rights) is not forever. We need to keep fighting to be sure that we do not lose these gains made towards gender equality – and move towards delivering on all sustainable goals and targets,' said Mabel. 'We are not going to stop until we deliver on gender equality. We will continue to do our work to demand for a right-based, environmentally-just, de-colonial, intersectional, sustainable, and person-centred economic model. We need such an economic model in current times where care, reparations, redistribution and accountability remain central. We must reform financial architecture so that it can guarantee long-term flexible, inclusive, and equitable financing for development. We also need to restructure the global economic governance because currently it is very Global North heavy. We need to have Global South parity. We need to include democratisation of the decision-making processes across the international financial institutions and the multilateral development banks,' rightly concludes Sai Jyothirmai Racherla. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is a feminist, health and development justice advocate, and an award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service). She was also the Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025). She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College; current President of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media); Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024); and coordinator of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights). Follow her on Twitter/X @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
