Asia News Agency (ANA) is the original and only diplomatic news consultancy in India and South Asia. It has been serving the India based diplomatic community since 1972 through its editorial services. Among its clients are Ambassadors and High Commissioners of almost all embassies and international organisations based in India.
News behind the News (NbN) is a weekly journal published by Asia News Agency. It is structured to suit the needs of the India based diplomatic community. It analyses week after week, key issues and developments talking place in respect of India’s polity, foreign policy, defence and economy.
Special Studies are prepared by Asia News Agency in partnership with Society for Policy Studies (SPS). These are in the nature of in-depth analytical backgrounders / desk reviews on topics of current interest to its clients.
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INDIA - CHINA: ASSESSING INDIA’S POLICY RESPONSES
There has been no incident since the September 10 meeting between foreign ministers S Jaishankar and Wang Yi. Yet, possibility of a larger threat remains.
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QUAD MEET: INDIA SEEKS ‘RESPECT FOR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY’
Foreign Ministers of US, India, Japan and Australia, met in Tokyo 6 October, with External Affairs Minis-ter S Jaishankar seeking “peaceful resolution of disputes”.
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NOBODY DEMOLISHED BABRI MASJID: ALL ACQUITTED
In a controversial verdict, a court acquitted all accused in the 16th century Babri Masjid demolition case. The verdict is in contrast to the report of the Liberhan Commission, set up in 1992, which pointed to the involvement of senior RSS and BJP leaders and connivance of the then UP government.
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NEW LABOUR CODES: ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST
The major labour reform seeks to rationalise the numerous legislations pertaining to labour markets into four simplified codes covering wages, workers’ rights, industrial relations, occupational safety and social security. The objective is also to energize economic activities by making it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.
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FARM REFORM: ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST
The farm bills have sparked a major controversy with the government claiming that they will give farmers the freedom to sell their produce anywhere in the country and to any one they want.
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FARM POLITICS: AKALI EXIT COULD HASTEN BJP’S NATIONAL ‘ISOLATION’
Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) decision to end their 24-year-old alliance on the controversial farm sector reforms, is likely to alter the power equation in Punjab. It is also likely to set-off a chain reaction at the national level.
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VODAFONE RULING: GOVERNMENT SHOULD LEARN LESSONS
The arbitration tribunal in The Hague threw out the Indian government’s $3 billion tax demand against Vodafone Group Plc, finding it to be in breach of fair treatment under the country’s bilateral investment protection pact with the Netherlands, and awarded costs to the British telco.
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GROWTH AND FISCAL INDICTORS DO NOT LOOK GOOD
India’s growth in the first quarter of 20-21 at -23.9% is one of the highest contractions globally. The annual projections also indicate contraction of the nominal GDP growth for 2020-21. The study examines revenue and fiscal policy challenges; that GDP contraction in Q2 may have slowed to 12%: and that economies of States equally bad.
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ECONOMIC RECOVERY: MEDIUM TERM PROSPECTS REMAIN UNCERTAIN
After the National Statistical Office (NSO) reported that GDP in the April-June period had shrunk by 24%, there have been many downward revisions of growth outlooks. The study argues why a much deeper hit this fiscal appears certain now; and the monetary and fiscal measures that are needed for revival of the economy.
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AGRICULTURE REFORM: PROS, CONS AND POLITICAL RISKS
The three important farm bills that seek to deregulate the sale of agricultural produce were passed in parliament amid scenes of chaos. Outside parliament, farmer organisations have protested. In the process, BJP has annoyed one of its oldest partners, SAD (Akali Dal).
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INDIA - CHINA: DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS FAIL TO DELIVER
Despite talks, there has been little progress on ground with China expanding military infrastructure along LAC.
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LABOUR REFORMS: COMBINING CONTRADICTORY LAWS INTO FOUR CODES
Parliament passed three Bills to usher in a labour regime that promises employers a less stressful hiring environment. The study presents the salient feature of the Bills; reactions/arguments of labour economists and industry; significance of the the industrial relations code; whether the reforms will boost industry’s competitiveness etc
