The Multipolar World Order (yes, it's here)

[Ravenlocke]

Very interesting conversation between Pepe Escobar and the Judge.
The first part is talking about Lula and about Bolsanaro now that he is under house arrest and Pepe says there is enough evidence to convict him, if he ends up in jail “all bets are off”.

At 12:59 the judge asks Pepe about the upcoming Trump Putin meeting, and Pepe explains what he feels got Putin’s attention. He speculates that Witkoff must have brought an offer that got Putin’s attention.

https://x.com/RealPepeEscobar/status...44807309234669

[Ravenlocke]

Putin-Trump.

What really happened - and didn't - 8 years ago on the sidelines of the G20, compared to a Putin-Xi summit three days before.

By the way, capricious History dictates that after Putin-Trump, Putin and Xi will meet again at the SCO summit in late August.

https://asiatimes.com/2017/07/putin-...n-win-meeting/


https://x.com/RealPepeEscobar/status...17275403186621

https://asiatimes.com/2017/07/putin-...-win-meeting/#

Putin and Trump stage-manage a win-win meeting
With a ceasefire in southwestern Syria in the works, meeting proves diplomacy beats demonization

by Pepe Escobar July 8, 2017

From the start, the “positive chemistry” in the Mother of All Sit-Downs was a given. The format – with only the four principals, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and two translators – prevented any leaks. What was originally scheduled for 35 minutes went on for 2 hours and 16 minutes, and not even an impromptu appearance by First Lady Melania Trump – they were late for the Elbphilharmonie pomp and circumstance – managed to stop the flow.

They needed to deliver. They needed headlines. They got plenty. Including a possible first step at real cooperation; a ceasefire deal in southwestern Syria. Yet the real headline is that diplomacy beats demonization.

Still, from the toxic, overwhelmingly Russophobic Beltway point of view, that dystopia masquerading as a summit – the actual G-20 – was a mere backdrop; the only thing that mattered in this parallel G-2 was confirmation of an obsessive narrative; Russian interfered in the US elections.

Spin City gave us slightly conflicting views. Tillerson admitted “intractable” differences but stressed Trump was “rightly focused on how do we move forward”, while an uncharacteristically irritable Lavrov said Trump had accepted Putin’s denial, adding what is, in fact, the real clincher; Putin wants proof and evidence of Russian interference.

That won’t happen. The “Russian hacking” tsunami ebbs and flows, always following the same pattern; accusations by some proverbial “anonymous official” or “expert”, usually debunked. If the acronym jungle of US intel had concrete, definitive evidence, that would have been splashed on every single front page long ago.

The real test for a possible reset will be the US-Russia ceasefire in southwestern Syria. Tillerson and Lavrov had been discussing it for weeks now. And it’s a Russian idea.

Essentially, that would lead towards American/Jordanian peacekeeping forces near the Golan; Damascus allowing Iranian and Russian peacekeeping forces around the capital; Turkey ensconced between Jarablus and Al-Bab in the north with Russians around them; and the Americans in the northeast all the way to Raqqa alongside the Kurdish YPG.

In a nutshell; a regional balance of power which, assuming it holds, might slowly lead towards a final all-Syria settlement.

Jordan – and Israel – are not warring parties in Syria, and yet the deal directly concerns them. It’s not clear whether US forces will have to be back to Jordan. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will complement the Astana negotiation – the actual top frontline decider – involving Russia, Iran and Turkey. It’s not clear whether Daesh will be eradicated for good. It’s not clear whether the Pentagon will stop sporadically attacking the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

The real big story

And then, there’s the big story of the G-20 in Hamburg, which actually started three days earlier in Moscow, in a full-fledged official summit between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi repeatedly extolled the “strategic alliance”, or “the fast-growing, pragmatic cooperation”, or even the “special character” of China’s ties with Russia.

Putin once again pledged to support the New Silk Roads, or One Belt, One Road initiative (Obor), “by all means”, which includes its interpenetration with the Eurasia Economic Union (EEU).

The Russian Direct Investment Fund and the China Development Bank established a joint $10 billion investment fund.

Gazprom and China’s CNPC signed a key agreement for the starting date of gas deliveries via the Power of Siberia pipeline; December 20, 2019, according to Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller. And that will be followed by the construction of Power of Siberia-2.

They kept discussing a military cooperation roadmap.

And at a closed Kremlin meeting the night before their official summit, in which they clinched yet another proverbial raft of deals worth billions of dollars, Putin and Xi developed a common North Korea strategy; “dialogue and negotiation”, coupled with firm opposition to the THAAD missile system being installed in South Korea.

