# India-Russia Relations Under Modi and Putin: Evolution and Strategic Dynamics

## Executive Summary

The India-Russia relationship under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite global geopolitical shifts, particularly in the context of India's growing rivalry with China and the complexities introduced by Russia's actions in Ukraine.

This strategic partnership has evolved to balance India's traditional ties with Russia while accommodating its expanding relationships with Western powers and its strategic competition with China.

## Historical Foundation and Continuity

The India-Russia relationship maintains its foundation in the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" established during the post-Soviet era.

The annual summit mechanism, alternating between the two countries, continues to serve as the cornerstone of bilateral engagement.

The most recent summit in December 2021 resulted in over two dozen agreements across various sectors, including a significant 10-year Military Technical Cooperation Agreement that will guide defense collaboration through 2031.

## Key Areas of Evolution

### Defense Cooperation

# India-Russia Relations Under Modi and Putin: Evolution and Strategic Dynamics

## Executive Summary

The India-Russia relationship under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite global geopolitical shifts, particularly in the context of India's growing rivalry with China and the complexities introduced by Russia's actions in Ukraine.

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Content: TEHRAN, Dec. 07 (MNA) – In a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Indian Prime Minister called for closer cooperation in support of JCPOA talks in Vienna and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Heading a delegation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has traveled to the Indian capital, New Delhi to discuss bilateral relations with this Asian country.

During this visit, Vladimir Putin met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and they issued a joint statement following their bilateral meeting.

In the joint statement, the Indian and Russian leaders called for closer cooperation in support of the ongoing JCPOA talks in Vienna.

Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin also called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

According to the statement, New Delhi and Moscow expressed their support for reaching a bilateral agreement in Vienna.

They also stressed the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields of defense and space programs.

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Content: Modi flies to Moscow for first time since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia for a visit, which is Modi's first visit to Russia since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday (July 8) for his first visit to Russia since 2019.
It was also his first trip since he began his third premiership in June.
"I look forward to reviewing various aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Putin and exchanging views on various regional and global issues," Modi said in a statement.
"We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region," he added.
Russia remains India ’ s main supplier of cheap oil and weapons, but Moscow ’ s isolation from the West and friendly relations with Beijing have affected its long-standing partnership with New Delhi.
At the same time, Western powers have cultivated relations with India in recent years to counter China and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region, while forcing India to distance itself from Russia.
Modi ’ s last visit to Russia was in 2019. A few weeks before Russia ’ s all-out military campaign against Ukraine in 2022, Modi hosted visiting Putin in New Delhi.
Indian state media confirmed on Monday afternoon that Modi had arrived in Russia for an official visit.
India has avoided explicitly condemning Russia during the war and abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning Moscow.
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Content: India, Russia
Indian Foreign Minister's Visit to Moscow Concerned Over Continued Russo-Ukrainian Conflict
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Moscow on Monday for a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Indian Foreign Ministry said that during the two-day visit, Sujson will hold discussions on all bilateral issues and exchange views on regional and international situations.
In the context of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, the visit of the Indian foreign minister is of vital importance to Russia, which seeks to maintain a special relationship with New Delhi.
Over the past week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly praised India and its leaders.
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According to the Bangalore-based journalist Côte Bastin, the purpose of Sujason ’ s visit was to reaffirm the close relationship between India and Russia, which has been tested in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and India ’ s refusal to face Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations, mainly on the basis that New Delhi does not want to offend its traditional partners, while Russia is India ’ s main arms supplier.
But Moody's tone changed when he spoke with Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on Sept. 16.
At the time, Modi told Putin that "the present is no longer an era of war, but an era of dialogue."
India also demanded assurances from Russia that it would not be the first to use nuclear weapons.
In the past 10 days, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly praised India on various occasions, saying that "the future belongs to India - the world's largest democracy led by patriot Modi" and "Indians are talented and determined."
Russian media also generally echo Putin, emphasizing India's role as a multi-polar power.
For India, the primary purpose of the visit is to discuss strategic business agreements between the two sides, including Russian gas.
The Indian Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the specifics of the talks, but India is likely to reiterate its desire for a peaceful resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
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Content: Russia-India coordination, balance, US-India approach?
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Source: Global Times
Author: Wang Shida
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 20th to further develop the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two countries.
At the beginning of this month, Russia and India held an annual leaders' summit, launched the first "2 + 2" dialogue between foreign ministers and defense ministers, and agreed to strengthen cooperation and coordination on bilateral and multilateral issues, and signed up to 28 cooperation agreements.
In just two weeks, the summit had two interactions, which sent a signal that Russian-Indian relations were more special than before.
From the interaction on the 6th, Putin led a strong delegation to visit India and held the annual Russian-Indian leaders' summit.
This is Putin's second overseas visit since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, highlighting the importance he attaches to the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two countries.
During the visit, Russia and India held their first "2 + 2" meeting, which will help deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.
The most important of the 28 cooperation agreements signed by Russia and India is the Agreement on Military Technical Cooperation 2021-2031.
The document will provide guidance for Russian-Indian military cooperation in the next 10 years, especially to promote joint development and production of weapons and equipment.
It can be said that the foundation for the next stage of military interaction between Russia and India has been laid.
In addition, Russia and India are also actively discussing the signing of a military logistics agreement similar to the memorandum of understanding on logistics exchange between the two countries to facilitate the use of each other's military bases.
Once signed in the future, the Russian-Indian military relations will take another step forward.
The two leaders discussed how to implement the agreement reached at the December 6 meeting, agreed to maintain regular contact on all aspects covered by the Russian-Indian “special and privileged strategic partnership ”, continue to deepen bilateral cooperation and consultation and coordination in multilateral forums, and exchange views on international stability and security issues, including the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Since taking office as US president at the beginning of the year, Biden has inherited and strengthened the Indo-Pacific strategy of his predecessor, Trump, and has courted India as the key to its success.
To this end, Biden has made efforts to promote the upgrading and implementation of the four-nation mechanism.
In March this year, the four-nation mechanism held its first video summit, issued a joint declaration, and established three working groups to implement the summit consensus.
In September, the four-nation mechanism held its first offline summit, reiterating the implementation of cooperation in the fields of vaccines and high-quality infrastructure, and proposing to jointly train scientific and technological talents to create a "closed loop of scientific and technological talents of the four countries".
For example, the United States has continued to deepen the "comprehensive global strategic cooperative partnership" between the United States and India.
On March 19, U.S. Defense Secretary William Austin visited India, calling the U.S.-India relationship "a key pillar of a free and open Indo-Pacific."
Under the continued cozying up of the Biden administration, India's attitude of strategic autonomy has become blurred, and it has clearly moved closer to and tilted toward the United States in implementing its foreign policy of "multi-faceted alliance."
During his visit to the United States in September, Modi said that "the relationship between the United States and India has entered a critical transition period".
In the face of the continuous promotion of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" by the United States and the drift and deviation of India in the two strategic directions of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Eurasian continent, Russia is certainly alert.
As early as the Cold War, Russia and India established a relatively special strategic cooperative partnership, even reaching the level of quasi-allies.
At the end of the Cold War, Russia pushed India to join strategic designs such as the "trilateral dialogue between China, Russia and India" in an attempt to promote the establishment of a fair and multipolar world order.
Russia also sees India as an important partner in the Indian Ocean region and an important contributor to the effects of radiation in the Indian Ocean region.
To this end, Russia has taken a series of actions, Foreign Minister Lavrov and other high-level leaders directly expressed opposition to the United States using the "Indo-Pacific strategy" as a tool to contain China and Russia and create regional division.
This round of Russian-Indian strategic coordination is also the proper meaning of Russia's anti-Indo-Pacific strategy.
In particular, Russia and India signed a major defense cooperation order, began the delivery of S-400 air defense system, and will soon sign a military logistics agreement, which is conducive to consolidating defense and military cooperation between the two countries, hedging the penetration and erosion of the traditional Russian arms market by the United States in the past 10 years, and preventing India from falling into the "Indo-Pacific camp" because of increased dependence on weapons and equipment.
Therefore, Russian-Indian interaction is conducive to maintaining the relative balance between the two camps of the Eurasian continent and the Indo-Pacific Ocean, as well as to global strategic stability and peace.
(The writer is deputy director of the South Asia Institute of the Chinese Institute of Modern International Relations)
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Content: Russia, India Call For UN Security Council Reform To Reflect Contemporary Global Realities

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Russia and India call for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities, according to a joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the 21st Russian-Indian summit

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 06th December, 2021) Russia and India call for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities, according to a joint statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the 21st Russian-Indian summit.

