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Is Saudi Arabia Leaving The U.S. Behind For Russia?
Submitted by Robert Brake via OilPrice.com,
The news from the recent St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which took place from June 18 to 20, inspired a torrent of speculation on the future direction of energy prices.
But the real buzz at the conference was the unexpected but much publicized visit of the Saudi Deputy Crown Prince, as an emissary of the King. The Prince, who is also his country’s Defense Minister, carried the royal message of a direct invitation to President Putin to visit the King, which was immediately accepted and reciprocated, with the Prince accepting on behalf of his father.
It would be news enough that the unusually high level delegation from a long-time ally and protectorate of the U.S., like Saudi Arabia, was visiting a Russian sponsored economic conference, in a country sanctioned by the U.S.
Some saw this well publicized meeting as the first sign of an emerging partnership between the two greatest global oil producers. If the warmth of the meeting was any evidence, it seems likely that Russia, a non-OPEC producer, might come a lot closer to the fold.
That could mean that, at the very least, Russia would have a voice in the cartel’s policy decisions on production. And if so, it would be a voice on the side of stable but rising prices.
The great Indian journalist, M.K. Bhadrakumar (MKB), may have been the first to point out that there was plenty of reasons for the Saudis and Russians to come closer together. Among these are the U.S.’ diminishing dependence on Middle Eastern energy, due to the momentous development of shale resources. There’s also the over-riding goal of the U.S. to pivot toward the East, where a huge economic transformation is unfolding, while reducing the U.S. role in the Middle East. It’s clear that the Saudis are going to have to make new friends.
MKB also makes the point that although the Saudis are wildly opposed to any form of U.S. entente with Iran, the clear-eyed Kremlin understands that there are many temptations for its erstwhile ally, Iran, to move much closer to the west.
Pepe Escobar of Asia Times saw the Prince’s visit as harboring the first glimmer of light in ending the current global oil trade war, in which the Saudi’s might turn down the spigot and lower production, enabling prices to rise:
“Facts on the ground included Russia and Saudi Arabia’s oil ministers discussing a broad cooperation agreement; the signing of six nuclear technology agreements; and the Supreme Imponderable; Putin and the deputy crown prince discussing oil prices. Could this be the end of the Saudi-led oil price war?”
Bullish oil traders thought they found some hope in the words of Ali al-Naimi, the famous and longtime President and CEO of the Saudi National Oil Company, Aramco, and current oil minister. Naimi publicly stated: “I am optimistic about the future of the market in the coming months in terms of the continuing improvement and increasing global demand for oil as well as the low level of commercial inventories.” This, the minister said, should lead to higher oil prices by year's end.
Ali al-Naimi publicly praised the enhanced bilateral cooperation between Riyadh and Moscow, stating that, “[t]his, in turn, will lead to creating a petroleum alliance between the two countries for the benefit of the international oil market…"
This could be music to the ears of oil price bulls. But more skeptical minds were quick to clamp down excessive optimism. “Of course, we shouldn’t read into any new developments outside political frameworks, because I can hardly imagine that Saudi Arabia has decided to turn against its alliances—but it probably wants to get out of the narrow US corner and expand its options,” Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel, wrote in a column after the summit.
At the meeting, the Saudis and Russians signed several memoranda of understanding including the development of nuclear power plants in the Kingdom, with the Saudis planning some 16+ plants
The two sides also plan on setting up working groups to study other possible energy joint ventures in Russia. Russia also agreed to the construction of railways and metro subways for the Saudis. Russia is also believed to have agreed to supply advanced military defense equipment to the Kingdom, despite the Saudis being long time arms customers of both the UK and U.S.
However there is quite a bit of doubt that the U.S. is ready to just step aside and be replaced by Russia as the Saudis’ main ally. Saudi Arabia and Russia are on opposite sides on a range of geopolitical issues, including Iran, Syria, and Yemen. These conflicts will likely put a limit on any potential entente.
Also, there is serious doubt as to whether it is so simple for the Saudis to raise oil prices. Flooding the markets with oil to crash prices only requires the Saudis to over-produce by some one and a half million barrels of oil per day, easily within their grasp, and something the Saudis can do on their own.