Xi, in an interview to TASS, had already expounded on US missile defense – an absolute top priority for the Kremlin – “disrupting the strategic balance in the region”.

This was Putin and Xi’s third meeting in 2017 alone. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Putin had already hinted that this one, in Moscow, would be “a major event in bilateral relations.”

The giveaway: that’s where they not only deepened their joint strategy for Eurasia integration but also coordinated their common approach to Trump at the G-20. This is what a strategic partnership is all about.

How to restart a reset

Considering the toxicity levels in the Beltway, Putin and Lavrov went to the G-20 harboring no expectations that a package deal could be achieved between Russia and the US.

They knew this would be a strictly political meeting – and not economic; an easing of sanctions was out of the cards.

They also knew there’s not much Trump could offer to the Russian economy. This exhaustive report sets the record straight.

Even under sanctions, Russia should expect a “handsome recovery”, with an expected growth of 3% to 4% in 2017. There has been an “extraordinary decrease in the share of oil & gas revenue in Russia’s GDP.” Russia has “the lowest level of imports (as a share of the GDP) of all major countries.” And the clincher; Russia “must focus on China, the East, and the rest of the world.”

That’s already happening. At the BRICS meeting on the sidelines of the G-20, they called for a more open global economy and for a “rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system.”

Putin and Lavrov faced Trump and Tillerson knowing full well that

political factions in the US won’t waiver in their mission to keep the tension with “peer competitors” Russia and China at a very dangerous level.

At the same time, they knew Trump and Tillerson really aim for a reset – incipient as it may be at the start.

Syria is an ultra-complex case where the sphere of influence is mostly Iranian but the hard, cold facts on the ground and in the skies are mostly Russian. With this ceasefire deal, it’s as if Putin and Lavrov are inviting a losing Washington to be part of a solution that satisfies – sort of – all parties, including Israel and Turkey.

Trump did not make any substantial concessions in Hamburg, at least according to what both Tillerson and Lavrov volunteered to disclose. The Beltway is barking that Trump gave Putin a win. As usual, they’re wrong; Putin and Trump stage-managed a win-win.

[Ravenlocke]

RT,

Mexico’s President Sheinbaum WILL NOT to cut ties with multipolar BRICS and Brazil to avoid US tensions

‘Mexico is FREE and SOVEREIGN’

Sovereignty isn’t up for NEGOTIATION

https://x.com/RT_com/status/1954230415063175315

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik Africa’s

🇿🇼💵 Zimbabwe’s bold plans: Ditching the dollar

Zimbabwe’s central bank will unveil a de-dollarization roadmap alongside its new 5-year economic blueprint in November, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar and strengthen the local currency.

Read on to learn why the shift is happening, what it means for businesses, and how the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency is gaining momentum 🧵👇

1/5

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1954948151284293973

🚨 Crackdown on illegal USD trading

Widespread unauthorized foreign currency transactions have been undermining Zimbabwe’s economy.

De-dollarization is seen as key to boosting the ZiG’s market share and is moving against unlicensed USD dealers.

2/5

🏦 RBZ governor outlines strategy

RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu stated consultations are underway after concerns over USD-denominated contracts capped at 2030.

The roadmap will safeguard stability and ensure business continuity.

3/5

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1954948160197104101

📈 ZiG currency gains ground

Improved macroeconomic stability has increased use of the ZiG currency. Demand for ZiG cash is rising, reflecting growing market confidence, the governor noted.

4/5

🖌 New ZiG banknotes on the way

The RBZ is redesigning ZiG banknotes with advanced security features.

Production is in its final stages, part of efforts to make the currency more durable.

5/5

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1954948167352643650

[Ravenlocke]

🇧🇷 Brazil will host a BRICS video conference to discuss strengthening economic ties in response to new U.S. tariffs against several member states, President Lula da Silva said.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1955715966924452318

[Ravenlocke]

🇺🇸 CNN reports that the U.S. is deploying over 4,000 troops, a nuclear attack submarine, a reconnaissance aircraft, destroyers, and a missile cruiser to the waters of Latin America and the Caribbean, allegedly to combat drug cartels, citing unnamed Pentagon officials.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1956715547443548221

[Ravenlocke]

Brazil | President Lula da Silva launched a package of measures to support exporters hit by a 50 percent tariff imposed by the United States government
https://x.com/telesurenglish/status/1956362747379360204

https://www.telesurenglish.net/brazi...oamp=available


Lula da Silva Aids Brazilian Exporters Hit by U.S. Tariffs
The ‘Sovereign Brazil’ plan provides about US$5.6 billion in affordable loans, tax breaks and other measures.