"The parties called for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities and make it more representative, effective and efficient in addressing issues of international peace and security," the statement says.

Putin congratulated India on the successful chairmanship of the council in August and confirmed his support for India's candidacy for permanent members of the reformed and expanded UN Security Council. It is noted that Modi thanked Putin for participating in the high-level debate on maritime security, which he chaired on August 9 as part of India's chairmanship of the UN Security Council.

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Content:   • News
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  • US calls on India to use ties with Russia, urge Putin to end 'illegal war' in Ukraine

US calls on India to use ties with Russia, urge Putin to end 'illegal war' in Ukraine

NEW DELHI: The United States has once again called upon India to leverage its long-standing ties with Russia to persuade Russian President Putin to cease his "illegal war" in Ukraine.
During a press briefing, US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "India has a longstanding relationship with Russia, that is well known. Speaking for the United States, we have encouraged India to use that longstanding relationship with Russia and the unique position they have to urge President Putin to end his illegal war and to find a just peace, lasting peace to this conflict, to tell Vladimir Putin to respect the UN Charter and Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty."
Miller further acknowledged India as an important partner for the United States when it comes to dealing with Russia.

This statement comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent two-day visit to Moscow, marking his first trip to Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
During his meeting with President Putin, PM Modi expressed concerns about the impact of the conflict on the Global South and conveyed his hope for peace, inspired by Putin's "frank" views on the matter. PM Modi also assured both Russia and the international community of India's unwavering support for any peace effort.
Prior to the talks between Modi and Putin, the United States had communicated its concerns to India regarding the Russia-India relationship and expressed its desire for PM Modi to urge Putin to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Content: Why does Russia have an alliance with India?
Russian defense and foreign ministers Sergei Shoigu and Sergei Lavrov arrived in India this morning, followed by President Vladimir Putin.
Why do Moscow need these visits and an alliance with New Delhi in general?
Before independence, India was a British colony.
After World War II, when the Cold War broke out between the USSR and the United States, India opted for neutrality.
Along with Egypt and Cuba, it joined the Non-Aligned Movement.
At the same time, relations with the USSR among the Hindus were quite close.
Suffice it to say that the Soviet Union provided significant military assistance to India under Khrushchev during the Indo-Chinese conflict – despite the fact that China was a communist country and Moscow ’ s ally in the Cold War.
In the same 60s, Moscow supported New Delhi in a dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir.
Moreover, it was with the participation of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Kosygin that the Second Indo-Pakistani War was stopped.
On January 10, 1966, the declaration on the cessation of hostilities was signed in Tashkent.
Today, India is trying to follow the same course of non-alignment.
However, as then, geopolitical realities – the ongoing rivalry with China and Pakistan – are forcing Hindus to look for strong allies.
In this sense, India has a small choice: the United States, the European Union and Russia.
Europe could be a support, but traditionally tries not to get involved in the battle of the Titans.
Even in the U.S.-Russia standoff, Europeans are calling for a lessening of passions, and by the way, they recently challenged U.S. intelligence findings about an alleged Russian invasion.
The EU has close economic ties with China, plus the EU is a very heterogeneous structure.
France is now resentful of the Anglo-Saxons because of the anti-Chinese AUKUS, and Germany is very modest in foreign policy.
As for the US itself, this would be a very convenient option for India.
The United States is now actively opposing China, both economically and through military alliances.
India participates in the QUAD alliance and, together with the United States, Japan and Australia, conducts naval exercises in the Indian Ocean.
The last of them, in October, became the largest in 40 years.
Only the whole snag of the alliance with Washington for New Delhi is that the Americans demand complete submission.
The United States literally forbids India to buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia, threatens it with sanctions, as it was with Turkey.
In such a situation, Russia is, if not the only, then at least a unique partner for India.
Yes, unlike the United States, it will not oppose China, but at the same time, Russia sells India weapons that help maintain the balance of power in Asia.
We are also taking steps to reduce escalation.
For example, it is thanks to Russian efforts that India and China are now full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Is it possible to imagine joint military exercises between the Hindus and the Chinese under the auspices of the Pentagon?
Of course not.
But almost such exercises took place this year: in September, 200 Indian military personnel, as well as Chinese and Pakistani observers, participated in the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2021 maneuvers.
In addition, Russia is trying to bring China and India closer economically.
Within the framework of the BRICS format, there is a joint pool of reserve currencies that helps strengthen the financial sovereignty of the five countries.
In short, Russia is strengthening India ’ s defenses and working to reduce its conflict with China.
Separately, it is also worth mentioning the North-South project, which leads from Russia to India and vice versa, which will strengthen trade opportunities and macro-regional importance of both countries.
Thus, today ’ s visit of Putin, Lavrov and Shoigu to India is extremely important.
Relations with India need to be strengthened.
This increases our role in Asia, strengthens our cards to the United States and, in the good sense of the word, allows us to balance a growing China.
After all, an alliance with India is good money.
For 30 years on the supply of aircraft, tanks and "Kalashnikovs" the Russian budget was replenished by $60 billion.
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Content: Tuesday 16 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444 AH - 4 July 2023 |
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Shanghai Cooperation Organization seeks to strengthen ties and expand
Leaders of China, India, Russia and Pakistan on Tuesday sought to strengthen ties and cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as part of efforts to expand the organization and counter Western influence in the region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and leaders of four Central Asian countries participated in the online summit.
Beijing and Moscow established the political and security organization in 2001.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attended the meeting, with Tehran due to join as the ninth member of the organization on Tuesday, and Belarus will sign a memorandum of commitments in preparation for its accession at a later date.
Acceptance of the two countries, which enjoy observer status and have close ties with Moscow, would expand the Western flank of the organization in both Europe and Asia.
Chinese state media reported that Xi, in a speech from Beijing at the summit, called for enhanced cooperation and exchange of experiences among SCO members, and efforts to safeguard regional peace and ensure common security.
He also urged the group to focus on practical cooperation to accelerate economic recovery, to move in the right direction and to strengthen solidarity and mutual trust.
In his speech, Putin, in his first appearance at an international forum since last month ’ s brief rebellion, reassured leaders of Russia ’ s stability and unity.
Putin said Moscow intended to strengthen ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support a shift to the use of local currencies in commercial transactions.
He also warned of the growing potential for conflict and the risk of a global economic crisis.
Putin thanked the SCO members, who he said had expressed support for his efforts to “protect the constitutional order and the lives and security of citizens. ”
He told them Russia would stand up to Western pressure, sanctions and "provocations" over what Moscow calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Russia views countries such as China, India and Iran, the newest member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, as key partners in countering the United States and resisting what it says are U.S. attempts to control the world order.
The summit came just two weeks after US President Joe Biden hosted Modi on an official visit, with the two countries describing themselves as “one of the closest partners in the world. ”
Addressing the opening of the SCO summit, Modi, whose country holds the SCO presidency as well as the G20 this year, urged SCO leaders to join hands to fight terrorism, help Afghanistan and tackle global challenges such as food, fuel and fertilizer shortages.
The conflicts, tensions and repercussions of the epidemic, and the global food, fuel and fertilizer crises posed great challenges for all countries.
"We need to think together to figure out whether we, as a group, have the capacity to meet the expectations and aspirations of our peoples, whether we are able to meet the modern challenges, whether the SCO has become a fully prepared group for the future," he said.
The Pakistani prime minister said the international community was at a standstill over Afghanistan and that the crucial support Kabul needed to prevent a humanitarian crisis had been withheld.
Sherif said, “This policy needs urgent reconsideration. ”
No country, including Pakistan, has officially recognized the Taliban administration since it seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Cuts in development aid by foreign donors and sanctions on Afghanistan ’ s banking sector have severely crippled the economy.
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Content: India's strategic autonomy is paying dividends

New Delhi is keeping its distance from the principles of Cold War 2.0 and seeking advantage from diverse relationships

Photo: Reuters

By Sushanta Mallick and Brigitte Granville

Published: Sun 14 Aug 2022, 9:41 PM

Last updated: Sun 14 Aug 2022, 9:50 PM

If there was a prize for the most quotable comment on international relations so far in 2022, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar would be in the running. Responding to criticism of his country’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war at a security forum in Slovakia in June, Jaishankar said that “Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.”

Like most major crises, the war is shedding stark light on our era, and India’s response to it is particularly illuminating. India’s current foreign policy does more than just exemplify how the conflict has intensified deglobalization trends. It also highlights the paradox inherent in the country’s increasing emphasis on “strategic autonomy” as the world fragments into rival power centers: the United States and its alliance system versus China and Russia. The essence of this paradox is that India’s quest for self-reliance – keeping its distance from the principles of Cold War 2.0 and seeking advantage from diverse relationships – entails multidimensional international engagement.

For example, European politicians painfully weaning their countries off imported Russian energy have criticized India for buying more Russian oil – after Western sanctions reduced its price by about a third relative to the world market price. Indian purchases of Russian crude increased to 1.1 million barrels per day (mbpd) by late July and now account for over one-fifth of Indian oil consumption, compared to just 2% last year.

The standard official Indian response is that, despite Europe’s extensive sanctions, the continent’s energy trade with Russia still dwarfs India’s. More tellingly, however, India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil are not only cushioning the blow to itself as an energy-importing country, but also helping to prevent even more economic pain for Europe. If the 4.3 mbpd of crude oil that Russia sold to the West last year (or six mbpd including oil products) had no alternative markets like India, the world oil price would be even higher.

Recognizing the importance of keeping Russian oil on the market, the G7 has now come up with an alternative sanctions strategy that could present India with its next big test. The West’s Plan A was to combine, by the end of 2022, a partial embargo on direct imports of Russian oil with an attempt to choke off Russian oil exports to third countries by leveraging Western (and especially British) dominance of the global marine insurance market.

Plan B is the so-called “price cap” mechanism. This would allow Russia to continue exporting oil but set a maximum price just sufficient to cover its production costs, thereby depriving the Russian state of any war-financing rent.

When the price cap scheme was first officially aired at the G7 summit in June, several leaders, notably German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, publicly questioned its viability – especially regarding compliance by third-party buyers of Russian oil. Even if Russia agreed to the cap, who would get access to its deeply discounted oil, and who would pay the full market rate? Russia would be much more likely simply to reduce output, hoping to offset its losses with the resulting further price surge for whatever residual oil exports evaded the Western insurance net.

Either way, India will be in a pivotal position. While Russia’s opaque oil sales to China will continue regardless, India can look forward to various arbitrage opportunities. It will continue importing substantial quantities of Russian oil at ever cheaper prices. And in the event that such imports weakened Western measures to squeeze Russia’s oil rents, the US would be unlikely to threaten – much less impose – secondary sanctions on India.

After all, successive US administrations – under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden – have refrained from using their legal powers under existing legislation to place secondary sanctions on India for continuing to buy Russian weapons. The reason for this is clear: A closer security partnership with India has become a vital part of America’s China policy. Specifically, the Quad – an informal security grouping comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and India – has emerged as a cornerstone of US Indo-Pacific strategy, and would not survive the US sanctioning one of its members.

Of course, the US-India security relationship is mutual, given tensions with China on the Himalayan Line of Actual Control – as the deadly June 2020 border skirmish showed. India has an interest in keeping Russia close and not allowing a monolithic and estranged Russia-China Eurasian axis to loom over the Indian subcontinent.

India is playing this multifaceted game adroitly. In defense procurement, it has acquired advanced Russian S-400 air-defense systems and agreed to extend until 2031 the licensed local production of Russian weapons. But it has also increased arms purchases from NATO members, notably France.

Moreover, India has ample options for managing broader US sensitivities vis-à-vis Russia. For example, Russia urgently needs to replace industrial inputs that it previously imported from the West. This could provide further opportunities for Indian exports, which are already a third higher than their pre-pandemic level, owing in part to the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (“self-reliant India”) stimulus program for manufacturing. Increased Indian pharmaceutical and automotive exports to Russia need not involve military support of the kind that has already led the US to sanction various Chinese electronics manufacturers, as announced on June 28.

India’s relations with Russia are part of its nuanced and multidimensional foreign policy. This approach means that the upcoming 75th anniversary of Indian independence will coincide with the country achieving significant – and advantageous – geopolitical autonomy.

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Content: Global Express | India and the world: 2024 - Doomsday or reason for hope?

Published: 28th December 2023 06:41 PM  |   Last Updated: 28th December 2023 06:46 PM

As the world celebrates the start of a new year, there is a counter-narrative that points to a growing disquiet as 2024 dawns.

The Hamas-Israel conflict has set off tremors across the world, and it is far more divisive going forward than the Ukraine conflict that has divided Europe. There’s widespread anger on the streets in half the countries on our planet.

And the triggers range from political to economic, from Palestine to the plight of women in Iran and Afghanistan to the Baloch people and the oppressed.

The arc of instability runs through our immediate neighbourhood too, where India’s hold over South Asia is weakening as our neighbourhood first policy unravels.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have had two major foreign policy successes: he was feted as a special guest to the White House by the Biden Administration, followed by a remarkable hosting of the G20 summit in Delhi, which was seen as a high point, even if it was boycotted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

And, by every reckoning, the India-US relationship should be seen as something of a success. India is seen as a non-NATO ally and a major defence partner to counter the rise of China. We’ve been roped into Quad, to AUkUS, to I2U2.

But India will not downgrade ties with Russia, so we have one foot in Moscow and another in the West. Is Russia yesterday's news? And the US—the new crutch?

Are we going in with our eyes wide shut, aware of the pitfalls if we get sucked into the big power rivalry? And by all accounts, prepare the ground to give up our much-vaunted multi-polarity?

There’s little question that our message to China couldn’t be clearer. Its presence, not just on our land border along the Himalayas but in our southern tip, where China’s naval prowess is a challenge to India’s Neighbourhood First policy—in the Maldives, in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh—makes it an ever-present danger. Clearly, every move we have made in strengthening military alliances has been done with one eye on Beijing.

But October 7 and the Hamas attack and the Houthis blocking the Red Sea have altered not just India’s but everyone’s foreign policy priorities. Where once Delhi’s one-point focus would have been the Taliban consolidating in Afghanistan, widening its footprint in Pakistan’s North West Frontier, Balochistan, and within Pakistan, staying focused on the Pakistan Army playing political musical chairs.

Now, after the embarrassing fallout with Canada and the US over the Indian national allegedly involved in an alleged assassination plot on US soil, there’s been another shift.

2024 is, after all, the election year where the people will speak. Not just in India, but in the U.S., in Pakistan, where the abrogation of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir will be an issue, in Bangladesh, in Sri Lanka, in the UK and Taiwan.

Taking part in the discussion today with senior journalist Neena Gopal on the major challenges that India faces in 2024 and how we must tackle them are two foreign policy savants, Ambassador TCA Raghavan, former High Commissioner to Pakistan, a prolific author, and an expert on the South Asia region. His book, The People Next Door, is a must-read, and Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, one of India’s sharpest strategic minds., he was on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s advisory team—a task force. He is a visiting professor at a number of universities and think tanks and was the youngest vice chancellor of Jammu and Kashmir University.

* Views expressed by participants are personal and not endorsed by The New Indian Express.

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Toward the end of March, an unusual sequence of diplomatic visitors passed through India’s capital.

First came Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. They were followed by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The parade continued. Next to arrive were Gabriele Visentin, the European Union’s special envoy for the Indo-Pacific; Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s foreign minister; Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy adviser to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; and Geoffrey van Leeuwen, foreign affairs and defense adviser to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Last and by no means least were U.S. deputy national security adviser Daleep Singh, U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. There was also an online Indo-Australian summit.

The Ukraine war has exposed India’s strategic vulnerabilities in a tough neighborhood as arguably nothing else could, raising fundamental questions about the country’s global position and regional security. But, paradoxically — as the slew of recent high-profile visits confirms — the conflict has increased India’s strategic importance and, in the short term, widened its options.

Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi used this room for maneuver well? The West, even as it seeks to line up India on its side vis-a-vis Ukraine, has signaled its understanding of India’s dependence on Russia for vital defense equipment and long history of close diplomatic relations with the Kremlin.

China has been somewhat surprised to find itself on the same page as India regarding the war. Both countries abstained in a series of United Nations votes condemning the Russian invasion and have maintained their communication channels with the Kremlin despite Western sanctions. China has been asking for restoration of “normal” bilateral relations with India, which have been in a deep freeze since violent border clashes in June 2020 killed 20 Indian soldiers. “The world will listen when China and India speak with one voice,” Wang reportedly stated on his recent visit to Delhi.

Russia, no doubt eager to thank India for “understanding” the Kremlin’s position, has offered the country economic incentives — notably, discounted oil and gas and affordable fertilizer — to dissuade it from changing its stance.

While India’s long-standing focus on “strategic autonomy” has kept it out of formal alliances, its broad geopolitical orientation has been veering toward a special partnership with the United States, notably in the Indo-Pacific. India is a member of the U.S.-led “Quad,” an informal grouping also including Japan and Australia that is widely seen as a way to check China’s regional ambitions.

India has also significantly increased its defense purchases from the West in recent years, and, with the U.S., is seeking to modernize its manufacturing base for military equipment. This process is likely to be accelerated by India’s current realization that its dependence on Russian supplies imposes significant constraints, particularly in the event of a future border crisis with China.

Singh, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, pointedly warned of “consequences” should India breach the Western-led sanctions on Russia, and he urged India to recognize the diminishing value of its close relationship with the Kremlin. “The more Russia becomes China’s junior partner, the more leverage China gains over Russia, the less and less favorable that is for India’s strategic posture,” he told an Indian TV channel. “Does anyone think that if China breaches the Line of Actual Control, that Russia would now come to India’s defense? I don’t.”

China has been pushing the BRICS grouping (of which it is a member, along with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as models of non-Western collaboration that can ensure a multipolar world order. But Chinese blandishments toward India are unlikely to succeed if China’s leaders are not willing to reverse their military gains from unprovoked Himalayan incursions in the spring of 2020. India will accept nothing less than a return to the status quo ante of April 2020 as the price for normalizing bilateral relations. But whether it can leverage China’s overtures to achieve results on the ground remains to be seen.

Russia, meanwhile, is aware that India’s refusal to condemn its assault on Ukraine does not imply support. India has at no stage endorsed the Russian military campaign and its language has notably hardened as the war has dragged on. Indian statements now pointedly refer to the inviolability of borders, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the inadmissibility of resorting to force to resolve political disputes, even while calling on “both sides” to pursue diplomatic negotiations.

India has also been quick to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, sending 90 tons of relief materials. As the destruction has become more intense, its aid is likely to continue. India will gladly purchase essential supplies of fuel and fertilizer from Russia at discounted rates in rubles. But its diplomatic stance and decreasing reliance on Russian defense equipment mean that it is not completely in Russia’s camp.

Still, India’s calls for peace in Ukraine would have been more credible had it taken steps to bring about that outcome. Whereas countries like Turkey and Israel have been actively engaged in peace diplomacy, India has made no effort to play a mediating role, despite at one point sending four cabinet ministers to Europe to supervise the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine. Even Lavrov suggested in Delhi that India could help “support” a mediation process.

India could have used the diplomatic attention it has been getting over Ukraine to carve out a role worthy of its aspirations for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. Sadly, its ambitions seem to have been too modest.

India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, observed in 1946 that “India, constituted as she is, cannot play a secondary part in the world. She will either count for a great deal or not count at all.” Ukraine is a test case — and the jury remains out. Will today’s India count at all?

Shashi Tharoor, a former U.N. under-secretary-general and former Indian minister of state for external affairs and minister of state for human resource development, is an MP for the Indian National Congress. © Project Syndicate, 2022

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How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

How did India react to the war between Russia and Ukraine?

India did not directly oppose Russia's actions

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

This strategic partnership has evolved to balance India's traditional ties with Russia while accommodating its expanding relationships with Western powers and its strategic competition with China.

Title:

Content: ‘The relation between India and the US is not at the cost of relation between Russia and India, as long as it is not at the cost of the US.’

New Delhi: The annual India-Russia summit in New Delhi on 6 December culminated in new defence deals and more than two dozen pacts in diverse areas. On the sidelines, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hailed the S-400 air defence missile systems deal with India, and openly accused the United States of undermining India-Russia cooperation and trying to make India “obey American orders”. The Delhi-Moscow bonhomie was closely watched in Washington, with a distinct sense of unease about the impact the S-400 deal may have on India-US relations. In this wide-ranging interview, Dr Mukesh Aghi, President & Chief Executive Officer of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, says that the US won’t impose sanctions on India under CAATSA for S-400, as such a step can set India-US partnership back by decades and will only benefit the US’ key adversaries, China and Russia. Mr Aghi also spoke about the likely agenda for the 2+2 dialogue between the foreign and defence partners of India and US and the future trajectory of India-US economic partnership. Excerpts:

Q: From the India-US economic perspective, there is some good news. The meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai resulted in the revival of the India-US Trade Policy Forum. To what extent do you think this revival will help reboot the larger economic relationship?

A: Well, I think now you have a platform, a platform where you can put up the issues and have a candid discussion. There’s a process now. If you have lawyers and bureaucrats who focus on commas and semi colons in an agreement, then you will not get a trade deal. We’ve been talking between the US and India for the last 20 plus years, and the same issues continue to persist. And we keep on adding more issues like GSP withdrawal. We have to think out of the box to move India-US economic partnership to a higher plateau.

Q: What about prospects of more  American FDI coming into India? Do you think now American businesses are responding better to India’s investment climate?

A: There are three factors at play here. First, China has become a risk factor. Companies are saying, where is my China plus one strategy? Second, India has made a lot of effort in improving the ease of doing business, making India a better investment destination itself. Schemes like Production-linked Incentive (PLI) are encouraging US companies to look at India afresh. Third, there is abundance of capital in the US. The capital cost is almost zero now in the US. The combination of all three things is driving more FDI into India. If you talk to investors in America, the interest in India is extremely high. The Indian economy is growing. They want to be part of this resurgent economy.

Q: What’s the status of India-US FTA negotiations? Do you think that is moving forward?

A: We have started the process. But the question is, do we want to try to boil the ocean? Or do we want to say—let’s take small bites, and leave them chewable and go to the next bite and next bite? To me, that could be a better approach than trying to boil the ocean.

Q: India and the US were planning to have 2+2 dialogue between their Foreign and Defence Ministers. It seems it’s now postponed to January next year. What will be the key issues on the agenda?

A: The 2+2 will focus more on geopolitical issues. It’s going to be strategic. The two sides will definitely talk about China, Afghanistan, terrorism, cybersecurity and defence cooperation between the two countries.

Q: Do you have a wish list for the 2+2 dialogue?

A: Our wish list is we should look at the Quad more. Let’s look at how we basically drive an economic agenda under the Quad umbrella. If you look at the combined GDP of the four Quad countries, it’s over 32 trillion dollars. India needs at least one-and-a-half trillion-dollar worth of infrastructure investment. There is a lot of synergy between the two countries. Japan has the funding and the knowhow. Australia has high-tech environment. If the Quad focuses on its economic agenda, it will bring enormous benefits to the world.

Q: You are here in India at a time when we just had the India-Russia annual summit where India and Russia concluded quite a few defence deals, including one $700 million deal for jointly making assault rifles. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took a dig at the US and accused it of undermining the S-400 deal.  Do you see the S-400 deal attracting  US sanctions under CAATSA?

A: I think it’s in the interest of Russia that the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is imposed on India. It is in the interest of China that CAATSA is imposed on India. For (Russian Foreign Minister Sergey) Lavrov to proactively poke at the United States in a summit with India was undiplomatic. The relation between India and the US is not at the cost of relations between Russia and India as long as it is not at the cost of the US. It’s important to understand that India maintains its strategic independence here. Now, if CAATSA is imposed, my position is that India is a sovereign nation. It has the right to decide what equipment it buys and from whom. And at the same time, if we look at S-400 pointed more toward China than anybody else, then it only serves interest of the US. From this perspective, I don’t think the Joe Biden administration will impose CAATSA sanction on India for S-400 purchase. If at all sanctions are applied, it will set the US-India relationship by a few decades.

Q: So, it’s in the larger interest of the US and given the broad bipartisan consensus on sustaining the momentum in relations, it is extremely unlikely that they would contemplate such a move.

A: Absolutely.

Q: Ten months hence, how do you look at the quality of India-US relationship under President Biden. In Donald Trump, we had a mercurial politician who was prone to all kinds of theatrics. Do you think now there is more stability in the partnership?

A: There is more maturity in the India-US relationship; there is more predictability and there is a sense of a consultative process between the two countries. Above all, there is an acceptance that the two sides may have different viewpoints in some areas, and there is respect for that. Now, we don’t have transactional issues like Harley Davidson coming in the way.

Broadly speaking, the Biden administration is taking a much more structured approach to dealing with India than the Trump administration, which was very transactional. So now, they are putting all the bricks together in areas ranging from healthcare to technology. I am very optimistic and see the India-US relationship going further, higher and deeper in every aspect.

Manish Chand is Founder-CEO of India Writes Network, India and the World magazine and Centre for Global India Insights, a think tank focused on global affairs.

Title:

Content: PM Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin to meet today; spotlight on India-Russia 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership'

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after their rendezvous on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in 2019.

File Photo

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 6, 2021) will host Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.

This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after their rendezvous on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November 2019.

During the meeting which is likely to take place at 5:30 pm at the Hyderabad House in the national capital, the two leaders will review the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Summit is also likely to see Modi and Putin exchange views on regional, multilateral and international issues of mutual interest.

"The visit is in continuation of the tradition of Annual Summits alternately in India and Russia. The visit will provide further impetus to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," New Delhi had said while officially announcing Putin's visit to the country.

The last India-Russia Annual Summit was held in September 2019 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vladivostok (Russia). The Annual Summit in 2020 could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Putin's trip to India will mark his second international trip after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and comes amid the emergence of a new Omicron variant which has affected the schedule of several bilateral and international summits.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in New Delhi on Sunday ahead of the inaugural meeting of the 2 + 2 dialogue mechanism at the level of the foreign and defence ministers.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had confirmed last month that the agenda for the dialogue will cover political and defence issues of mutual interest.

"The establishment of this new mechanism of two plus two dialogue is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries," he had said.

(With agency inputs)

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What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What has negatively affected India/ Russia current relationship?

Why is maintaining a relationship with India important for Russia?

Why is maintaining a relationship with Russia important for India?

## Historical Foundation and Continuity

The India-Russia relationship maintains its foundation in the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" established during the post-Soviet era.

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

What do Putin and Modi officially characterize Russia/ India relationship as?

The annual summit mechanism, alternating between the two countries, continues to serve as the cornerstone of bilateral engagement.

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

The most recent summit in December 2021 resulted in over two dozen agreements across various sectors, including a significant 10-year Military Technical Cooperation Agreement that will guide defense collaboration through 2031.

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

What formal frameworks do India and Russia cooperate within?

## Key Areas of Evolution

### Defense Cooperation

In what fields are India and Russia cooperating?

weapons joint production
security & military
weapons supply


# Report on Global Best Practices in Waste Sorting and Recycling Systems

## Executive Summary

This report identifies countries and regions with exemplary waste sorting and recycling systems, detailing their successful practices, implementation strategies, and government roles.

The analysis covers both developed and developing nations that have achieved significant results in waste management and circular economy development.

## Top Performing Countries and Regions

### 1.

South Korea - Comprehensive Waste Management Leadership

**Successful Practices:**
- Implemented volume-based waste fee system since 1995
- Multi-faceted approach combining legislation, technology, and public engagement
- Complete transformation of waste handling models and public perception

**Implementation Experience:**
- Seoul pioneered the pay-as-you-throw system, followed by comprehensive supporting measures
- Government took decisive action rather than engaging in prolonged consultations
- Systematic change implemented over several years with consistent policy direction

**Government Role:**
- Strong regulatory framework with enforcement mechanisms
- Coordinated policy development across multiple government agencies
- Investment

# Report on Global Best Practices in Waste Sorting and Recycling Systems

## Executive Summary

This report identifies countries and regions with exemplary waste sorting and recycling systems, detailing their successful practices, implementation strategies, and government roles.

Title:

Content: Chairman of Wafd Party
Dr. Abdul Sindh Yamama
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ayman is an accountant.
Editor-in-Chief
I'm sorry.
My grandfather, Zainuddin.
Chairman of Wafd Party
Dr. Abdul Sindh Yamama
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Ayman is an accountant.
Editor-in-Chief
I'm sorry.
My grandfather, Zainuddin.
Governor of Dakahlia follows up the activation of traffic committees on waste recycling plants
Dr. Ayman Mukhtar, Governor of Dakahlia, continued the work of activating traffic committees on waste recycling plants in the province under the chairmanship of the integrated management unit of solid waste in coordination with the General Administration of Vehicles and the Department of Health and Occupational Safety..
Mokhtar explained that the traffic committees are following up the progress of work in the factories to find out the performance of the Egyptian company for waste recycling and the extent of its commitment to the terms of the contract concluded between the province and the company. Mokhtar said that Dakahlia province is a pioneer in the implementation of the infrastructure of municipal waste management system by implementing recycling plants receive monthly 3500 tons municipal waste. Within the projects of purifying Kitchener Bank in partnership between Dakahlia Governorate and the Ministry of Local Development and with the support of the European Reconstruction Bank..
Mukhtar added that there are (5) municipal waste recycling plants in the province that provide treatment and recycling services for municipal waste, transport and safe disposal in the sanitary landfill engineering in Qalabshaw.
For his part, Mr. Mohammed Homs, Director General of Integrated Solid Waste Management, explained that the coordination was with Eng. Khaled Jalal, Director General of Vehicles and Safety and Health officials in the governorate and with the participation of Eng. Ibrahim Al-Najjar, Undersecretary of Waste Management and Dr. Hadir Farid, Director of Planning and Technical Support Department of the Integrated Management Unit. And to follow up the progress of work and work to solve all the problems that hinder the progress of work and provide all the demands and needs for them..
Mukhtar thanked Major General Hisham Amneh, Minister of Local Development, and Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, for their continuous support to raise the efficiency of the solid waste system and the cleaning system in Dakahlia Governorate to provide outstanding services to citizens.
This is within the framework of the directives of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to build human beings and provide a healthy and safe environment through taking urgent steps to implement the new system of municipal waste management in the governorates, and in implementation of the mandates of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly Prime Minister in this regard and the continuous follow-up of Major General Hisham Amneh, Minister of Local Development.

