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Johannesburg, Top leaders of the BRICS nations on Thursday decided to admit <keyword id="5927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="argentina" source="Orion">Argentina</keyword>, <keyword id="6354912" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="egypt" source="Orion">Egypt</keyword>, <keyword id="61936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ethiopia" source="Orion">Ethiopia</keyword>, <keyword id="41896" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iran" source="Orion">Iran</keyword>, <keyword id="50996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="saudi-arabia" source="Orion">Saudi Arabia</keyword> and the <keyword id="6354870" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-arab-emirates" source="Orion">United Arab Emirates</keyword> as full members of the grouping that is largely seen as a counterweight to Western powers. The decision to induct the six countries to join the bloc from January 1 next year was announced by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the final day of the annual summit of the BRICS that currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. "We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process, and further phases will follow," Ramaphosa, flanked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said at a media briefing at the end of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. With the entry of the six countries, the total number of members in the grouping is reaching 11 from the current five. The decision to expand the bloc is seen as an effort to reshape global governance while putting the voices of the Global South as a key priority area to advance the overall development agenda. The South African president said an agreement was reached on the "guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures of the BRICS expansion process, which has been under discussion for quite a while". "We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to become full members of BRICS," he added. Around 40 countries had shown interest in joining BRICS out of which 23 formally applied for the membership. In his media statement, Modi said the "expansion and modernisation" of BRICS is a message that all institutions in the world need to mould themselves according to changing times. "India has always fully supported the expansion of the BRICS membership. India has been of the view that the addition of new members will further strengthen BRICS as an organisation, and give a new impetus to all our common endeavours," he said. The prime minister said the decision to expand the bloc will further strengthen the faith of many countries in the multipolar world order. "The expansion and modernization of BRICS is a message that all the institutions of the world should adapt to the circumstances of the changing times," he said. "This is such an initiative that can become an example for the reform of other global institutions established in the 20th century," he added. Chinese President Xi described the expansion of BRICS as a "new starting point" for cooperation in the grouping. "It will bring new vigour to the BRICS cooperation mechanism, further strengthening a force for world peace and development," he said at the press briefing. The grouping took shape in September 2006 and it originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). It was renamed as BRICS after South Africa was accepted as a full member in September 2010. At present, the BRICS represents 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade. The BRICS member nations have been the main engines of global economic growth over the years. Speaking remotely, Russian leader Vladimir Putin hailed the expansion. In his remarks, Ramaphosa said the BRICS valued the interests of other countries in building partnership with the grouping. "We have tasked our foreign ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next summit," he said. "Through this Summit, BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous," he noted. In its Johannesburg declaration, the BRICS leaders said they appreciated the considerable interest shown by countries of the global South in becoming members of BRICS. Ramphosa said the BRICS is ready to explore opportunities for improving the "stability, reliability and fairness of the global financial architecture." He said the summit agreed to task the BRICS finance ministers and Central Bank governors to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and report back to the leaders by the next summit. "We are concerned about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. We stress our commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultation," the South African president said. "We addressed our expectations for the BRICS economic partnership to generate tangible benefits for our communities and deliver viable solutions for common challenges faced by the global South," he said. "We shared our vision of BRICS as a champion of the needs and concerns of the peoples of the Global South. These include the need for beneficial economic growth, sustainable development and reform of multilateral systems," he added. The South African leader said the BRICS reiterated its commitment to inclusive multilateralism and upholding international law. On the Ukraine conflict, the BRICS called for peaceful resolution of the crisis. "We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in and around Ukraine as expressed at the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly," the declaration said. "We note with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, including the African Leaders Peace Mission and the proposed path for peace," it said.

BRICS decides to admit 6 countries as new members of grouping; focuses on voices of Global South

<ul><li>The American President tweeted saying he will raise the issue of high tariffs in India on American goods in his conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</li><li>Donald Trump's tweet will cast a doubt on the possibility of a thaw in India's bilateral ties with the US.</li><li>India and US are at crossroads over many issues from visa, defence deals to oil purchases from Iran, to name just a few.</li><li>US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar put up a cordial front after talks on Wednesday.</li></ul>India and US have differences <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/mike-pompeo-india-visit-bjp-narendra-modi-hit-back-at-us-state-department-report-on-minorities/articleshow/69912060.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">over many issues</a>-- H-1B visas, India's defence deals with Russia and oil purchases from Iran, tariffs to name a few-- but US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar put up a cordial front after the bilateral talks on Wednesday (June 26). If that had triggered any hopes of a middle ground between the two large economies in a world fraught with risks, US President Donald Trump was quick to throw in a spanner. 
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="realDonaldTrump" handlename="Donald J. Trump" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/874276197357596672/kUuht00m_normal.jpg" favoritecount="12796" retweetcount="3155" status="I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tarif… https://t.co/w28hIF3jbi" createdat="1561607225000" id="1144089743795216384"></div>









 This tweet with its confrontational tone could reduce the hopes of a thaw in India's frosty bilateral ties with the US. The talks between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi at the sidelines of the G-20 meeting was never going to be easy."There's a nagging misconception. The distrust of earlier era still lingers. But that is not true. Just look at what has already happened. You have made hard choices to cut off oil imports from Iran and move away from purchasing Venezuelan oil," Pompeo said yesterday. After his meeting with Jaishankar, Pompeo <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/india-and-us-did-not-discuss-waiver-to-buy-oil-from-iran/articleshow/69960897.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">said the two sides did not even discuss</a> the contentious issue of India's demand for waiver allowing the country to buy oil from Iran. Pompeo was quick to underscore the US point of view by calling Iran the 'world's largest state-sponsor of terrorism'. This would mean doing business with Iran will be akin to helping terrorism. Between US' trade war with China, and the tension in the middle east, global trade has taken a severe knock, and India is not immune to it. At the same time, domestic economy is in a bad shape. Another tariff war directly with the US would be a debilitating for the world's fastest-growing economy, India. The only hope for India is that Modi's talks with Trump seem less ominous than the US President's tweet. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/mike-pompeo-india-visit-bjp-narendra-modi-hit-back-at-us-state-department-report-on-minorities/articleshow/69912060.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India tells US to shush after the State Department called out the Modi government's passivity to 'hate' against minorities</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/india-and-us-did-not-discuss-waiver-to-buy-oil-from-iran/articleshow/69960897.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India and US did not discuss waiver to buy oil from Iran at Pompeo's meeting with Jaishankar</a>

Donald Trump just threw a bender at Narendra Modi ahead of the G-20 meeting in Japan