On Wednesday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva launched a package of measures to support exporters hit by a 50 percent tariff imposed by the U.S. government.

RELATED:

Brazilians Denounce Police Violence Against Youth in Rio De Janeiro

The “Sovereign Brazil” plan provides about US$5.6 billion in affordable loans, tax breaks and other measures, prioritizing small businesses and those dealing in perishable foods.

It also facilitates public procurement from affected rural and agro-industrial sectors, modernizes the export guarantee system, and reactivates a program to refund taxes in the production chain.

In a speech during the announcement, President Lula rejected the U.S. government’s arguments for imposing tariffs on Brazilian products.


https://x.com/TheodorCarvalho/status...91670231507230

The text reads, “President Lula emphasized that ‘Our sovereignty is untouchable.’ Lula’s announcement of the Sovereign Brazil Plan, which aims to protect exporters and workers, is a strategic response to the imposition of U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Brazilian products. The plan includes R$30 billion in loans for companies, prioritizing national sovereignty by reducing dependence on the U.S. and seeking partnerships with China, Vietnam, and India. Sovereign Brazil.”

“It is important to say that we cannot become nervous, apprehensive, or overly excited when there is a crisis. Crises exist so that we can create new things. The unpleasant thing is that there are no justified reasons for imposing tariffs on Brazil,” he said.

While the tariff is unjustified, Brazil will not apply reciprocal measures for the time being, the Brazilian leader added.

“We are not announcing reciprocity. Take note of how good we are at negotiating. Initially, we don’t want to do anything that would justify worsening our relationship,” Lula stated.

He referred to one of the reasons the White House gave for imposing tariffs: that putting Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro on trial for attempting to overthrow the government to stay in power was a human rights violation.

“Brazil had no reason to be taxed, and we will not accept any accusations that we do not respect human rights in Brazil and that our trial is being conducted arbitrarily,” Lula said.

https://x.com/telesurenglish/status/1955324653892767772

[Ravenlocke]

From Russia’s Pivot to Asia,

Russian Shrimp Imports From Ecuador Up 15% To 14,000 Tonnes In Six Months
https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...in-six-months/
Russia's search for new, non-Western supply chains continues with shrimp imports from Ecuador, one of the world's largest suppliers.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1955997173658603700

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...in-six-months/

Russian Shrimp Imports From Ecuador Up 15% To 14,000 Tonnes In Six Months

August 14, 2025 Agriculture, Imports, Latin America, Trade By Russia's Pivot to Asia
Russia imported 14,000 tonnes of shrimp from Ecuador in H1 2025, up 15% compared to the same period last year, according to data from Ecuador’s National Aquaculture Chamber.

The value of shipments rose 30%, reaching US$70 million. Russia’s share in Ecuador’s shrimp exports slightly increased, accounting for 4% in both volume and value terms.

Russian fishermen themselves also caught approximately 15,000 tonnes of shrimp in H1, up 11% compared to the same period last year.

Russia has been completely reinventing all its supply chains since the termination of trade with Europe in 2022 and has been sourcing from emerging markets in the global south instead. In Ecuador 99% of shrimp are raised in special ponds, making the country the world’s leading producer and exporter of farmed shrimp. Wild shrimp are also harvested, but in small quantities and are mainly sold on the local market. The shrimp farming sector in Ecuador contributes significantly to the country’s GDP and exports and is considered a major employer – in 2021 it was reported that the sector supports about 275,000 jobs.

Ecuador’s aquaculture industry is dominated by marine shrimp (Litopenaeus spp.), making it the world’s leading producer and exporter of farmed shrimp. Tilapia and other freshwater fish are also cultured on a smaller scale, primarily in the inter-Andean region. The shrimp farming sector is a major employer and a significant contributor to the nation’s GDP and exports.

Further Reading

Russia-Ecuador 2025 Trade & Investment Analysis: Update

[Ravenlocke]

Russia’s Oil Revenues Up 7% In July As EU Supplies Increase

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...lies-increase/
Despite the European Union's attempts to impose a price cap on Russia's oil exports, Russia's oil export revenues increased by 7% in July while EU imports also increased.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1955997405482000615

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...lies-increase/


Russia’s Oil Revenues Up 7% In July As EU Supplies Increase[

August 14, 2025 Energy, Exports, India, Middle East By Russia's Pivot to Asia
Russia’s oil export revenues in July rose 7% with a value of just under US$1 billion compared to June, reaching US$14.3 billion, according to International Energy Association (IEA) calculations. This is despite the European Union attempting to impose an oil cap on July 18, which proved ineffective as the oil export revenue growth was driven by higher prices and increased demand. There is also evidence that EU oil supplies from Russia via India were merely diverted to supplies from Turkiye. Russia sells its crude oil to refiners in both countries.

