NADT Training BRICS Officers in BEPS & International Tax The National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), India’s premier institution for training officers of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in the Income Tax Department, has initiated a week-long training program for tax professionals from BRICS nations. The initiative, which began on Monday, aims to address global tax challenges, particularly under the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) framework. BEPS, a key focus area, involves multinational corporations exploiting tax havens to minimize their tax liabilities, a problem being tackled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of 38 countries based in Paris. This training program is part of India’s BRICS chairmanship for 2026 and emphasizes international collaboration in tax governance. Participants include tax officials from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, the UAE, and Ethiopia, alongside six Indian officers. The curriculum covers OECD and UN model conventions, global tax reforms such as Pillar One and Pillar Two, and dispute resolution mechanisms like advance pricing agreements and mutual agreement procedures. Trainees will also engage in discussions to draft working papers on international taxation, focusing on enhancing cross-border cooperation, technical developments, and tax practices. The inaugural session was addressed by Prasenjit Singh, a member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) responsible for legislation. Singh highlighted the importance of international collaboration in combating tax evasion and the role of young professionals in building a transparent and resilient global tax system.#brics #central_board_of_direct_taxes #national_academy_of_direct_taxes #indian_revenue_service
India Withdraws Bid to Host COP33 Climate Talks The Indian government has quietly withdrawn its offer to host the COP33 climate summit in 2028, according to a report by Climate Home News. The decision, announced on April 2, was communicated to other nations by an Indian official who cited a “review of its commitments for the year 2028” as the reason for the withdrawal. The initial bid had been made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. The Indian government has not publicly acknowledged the decision and has not responded to requests for comment, making this the first report of the withdrawal. The withdrawal leaves the host country for COP33 uncertain, as the summit will follow COP31 in Türkiye and COP32 in Ethiopia. While South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed interest in hosting the talks during his 2025 campaign, the country’s climate ministry has not formally endorsed the bid. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated that local governments may pursue hosting interests for regional development and tourism, but this does not reflect the national government’s stance. Additionally, Boyoung Kang, director of the ministry, noted that South Korea’s planned G20 Summit in 2028 could limit its capacity to host COP33, given the substantial financial and logistical demands of the event. The right to host the annual climate negotiations rotates among the UN’s five regional groups. This year’s COP31 is co-hosted by Türkiye and Australia, members of the Western Europe and Others Group, while Ethiopia will host COP32 as part of the African Group. The Asia-Pacific Group is next in line, and India had been widely expected to host COP33 after Modi’s announcement at COP28. However, the withdrawal disrupts this expectation.#india #narendra_modi #brics #unfccc #climate_home_news
Evolving multipolar order calls for more cooperation through BRICS, SCO, G20, UN External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the need for enhanced global cooperation among multilateral forums as the world transitions into a multipolar order. Speaking at a press conference, he highlighted the importance of platforms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Group of 20 (G20), and the United Nations in fostering collaboration. Jaishankar noted that India, during its BRICS chairmanship, aims to work closely with Russia to address shared challenges through a balanced and inclusive approach. The minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with Russia, stressing the significance of strengthening bilateral ties and maintaining their "cherished friendship." He also mentioned that BRICS, led by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has welcomed additional members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia. For 2026, India will hold the BRICS chairmanship, with the summit planned for later in the year. Jaishankar underscored Russia’s role as India’s foremost partner in civil nuclear energy, citing the Kudankulam nuclear project in Tamil Nadu as a successful example of collaboration. He expressed confidence in continued partnership as India aims to expand its nuclear energy capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047. The minister also highlighted the importance of the Kudankulam project in demonstrating the potential for peaceful nuclear cooperation. On economic ties, Jaishankar noted that India and Russia are working to increase their annual bilateral trade from USD 68.7 billion to USD 100 billion by 2030.#external_affairs_minister_s_jaishankar #united_nations #shanghai_cooperation_organisation #brics #group_of_20