Title:

Content: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai-based Dulsco Group, a regional leader in environmental, people, talent and recruitment solutions, launched a new campaign called Wheels of Change to highlight the importance of proper waste management for Global Recycling Day (Monday 18 March), underlining its continued support for UAE government sustainability directives – including the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy and the UAE Circular Economy Policy.

The company targeted its corporate customers and the public with a week-long, interactive and fun recycling campaign under which the Dulsco Recycling Bus – a familiar sight on UAE roads – and called at organisations, schools and colleges to collect recyclable waste.

Dulsco encouraged people to gather as much recyclable waste as possible during the campaign – and beyond – as part of its commitment to raising awareness about how segregating waste at source can help to protect the environment and preserve our planet.

Throughout the campaign more than half a tonne (500 kgs) of recyclable waste was handed in to the Dulsco Recycling Bus across all five stops (schedule below).

The recycling drive ran from 12 to 18 March, with interactive, educational games and a guest appearance from ‘Birdy’, the Dulsco mascot, at each location.

Members of the public can also get involved on Global Recycling Day itself (18 March), when the journey of waste workshopis held at Al Wasl dome in, Expo City Dubai from 10am to 2pm. The team will be raising awareness about the importance of source segregation in recycling, handing out recycling-themed giveaways and have a collection of their "New Old and Reloved" items on display which can be purchased online at https://thenewoldandreloved.com/.

The New Old and Reloved is an upcycling initiative, where bulky materials such as metal barrels and wood typically deemed as waste are transformed into valuable resources, such as stylish furniture among other household items.

Dulsco is a long-established leader in environmental solutions for the collection, treatment, processing and recycling of waste, and is proud to take the lead in educating and enlightening businesses and individuals about how their actions can play a vital role in the fight against climate change.

John Grainger, Chief Operating Officer at Dulsco Environment, said: “With 2024 being the UAE Year of Sustainability – for the second consecutive year – the spotlight is on preserving our environment like never before. Businesses and consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and, while there has been great progress in recycling and proper waste disposal, there is still a long way to go. Sustainability, innovation and safeguarding our planet is at the heart of everything we do, including meaningful initiatives like our Wheels of Change campaign for Global Recycling Day which we hope will inspire more companies and consumers to get involved and do their part.”

Since its establishment in 1996 as a waste transporter, Dulsco has evolved into a leading, environmental solutions provider, trusted by government entities and hundreds of businesses large and small.  Today, the company proudly spearheads innovation to find new ways to transform waste into valuable resources, including continued investment in facilities that sort, segregate, process and divert waste away from landfill.

Dulsco was the official waste management partner for Expo 2020 Dubai and continues to serve Expo City Dubai today. The company also played a pivotal role at COP28 last year, providing waste management solutions, speaking on key issues and raising awareness of waste diversion.

Contact Info prteam@thebrillcollective.com

Wheels of Change Schedule

  • Tuesday, 12 March
  • 12 PM to 1 PM
  • Raffles Dubai Hotel
  • Wednesday,13 March
  • 11 AM to 12 PM
  • Nest Academy of Management Education – Dubai Sports City
  • Wednesday, 13 March
  • 3 PM to 4 PM
  • W Dubai The Palm Hotel
  • Thursday, 14 March
  • 9 AM to 10 AM
  • Cambridge International School
  • Thursday, 14 March
  • 12 PM to 1 PM
  • World Food Programme – Jebel Ali

About Dulsco Environment

Dulsco Environment, a part of Dulsco Group, provides international best practice waste management and recycling services, helping businesses, industries and residential communities meet their ‘green goals’, while significantly contributing to government sustainability targets.

Established in 1996 as a waste transporter, today, Dulsco Environment is a leading, highly respected environmental solutions provider serving residential developments, ports, the oil and gas industry, the construction sector, and more.

The analysis covers both developed and developing nations that have achieved significant results in waste management and circular economy development.

Title:

Content: Recommended NZ | Guide to Money | Gimme: Competitions - Giveaways

Timaru’s new materials recovery facility offers local sustainability solutions

Contributor:
Fuseworks Media

South Canterbury’s waste minimisation and recycling efforts have received a major boost with the commissioning of a new $3.8 million materials recovery facility (MRF) in Timaru.

The new MRF is operated by EnviroWaste, part of the EnviroNZ group, and is the region’s biggest resource recovery hub. It takes kerbside mixed recycling from Timaru, Waimate, Mackenzie, Ashburton and Central Otago district councils, as well as commercial businesses’ recycling. Sorting mixed plastics, aluminium and steel paper and cardboard, it has the capacity to process five tonnes of material per hour.

"We’re a nation of committed recyclers - just look up and down your street on collection day," says EnviroNZ CEO Chris Aughton. "With the increasing focus on how we can reduce the waste we create and keep products and materials in use, this act of everyday environmentalism is supporting New Zealand’s sustainability shift," he says.

Household and commercial recycling requires sorting on a large scale, explains Aughton. "Our new materials recovery facility is a piece of critical regional infrastructure that expands local recycling capabilities and supports community sustainability solutions. It keeps valuable resources in circulation and reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

"By working in close partnership with local councils, together we’re able to deliver improved outcomes for the community and the environment," he says.

The opening of the next generation MRF is an important milestone for Timaru and the wider region, says Mayor Nigel Bowen. "Timaru District was ahead of the curve when it adopted its three bin system more than 15 years ago. Like nearly every sector technology has evolved and improved, so it’s great that the new contract with EnviroWaste has enabled us to build a new state of the art MRF to ensure we can continue to be sector leaders in recycling."

"This time round it’s not just Timaru District that benefits from this new facility. Through our collaboration with Waimate and Mackenzie, and now with Ashburton and Central Otago also using it, we can be a regional centre of excellence in waste management," he says.

Once sorted and separated, recyclables are sent to local and international markets so they can have a second life.

"There’s a growing number of products being made with recycled content right here in New Zealand," says Aughton. "Plastics from your recycling bin are transformed into new products that are used by the likes of food producers, farmers and the building industry, while glass bottles and jars are melted down to make new glass containers. Households are a vital link in New Zealand’s shift towards a circular economy."

All articles and comments on Voxy.co.nz have been submitted by our community of users. Please notify us if you believe an item on this site breaches our community guidelines.

