Biden-Putin summit is on

On March 17, on the eve of the first scheduled meeting in Alaska of senior Chinese and American diplomats since President took office, the United States sanctioned twenty-four Chinese officials for undermining Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms, including a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo, Wang Chen. In diplomatic terms, the timing of the action was pointed …

To Indians, Palestine’s Hamas remains a riddle

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) met Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Tehran, (File photo)  One major outcome of the current conflict in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem will be the emergence of Hamas as the charioteer of the Palestinian resistance movement against Israel.  The Hamas’ ascendence poses a predicament for a number of countries …

Israel’s Pyrrhic victory in Gaza, Netanyahu is real winner

Building housing the offices of Associated Press and other media collapses after Israeli airstrike, Gaza City, May 15, 2021. Egypt has once again been thrust onto the forefront of brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi remarked on Monday that a ceasefire might still be within reach.  As he put it, …

China on the horizon as ‘world’s pharmacy’

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus announced approval for China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, Geneva, May 7, 2021 The World Health Organisation’s approval Friday for China’s Covid-19 vaccine known as Sinopharm dramatically transforms the ecosystem of the pandemic. In immediate terms, this has potential to boost global vaccine supply, as China’s overall yearly production capacity is approaching five …

Biden’s decision on TRIPS waiver is political theatre. India cannot pin hopes on it.

Employees work in the production of Biontech/Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine at a facility in Reinbek, Germany  The Ministry of External Affairs has welcomed the statement of the US government of 5th May announcing their support for a relaxation in the norms of the agreement on TRIPS, to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines …