The causes of the surge in communal violence in Leicester can be traced back to demographic changes in the city’s South Asian population and the use of social media as a tool by the direct preparators and indirect influencers of violence. Extremist ideologies of Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist groups and religiously-influenced political figures are also chiefly responsible.  The clashes that occurred in September 2022 between Hindu and Muslim communities in Leicester were shocking news for many. But the incidents did not come as a surprise for those who have been observing a growing trend of extremism in the Indian polity which has all the ingredients for its spill over to the countries where the Indian diaspora has been thriving and multiplying in number. In 1951, Leicester had only 624 South Asian residents; today, it has one of the highest numbers of South Asian residents, the majority of whom are from India. Of these Indians, 13 percent are Muslims and 12.3 percent are Hindus. Until the recent incidents of communal violence, Leicester was considered to be a model city for religious harmony and tolerance with freedom for both communities to celebrate their religious festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Vaisakhi. The recent communal riots that occurred soon after the India-Pakistan cricket match in late August 2022 shattered the peaceful image Leicester had for many decades. Although victims tend to cite reasons that suit them well, the real causes of it are far more complex than what is currently being perceived and discussed by many analysts. The use of social media for spreading rumours and false news, uncontrolled migration into the UK, pursuing Hindutva policies away from home, and the delayed action by the police force in defusing the tension in the area are some of the main factors for this sudden outburst of violence in a city known for its peaceful environment. The press in India and Pakistan is also playing a role that often promotes a message of blaming...

The US has strongly reacted to OPEC’s recent, unprecedented decision to cut its oil production by 2 million barrels a day, effective November, thereby increasing the price of oil in the market. The Biden Administration says that the decision will have consequences. However, Saudi Arabia claims that the measure to reduce oil production was undertaken to avoid global recession and was not motivated by politics. The OPEC cartel recently made the unexpected decision of cutting its oil production by 2 million barrels a day, effective November, thereby increasing the price of oil in the market. Amongst its 13 members, Saudi Arabia and Russia are the leading exporters, and any decision regarding cuts or rise in production is influenced by them. This decision did not go down well with the US, as it believes Saudi Arabia is supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. They argue that higher global oil prices would boost revenue and profit, financing their war machine. This move by the Saudis comes at a crucial time for the Biden Administration as it gears up for midterm elections next month, therefore, any increase in gasoline prices could affect the campaign. Furthermore, the Biden Administration has also reacted furiously to the decision because it views Saudi’s move to cut in production as a snub to the US, especially after President Biden reluctantly travelled to Saudi Arabia in July, with assurances by the Saudis to calm the market and stabilize prices. However, it did not work out as planned and has resulted in an uproar within US circles with chants of “Saudi Betrayal”. Senior Democrats in the US have called for retaliatory measures and a thinning of ties with Saudi Arabia, a key ally of the US in the region. Three Democratic representatives also promised a bill to remove US troops and missile systems from the region, calling the OPEC+ production cut a “turning point in our relationship” with Gulf partners. The president is disappointed by the OPEC decision and is...

On 16th October 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 20th Communist Party’s five-yearly congress meeting with a detailed speech outlining the ruling party’s accomplishments in recent years and its long-term plans. The party congress is the most significant political event in the country. It takes place once every five years, and its major objective is to choose the nation’s future leaders. China’s influence, appeal, and power to influence the world have all dramatically increased, according to the president, whose 10-year leadership has seen the country emerge as a global superpower. “Our future is bright, but we still have a long way to go,” Xi said to the more than 2,000 Chinese delegates attending the opening at Beijing’s Great Hall of the people. As anticipated, it appears likely that the Chinese president will fulfill his manifesto given his power, authority, and apparent popularity. Following below are the Key Takeaways covered in Mr. Xi’s speech: Zero-Covid Policy: China’s COVID control policies have resulted in travel restrictions, mass testing, quarantine, and strict lockdowns of entire cities in the region since the beginning of the pandemic. The number of covid related cases in China has been kept under control and President Xi has consistently backed the “dynamic zero COVID” policy, which has garnered international praise as well. President Xi stated that there would be no wavering on zero-Covid because of the need to prioritise saving people’s lives. “In launching an all-out people’s war to stop the spread of the virus, we have protected the people’s health and safety to the greatest extent possible and made tremendously encouraging achievements in both epidemic response and economic and social development,” he further added. Push for Economic Development: China’s economic growth had slowed down and resulted in weak domestic growth after taking a hit due to Covid lockdowns. President Xi emphasized that development is the party’s top...

