India’s national security advisor is in Russia for a meeting of the grouping’s security officials
Existing global institutions are unable to deal with the world's conflicts and there is an “urgent need” to reform multilateralism in global affairs, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval stated on Wednesday.
Addressing the 14th Meeting of BRICS+ security officials in St. Petersburg, Doval said there is a “demand” from the organization’s members for a “serious, constructive and collective approach” to dealing with security challenges and future threats.
“All ways of handling sensitive issues of common concern are no longer capable of addressing modern threats and new situations,” Doval said, adding that he was happy that the BRICS+ meeting in Russia included many countries of the Global South. He underscored the “spirit of mutual respect, understanding, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness and consensus” in the group.
India has emerged as one of the leading nations of the Global South, and has been advocating for sweeping reforms in the United Nations to make it more inclusive and provide greater representation to developing countries. Doval noted that New Delhi had hosted three ‘Voice of the Global South’ summits in less than one year, aiming at creating a new common platform where developing countries can share their perspectives and priorities across a range of issues.
New Delhi has also been bidding for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council since 1994. However, experts and diplomats have voiced concern over the lack of progress toward the inclusion of new members. Besides India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan are also interested in a permanent seat at the UNSC, and the issue is expected to be at the center of discussion at the Summit of the Future later this month.
Meanwhile, Doval’s visit to Moscow comes close on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kiev in August and amid discussion of India’s possible role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine.
During his recent meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, Modi reiterated New Delhi’s stand that problems “cannot be resolved on the battlefield” and that “dialogue and diplomacy” is the only way to achieve peace. He made similar statements in Moscow in July, when he held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Doval accompanied the prime minister on both visits.
“India and the world want the Ukraine war to end and in that context PM Modi is talking to all parties,” an unnamed official told Hindustan Times ahead of the national security adviser’s trip to Russia. He added however that Modi “has no desire” to become a mediator in the conflict.
Last week, Putin said that he was in touch with BRICS members India, China, and Brazil over the conflict in Ukraine. “We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict,” he said at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
https://www.rt.com/india/603864-india-brics-nsa-meeting-reforms/
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is preparing to leave the Trump administration after what a new report has described as months of tension with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, potentially triggering another change at the army’s top echelons.
According to the Friday report by The Wall Street Journal, Driscoll is expected to step down before the end of the year and could leave his post earlier. The newspaper cited people familiar with discussions over his departure.
The Journal reported that Driscoll and his family vacated the official residence assigned to the army secretary at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall this summer, a move that could indicate he was preparing to leave the position.
The reported departure would come at a time of continuing uncertainty at the top echelons of the army.
Hegseth abruptly removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April, while Trump has not yet nominated a permanent successo....more below
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The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warns the enemies that any act of aggression against the Islamic Republic will not go unanswered.
In a statement on Thursday, the IRGC issued a “stern warning” to the enemies after US forces launched strikes against the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
Following the US military attack on a point on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport with aerial projectiles, the IRGC carried out new strikes targeting the US air base from which the attack originated in the wee hours of Thursday, it added.
“This response is a serious warning to the enemy that they should know the act of aggression will not go unanswered,” the IRGC emphasized.
The elite military force warned of a “more decisive” response if the enemy repeated any act of aggression.
It also said the responsibility for the consequences of any IRGC response lies with the aggressor.
The statement comes after the IRGC Navy on Thursday forced an American tanker to turn back. The tanker ...