Physical export volumes in July increased 1.4% month-on-month to 7.3 million barrels per day, matching the export volume from a year earlier.

Crude oil shipments remained nearly unchanged in July, up by 20,000 bpd versus June, totaling 4.6 million bpd, or 80,000 bpd higher than a year ago, while petroleum product exports grew 2% to 2.6 million bpd, or 80,000 bpd lower than a year ago.

According to IEA estimates, China reduced oil imports from Russia 300,000 bpd month-on-month and 600,000 bpd year-on-year to 1.8 million bpd in July. India reduced imports from Russia by 400,000 bpd MoM and 500,000 bpd YoY to 1.4 million bpd. However, Turkiye increased them by 100,000 bpd MoM and 100,000 bpd YoY to 1 million bpd, while deliveries to undisclosed destinations were 1 million bpd higher MoM in July at 1.3 million bpd—there were almost no such deliveries last year.

Despite continuing efforts, the EU has been largely ineffective in reducing the income Russia generates from its oil exports and is itself part of the problem as it purchases Russian oil from third-party countries instead. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, About 50% of Russian oil exports in July were transported by G7 tankers. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus the European Union. Of these, the European Union members are by far the largest purchasers of Russian oil—provided they abide by the EU-imposed price cap. Since January 2025, the G7 share in Russian oil transport has increased from 36% to 55% of its total crude oil exports, purchased mainly either from India or Turkiye.

Further Reading

India To Continue To Buy Russian Oil Despite US Threats

[Ravenlocke]

Siberian Wood Pellet Producer Doubles Exports to South Korea

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/siber...o-south-korea/
Russia's Segezha Group has tripled its sales of wood pellets to the South Korean market, as it migrates to serving demand in Asia instead of Europe.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1956365516039237960

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/siber...o-south-korea/

Siberian Wood Pellet Producer Doubles Exports to South Korea

August 15, 2025 Agriculture, Asia, Energy, Exports By Russia's Pivot to Asia
Russia’s Segezha Group in Siberia has doubled its wood pellet production year-on-year to 61,000 tonnes in January-June 2025, the group has stated.

The company has almost tripled its pellet sales to 70,600 tonnes in H1, up from 25,200 tonnes in H1 2024. The main purchaser was South Korea, to which the company supplied more than 80% of the total products, considerably more than the 22,400 tonnes exported in 2024.

The products were manufactured at the Lesosibirsky LDK N1 timber processing complex in Krasnoyarsk and TimberTrans and Tairiku-Igirma Group (TIG) in Irkutsk. Lesosibirsky LDK N1 accounted for 45% of the total pellet produced, TIG for 29%, and TimberTrans for 26%.

Dmitry Beresnev, Segezha’s Deputy President of Commercial Operations, said that “From the beginning of the heating season in the second half of 2025, pellet sales on the domestic market are expected to increase, and so too are exports to key foreign markets. We plan to expand our client base and diversify our product portfolio and have high hopes for the prospect of exporting Russian pellets to China.”

Oleg Shubin, a director of Segezha’s timber processing division, said, “The company is gradually stepping up pellet production through the active work of our plants in the Krasnoyarsk territory and the Irkutsk region, Segezha Group’s key pellet producers. Starting from August 1, we have resumed the production of pellets at the Novoyeniseysk LHK timber and chemical complex [in the Krasnoyarsk territory], which will boost combined production and sales indicators for 2025 by over 20,000 tonnes.”

The company sold over 14,000 tonnes of pellets on the domestic market in H1 2025, a five-fold increase year-on-year. 10,300 tonnes of products from Lesosibirsky LDK N1 made up the majority of these sales.

Pellets are used in heating, with demand especially high during the winter months. The biomass pellet market in South Korea is showing significant growth thanks to active government support for bioenergy. South Korea’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires energy companies to transition to renewable energy sources, leading to an increase in wood pellet imports. In the residential sector, wood pellets are widely used in pellet stoves and heaters and are an inexpensive and low-emission heating solution. South Korea’s wood pellet market is influenced by government policies, including subsidies for renewable energy and the pricing of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

South Korea has gradually warmed up to using Russian products again after a period of engaging with sanctions against Moscow.

