Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Russia for the BRICS Summit 2024 has kicked off with several bilateral summits discussing key issues such as India-Russia ties, the war in Ukraine, and conflicts with Iran and Israel. The summit, with the theme of 'Strengthening Multilateralism,' will see discussions on global issues and includes new member nations - Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. As major emerging economies, the BRICS group comprises 41% of the world population and 24% of the world GDP, making it an important platform for discussions on global development and security.
BRICS: A Global Force for Collaboration and Development
The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is an influential intergovernmental forum that has gained significant prominence in recent years. The acronym "BRICS" was first coined by Jim O'Neill, a former Goldman Sachs economist, in 2001, who recognized the potential of these emerging economies to reshape the global economic landscape.
Initially, the BRICS group consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010, expanding the forum's reach and influence. The BRICS countries share a common goal of fostering economic growth, promoting international cooperation, and reforming global economic institutions to reflect the changing world order.
BRICS Summit 2024 and India's Role
The BRICS Summit 2024, held in Moscow, Russia, is set to be a significant event in the history of the group. With the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism," the summit will focus on key global issues such as sustainable development, climate change, international trade, and security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the summit highlights India's growing role within BRICS. India has been an active member of the group, contributing to discussions on various issues and leading initiatives in areas such as infrastructure development and financial inclusion. India's engagement with BRICS is expected to further strengthen its position as a global economic and diplomatic power.
BRICS: A Platform for Global Governance
As a major emerging economies, the BRICS countries represent a large portion of the world population and contribute significantly to global economic growth. The group provides a platform for these countries to coordinate their policies, pool their resources, and work together to address common challenges.
BRICS has established several mechanisms to promote cooperation, including the BRICS New Development Bank, the BRICS Business Council, and the BRICS Parliamentary Forum. These institutions facilitate economic, financial, and political dialogue among the member countries, helping them to shape the global agenda and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world order.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the significance of the BRICS group? BRICS is an important platform for emerging economies to collaborate on global economic and political issues, fostering economic growth, promoting international cooperation, and reforming global economic institutions.
2. What are the key objectives of the BRICS Summit 2024? The summit aims to strengthen multilateralism, address global issues such as sustainable development, climate change, international trade, and security, and discuss the expansion of BRICS membership.
3. What is India's role within BRICS? India is an active member of BRICS, contributing to discussions and leading initiatives in areas such as infrastructure development and financial inclusion. India's engagement with BRICS strengthens its position as a global economic and diplomatic power.
4. What are the mechanisms established by BRICS to promote cooperation? BRICS has established the BRICS New Development Bank, the BRICS Business Council, and the BRICS Parliamentary Forum to facilitate economic, financial, and political dialogue among the member countries.
5. What is the potential impact of BRICS on the global economy? The BRICS countries represent a significant portion of the world population and contribute substantially to global economic growth. BRICS' cooperation and coordination can influence global economic policies, trade patterns, and the development of international financial institutions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a significant drop in minimum temperatures across several regions of the country, including Delhi, North India, and the Western Himalayan region, in the first few days of the new year. This comes as the national capital witnessed intermittent rainfall and recorded its highest December rainfall in 15 years. The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for more showers over the weekend, and dense fog is expected in several parts of the country.
Daily life in Rajasthan is disrupted as a Western Disturbance brings rainfall and a dip in temperatures, with dense fog blanketing several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for 15 districts and a yellow alert for six, warning of persistent dense fog for the next three days. The adverse weather has caused travel difficulties and disrupted daily activities, with residents advised to stay updated on weather advisories and take precautions.
The holiday spirit is in full swing in Hanoi, as the city gears up for Christmas celebrations. Beyond the festivities and gift-giving, the true essence of Christmas - a symbol of hope and peace - is embraced by people of all backgrounds. From religious believers to non-religious individuals, the universal spirit of Christmas brings people together in a celebration of kindness, love, and inclusivity.
Following the tragic crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev has declared a national day of mourning to honor the victims. The Embraer 190 passenger plane was operating a Baku-Grozny flight when it crashed near Aktau Airport. Despite learning of the accident during his own flight, President Aliyev immediately ordered his plane to return and has since issued an official order for the day of mourning.
A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Kazakhstan's city of Aktau, with at least 30 people feared dead. The exact number of casualties is still unconfirmed, but 32 passengers have been reported to survive. The plane, bound for Grozny, Russia, was rerouted due to fog before crashing and catching fire. Emergency services have put out the fire and the government has formed a commission to investigate the cause of the crash. Leaders of both Azerbaijan and Chechnya have expressed condolences and prayers for the victims.
A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, leading to the deaths of 42 individuals. The flight, en route from Baku to Grozny, was carrying 67 passengers and 5 crew members. According to initial reports, the plane made an emergency landing attempt which resulted in a fiery crash, leaving 25 survivors who have been hospitalized. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
A passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan, killing 42 people and leaving at least 25 survivors. The Embraer aircraft, with 67 people on board including crew members, was reportedly forced to make an emergency landing due to fog in Grozny, the capital of Russia's Chechnya. The cause of the crash is still being investigated by Kazakh authorities, but initial reports point to a possible technical problem.
The Delhi Police have issued a traffic advisory ahead of Christmas, warning commuters about possible diversions and restrictions due to the large footfall expected at popular areas like Select City Mall in Saket. Security personnel have been deployed across the city to handle disruptions and ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the celebrations. While some churches in the city, like the Sacred Heart Cathedral, saw a decrease in the number of visitors last year, traffic management measures have been put in place to accommodate the expected heavy crowds. With Christmas Eve and Day being observed as public holidays, it’s advised for commuters to plan their routes accordingly and watch out for potential drunk driving.
Santa Cruz Wharf in California collapsed during a high surf on Monday, sending three people into the water. The public has been warned to stay away from the area as strong winds and storms are expected to hit the US West Coast this week. Two of the three people were rescued by lifeguards, while the third person managed to swim to safety. Videos and photos of the incident have been shared online, showing the extent of the damage caused by the storm.
While Ukraine's army fights fiercely on the battlefield, President Zelensky is fighting a different kind of war in the Western world - an information war. Through a series of carefully crafted speeches, he is seeking international support for his country's ongoing conflict with Russia. With a charismatic and urgent message, Zelensky invokes key historical events and national mottos to draw attention to Ukraine's plight and rally support for its cause.