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The October BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia marked a pivotal moment in the bloc’s evolution, showcasing key innovations, expanded energy trade, and greater global influence.
The summit formally welcomed the new BRICS members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Notably, Argentina, expected to join, opted out in late 2023 due to a policy shift under President Javier Milei, reflecting a significant geopolitical development in Latin America, while Saudi Arabia is still considering its formal invitation.
A core focus of the 2024 summit was modernising security and economic cooperation, with key discussions ranging from counterterrorism to carbon-unit trading. The summit also addressed critical security challenges including cybersecurity, terrorism, and regional stability.
Historically, the BRICS have been more successful in opposing the Western dominance of global governance structures than articulating a clear, cohesive vision for reform. The increased diversity within the expanded BRICS bloc could complicate efforts to reach unified policy positions, particularly in multilateral forums such as the Group of Twenty (G20).
The BRICS have been more successful in opposing the Western dominance of global governance structures than articulating a clear, cohesive vision for reform.
While the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+) will continue to manage the international oil market, the expanded BRICS energy profile could influence the sector in the long term. The inclusion of the UAE and Iran significantly boosts the BRICS energy profile, and if Saudi Arabia formally accepts BRICS membership, the bloc will represent 42 per cent of the global oil supply.
The presence of major oil exporters alongside key importers China and India—both of whom did not favour Western sanctions on Russia—highlights the bloc’s potential to establish alternative trade mechanisms that bypass the dominance of the U.S. dollar and the financial influence of the Group of Seven (G7).
India reiterated its commitment to a balanced multipolar world and a reformed global order, advocating for resolving conflicts through diplomacy. Discussions with Russia centered on the Ukraine crisis, where Prime Minister Modi emphasized diplomatic solutions and offered assistance for the safe return of Indian nationals.
In the first India-Iran talks since President Masoud Pezeshkian’s election, priorities included regional stability and boosting trade through the Chabahar Port. Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping signaled a warming of India-China relations, with both sides agreeing to resume border patrols in Ladakh.
Finally, as a critical player in the BRICS and a leading voice for the Global South, India aims to expand its diplomatic influence, positioning itself as a bridge between Western powers and emerging economies. India advocated for greater cooperation in information and communication technologies and security, emphasising real-time geospatial data sharing for border security and the fight against transnational terrorism.
India reiterated its commitment to a balanced multipolar world and a reformed global order, advocating for resolving conflicts through diplomacy.
Additionally, the summit offered India an opportunity to further its strategic interests while managing the difficulties posed by China. India must carefully navigate this space going forward to avoid the bloc being dominated by Sino-Russian interests, which could strain its relations with the West.
The 2024 BRICS summit represented a significant moment for the bloc, with India playing a pivotal role in shaping its future. By championing innovation in security, economic cooperation, and multilateral diplomacy, India seeks to enhance its standing in an increasingly multipolar world.
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- Anonymity: Darknet allows users to communicate and transact with each other anonymously. Users can maintain their privacy and avoid being tracked by law enforcement agencies or other entities.
- Access to Information: The darknet provides access to information and resources that may be otherwise unavailable or censored on the regular internet. This can include political or sensitive information that is not allowed to be disseminated through other channels.
- Freedom of Speech: The darknet can be a platform for free speech, as users are able to express their opinions and ideas without fear of censorship or retribution.
- Secure Communication: Darknet sites are encrypted, which means that communication between users is secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
- Illegal Activities: Many darknet sites are associated with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services. Such activities can attract criminals and expose users to serious legal risks.
- Scams: The darknet is a hotbed for scams, with many fake vendors and websites that aim to steal users’ personal information and cryptocurrency. The lack of regulation and oversight on the darknet means that users must be cautious when conducting transactions.
- Security Risks: The use of the darknet can expose users to malware and other security risks, as many sites are not properly secured or monitored. Users may also be vulnerable to hacking or phishing attacks.
- Stigma: The association of the darknet with illegal activities has created a stigma that may deter some users from using it for legitimate purposes.
- Virtual assistants: Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are examples of virtual assistants that use natural language processing to understand and respond to users’ queries.
- Recommendation systems: Companies like Netflix and Amazon use AI to recommend movies and products to their users based on their browsing and purchase history.
- Efficiency: AI systems can work continuously without getting tired or making errors, which can save time and resources.
- Personalization: AI can help provide personalized recommendations and experiences for users.
- Automation: AI can automate repetitive and tedious tasks, freeing up time for humans to focus on more complex tasks.
- Job loss: AI has the potential to automate jobs previously performed by humans, leading to job loss and economic disruption.
- Bias: AI systems can be biased due to the data they are trained on, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.
- Safety and privacy concerns: AI systems can pose safety risks if they malfunction or are used maliciously, and can also raise privacy concerns if they collect and use personal data without consent.
Darknet
Definition:
Darknet, also known as dark web or darknet market, refers to the part of the internet that is not indexed or accessible through traditional search engines. It is a network of private and encrypted websites that cannot be accessed through regular web browsers and requires special software and configuration to access.
The darknet is often associated with illegal activities such as drug trafficking, weapon sales, and hacking services, although not all sites on the darknet are illegal.
Examples:
Examples of darknet markets include Silk Road, AlphaBay, and Dream Market, which were all shut down by law enforcement agencies in recent years.
These marketplaces operate similarly to e-commerce websites, with vendors selling various illegal goods and services, such as drugs, counterfeit documents, and hacking tools, and buyers paying with cryptocurrency for their purchases.
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Artificial Intelligence
Definition:
AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as recognizing speech, making decisions, and understanding natural language.
Examples:
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