Further Reading

Russia and China Discuss Wood Pellet Standards for Russian Exports

[Ravenlocke]

Russia’s Ural Motors Leads The Way In Auto-Component Self-Sufficiency

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...f-sufficiency/
Russia's Ural Motors is investing in a new foundry to manufacture auto components as part of Russia's move to reduce dependence on imported parts

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1956369077531750689

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russi...f-sufficiency/

Russia’s Ural Motors Leads The Way In Auto-Component Self-Sufficiency

August 15, 2025 Investment, Logistics & Transport, Russian Market By Russia's Pivot to Asia
Russia’s Ural Automobile Plant, based in Chelyabinsk, has begun constructing a new foundry complex with an investment of ₽9.5 billion (US$118.8 million), according to the Russian Industrial Development Fund (IDF). The fund provided the plant with a ₽5 billion preferential loan for implementing the project, with the foundation stone laying ceremony held last week. The news is significant as it illustrates Russia’s continuing moves to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and to better develop its own component manufacturing industries.

The Ural Automobile Plant is a major manufacturer of trucks in Russia, specializing in all-wheel drive trucks with a carrying capacity ranging from 4 to 20 tons. They produce various truck models, including those with 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 wheel arrangements, as well as road trucks with 4×2, 6×4, and 8×4 configurations. The plant also manufactures shift buses and cargo-passenger vehicles based on their all-wheel drive trucks. In recent years, the plant has seen a significant increase in production, with a 45% rise in car production in 2023, reaching 14,270 units. The plant increased its daily assembly rate to 78 trucks per day by the end of 2023, up from 50 in 2022.

It is planned that the new shop, with an area of 46,000 square meters, will produce up to 45,000 tonnes of cast iron castings per year. They will be used as blanks for drive axles and other automotive components for trucks and special equipment.

Ural Automobile Plant CEO Pavel Yakovlev stated, “Creating additional foundry production capacities is aimed at solving several tasks. First, it is about mastering the production of casting blanks for localized parts of Ural vehicles’ new axles. Second, we plan to fully cover our own needs in cast iron casting. And, of course, we will work for third-party customers.”

Old foundry buildings at the industrial site have been dismantled, design work has been completed, and contracts with contractors have been signed. Production is scheduled to start in early 2027.

Further Reading

Russia Launches New Sadko 9 Off-Road Truck for Tough Terrain Logistics

[Ravenlocke]

Rusal Buys 26% Of India’s Pioneer For US$243.75 Million

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/rusal...43-75-million/
The effect of sanctions: After Alcoa refused to sell alumina to Rusal, the Russian company subsequently invested in and diversified its supply chains away from Australia, strengthening its efficiencies, while Alcoa is left with larger industrial competitors and reduced sales volumes.

https://x.com/RussiasPivot/status/1956369436903886938

https://russiaspivottoasia.com/rusal...43-75-million/

Rusal Buys 26% Of India’s Pioneer For US$243.75 Million

August 15, 2025 India, Investment, Russian Market By Russia's Pivot to Asia

Russia’s Rusal, the country’s largest aluminium producer, has completed the first stage of a deal to buy a stake in Indian alumina refinery Pioneer Aluminium Industries, acquiring a 26% interest for US$243.75 million. Rusal reported the deal in its most recent financial statement. The company is the world’s second largest aluminium manufacturer, accounting for almost 9% of the world’s primary aluminium output and 9% of the world’s alumina production.

The purchase value is subject to further adjustments provided for in the share-purchase agreement, while the full agreement states that Rusal is acquiring the interest in Pioneer’s share capital in three stages up to 50%.

Pioneer Aluminium owns and operates a metallurgical-grade alumina refinery located in Andhra Pradesh with a production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes.

Rusal stated that “It is our intention to supply bauxite to and to receive alumina from the Plant pro rata to the respective shareholdings.”

Prior to the deal with Rusal, Pioneer Aluminium had two large shareholders: Penna Group with 68% and Rescom Group, which owned 26% through its investment division, KCap Holdings.

Due to sanctions and the nature of unfriendly countries, Rusal lost access to Alcoa’s alumina supplies from Australia in 2022, which had accounted for about 40% of its alumina consumption. Since then, Rusal has been forced to buy more than a third of the alumina it needs on world markets at exchange prices. Rusal’s expenses on buying alumina rose 18% to US$2.7 billion in the first half of 2025.