In an unsurprising turn of events, US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> decided to withdraw from the <keyword id="41896" type="LOCATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword> nuclear deal yesterday (May 8th), four days before the May 12th deadline. In doing so, the President, a self-described expert on deals, made good on a long-standing threat to pull out from what he called the “worst deal ever”, which was painstakingly negotiated by seven countries over the course of two years. He has also decided to reimpose the economic sanctions that were placed on Iran prior to the signing of the agreeement, and instructed the Treasury Department to draw up further penalties. While our global edition has offered a rundown on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/winners-and-losers-of-trump-iran-deal-decision-2018-5">nearest winners and losers </a> from the US’s withdrawal, the negative effects of the decision will be felt all over the world, including in India. Here is how India stands to lose in the short term. <keyword id="6359072" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="oil">Oil</keyword> prices may increase, and Indian consumers may suffer The imposition of sanctions on Iran will lead to a reduction in the global supply of oil, which in turn will lead to higher prices. Iran’s oil exports, which currently stand at <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-iran-exports/irans-crude-and-condensate-exports-recover-from-march-dip-idUSKBN1HU1LB">2.5 million barrels</a> a day, could fall by as much as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-iran-nuclear-deal-impact-oil-gas-prices-tax-cut-savings-2018-5">500,000 barrels a day</a>. Prices are already high owing to a production cutbacks by OPEC countries and falling production in Venezuela. Concurrently, India’s financial health has taken a turn for the worse as oil prices have risen. The country imports 80% of its oil and is already dealing with the depreciation of the rupee, which closed at a 15-month low of 67.13 to the US dollar earlier this week. Higher oil prices will lead to a heavier import bill relative to exports, and India’s <keyword id="183320" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="current-account-deficit">current account deficit</keyword> will widen further. The current account deficit increased by nearly 70% to <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/india-currentaccount/indias-october-december-current-account-deficit-widens-sharply-on-higher-imports-idINKCN1GS1JG">$13.5 billion last year</a>-, more than 2% of GDP. The widening of the current account deficit means that India will have lower foreign exchange inflows, leading to a further fall in the relative value of the rupee. As a result, Indian consumers will have to deal with higher prices of imported goods other than oil. They will also have to contend with the duties imposed on oil by the government in the last few years when oil prices were low. These are an important source of revenue for the government, and since it needs the money more than ever, it will be forced to pass on the impact of higher oil prices to consumers. A number of deals with Iran will be suspended for the time being and China could benefit In addition to looking elsewhere to supplement its oil import requirements, India could also be forced to suspend a number of deals with Iran amid the ongoing uncertainty. In February 2018, a visit to New Delhi by Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani, led to the signing of <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nine-pacts-deepen-iran-ties-further/articleshow/62965716.cms">nine bilateral deals.</a> The most significant of these was the agreement to develop and lease the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran. As part of a plan to counter China’s regional influence, India has promised to invest $500 million in the port, which will help it bypass the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and gain access to Central Asia and Afghanistan from Iran. The port will provide new trading routes and greater connectivity to the region. In fact, in October last year, the Indian government successfully <a href="http://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/29062/Flag+off+of+the+first+consignment+of+wheat+assistance+to+Afghanistan+through+Chabahar+port">sent a consignment of wheat</a> to Afghanistan from Chabahar. However, new sanctions from the US could threaten India’s involvement in the port and derail its investment plans. Despite India’s <a href="http://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/29495/IndiaIran_Joint_Statement_during_Visit_of_the_President_of_Iran_to_India_February_17_2018">support for the Iran deal,</a> it is also beholden to the US and its allies in the Middle East - Israel and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, sanctions from the US could also stall the operation of the International North South Transport Corridor, a trade agreement between Iran, Russia and India that will give the latter an unprecedented level of access to the Central Asian region. If India reneges on its commitment to the Chabahar port, Iran could be forced to seek the assistance of China, which will further isolate India. Hence, its ability to counter China’s expanding influence is contingent on it’s relationship with Iran. The <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> government’s foreign policy heads will have a tricky balancing act to maintain in the short term.

Here's how Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal may affect India

<ul><li><keyword id="7828774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-oil-minister-Dharmendra-Pradhan">Indian Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan</keyword> spoke to his Russian counterpart, Alexander Novak, to strengthen energy ties between the two countries. </li><li>Pradhan also urged Russia to play a balancing role in its engagement with OPEC countries by taking into account the interests of consuming countries </li><li>Pradhan said that India is interested in enhancing footprints in the Russian E&amp;P sector. </li></ul>If US was earlier worried about growing closeness of India with its arch enemy Russia, it has more to worry about. The country’s oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke to his Russian counterpart, Alexander Novak to strengthen their energy ties. Balancing act “During the telecall, Pradhan conveyed his concern on the growing crude oil price volatility during the last few weeks, and also urged Russia to continue to play a balancing role in its engagement with OPEC countries by taking into account the interests of consuming countries,” the ministry said in a press release on Thursday. This move comes after US placing sanctions on Iran, and had been trying to force India’s hand over importing oil from the country. That is tough since India buys as much as 10% of its oil from the country. Apart from receiving favourable rates and shipping terms, the quality of Iranian crude bodes well with Indian refining capacity. Squeezing Iran Iran and US have been at loggerheads ever since America pulled out of a nuclear deal involving the country. The tensions escalated after Iran threatened to enrich its Uranium to weapons grade by July 7, if US does not lift its since sanctions that are eating into its economy. US has been stepping up economic sanctions and pressurising nations to cut off oil money, the country’s lifeblood. As India is its second largest oil client after China, getting it into the fold is key. However, India seems to be in no mood to relent. It is in fact turning to Russia which is known to have its own agenda in controlling oil supplies to Eastern Europe. Indian oil ministry says that both the countries are looking to develop comprehensive engagement plan with a long-term view. “Pradhan also conveyed India’s interest to further enhance footprints in the Russian E&amp;P sector. He invited Russian oil and gas companies to invest in building gas infrastructure in India and in the expansion of city gas distribution networks,” the press release said. Oil is only one of the many areas of Indo-Rus ties. India is trying to work a deal with the country to purchase 400 missile defence systems. And, US wants this<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-and-us-did-not-discuss-waiver-to-buy-oil-from-iran/articleshow/69960897.cms"> deal to be scrapped</a>. When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in India for a visit recently, he applied diplomatic pressure on India. But the country’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar made it clear that the government will take a decision which is in its own interests SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/donald-trump-just-threw-a-bender-at-narendra-modi-ahead-of-the-g-20-meeting-in-japan/articleshow/69968296.cms">Donald Trump just threw a bender at Narendra Modi ahead of the G-20 meeting in Japan</a>

