internal democracy

GUEST COLUMN

Rubio said the wide range of areas in which both countries cooperate reflected the strength of ties between Washington and New Delhi. "The list of issues that we work together with India on, the breadth of scope of them, is what highlights the fact that India is an important strategic partner in the United States, one of our most important strategic partners in the world," Rubio said. Rubio also referred to the democratic values shared by both countries.

Filmmaker Pedro Almodovar received a standing ovation at Cannes, declaring Europe must not be subjected to Trump amidst growing censorship concerns. He emphasized artists' moral duty to speak out against threats to democracy, criticizing the Oscars for its apolitical stance and calling the US a "totalitarian regime" born from democracy.

Actor Gul Panag has publicly countered YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's strong criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Norway visit. Panag argued that while dissent is vital, mocking the Prime Minister's office on foreign soil diminishes India's standing. The exchange has ignited a wider debate on accountability and respect for public office.

India and Canada are accelerating free trade agreement negotiations, aiming to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Both nations are committed to deepening economic ties, with a "Team Canada" business delegation set to visit India later this year to explore new opportunities.

Two months into office, Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah faces scrutiny as his ambitious reform agenda lags, with key promises marked "overdue." His administration grapples with cabinet instability, legal challenges over decisions, and criticism of his governing style, including bypassing institutions and controversial enforcement actions.

Amidst escalating US-Cuba tensions, the USS Nimitz strike group has entered the Caribbean. This follows President Trump's intensified rhetoric and a recent indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro. The US is increasing pressure on Havana, citing economic hardship and past incidents, though Trump downplays fears of direct military action.

A new global survey reveals a significant drop in America's international image under President Trump, now trailing behind Russia and China. Concerns over his foreign policy, tariffs, and military actions have unsettled allies and created global unease. This decline marks the second consecutive year of falling perceptions for the US.

Ministry of external affairs pushed back against press freedom queries during PM Modi's Norway visit, citing a lack of understanding of India's scale and reliance on "ignorant NGOs." This followed a Norwegian journalist's claim that PM Modi avoided her question. The MEA defended India's democratic framework and rights, highlighting its vast population and media landscape.

Anthropic's paper outlines two scenarios for US-China AI leadership by 2028. In one, the US maintains its compute advantage through tightened export controls, leading to democratic AI norms. The other sees China overtaking the US if policymakers fail to act, resulting in authoritarian AI dominance.