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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
For India-South Africa maritime partnership to work, it needs to go beyond symbolism
Written by Graham Sherbut and Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy Late last month, India and South Africa signed two agreements on submarine cooperation during the 9th Joint Defence Committee meeting in Johannesburg. While the specifics of these deals have yet to be fully detailed, their symbolic weight is clear: They signal a potential deepening of maritime ties between influential Indian Ocean powers. Yet beneath the surface, the agreements also highlight striking asymmetries – in economic strength, strategic coherence, and political stability – that may shape, and potentially constrain, this budding 'Southern maritime partnership'. India and South Africa have long shared warm relations, rooted in anti-Apartheid solidarity and broader Global South cooperation. New Delhi and Pretoria have stood side-by-side in multilateral platforms like BRICS and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), calling for more equitable global governance and a greater role for the Global South in shaping international priorities. However, translating this solidarity into concrete security partnerships has remained elusive. The submarine cooperation agreements mark a bold shift, at least on paper, from rhetorical alignment to operational cooperation. Yet the underlying power dynamics between the two countries have become more pronounced over the past decade. India's economic and strategic ascent under Narendra Modi's BJP government contrasts sharply with South Africa's stagnation under the often cautious and fragmented leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC). Given these disparities, India is far better positioned to lead and shape this emerging bilateral partnership. India has emerged as a confident regional power with growing economic clout, a robust defence manufacturing sector, and a clear maritime strategy articulated through its 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. Its investments in indigenous naval production – including the locally-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and advanced destroyers like the Visakhapatnam class – and its expanding naval footprint across Africa's Indian Ocean rim reflect an ambition to become the principal security provider in the region. By contrast, South Africa has struggled to convert its diplomatic prestige into strategic muscle. Years of economic stagnation, underinvestment in defence, and a declining shipbuilding sector have weakened its maritime capabilities. While South Africa's geostrategic location — straddling the Indian and Atlantic Oceans — offers natural advantages, particularly as security concerns in the Suez Canal again elevate the importance of the Cape of Good Hope as a global shipping hub, its ability to act decisively on maritime security has been undermined by chronic budget constraints and domestic political distractions. For any ambitious defence partnership to succeed, sustained political will is essential. In India, PM Modi's administration has consistently prioritised defence modernisation and strategic partnerships as pillars of its rise as a global power. This has allowed India to allocate resources and maintain focus even amid electoral cycles. South Africa, however, faces a far more fragile political landscape. The ANC, long the dominant party, is now navigating an uncomfortable coalition with its long-time opponent, the Democratic Alliance, forcing leaders to focus inward on domestic stability rather than outward on strategic initiatives. At the same time, South Africa's foreign policy has often prioritised ideological solidarity and support for liberation movements over concrete security interests. Maintaining consistent attention and investment in submarine cooperation, or broader maritime security initiatives with India, will thus be an uphill battle. The temptation to retreat to symbolic gestures rather than substantive commitments may prove hard to resist in Pretoria. Domestic priorities such as economic recovery, addressing inequality, and stabilising coalition politics are likely to overshadow external security partnerships. In this environment, defence cooperation risks becoming a lower priority, easily sidelined in favour of more immediate social and political concerns. Unless Pretoria can reconcile its ideological commitments with practical security needs and sustain a long-term vision for its navy, it may find itself unable to match India's ambition, relegating South Africa to the role of a junior, more passive partner in this emerging maritime relationship. Beyond domestic constraints, India and South Africa fundamentally differ in how they perceive their maritime roles. India views the Indian Ocean as central to its economic and strategic future, an arena where it aspires to offer more equitable partnership choices and is increasingly seen as both a net security provider and a development partner to regional states. For South Africa, maritime security is important but not existential. While it recognises the need to secure the southern sea lanes and combat threats like illegal fishing and trafficking, its primary foreign policy energy remains focused on continental African issues and domestic socio-economic challenges. This divergence means that while India is likely to push for operational depth in this partnership, including joint exercises, coordinated patrols, and technology transfers, South Africa may struggle to match the ambition, both politically and materially. There is no doubt that the submarine agreements represent a promising new chapter in India–South Africa relations. Submarine cooperation is among the most sensitive areas of military engagement, demanding high levels of trust and interoperability. On paper, these deals hold the promise of jointly strengthening Indian Ocean security, boosting anti-piracy capabilities, and providing a partial counterweight to China's expanding naval reach. Yet for this potential to materialise, both countries must move beyond symbolic gestures. South Africa, in particular, will need to address its economic constraints and overcome internal political distractions to sustain meaningful participation. For India, the challenge lies in ensuring that its growing network of African partnerships translates into tangible outcomes rather than stalling at the level of declarations and high-profile visits. Without careful follow-through, this 'Southern maritime partnership' risks becoming more of an aspirational slogan rather than a true strategic reality. Sherbut is founder, Tantara Development Insights, and Chaturvedy is associate professor and head School of International Relations and Peace Studies, and founding coordinator of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies, Nalanda University