Donald Trump’s sanctions on Iran force Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan to dial Russia for cheaper oil

PM Modi’s two-day visit to Iran has resulted in an agreement stating that India will be investing billions of dollars in setting up various industries like aluminum smelter and urea plants in Iran's Chabahar free trade zone. A pact has also been signed to operate a strategic port on the Iran’s southern coast, which would allow India to access Afghanistan, Russia and Europe without going through Pakistan. 
 "The distance between Kandla and the Chabahar port is less than the distance between New Delhi and Mumbai, and so what this agreement does is to enable us quick movement of goods first to Iran and then onwards to Afghanistan and Russia through a new rail and road link," Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister <keyword id="26680" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nitin-gadkari">Nitin Gadkari</keyword> said. 
 
"Over Rs 1 lakh crore investment can happen in Chabahar free trade zone," he added. 
 
He further added that Iran has cheap natural gas and power which would allow Indian firms to build a 0.5-million tonne aluminium smelter plant and urea manufacturing units in the country. 
 
"We spend Rs 45,000 crore annually on urea subsidy, and if we can manufacture it in the Chabahar free trade zone and move it through the port to Kandla and onward to hinterland, we can save that amount," he explained. 
 
Railway PSU IRCON will also be building a rail line at Chabahar so that goods can be moved right up to Afghanistan. 
 
As of now, India can't enter Afghanistan, and thus the rest of Central Asia via land because Pakistan sees India's expansive diplomacy in the region as a threat. 
 
File Photo | <a href="http://www.indianlink.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/modi-iran.jpg">Image source</a>

India to invest 1 lakh crore in Iran so that it can enter Central Asia without stepping into Pakistan

India has emerged as the world’s fastest growing economy. However, Asia’s third largest economy just ranked 97th among 118 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) released by the <keyword id="108578" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-Food-Policy-Research-Institute">International Food Policy Research Institute</keyword> (<keyword id="6557928" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ifpri">IFPRI</keyword>). This puts the country behind even <keyword id="6354759" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword>, <keyword id="41896" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword>, <keyword id="6355112" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iraq">Iraq</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354767" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nigeria">Nigeria</keyword> in the hunger map. 
 
India’s policy addressing hunger and malnutrition in all age groups has a feast of questions and a famine of answers. India’s hunger, being worse than any sub-Saharan country, needs crisis management and a long term vision. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">ALSO READ: Excise duty in cigarette hiked. Tobacco farmers in India are struggling to make ends meet</a> 
 Be it <keyword id="4227644" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="manohar-das">Manohar Das</keyword> of <keyword id="4227647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tewri">Tewri</keyword> village in <keyword id="6360371" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jharkhand">Jharkhand</keyword>, who works in hundred days of wage-employment or <keyword id="4227646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="shib-baksha">Shib Baksha</keyword> of <keyword id="4227645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="amlasol">Amlasol</keyword> village in <keyword id="61773" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Midnapore">West Midnapore</keyword> district of <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>, who works as contract labour at nearby village, the thin line that connects them is the ignorance about ‘<keyword id="2209492" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Sarkar">Modi Sarkar</keyword>’. The only thing they understand by the government is getting staples at Rs 2/kg and free goodies. However, staples alone can’t fulfill nutritional needs, as a result they end up with stunted growth and other diseases. Not everyone is as lucky as them. Their neighbours, unable to procure <keyword id="49514" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="bpl">BPL</keyword> (below poverty level) identity cards and Ration Cards aren’t entitled to these basic facilities and have to starve most of the days. Only feast they can think of is ant eggs roast during the scorching summer months. 
 
