OPINION

US lawmakers, who will fund this as-long-as-it-takes war assistance, are also firmly behind Ukraine. And despite calls from some Republicans to not send Kiev a blank cheque, a large and bipartisan group of Senators is headed for Munich to attend an annual security conference and send a clear signal to western allies and partners of their unflagging commitment.

This is much against the wishes of the western powers who want to bring down the Russian economy by curbing its oil revenue. However, the Indian government has categorically said that it would source what it needs from where the price is advantageous. The government also said its three oil marketing companies are not buying crude from Russia but only the private companies are the ones who are buying, refining and shipping out.

In the regime of Prime Minister Modi, there has been a refreshing emphasis on the elimination of 'VIP culture' which is something that only bred corruption, an explicit direction from the top to the bureaucracy to be sensitive to the public good and be prompt in grievance redressal and a drastic 'correction' of the notorious delays that held up the formulation of policies and national projects for lack of inter-ministerial coordination.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra was conceived by the Congress to do just this. But mere rhetoric cannot get the magic numbers to lead Parliament or any Assembly. What is needed is a plan, rather a vision that can put an alternative before the people. The Bharat Jodo Yatra had moments of eloquence, photo-ops, juicy quotes, but ended up more as a marathon than a political rally with a message and a part of a larger vision.

Even if Pakistan manages a breakthrough with the IMF and receives financial assistance, it will be a question of time before it once again falls in the same precarious situation. Latest data published by the SBP shows that Pakistan's total reserves stand at $8.54 billion, which includes $5.62 billion held by the country's commercial banks.

Ignoring the constitutional test that all citizens continued to have the same opportunities and protection of the law, the narrative further alleged that the minorities in the country - principally the largest one of Muslims - had been put in jeopardy by the present regime. The concept that India represents 'unity in diversity' is being misinterpreted to claim that beyond 'freedom of worship' there was also freedom for 'communities' and 'regions' not to consider themselves as a part of the common nationhood denoted by democratic India.

It may be said that India and its economy have been able to pull it off in a better manner than many other global economies and is one of the fastest growing economies. This Budget being the last full Budget before next year's general elections scheduled in April-May 2024, it was expected that it would be a populist one, as is the norm for vote bank politics.

Despite being an election budget, it was mainly focused on long term growth of the country, while also managing to appease the populous expectations; without compromising on the fiscal deficit. While the capex is heavily focused on infrastructure, sunrise sectors like renewable energy, space technology, electric mobility and alternative fuels have also received increased impetus.

The three main areas highlighted during the visit were trade and investments; defence; and counter-terrorism. While the international community has been reeling economically from the aftermath of the pandemic, Egypt in particular has been badly hit. Sisi's visit came in the backdrop of an unprecedented economic crisis in his country.

As per reports in the British media, Russia is eyeing weapons left by the hastily-withdrawing US forces in Afghanistan in 2021. To secure these arms, Russian diplomats are reportedly wooing the Taliban elements of the caretaker government in Afghanistan. British tabloid The Sun reported last week, citing a Telegram channel 'Kremlin Insider', that Russia is seeking weapons from Afghanistan, including those left behind by the US forces in 2021.