Manmohan, Sonia pay last respects to R.K. Dhawan
New Delhi, Aug 8 : Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders paid their last respects to former Union Minister R.K. Dhawan at the Congress headquarters on Wednesday.
Dhawan died on Monday evening in a hospital after a brief illness.
The mortal remains of the Congress leader, once a powerful aide and confidant of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, were brought to the AICC headquarters on Wednesday afternoon in a flower-bedecked vehicle.
Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to Dhawan.
Among the other leaders present were Ashok Gehlot, Ahmad Patel, Motilal Vora, P. Chidambaram, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Raj Babbar.
As Personal Secretary to Indira Gandhi, Rajinder Kumar Dhawan wielded enormous clout with his presence in the PMO and the household, especially during the Emergency, by keeping a hold on who got access to the Prime Minister.
Dhawan had been a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a party general secretary.
He was a member of Rajya Sabha twice -- from April 1990 to April 1996, and July 2004 to July 2010.
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India edges past Japan, ranks third on Asia Power Index of Australian think tank
New Delhi, Sep 25: India ranks third in the annual Asia Power Index, released by an Australian think-tank, surpassing Japan on the back of strong post-COVID 19 economic growth, while China's power appeared to plateau just below the United States.
The Sydney-based Lowy Institute has put the US at the top of its Asia Power Index with a score of 81.7, followed by China with a score of 72.7, India (39.1), Japan (38.9), Australia (31.9) and Russia (31.1).
The Index ranks 27 countries and territories in terms of their capacity to shape their external environment -- its scope reaching as far west as Pakistan, as far north as Russia and as far into the Pacific as Australia, New Zealand and the US.
The index has cited economic growth, future potential and diplomatic influence as key factors for India's rise. However, it has pointed out that New Delhi's clout remains below the potential promised by its resources.
"India has shown remarkable post-pandemic economic recovery, contributing to a 4.2-point rise in its economic capability. India's massive population and strong GDP growth reinforce its standing as the world's third-largest economy in PPP terms," the think tank has said.
It has noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has garnered greater international recognition.
The think tank has said India's non-aligned strategic posture has allowed it to navigate complex international waters effectively.
It has said India's participation in dialogues as well as its leadership in the Quad has allowed New Delhi to play a significant role in regional security dynamics, albeit outside of formal military alliances.