 
 
India’s overall GDP growth is expected to end at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">7.1% this financial year</a>, as compared to 4.6% two years back. While food still counts as the basic requirement of human existence, India is a country that not only produces enough, but ironically, there is never enough for its ever growing population to eat. Funnily, while millions go hungry, for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">India storage of surplus food</a> has always been a problem. 
 
 
 
India’s hunger-management disaster 
While development in many sectors is acknowledged, what is lesser known is that India has also made considerable progress on many social fronts, such as fertility decline, expansion of schooling and bridging the gender gap in education, especially at the primary and lower secondary levels. However, there is one <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">area of human development</a>, where India has been a disaster: tackling hunger and malnutrition. 
 
Child malnutrition rates in India are extraordinarily high- among the highest in the world, with nearly one-half of all children under 3 years of age being either underweight or stunted. Indeed, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">child malnutrition rates </a>are higher in India than in many countries of sub-Saharan <keyword id="12925" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Africa">Africa</keyword>, even though income levels are significantly higher and levels of infant and child mortality are lower in India. 
 
 
 
Pediatric malnutrition Prevalence of child malnutrition in India has remained stubbornly high even after nearly a half-century of respectable agricultural productivity growth and two decades of post-reform economic growth and prosperity in the country. Adding more support to the view that child malnutrition is weakly correlated with income is the finding that among children of mothers with 10 or more years of schooling as well as mothers from the top income quintile, around one-quarter are underweight. Even in a relatively prosperous and dynamic state like <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, child malnutrition rates have been stagnant over the past decade. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">ALSO READ: HOW INDEPAY IS MAKING RURAL INDIA CASHLESS</a> 
 The <keyword id="121300" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Family-Health-Survey">National Family Health Survey</keyword> (NFHS) found that a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">significant number of adults</a> in India suffer from malnutrition. Almost 58 per cent of pregnant women aged 15-49 were found to be anaemic. The Global Food Security Index also revealed that Indians lack adequate quantities of iron, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">Vitamin A and protein in their diets</a>. 
 
 
 
“Half of the children who die before five years of age have malnutrion as a cause in their pathogenesis. If we look at proportion of weight at birth, 23 per cent of children weigh less than 2.5 kg, which is below normal. This low birth weight has its reason in the womb, which is where they are malnourished already before being born. Low birth weight increases over time and so by the time they are three-years-old, half the children are malnourished. Because of poor sanitation we have widespread <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">faecal oral contamination</a>. Water and food sources have high degrees of contamination and it results in diarrhoea and other gastro intestinal illnesses, which increases the child mortality rate,” said renowned public health specialist and activist Dr <keyword id="43944" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Binayak-Sen">Binayak Sen</keyword>. 
 
 
 
State of famine 
In 1943, three million people died in the infamous <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">Bengal famine</a>. There was no shortage of grain in <keyword id="6356978" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengal">Bengal</keyword> at that time, yet people had nothing to eat. Interpreting the Famine of 1943,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841"> Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen </a>suggested that the reason for it was the breakdown of the social arrangement in distributing food. To put the matter in a world context, every three seconds somewhere around the world, a child dies of causes related to avoidable malnutrition. "In those three seconds, the world armaments industry spends 120,000 USD in order to keep the system responsible safely in place,” Binayak Sen told <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword>. 
 
 
 
Ignorant policies that do the most harm Skyrocketing prices of daily food items spell more woe for the people, who are already paying "too much" to survive. International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (<keyword id="1367836" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IFAD">IFAD</keyword>) Rural Poverty Report-2011 states, “While international food prices have declined since mid-2008, they are still substantially higher than prior to the price surge, and they are likely to remain at 2010 levels or higher for the next decade.” The report has suggested that about 100 million of world’s rural and urban people have to remain hungry. 
 “It will remain high, the era of cheap food is over," said <keyword id="669006" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Richard-Mahapatra">Richard Mahapatra</keyword>, managing editor of Down to <keyword id="6359982" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="earth">Earth</keyword>. "This is because productivity of agriculture is low and thus impacts production. This is the supply side issue. Also the rainfed areas that contribute a signifcant amount of foodgrain is not getting the policy focus. Even though the new second Green <keyword id="24385" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="revolution">Revolution</keyword> is aimed at that, it seems to be flawed. Now, the demand side. Demand is increasing but we don't have robust distribution mechanism. So, it creates further price rise. Also, there is huge diversion of agricultural lands to other uses. Combined with low productivity, less lands and absence of distribution mechanism, we are set for high price rise.” 
 Due to the PDS (<keyword id="89442" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-distribution-system">Public Distribution System</keyword>) and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">public wage programmes</a> starvation deaths have definitely come down, he contended. Often we call cheap food grain programmes as populist. They are indeed popular as poor find them useful and their starvation is avoided with this entitlement. 
 