Title:

Content: Trends Study Analyzes European Experience in Promoting Circular Economy
T + T - normal size
TRENDS Research and Consulting Center has published a new economic study, entitled “The European Experience in Promoting the Circular Economy: Development Impacts and Lessons Learned for Growing Countries ”, which seeks to provide objective and comprehensive insights into the situation of the growing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, especially on the issue of liberalizing domestic economic resources and protecting them from misuse. One time, another time.
The study, prepared by researcher Sultan Al Rubaie, Vice President of Economic Studies at Trends, presents and analyzes the content of the European Union ’ s experience in waste recycling activities, to draw lessons learned and write broad outlines for African and other economic policy makers in the world ’ s growing countries, especially in light of the current economic challenges.
As developing countries seek to develop their domestic economies, the most important obstacle facing economic policymakers is the growing waste of economic resources, both natural and / or human and / or financial.
Wasting economic resources does not only mean using them unproductively or in a low-productivity way, but also includes environmental pollution in a wide variety of ways.
Environmental pollution reduces efficiency in all economic activities - investment, production and export - and also detracts from the quality of life and human development indicators in the economy.
The study stated that in the case of the developing economy, and based on the African experience, the suffering from waste of resources and pollution of the environment is becoming more apparent, especially in light of the widening gap between these countries and the countries, which have made economic progress in several areas, in addition to protecting the environment more focused.
The study provided an example of the European experience in managing natural resources, rationalizing their use and increasing their productivity, protecting them from pollution, recycling and reintroducing them - perhaps more than once - into economic activity, as an important model full of lessons learned.
It concluded that the diverse resources of the African economy have been a fundamental reason for the need of African countries to develop the assets of the circular economy, by focusing their economic activities in the extraction and export of these resources, making the rates of depletion of these resources accelerate as their development needs increase and their economic problems worsen, especially in the context of a crisis international context.
She stressed that the ability of African countries, as a clear example of the developing countries, to preserve their depleted resources, to employ these resources optimally, to make the most of them, and to maintain sustainable environmental indicators, all require serious work and rapid transformation in the activities of the circular economy.
The main dilemma, however, is whether the activities of the targeted circular economy should focus solely on recycling domestic waste locally or expanding its export abroad.
Each economy on the African continent had characteristics that made one solution preferable to the other.
But in any case, the localization of high-value-added economic activities - in Africa - calls for the upgrading of the technology employed in this sector.
In this regard, circular economy development activities in Africa could start with the export of waste and trade it for the import of specialized technology for local recycling operations, so that it can later become self-reliant, or rather self-reliant, under an integrated plan, sponsored by the African Union, to free African natural resources from rapid and unaccounted waste or depletion.
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Title:

Content: US Markets Loading... H M S In the news

Advanced recycling turns used plastic into a resource. Here's how it works and how it can reduce plastic waste.

  • Advanced technologies can recycle used plastic that traditional recycling can't process.
  • Thanks to advanced recycling, consumer food and pharmaceutical brands can now use packaging made with recycled plastic.
  • These technologies are helping create a circular economy for plastic, in which plastic is reused instead of discarded, helping to significantly decrease waste.

There's a recycling world out there that many of us have never heard of. It's called advanced recycling, and it recycles plastic that traditional methods cannot.

With advanced recycling, these used plastics can be converted into new products, which helps keep them out of the waste stream. Advanced recycling will help create a circular economy for plastic, in which plastic is reused instead of discarded.

While advanced recycling will become increasingly prevalent in the future, it's already underway. From entrepreneurs to major materials manufacturers, more and more companies are investing in these technologies. And whether they know it or not, many consumers are buying products and packaging in which advanced plastic recycling has played a role.

For example, plastic made from advanced recycling is being used to manufacture plastic containers and water bottles, tubs for cream cheese, and water bottles from Nalgene. Wendy's recently announced that it will soon use plastic made from advanced recycling in its drink cups.

How advanced recycling is different from traditional recycling

Consumers are used to traditional (mechanical) recycling, which involves sorting plastic, chopping it into small pieces, melting it down, and using it in new products like bottles, fleece jackets, and carpeting.

But some plastics cannot be mechanically recycled. These are the plastics that are ideal for the advanced recycling solution. Advanced recycling is complementary to mechanical recycling, capable of recycling more types and amounts of plastics, leading to reuse of more plastic and less waste.

Advanced recycling refers to a suite of technologies that break down plastic into usable building blocks. These building blocks are as good as the building blocks used to make new plastics and can be used by manufacturers to create new products, such as new plastics for food-grade and medical-grade packaging, something where mechanical recycling faces greater challenges.

Advanced recycling is gaining steam and has huge potential. Over the past few years, multiple advanced recycling initiatives have been announced in the US which have the potential to collectively divert at least 11.2 billion pounds of plastic from landfills annually, according to the American Chemistry Council.

"We see the role advanced recycling plays in the current recycling mix as crucial and complementary to other recycling routes as it can capture value from plastic waste streams that have traditionally been ignored or discarded," said Mark Vester, global circular economy leader at SABIC, which produces plastic from advanced recycling.

Companies contribute to a circular economy for plastics

Brand owners are increasingly paying more attention to their environmental footprint, seeking to be better caretakers of the planet. Advanced recycling can help these brands achieve their ambitious sustainability goals and create more opportunities for packaging manufacturers to access more recycled plastic for a wider variety of end-use applications.

For example, Mondelez partnered with Berry Global, a company that designs packaging for circularity and manufactures Philadelphia Cream Cheese tubs using food-grade plastic made from advanced recycling. And Berry is also working with Wendy's to create plastic drink cups using plastic made from advanced recycling, which could divert at least 10 million pounds of used plastic from landfills over the next two years.

In 2019, Berry committed to the goal that 100% of its consumer goods packaging would be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

"None of our sustainable packaging commitments are achievable without close partnership with our customers and brand owners and access to the latest resin materials that help everyone across the value chain unlock the potential of a circular economy," said Robert Flores, vice president of sustainability for Berry Global. "Achieving these bold goals just really wasn't possible before advanced recycling. The technology itself, just the fact that it came on board, is what's going to allow us to meet that goal."

Vester shared that SABIC is working with numerous brands to incorporate advanced recycling plastic in packaging. For example, a project announced in November 2020 with Sealed Air, Plastic Energy, and UK retailer Tesco, demonstrated that they could recycle flexible plastic into food-grade packaging.

"We have already helped a number of leading brand owners to launch such consumer products in the last year, including Magnum and Knorr, both part of Unilever, Origins from Estée Lauder Companies, and Mars Incorporated," he said.

Advanced recycling powers a more sustainable future

There is currently a greater demand for recycled plastics than supply. Much of this demand can only be met by advanced recycling, based on the products and processes we have available today. Fortunately, supply capabilities are ramping up to meet that demand, as the technologies improve and become more widespread.

Advanced recycling significantly increases the types and amounts of plastic suitable for recycling, while making it possible to use recycled plastic in new products and packaging, like plastics approved for use in food-contact and pharmaceutical applications.

This results in higher overall recycling rates and less waste going into landfills and the ocean. And it helps create a greater opportunity to create a truly circular economy for plastic.

Learn more about the impact of advanced recycling here.

This post was created by Insider Studios with American Chemistry Council.