To cater for the loss of Australian supplies, Rusal acquired a 30% stake in Chinese alumina producer Hebei Wenfeng New Materials (HWNM) for US$316 million in 2014, giving it a proportionate share of the plant’s production. This enabled Rusal to access 1.4 million tonnes of alumina per year, comparable to the amount it was buying on the open market. Rusal said the HWNM deal would secure it access to alumina supplies at competitive prices. It also meant that Australia lost a major supply sales contract in selling supplies to Russia to their Chinese competitors. In the longer term, Australia’s actions against Rusal have strengthened the Russian entities operations as Rusal have diversified and now partially own part of their required supply chains, cutting Australian industry completely out of the picture.

Further Reading

Russia’s Rusal Acquires Indian and Chinese Aluminium Manufacturers

[Ravenlocke]

From NDB, New Development Bank (BRICS bank), some of the various projects funded by the bank.

In the mountainous terrain of India's Himachal Pradesh, rural women spend up to 2 hours daily fetching water.
NDB's loan of $ 80 million will help address critical water access issues in a region where 42% of habitations lack reliable clean drinking water.
#NDBImpact

The Himachal Pradesh Rural Water Supply project NDB’s project will help bring safe tap water to 500,000+ people in 1,255 villages, cutting waterborne diseases and medical costs, while helping women reclaim their time.

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1955560483265884525

In 2024 in Brazil,

NDB to allocate over US$1 billion to Rio Grande do Sul for reconstruction efforts after recent floods. President
@dilmabr
announced the loans to support development of urban and rural infrastructure in flood-affected areas and help people rebuild their lives.
#NDBImpact #EMDCs

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1790697277734138184

2024 Luoyang China,

Luoyang in China is a city rich in history, which faced transport challenges due to rapid urbanisation. In 2018, NDB funded its first metro system with $300M. Fully operational since March 2021, it’s a game-changer, easing traffic & boosting connectivity!
#NDBImpact #EMDC #SDG11

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1843831418729988124

India rural project 2024,
NDB has approved a loan of up to USD 500 million for the Gujarat Rural Road Programme in India. This initiative aims to enhance rural connectivity and improve access to markets, health and education centers for 4,900 villages, directly benefitting 12.65 million people.
#NDBImpact

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1767475637860876604

China 2024,

Shengzhou municipality in China faced challenges in providing water supply & sanitation facilities. In 2019, NDB stepped in with an RMB 825 million loan to build vital water and sewage infrastructure.

Watch how the project will improve lives of the residents.
#NDBImpact #SDG6

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1762038495126913440

China 2023,
The energy capacity of Fujian province in China was falling short of demand, with an estimated power deficit in the coming years.

Watch how NDB helped Fujian capitalise on its #renewablenergy potential and high wind speeds by developing offshore wind power projects.

[url]https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1678308507106566145

Brazil 2023,

Brazil requires an annual investment of 4% of GDP in its infrastructure to meet the growing demand. NDB's investment in Patria Infrastructure Fund IV helped catalyze the private sector, which financed a 475MW solar power plant bringing #cleanenergy to 580,000 families.
#NDBImpact

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1681921236279107584

[Ravenlocke]

New Development Bank continued,

In 2024,
With this issuance of RMB 6 billion #PandaBond, the total amount of Panda Bonds issued by NDB has reached RMB 47.5 billion.

We thank our investors for their confidence in NDB's mission of shaping a more sustainable future for all.

#EMDCs #NDBImpact

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1753278551456186627

2024 South Africa,

South Africa is committed to transition to #cleanenergy for electricity generation. NDB's US$ 300 million loan to
@DBSA_Bank
to on-lend to 15 renewable energy projects will yield ~3,000 GWh of clean energy annually, reducing 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions/year.
#NDBImpact⚡

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1787407645248524382

April 2025 South Africa,

South Africa is vital to Africa's economic development, with Durban Port handling 65% of container throughput. To meet rising freight demand, NDB is financing the terminal's modernisation to accommodate larger vessels, enhance trade capacity & drive regional growth. #NDBImpact

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1909920120564318693

September 2024,

NDB issues 3- and 5-year notes totaling ZAR 1 billion in the South African bond market. This issuance has brought the total amount of rand bonds issued by NDB to ZAR 3.8 billion.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4ev0rfu

#NDBImpact #EMDCs


https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1837107222460977214

Xi’an China 2024,

Xi’an, at the centre of China, is a vital transportation hub connecting east & west. NDB's RMB 805 million loan is helping expand the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to handle 83 million passengers & 1 million tonnes of cargo annually. #NDBImpact✈
🔗https://bit.ly/3vpxelj

https://x.com/NDB_int/status/1775033710976667895

[Ravenlocke]

At a time when #multilateralism faces headwinds, strengthening relationships among #countries in the #GlobalSouth is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and balanced #globalorder: Marco Antonio Rocha

https://x.com/orfonline/status/1956319962739454339

https://www.orfonline.org/expert-spe...e-global-south

India-Brazil Compact: A Guidelight for the Global South?