 
 
Adult malnutrition 
“Roughly 33-35 per cent of the entire Indian population have a BMI below 18.5, which is indicative of calorie malnutrition. They aren't getting enough food to eat. More than one-third of India is on a chronic basis not getting proper food to eat. Low BMI is also restricting people’s immunity,” said Binayak Sen. 
 “Without addressing nutritional status, there can be no adequate development. Food Security Act does nothing for betterment of nutritional status of the poeple as such. <keyword id="250148" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Bill">The Bill</keyword> is like 'something is better than nothing'. Five kilos of wheat per person per month make two chapattis per day. With two chapatis the nutritional question isn’t answered. This terrible nutritional deficit is yielding polarization in society,” he added. 
 
Urban malnutrition 
In villages, people stay in close bond with each other, who can be approached for help in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">times of crisis</a>. Migrating people in cities start living in slums and ghettos, where they have to live with people unknown and untrustworthy. Moreover, people fight here to make ends meet, which actually leads to self-centric attitude. 
 
Red corridor hunger 
“People who are in chronic situation and stable famine are able to withstand only because of their access to natural resources like land, water and forest," opined Binayak Sen. "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">Access to this resources was unrestricted</a>. Designating the common properties as commodities that can be owned by corporates is restricting poeple’s right to access and in a way right to live. Any form of resistance is labelled as insurgency. First they try civil ways and then take recourse in military measures. People have to confront. Application of eminent domain needs to be questioned. Under 5th schedule, govt has to ensure people’s access to natural resources but there is not a single instances of government intervening.” 
 
“They have mapped it as red corridor but poeple’s deprivation hasn't been mapped yet," said Sen. 
 
"We need to relook at the arm forces and UAPA laws. Whole discourse in election has become restricted to attitudes to development. Development is about accessing resources. Nobody is saying there are vital issues involved. What is going to happen to the poeple whose right has been denied? State will not be thwarted in its course. There needs to be a contestaion in the level of people. They need to raise the issue.” 
 
Business Insider’s Take 
Agriculture contributes around 16 per cent to<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841"> India’s GDP</a>; it is coming down over the years. But still 60 per cent people depend on this. What does this mean? Is it that it is reliable as a source of livelihood or people don't have any other source thus depend on agriculture? In both the cases, shifting people out of agriculture is going to be a tough challenge. Industries or the service sectors have their own limitation and can't absorb such a huge number of people. Strategically, this will be a blunder as we kill out food self-sufficiency.

BI Investigation: India’s food nightmare is killing millions of
children across the country every day

Ever since <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi">Narendra Modi</a> took oath as India’s Prime Minister, one area which took most of his attention was international relationships. After visiting multiple countries now, it’s <keyword id="41896" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword> who is hopeful. Iran hopes that the Indian PM will visit Tehran to draw up a joint strategy over geo-political challenges and set up joint ventures worth billions of dollars in the petrochemicals, fertiliser and surface transport sectors. 
 As per the media reports, Iranian Ambassador <keyword id="2017413" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gholam-Reza-Ansari">Gholam Reza Ansari</keyword> has already sent an invite to PM Modi. "We hope that it materializes soon to give the required impetus to bilateral ties and to firm up a strategic partnership," Ansari said, adding that Modi and Iranian President <keyword id="1753604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hasan-Rouhani">Hasan Rouhani</keyword> had a "useful meeting" in the Russian city of Ufa on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. 
 
Praising India’s efforts for extending help to Iran during the sanctions regime, which is now coming to an end with an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program, Ansari said, “It has brought us together. India opened a credit line which helped in easing economic pressure on the regime," adding that India's dues of $8 billion can be utilized for setting up major developmental projects in Iran. 
 "A great potential of cooperation exists between India and Iran. Iran offers access to India through the Chahbahar and Bandar Abbas ports and through the north-south corridor to Central Asia, Afghanistan, <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword>, the Caucasus region and even Turkey,” he added. 
 
