WORLD

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Bangladesh, once considered a poster child of development among emerging economies, now finds itself at critical crossroads. For years, the country defied odds, posting consistent GDP growth, expanding its garment exports, improving key human development indicators, and reducing poverty at a commendable rate. International observers -- from the World Bank to regional think tanks -- celebrated what many dubbed the "Bangladesh miracle". However, by mid-2025, this narrative has shifted dramatically. A confluence of structural inefficiencies, political instability, and adverse global trends has plunged the country into its most severe economic crisis in decades.This downturn is neither sudden nor rooted in a single factor. Instead, it reflects years of deferred reforms,...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin used his 3–5 December 2025 visit to New Delhi to reassure India that energy cooperation remains one of Moscow’s top priorities, a report has said. Standing with Indian officials, he said Russia is committed to providing “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India and praised Indian partners as 'very reliable,' according to the India Narrative report.His message came at a critical moment, just as India’s imports of Russian crude reached a five-month high, even after new US secondary sanctions took effect on 21 November.India’s dependence on Russian oil has grown sharply since 2022, and refiners appear unwilling to step back despite the increasing challenges. Nayara Energy is among the biggest buyers.Between 2023 and 2025, the company s...

Seoul, Dec 7 (IANS) South Korea is not considering adjusting its joint military drills with the United States as part of efforts to resume stalled talks with North Korea, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac said Sunday.Wi made the remarks when asked whether Seoul might review the regular exercises with Washington to help revive the inter-Korean dialogue, as Pyongyang has dismissed Seoul's overtures in South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's first six months in office."If we are to resume dialogue, we need to consider what cards we can use. While there are many possible options, we are not directly considering using the Korea-US joint exercises as a card," Wi said during a press briefing, Yonhap News Agency reported.Wi acknowledged that progress in inter-Korean relations has been limited...

Islamabad, Dec 7 (IANS) The ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have been increasingly marred by deep-rooted inconsistencies and mistrust, majorly due to Islamabad's erratic diplomatic behaviour and strategic miscalculations, as per a report. Pakistan’s faltering stance on key regional matters increasingly marks it as an unreliable and precarious partner in the UAE’s strategic calculus, an Al Arabiya Post report said. "The relationship between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, despite decades of formal ties and shared religious and cultural affinities, has been increasingly marred by deep-rooted inconsistencies and mistrust, largely driven by Pakistan’s erratic diplomatic conduct and strategic miscalculations. While the UAE has evolved into a pragmatic and forward-look...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) The European Commission's persistent refusal to release the Election Expert Mission (EEM) report on Pakistan's 2024 elections has raised many eyebrows as it gives the impression that is overlooking the EU's cherished values of democracy and transparency.This decision comes at a critical juncture, as an EU delegation is currently in Pakistan assessing compliance with the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a trade regime contingent on upholding 27 international conventions covering human rights, labour standards, and governance.With ongoing concerns about the safety and conditions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in detention, the EU's opacity appears to prioritise diplomatic relations with Islamabad over accountability, potentially signalling tacit s...

Seoul, Dec 7 (IANS) A special counsel team on Sunday indicted former People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Representative Choo Kyung-ho on charges related to ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid last December.Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's investigation team said Choo was indicted without physical detention on allegations that he blocked party lawmakers from participating in a parliamentary vote to lift the martial law decree issued on December 3 last year.The team had sought an arrest warrant for Choo, but a Seoul court denied it last week, citing room for dispute regarding the facts of the case and insufficient grounds for the need for his formal arrest, Yonhap News Agency reported.Choo, once considered a key ally of Yoon, is accused of deliberately and repeatedly cha...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) As the political-military situation deteriorates in Pakistan and faces persistent security threats from Afghanistan, Balochistan and other non-state actors along with massive political instability, several reports and experts now claim that Pakistan cannot politically afford to eliminate former Prime Minister Imran Khan, despite persistent rumours about his safety in custody that have fuelled nationwide anxiety. According to a report by The Diplomat, the rapid spread of speculation surrounding Imran Khan's alleged death highlights the deep public mistrust that defines Pakistan's current political climate.Officials have dismissed the claims as orchestrated misinformation, but the atmosphere of suspicion reflects the scale of polarisation surrounding the Pakistan Tehr...

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of India-Japan cooperation at the opening session of the India-Japan Forum here on Sunday."Pleased to participate in the opening session of #IndiaJapanForum in New Delhi. Discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of deeper India-Japan cooperation", EAM Jaishankar said on X.According to an official statement, the India-Japan Forum provides a platform for Indian and Japanese leaders to shape the future of bilateral and strategic partnerships through deliberation and collaboration. The Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have convened the forum."The aim of the forum is to bolster cooperation, leverage opportunities, exchange ideas, build mutu...

Islamabad, Dec 7 (IANS) A lawyers' convention in Pakistan has criticised the 26th and 27th ‘Constitutional Amendments’ and called for commitment to constitutional supremacy and the judiciary's independence, local media reported on Sunday.A resolution which included several demands and condemnations was passed during the convention hosted by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA). The resolution began with the rejection of the amendments, emphasising that these changes damaged the constitution and destroyed the judiciary in Pakistan, Pakistani daily Dawn reported. It also condemned the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court, terming it an "unconstitutional" court and a "murder" of the judiciary.The resolution demanded the return of m...

Seoul, Dec 7 (IANS) The South Korean presidential office said Sunday it has established task force teams to support South Korea's working-level negotiations with the United States on nuclear-powered submarines, uranium enrichment and South Korea's share of defence costs.Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong said the Office of National Security has been drawing up a road map for follow-up measures to the security agreements reached during summit meetings between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump."We are working on a road map for consultations with the United States," Kim said during a press briefing. "Working-level discussions have been under way since this month, and we expect to see feasible outcomes in the first half of next year," Yonhap News ...