The timing of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil for the 17th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit in July 2025 marked a critical juncture for a variety of reasons. Primarily, weaving in another Latin American country—Argentina—it signalled New Delhi’s intent to deepen strategic ties with the key Global South actors, aligning with its broader interests in advancing South-South cooperation. Second, the visit may have gained even more significance post-facto, given the 50 percent tariffs announced by the United States (US) on Brazil and its consequent desire to diversify. Finally, India and Brazil find themselves similarly positioned on most global issues, including the most urgent reforms of the global institutions. Given the intensification of conflicts around the world, the strain in the international order, which is marked by instability and a breakdown of multilateral consensus, perhaps it is the best time to strengthen the India-Brazil axis. The visit itself was a step in the right direction to achieve that goal. Keeping in line with the tradition, PM Modi engaged with members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival, underscoring the importance of cultural and people-to-people ties in India's foreign policy outreach.

Despite being geographically distant, India and Brazil share significant historical and structural similarities.

The summit and PM Modi’s visit highlight the growing convergence of Brazil and India’s interests. Their engagement served as a testimony to the Global South’s significance and the need for enhanced cooperation among its member countries. The BRICS Summit theme—“Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”—captured the sentiment for a more equitable and representative global order. Furthermore, the vision of a collaborative Global South is especially relevant in light of recent challenges faced by Brazil. The country is grappling with economic headwinds from the Trump administration’s trade policies. As Brazil seeks to diversify its trade and investment partners, India emerges as a promising counterpart.

Despite being geographically distant, India and Brazil share significant historical and structural similarities. Their connections began with the Portuguese Empire’s overseas expansion in the sixteenth century, spreading elements of both Brazilian and Indian flora to each continent. Both countries are relatively young democracies, multicultural, and continental in size, possessing large domestic markets. India and Brazil each underwent state-led industrialisation processes that are among the most significant in the 20th century for balancing the mercantilist global capitalist system of the West. Their industrialisation fostered capabilities in strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals and aerospace, developed well-organised sectoral innovation systems, particularly in agriculture, and established national programmes to promote domestic industry, creating fertile ground for future cooperation.

However, in Brazil’s case, these advancements co-exist with socio-economic challenges. According to the World Bank criteria, approximately 28 percent of Brazil’s population lives below the poverty line. While the scale may differ, cities of both countries face mounting infrastructural pressures, which call for an urgent need to improve productivity and access to land for family farming. These sectors present promising grounds for cooperation between Brazil and India, rooted in common development goals. Such collaboration could serve as a benchmark for broader Global South engagement. Strategic Cooperation PM Modi’s visit outlined six pillars for further deepening India-Brazil cooperation over the next decade: defence, food security, energy transition, climate change mitigation, digitalisation and emerging technologies, and strategic industrial partnerships. As a part of this renewed engagement, 12 agreements and memoranda were signed during the recent visit by PM Modi, covering sectors such as combating terrorism and organised crime, exchanging digital solutions, collaborating on renewable energy technologies, agricultural research cooperation, classified information protection, and an intellectual property cooperation memorandum.

As major developing economies, India and Brazil bring unique capacities and leadership to South-South cooperation. Their initiatives—especially in renewable energy, digital innovation, and agricultural research—not only reflect domestic priorities but can also serve as scalable models of growth in the Global South pertaining to climate resilience.

Trade and investment goals were equally ambitious. In addition to expanding the bilateral trade agreement between MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and India, both countries aim to strengthen ties across their aerospace industries. A target has been set to increase bilateral trade to US$20 billion over the next five years — up from the current US$12 billion. This involves formulating strategic agreements across critical manufacturing sectors, with a particular focus on value chain development in pharmaceuticals, defence equipment, mining, mineral exploitation and the oil and gas industries.