The envoy also said that India and Iran shared similar views on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>. 
 
Talking about the<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/There-are-parts-of-the-Iran-nuclear-agreement-so-secret-that-not-even-John-Kerry-has-seen-them-yet/articleshow/48273905.cms"> nuclear deal</a>, which has been signed by Iran with six big powers, the ambassador said that Iran always stated that its program was for peaceful and civilian purposes. 
 Ansari also claimed Iran has always opposed military solutions and that Oman and Quatar has endorsed the deal while <keyword id="50996" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saudi-Arabia">Saudi Arabia</keyword> still has some reservations. The envoy assured that every effort would be made to engage with the kingdom and remove its misgivings. 
 "The nuclear accord is a great historic development. This development has taken place when the regional political and security situation has worsened. Afghanistan, <keyword id="6354913" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Syria">Syria</keyword>, Yemen and Libya are in turmoil. It has been proved that military means have offered no solution to the crisis in the Middle east and other regions. The need of the hour is to face the threat of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ISIS+">ISIS </a>(Islamic State), which is erasing borders and trying to create a Calaphite regime. We need strong determination as well as cooperation to eliminate this menace," the envoy said. 
 
On Syria, he said that Russia and the United States, along with Iran, are drawing up a new plan to end civil war in the country. "One-third of the Syrian population has fled to neighboring nations. It is time to solve this issue realistically," he said, adding: "The new plan is likely to be placed before the UN very shortly." 
 
Image: indiatimes

Iran invites Indian PM Modi to enhance strategic partnership

India and Iran united on the issue of combating <keyword id="6358165" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="terrorism">terrorism</keyword> and radicalism as the two nations signed at least 12 agreements today. The announcement came during Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>'s visit which comes months after lifting of international sanctions on Iran following Tehran's historic nuclear deal with the Western powers over its contentious atomic programme. "We have agreed to consult closely and regularly on combating threats of terrorism, radicalism, drug trafficking and cyber crime. We have also agreed to enhance interaction between our defence and security institutions on regional and <keyword id="62000" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maritime-security">maritime security</keyword>," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here. 

	PM Rouhani, meanwhile, termed terrorism as a "big problem running rife and rampant in the region", and said that both the nations have discussed the issue and agreed to share intelligence to combat the menace.
 "Due to the importance of stability and security in the region and especially in the countries <keyword id="6354541" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="afghanistan">Afghanistan</keyword>, Iraq, Syria and Yemen and because a big problem called terrorism is running rife and rampant in the region. 

	"The two countries discussed about political issues as well and how they can cooperate on intelligence sharing and how they can get closer to each other in the fight against terrorism and extremism and how they can contribute to peace and stability in the whole region," Rouhani added.

India, Iran unite on combating terror and radicalism; agree to enhance intelligence sharing

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>’s travel diary could soon be having some more new places. Come July, Modi would be visiting five Central Asian countries with an intent to tap huge natural resources including hydrocarbon and uranium. As per a news report in The Economic Times, Modi plans to spend a day each in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and <keyword id="169344" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tajikistan">Tajikistan</keyword>, diplomatic sources told the financial daily. The trip is being clubbed with Modi's maiden visit to <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> for the Brics summit in <keyword id="271311" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ufa">Ufa</keyword> on July 8 and 9, sources hinted. Modi is also expected to attend the <keyword id="157954" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shanghai-Cooperation-Organisation">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</keyword> summit in the same city on July 9 and 10. 
 <keyword id="1333" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beijing">Beijing</keyword> has made huge inroads in the region, with which it shares geographical boundaries, by laying pipelines to harness hydrocarbon and constructing railway and road network to connect Europe via <keyword id="6360296" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Asia">Central Asia</keyword>. Prime ministerial trips to Central Asia have been few and far between notwithstanding its geographical proximity, strategic importance and abundance of natural resources. 
 While many former Prime Minsters from <keyword id="6358441" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narasimha-Rao">Narasimha Rao</keyword> to <keyword id="47100" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</keyword> and <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword> have visited these countries lack of road and sea access has not allowed India to realise full trade potential with the region. This could change after India develops the Chabahar port in <keyword id="41896" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword> and will use the nation as a transit for Central Asia. India's defence ties with some countries of the region have been upgraded in recent years. India also shares historical bonds with Central Asia and enjoys goodwill in the region, thanks to its ties with the erstwhile <keyword id="6365126" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Soviet-Union">Soviet Union</keyword> of which the nations were a part. 
 (Image: <keyword id="-101" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Times">India Times</keyword>)