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Content: Hong Kong ’ s slow progress in environmental governance – why not look at the Greater Bay Area and the world?
Author: Liu Mengting
Published: Updated:
In 2005, the SAR Government proposed to develop a recycling economy, that is, to reduce the environmental burden by repairing, recycling and extending the service life of materials, to find a way out for recycling recyclable materials, and to promote the development of related industries and promote economic diversification.
However, more than a decade later, Hong Kong ’ s circular economy has not made much progress.
In this regard, some scholars suggest leveraging the advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
At the same time, Hong Kong ’ s waste management policy is not yet climate, and we must match the experience of “top students ” such as Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.
Circular Economy Enemies the Greater Bay Area
Professor Patrick Poon, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been developing a patented technology for converting waste glass into environmentally friendly bricks since the 1990s, with a view to improving the recycling efficiency of waste glass.
Green brick is a kind of concrete brick, can effectively use construction waste and waste glass, the third generation of green brick has been put into the market as paving brick.
For more than 20 years, the technology has been optimized by scholars to the fifth generation, but it is still “technology without market ”.
In an interview with "Hong Kong 01" recently, Poon mentioned the two main reasons why the development of the local green brick industry is hindered, which is also the dilemma faced by Hong Kong's circular economy.
Pan Chih-sheng says that the research on green bricks has been successful, but the price is not competitive. (photo by O'Cara)
One of the main reasons is that local manufacturing has caused the high enterprise products to lose market advantage. Poon analysis, because the whole production process of environmentally friendly bricks produced in Hong Kong is completed in Hong Kong, and the land price and labor in Hong Kong are very high, and the price has also risen with the water. It is necessary to open up the market to achieve maximum trade liberalization, so the possibility of contractors choosing Hong Kong materials for profit considerations is very low.
On the other hand, the Hong Kong government has not introduced relevant policies to require the actual use of environmentally friendly materials, in the absence of just the premise, the market share of environmentally friendly bricks is unstable, and the current use of the third generation of environmentally friendly bricks is about 20% more expensive than natural sand bricks, so the project side may not consider the use of environmentally friendly bricks.
Another major obstacle is that the government did not help. Pan Zhisheng pointed out that environmental protection bricks are made of recycled materials, although the quality and performance of the bricks are not lost to natural sand and stone, but the quality difference is greater.
However, according to the existing government regulations, the two are regarded as the same, that is, the quality of environmentally friendly materials is too high, but it may still be regarded as unqualified due to the degree of quality difference. This single regulation is a constraint for the application of environmentally friendly bricks. If the outlook does not improve, it will be more difficult to attract investors.
Under such a vicious cycle, the government has no intention to invest or give support, and the environmental protection brick industry chain has become a dead end.
The recycling rate of local waste in Hong Kong is low, and exports are facing many restrictions.
In an interview with Hong Kong 01, Wong Woon-chung, director of the Johan Centre for Applied Forestry Research in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), Hong Kong Baptist University, pointed out that the land resources in Hong Kong are tight, such as the opening of a recycling plant for recycled materials will double the cost.
Mr Wong stressed that the circular economy requires complementary advantages from different regions. There is no way out if the development vision is limited to Hong Kong. (photo by Mr Cheng Tze-feng)
Waste management in Hong Kong is inefficient and should be seen around the world
South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan implemented waste levies in 1995, 1996 and 2000 respectively. Since then, they have gradually developed comprehensive and mature environmental policies with local characteristics.
Hong Kong's waste management system has been fragmented for many years, and it is time to look at the world and learn from advanced experience and thinking.
Hong Kong ’ s waste management policy has not been good for many years, and the climate should be on par with other regions. (Photo by Tsai Cheng-pong)
Korea has introduced waste utilization measures in a multi-pronged manner to achieve long-term management, so the Korean waste management system is at the forefront of Asia.
For example, the city of Seoul, which has achieved the most remarkable results, introduced a series of supporting measures in a few years to change the entire waste treatment model, public perception of waste and living habits after the implementation of the garbage levy system in 1995.
In contrast, the Hong Kong Government is always "discussing" with the industry and "considering" the initiatives of environmental protection groups.
Taiwan is also a leader in waste management in Asia.
The Taiwan government sent a special cleaning team to collect household waste from residents using two types of recycling trucks – yellow garbage trucks are used to collect general waste from residents using official garbage bags, and white garbage trucks are used to collect raw and cooked food waste, plastic and other recyclable resources.
As early as 1997, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency launched the "Resource Recovery 4-in-1 Program", which fully mobilized the role of the government, manufacturers, consumers and licensed recycling enterprises in waste management, not only to skillfully distribute the financial costs, but also to reflect the principle of impartiality.
Singapore has a small population, similar to Hong Kong, but the waste recycling work is more professional and centralized.
In Singapore, three waste management enterprises are licensed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to provide waste collection and recycling services to residents in different parts of the country. The waste is meticulously classified into paper, plastic, glass and metal, and the garden waste is collected separately.
In the recycling process, incineration plants reduce the volume of waste by 90%, and then use 3% of non-incineration and non-recyclable waste to landfill to reduce the environmental burden.
According to statistics, Singapore ’ s solid waste recycling rate reached 51.7% in 2020, a model that Hong Kong can learn from.
As for the administrative efficiency of the Mainland, it is also worth reflecting on the Hong Kong government. In July 2019, Shanghai implemented what has been described as the “world ’ s most stringent ” waste separation measure.
First of all, its domestic waste is strictly divided into four categories, namely recyclables, hazardous waste, wet waste and dry waste; secondly, if individuals or units do not dispose of garbage in accordance with the classification, they will be punished with severe high fines.
Under the mandatory implementation of the government, Shanghai residents have achieved good environmental protection results after experiencing "pain".
The Garbage Levy Ordinance has already been introduced, but the Government must not be complacent about it, but must think about how to tie in with the Ordinance in the next step, and adopt a systematic and comprehensive thinking to achieve long-term waste management.
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Environment Minister Nasser Yassin wrote through his account on the "X" platform:
Completion of the first phase of the USAID funded Organic Waste Disposal Plant project in Qaraoun, West Bekaa, where the plant will be managed and operated by Qaraoun Municipality at the end of the works in autumn 2024.
This model station is part of the directions of the national strategy for solid waste management developed by the Ministry of Environment, which aims to enable municipalities and the local community to manage solid waste in their areas and lay the practical foundations of the circular economy by turning organic waste into organic spawning used in agriculture.
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Quarter till three, time to back in the pickups at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center. Stepping out the door, I see someone who needs the space first: small red SUV, number 69/Dawes County plates. Yep, the lady from Crawford who returns whenever she has a full load.

We lift animal feed bags stuffed with sorted materials out of the back. Some are set aside for later, others dumped to be filled again for the next trip. The focus is always unloading the vehicle quickly and efficiently while checking whether there are any questions or if they need any boxes or bags back.

Today, our dedicated recycler from up north brought two passengers curious about our operation. She introduced her in-laws who were visiting from Brazil. Her mother-in-law asked a few questions as her father-in-law snapped a photo or two on his cell phone. I described what we recycle here in Alliance along with the volumes KAB handles on an annual basis and where everything goes. A cell phone handled much of the translating. Tell the device what to say in English and a couple seconds later the phone repeats the same sentiment (I assume) in Portuguese.

Telling somebody new about the recycling aspect of KAB is always a fulfilling experience. When the opportunity happens at the recycling center, they can see first hand the next step for whatever was dropped off from cardboard to cans or bottles. There is often a greater sense of involvement when you see more of the process.

The couple from Brazil was impressed with what happens to their daughter-in-law’s dropoffs. Later, I realized I had missed an opportunity to ask about recycling in their community. I admit that my focus is usually on how we gather, sort and process material at KAB. Recycling and environmental issues in Nebraska are next. I consider the national picture with a broader brush and rarely think about how other countries tackle the same challenges.

Global environmental news, more often, is about an overall phenomenon like climate change that affects everyone. However, Brazil has been prominent for decades due to deforestation in the vast Amazon rainforest. The amount of carbon dioxide these trees take in is key when addressing the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. On other environmental issues, Brazil rates higher:

Brazil is the leader in the recycling of aluminum cans and PET bottles, at over 98 percent (www.aventuradobrasil.com)

The country has over 46 percent of its energy from renewable sources (www.weforum.org)

I would like to see nations share methods of their environmental successes and do more to combat challenges. Brazil gains more than twice as much of its energy from renewables than the United States. Of more interest in my arena, I’d like to know how it is possible to recycle almost all of the PET bottles and aluminum cans consumers empty. Is it because they value the environment more or is there a financial incentive to turn them in?

Next time, I’ll make sure to ask new visitors more about how they keep their community beautiful.

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South Korea - Comprehensive Waste Management Leadership

**Successful Practices:**
- Implemented volume-based waste fee system since 1995
- Multi-faceted approach combining legislation, technology, and public engagement
- Complete transformation of waste handling models and public perception

**Implementation Experience:**
- Seoul pioneered the pay-as-you-throw system, followed by comprehensive supporting measures
- Government took decisive action rather than engaging in prolonged consultations
- Systematic change implemented over several years with consistent policy direction

**Government Role:**
- Strong regulatory framework with enforcement mechanisms
- Coordinated policy development across multiple government agencies
- Investment