A key focus of the India-Brazil axis is energy transition and climate change. While there is already some existing collaboration in the field of bioenergy and biofuels between the two countries, this visit stressed the need for continued engagement in the Global Biofuel Alliance. The emphasis on the urgent need for clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transitions, advocating for technology-neutral and integrated approaches using diverse low-emission sources, fuels, and technologies, cannot be missed from the bilateral ties anymore. Brazil also launched the Tropical Forests Forever Fund ahead of COP30. A MoU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy was also signed, highlighting the importance accorded to energy transition and climate resilience. As major developing economies, India and Brazil bring unique capacities and leadership to South-South cooperation. Their initiatives—especially in renewable energy, digital innovation, and agricultural research—not only reflect domestic priorities but can also serve as scalable models of growth in the Global South pertaining to climate resilience.

The BRICS grouping currently accounts for approximately 48 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As the BRICS economies promote mutual economic growth, they create significant potential to boost international trade within the group. Greater intra-bloc trade, led by major partners such as India and Brazil, can help balance the bloc’s internal trade flows and reduce dependency on China-centric trade platforms. Notably, the absence of political tensions between India and Brazil positions them as pivotal actors in building a more symmetrical and diversified BRICS economic landscape.

Greater intra-bloc trade, led by major partners such as India and Brazil, can help balance the bloc’s internal trade flows and reduce dependency on China-centric trade platforms.

At a time when multilateralism faces headwinds, reinforcing relationships among countries of the Global South is essential for building a more inclusive and balanced global order. To achieve this, these countries must engage more closely, broadening bilateral exchanges and strategic collaborations. Brazil and India can lead the way by establishing partnerships, institutionalising mechanisms to strengthen cooperation in domains where countries have common interests. The BRICS summit and the bilateral meeting between Modi and Lula have set the stage for strengthening the Global South cooperation and present a semblance of stability in these chaotic times.

Marco Antonio Rocha is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Economics at the University of Campinas.

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik India,

🚨🇮🇳🇷🇺 Jaishankar arrives in Moscow on official visit to Russia


https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1957796446305927335

🚨🇺🇸 “Deadly disruptions to US healthcare, harming millions of Americans.”

That will be the lethal legacy of Trump’s tariffs on Indian pharmaceuticals.

With 40% of generic Rx drugs imported from India, the fatal fallout is a real possibility.

Thread by
@Kanthan2030
🧵👇

https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1957806998994432002

[Ravenlocke]

Sputnik India,

🤔🇺🇸 Do the tariffs on pharmaceuticals even make sense? No! here’s why:

1. These tariffs are allegedly to punish India for buying Russian oil and weapons. However, this is happening while Trump bonds with President Putin in Alaska.

2. If Trump’s secondary goal is to force American companies to manufacture drugs in the US, it is a pipedream. Big Pharma is not going to spend (waste) tens of billions of dollars every year on factories and workers in the US. That is simply not a good business decision, at least according to neoliberal principles, which would rather spend the money on stock buybacks.

3. Just like the tariffs on other products, US companies will simply pass on 60-80% of the tariff cost to the American consumer. Thus, more inflation and more suffering.

4. India exports only $10 billion of pharmaceuticals, while the US saves $250 billion. So, who’s going to be hurt more?

5/10

https://x.com/Sputnik_India/status/1957807017894244610

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik Africa,

🏁 BRICS Road Rally Reaches Moscow

After setting off from Yekaterinburg on Aug. 9, the BRICS road rally has crossed the finish line in Russia's capital, Moscow, a Sputnik Africa correspondent reported.

🏁 BRICS Motor Rally takes place in Russia's Kazan

The international event unfolds on two routes:

▪️ Youth Track – from Yekaterinburg to Kazan, held August 9–12;
▪️ Business Track – BRICS+ representatives traveling from Kazan to Moscow, arriving August 15.

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1956037951948763150

The BRICS Car Rally (Aug 9–15) has concluded. Delegations from 20 BRICS+ countries drove the M-12 Vostok highway from Yekaterinburg to Moscow, showcasing Russia’s transport infrastructure, trade, industry, and investment potential through business and cultural events.

https://x.com/apocalypseos/status/1957334782221910338

[Ravenlocke]

📊🇨🇳 #China's #Economics growth outpaces forecasts, shuts down naysayers

China’s stats for Q2 show it’s on track for 5% growth—a sharp rebuttal to pessimistic foreign narratives

https://x.com/BRICSnTheWorld/status/1957066117039497490

[Ravenlocke]

From Sputnik,

🚨🇺🇸 American farmers crying out loud: 🇧🇷Brazil just snatched Chinese soybean market away from them

This is direct fallout from the US tariff war on BRICS.

How severe will the consequences be? 🧵👇

https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/1958585735214141504