On 16th October, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will convene in an all-important gathering of senior committee members. This twice-a-decade event will make major decisions on China`s future path involving the reshuffling of powerful positions, and most importantly and likely, will re-elect President Xi for a further 5-year term, making him the most powerful leader of China since Chairman Mao Zedong.  President Xi, who holds the key posts of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President, Head of State, and Chairman of China`s Central Military Commission is often referred to as the Supreme Leader. He may remain in power for the rest of his life. Apart from President Xi’s re-election, the Central Committee will select 200 people from some 2,300 delegates to join the Central Committee and amongst them, 25 will be elected to the Party`s Politburo. These are the elite. Many observers believe that President Xi, in his third term, will be bringing back a more authoritarian rule of government. Already, some analysts are branding his style of socialism as the Xi Jinping thought, an assertively nationalist philosophy that is skeptical of private business. But China today is facing an economic challenge. Covid lockdowns, rising prices, a major property crisis, and a global recession triggered by the war in Ukraine, have damaged confidence. For President Xi, it is also a personal challenge. Economic growth under his rule has been the lowest than under previous presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. If economic performance doesn’t improve, it could bring serious political trouble for him. Another area of discussion will be China`s zero Covid approaches to the pandemic. While much of the world has been returning to normal, Chinese authorities are enforcing strict lockdowns and curfews` in around 70 cities. These steps are causing frustration and dissent amongst the population and are widely condemned. Some observers say that the party may use Congress to declare...

Peace in Afghanistan is crucial to peace in Pakistan and vice versa. With the Taliban’s return, Pakistan expected the de facto group to be a cooperative ally, but the situation says otherwise. The inefficacy and eventual failure of talks with TTP, the Afghan Taliban’s ill-treatment of girls and women, and general scorn from across the border make Pakistan critical of Afghanistan. Realistic expectations and cooperation are what the two countries need.  With the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Pakistan felt that it finally had a ‘friendly’ government across the border. Precisely, it celebrated the Taliban’s triumph – for some reasons, the foremost being India’s immediate departure from the scene, a country that had remained closer to the former Afghan government. India’s increased presence in Afghanistan in the past few years remained an irritant for Pakistan. The Indo-Afghan camaraderie became one of the root causes of dismay between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hence, the region was devoid of sustainable peace. Since August 15, 2021, trade has remained the most potent viaduct between the two countries. But, overall, Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan has declined by up to 30%. What stands out is that so far Pakistan has resolved most of the challenges related to trade and transit. At present, economic connectivity between the countries is at its smoothest. The recent coal deal has also helped Pakistan earn the neighboring country’s goodwill. Afghanistan also exported vegetables in bulk to Pakistan when the country lost major vegetation amidst the deadly floods. These are a few, but significant developments to cherish and highlight. But some pressing challenges still cause bad blood between the two neighbors. To bring an end to the TTP’s 14-year fight against Pakistan, Pakistani officials held negotiations with the terrorist organization, which were mediated by the Afghan Taliban. But when it became evident that the demands of a resolute TTP could not be...

Under a new guideline, Shanghai aims to groom innovative enterprises and talent in health, smart tech, energy and other hi-tech industries The Chinese semiconductor capital has been struggling under draconian Covid-19 controls and growing US export restrictions hanghai, China’s financial and semiconductor production centre, has declared its ambition to become a base for “industries of the future” amid an intensifying US-China tech war and stringent Covid-19 controls. Under a guideline published by the Shanghai government on Tuesday, the city aims to groom innovative enterprises and talent in areas including health, smart technology, energy and materials. By 2030, the city wants to be home to 1,000 hi-tech enterprises with a combined production output of 500 billion yuan (US$70 billion). Shanghai, the country’s financial and business capital, has unexpectedly emerged as a high-end manufacturing base in recent years thanks to generous policy support. The city is currently China’s largest chip producer, contributing a quarter of the national semiconductor value output, as well as 40 per cent of chip talent last year. Several major Chinese chip companies, including national champion Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, are already headquartered in Shanghai, while start-ups such as Biren Technology and Iluvatar CoreX have also set up shop in the city. However, the city’s future has been clouded by the country’s draconian “dynamic zero” Covid-19 policy, as well as the US-China tech war. A fresh wave of coronavirus outbreaks since last week has prompted local officials to conduct mass testing and put thousands of people under quarantine, stoking bad memories of Shanghai’s citywide lockdown in April and May. After that large-scale lockdown, some of the city’s top talent considered leaving. Still, the government said in Tuesday’s plan that it wants to build five schools for future technologies and 15 innovation centres to woo high-level scientists and...