Modi to fly overseas yet
again in July! This time to 5 Central Asian
countries

It seems strategies made by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Prime+Minister+Narendra+Modi+">Prime Minister Narendra </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Prime+Minister+Narendra+Modi+">Modi</a>’s are heading in the right direction. India made a right move on Monday when UAE issued a joint statement with India, leaving its close ally Pakistan aside. 
 On his first visit to <keyword id="63248" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Abu-Dhabi">Abu Dhabi</keyword>, Modi and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed AI Nahyan agreed to cooperate against terrorism, radicalism and organized crime that, if followed through, could deny the likes of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Dawood+Ibrahim">Dawood Ibrahim</a>, <keyword id="53557" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Lashkar-e-Taiba">Lashkar-e-Taiba</keyword> and other terror groups from using the Emirates as a springboard against India, reported TOI. 
 
For the first time, both the countries have agreed to "enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing" and control of flow of terror funds. 
 
India and UAE also agreed that they will "control, regulate and share information on flow of funds that could have a bearing on radicalization activities and cooperate in interdicting illegal flows and take action against concerned individuals and organizations". 
 
A joint statement said the two nations "oppose terrorism in all forms and manifestations...calling on all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they exist, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice". 
 
This is was direct reference to Pakistan's activities, particularly with reference to 26/11 accused <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Zakiur+Rehman+Lakhvi">Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi</a>, without naming it, and shows <keyword id="3002" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Islamabad">Islamabad</keyword>'s declining equity in what used to be its strategic backyard. 
 
More importantly, both countries have asked all nations (read <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Pakistan">Pakistan</a>) "to fully respect and sincerely implement their commitments to resolve disputes bilaterally and peacefully, without resorting to violence and terrorism". 
 
Not only this, both Modi and the Crown Prince will now meet regularly, while the national security advisers of both the countries will meet every six months to take this forward. 
 
The UAE's shift is remarkable! However, the Emirates' sheikhs continue to have close relationships in Pakistan, including the country being their favourite game hunting destination. The UAE was also one of three countries which supported a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Taliban+">Taliban</a> government in <keyword id="6354541" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan">Afghanistan</keyword> in the 1990s. For decades, the UAE has been a safe transit for terror groups, organized crime and drug networks from Pakistan, Afghanistan and even India. According to sources, the UAE signing on to this agreement signals a new dawn. 
 
In the past, India has abandoned its decades-old reticence regarding the Gulf and Middle East — the UAE will be the first Gulf country with whom India is talking "interoperability" for both humanitarian assistance and conflict situations, joint manufacture of defence equipment and maritime security cooperation. 
 India's new outreach to the UAE may have repercussions in two countries — Pakistan and <keyword id="41896" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword>. The UAE has a contentious relationship with Iran, while Pakistan and the UAE have been very close — the Taliban-hijacked IC-814 made a stop in <keyword id="6354539" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dubai">Dubai</keyword> after taking off from <keyword id="6359825" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="amritsar">Amritsar</keyword>. 
 By upgrading the bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Modi plans to open different sectors of the <keyword id="6356076" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="indian-economy">Indian economy</keyword> to investment from the UAE. India hopes to benefit from the $800 billion UAE sovereign wealth fund and the joint statement gives room for optimism. 
 
It said the UAE will "encourage the investment institutions of UAE to raise their investments in India, including through the establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the aim of reaching a target of $75 billion to support investment in India's plans for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure". 
 The importance laid on the visit by the hosts was clear when Crown Prince Sheikh <keyword id="3002666" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mohamed-bin-Zayed-Al-Nahyan">Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan</keyword> arrived with all his five brothers to receive Modi at the airport. An additional gesture was grant of land for a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

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