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brooks Nader goes braless for 3rd time in 3 days as she rocks see-through dress in Paris
It's the third time in as many days that the model has freed the nipple BROOKS BUSTS OUT Brooks Nader goes braless for 3rd time in 3 days as she rocks see-through dress in Paris Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BROOKS Nader has discovered an easy way to beat the Parisian heat by going braless in a jaw-dropping see-through polkadot dress. The 28-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model was spotted arriving at her hotel looking stylish in a striking The Cool Hour dress. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Brooks Nader opted for a sheer dress Credit: Splash 5 The model opted for a sheer dress from The Cool Hour Credit: Splash 5 She wore her hair perfectly coiffed and added black sunglasses Credit: Splash Depsite the late hour, the model paired her chic outfit with oversized sunglasses, topping off the ultra-glam look with bouncy waves, glowing skin, and a slick of lip gloss, oozing old-Hollywood charm with a modern twist. The star bravely went braless underneath the completely sheer dress, flaunting her model figure. It's the third time in as many days that Brooks has chosen a sheer outfit. Just yesterday, Brooks paired a daring pussy-bow blouse with fitted black capri trousers, sky-high black stilettos, a glossy clutch, and a megawatt smile, confidently striding past paparazzi. To finish off the sultry outfit, she later wore her hair in a sleek high ponytail, giving fans yet another fashion moment to fawn over. It was a big night for celeb fashion. Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sanchez, 55, also turned heads in a curve-hugging red latex Versace dress, which she paired with a black crocodile Hermès Kelly bag said to be worth over £50,000. But it was Brooks' barely-there look that really set tongues wagging. Fans have been keeping a close eye on the model since she suffered a very public wardrobe malfunction just days ago — and the way she handled it won her major praise. At Wimbledon, Brooks shared a video on TikTok after unexpectedly starting her period during a match. Dressed in a black polka-dot top and a white skirt, she turned to reveal a blood stain on the back. "Tries to be chic… starts [period] at Wimbledon," she joked in the clip. Rather than shy away from the moment, she shared it with fans and was quickly applauded for being so open. "You're so real for this," one follower commented. "Thank you for NORMALIZING it," said another. It wasn't the first time Brooks had handled a fashion slip with grace. In April, at The Daily Front Row's 9th annual Fashion Awards, she went braless again — but her top slipped and briefly exposed a nipple while posing on the red carpet. Unfazed, the model carried on smiling, proving she's more than comfortable in her own skin. Now, with Paris Fashion Week in full swing, all eyes are on Brooks once more. Fashion fans online have been quick to weigh in on her barely-there looks. "She looks absolutely stunning — confident, classy, and completely herself," one wrote. "That blouse is art. Only Brooks could pull this off," another fan said. Others pointed out that the bold outfit choices seem to align with a growing trend of sheer, skin-baring styles seen on stars from Florence Pugh to Kendall Jenner. Whatever the inspiration, Brooks is clearly owning her moment in Paris. She's expected to make appearances at several more shows over the weekend, including Valentino and Chanel, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what she wears next. From wardrobe mishaps to high fashion heroics, Brooks Nader is showing the world that confidence is always in style. 5 The star stepped out in a sheer pussy-bow blouse just the day before Credit: Splash
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brooks Nader goes braless for 3rd time in 3 days as she rocks see-through dress in Paris
BROOKS Nader has discovered an easy way to beat the Parisian heat by going braless in a jaw-dropping see-through polkadot dress . The 28-year-old Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model was spotted arriving at her hotel looking stylish in a striking The Cool Hour dress. Advertisement 5 Brooks Nader opted for a sheer dress Credit: Splash 5 The model opted for a sheer dress from The Cool Hour Credit: Splash 5 She wore her hair perfectly coiffed and added black sunglasses Credit: Splash Depsite the late hour, the model paired her chic outfit with oversized sunglasses, topping off the ultra-glam look with bouncy waves , glowing skin , and a slick of lip gloss , oozing old-Hollywood charm with a modern twist. The star bravely went braless underneath the completely sheer dress , flaunting her model figure. It's the third time in as many days that Brooks has chosen a sheer outfit. Just yesterday, Brooks paired a daring pussy-bow blouse with fitted black capri trousers , sky-high black stilettos , a glossy clutch , and a megawatt smile, confidently striding past paparazzi. Advertisement To finish off the sultry outfit, she later wore her hair in a sleek high ponytail , giving fans yet another fashion moment to fawn over. It was a big night for celeb fashion. Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sanchez , 55, also turned heads in a curve-hugging red latex Versace dress , which she paired with a black crocodile Hermès Kelly bag said to be worth over £50,000. But it was Brooks' barely-there look that really set tongues wagging. Fans have been keeping a close eye on the model since she suffered a very public wardrobe malfunction just days ago — and the way she handled it won her major praise. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity At Wimbledon , Brooks shared a video on TikTok after unexpectedly starting her period during a match. Dressed in a black polka-dot top and a white skirt, she turned to reveal a blood stain on the back. "Tries to be chic… starts [period] at Wimbledon," she joked in the clip. Rather than shy away from the moment, she shared it with fans and was quickly applauded for being so open. "You're so real for this," one follower commented. Advertisement "Thank you for NORMALIZING it," said another. It wasn't the first time Brooks had handled a fashion slip with grace. In April, at The Daily Front Row's 9th annual Fashion Awards , she went braless again — but her top slipped and briefly exposed a nipple while posing on the red carpet. Unfazed, the model carried on smiling, proving she's more than comfortable in her own skin. Advertisement Now, with Paris Fashion Week in full swing, all eyes are on Brooks once more. Fashion fans online have been quick to weigh in on her barely-there looks. "She looks absolutely stunning — confident, classy, and completely herself," one wrote. "That blouse is art. Only Brooks could pull this off," another fan said. Advertisement Others pointed out that the bold outfit choices seem to align with a growing trend of sheer, skin-baring styles seen on stars from Florence Pugh to Kendall Jenner . Whatever the inspiration, Brooks is clearly owning her moment in Paris. Read more on the Irish Sun She's expected to make appearances at several more shows over the weekend, including Valentino and Chanel, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what she wears next. From wardrobe mishaps to high fashion heroics , Brooks Nader is showing the world that confidence is always in style. Advertisement 5 The star stepped out in a sheer pussy-bow blouse just the day before Credit: Splash 5 Brooks was spotted leaving her hotel in Paris during Fashion Week, looking effortlessly chic Credit: Splash
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Doctor Who' streaming to end in US? Fans get disappointing update amid uncertainty around future seasons
The popular sci-fi thriller 'Doctor Who' is going to become difficult to watch in US as the series is leaving HBO Max after five long years. Seasons 1 through 13 have been available to Americans with a Max subscription for years now, but that's coming to an end very soon. Decades of Doctor Who are about to leave their longtime streaming home and there is no update as to where it is shifting next Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Doctor Who streaming challenges Fans of 'Doctor Who' should brace for some bad news as the popular series is leaving HBO Max after five years. The iconic sci-fi series has been undergoing a bit of a rough patch. The 2005 series of Doctor Who, which rebooted the long-running science fiction franchise, is leaving its HBO Max home for some non-UK audiences, namely in the US, according to reboot that ran from 2005 to 2022 is on HBO Max, while the latest season and the 60th anniversary specials are all on Disney+.In 2022, Disney+ signed a significant deal to stream Doctor Who, marking the beginning of a new era for the series. However, the series struggled in the ratings, and with the contract having expired, there is currently no word on Disney renewing it or any other prominent streamer picking up the co-financing deal with the BBC on the legendary sci-fi series, according to Movie of Doctor Who are about to leave their longtime streaming home and there is no update as to where it is shifting next. HBO Max has published its latest list of what's leaving the service at the end of the month, and Doctor Who's appearance was a shock. Doctor Who has been available on Max for as long as the service has existed, but July 31 will be the final day to catch the time-traveling adventures of the 9th through 13th Doctors. Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood is also leaving, on the change comes nearly six years after HBO Max first secured exclusive streaming rights to Doctor Who on August 1, 2019. When HBO Max officially launched in 2020, the show was part of its initial streaming lineup. However, beginning with the 60th anniversary specials in 2023 and continuing with Ncuti Gatwa's Series 14 and 15, new episodes of Doctor Who transitioned to Disney+ for 15 of Doctor Who ended with the surprise regeneration of Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor, with former companion actress Billie Piper seemingly taking up the role of the Doctor However, the credits notably omitted her name as the title character — a move that sparked backlash and fueled speculation. Both the finale and the decision were met with widespread controversy, with many fans viewing it as a last-ditch effort to stir buzz and boost the show's chances for renewal. As of now, Doctor Who's fate remains in limbo, with no official confirmation of a new season on the split streaming rights between HBO Max and Disney+ have posed challenges for the Doctor Who franchise. With its widespread popularity, another major platform is likely to pursue distribution rights—ideally through a deal that also includes producing new episodes. For years, Doctor Who thrived on Netflix, which played a key role in expanding its fanbase across North America. Returning to Netflix could be a natural and strategic move for the series.
Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Islamabad, Warsaw set to deepen ties across key sectors
Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub meets Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Warsaw on July 4, 2025. Photo courtesy: X Listen to article Pakistan and Poland have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation through high-level visits, parliamentary exchanges, and sustained dialogue, as the two countries seek to broaden engagement across multiple sectors. The understanding was reached during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Warsaw on July 4. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub led the Pakistani delegation, while Poland's Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, headed the Polish side. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to boosting collaboration in trade, investment, energy, defence, science and technology, agriculture, migration, and higher education. The 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and the Republic of Poland was held in Warsaw on 4 July 2025. The Pakistani delegation was led by Ambassador Muhammad Ayub, Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), while the Polish delegation was headed by… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 5, 2025 Pakistani Ambassador to Poland Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman and Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski also attended the talks. Regional and global developments, including those in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, were discussed in detail. Both delegations noted alignment on key issues and agreed to continue working closely at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. It was agreed that the next round of consultations will be held in Islamabad in 2026.