Bringing prices up is a different story, requiring global oil producers to comply in oil cutbacks.
At the same time, rising prices are a clear signal to global producers to increase production, worsening the current glut, so that any price increase may prove to be temporary.
And yet, the fact is prices have been rising since the first of the year, and many are convinced there is more to go. C. DeHaemmer, a well-known energy newsletter writer, is now predicting a price rise by WTI to a range of $73-$78, and a Brent range of $82-85, by years end. Not impossible, but long term, the issue becomes cloudier.
On a different matter, there was another surprise announcement at the forum, with India, a longtime U.S. ally, confirming that it will sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), a Russian-led trade bloc including Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Russia and China have agreed on making the EEU a central part of the Chinese sponsored Silk Road, so by default, it would appear that India is moving towards joining the grand Chinese project.
As has become standard at the St. Petersburg Forum, a number of energy deals were signed, including a BP deal to buy a major stake in a Siberian oil field owned by Rosneft, a company suffering under international sanctions. BP, as a twenty percent stakeholder in Rosneft, says it is seeking to expand on its joint ventures with the Russian company
Another deal was signed with Gazprom to build a second pipeline under the Baltic, following the path of Nordstream to Germany, in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell, Germany's E.ON, and Austria's OMV. Apparently, Western Europe's oil giants find Russian sanctions to be no hindrance in dealing with Russian energy companies.
After his onstage TV interview with Putin, Charlie Rose, the well-known TV celebrity, was asked why he had decided to become a moderator at the Forum. He said, “I believe it’s important to talk to people.”
In the meantime, the U.S. reporter, with camera man in tow, found nothing of interest to report at the conference.
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"Let's forget you better still...."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogHtl6UFSSI
We're Not Gonna Take It, The Who
"It's not you, it's me."
Saudi Arabia + Russia = the New OPEC
Saudi Arabia joining BRICS? Abandoning the Petrodollar? Starting Gold-backed Sovereign Wealth Fund?
Wait a second...I remember reading here on ZH that Saudi Duke or Earl or Sheik or Crown Prince or something or other Bandar (sp?) threatened the Russian Winter Olympics in Sofia with terrorism if they didn't help get the gas pipeline through Syria by removing support for Assad.
Do you mean now the Saudis are going to get in bed with the Ruskies?
Sofia is in Bulgaria... the winter olympics were in Sochi.
Gerald Celente once called him the "Clown Prince"...
Yup, but that was the old regime who's boss, the King, died a couple of months ago.
Russia is now dealing with a new regime who may well have ideas of their own.
The US plan to isolate Russia seems to be going really well.
If you remember, Bandar resigned (removed?) soon after some off-color public comments about Russia. Some within the royal family are suspicious of his unblanced approach to his relatonship with the US. And I agree. Trashing other big powers of the world only serve to potentially weaken future relations with other nations that don't appreciate loose cannons.
The Kenyan strikes again.
My Guess: The War with Syria went no-where and KSA wants that pipeline build as it Oil fields are becomeing depleted and KSA needs to start selling NatGas. So KSA sends a delegation to Russia to work out a plan to get the gas pipleline through Syria.
That said, I am not sure how this is going to work, ISIS has spun itself off and will likely interfere with any KSA grand plans. ISIS was the genie that the US and KSA let out of the bottle. Its going to be impossible to put that genie back in the bottle. Fitting analogy for a Middle eastern state.
Genie that they let out of the bottle, or Genie that Langley ~Created~...?
"Genie that they let out of the bottle, or Genie that Langley ~Created~...?"
I'll quote Hitlery Clinton: "What difference does it make?" :)
Send in Chuck Norris, an hour and a half montage of him killing ISIS terrorists and everything would be 'sorted'...
...but, they're our friends, right? Just ask the Bush's!
Jeb will have more flexibility....after the next election.
Transmit that to Vald.
I wish our 'leaders' were Putin-smart.
So wait, why did the Saudi's along with the Mossad stage 9/11 if there were just going to pullout and team with Russia? Has the 9/11 endgame failed?
9/11 was an inside job perpetrated against us so that the MIC and the globalists could use terror against us to steal our freedom and liberty with bills like the ironically named "Patriot Act". And most American sheeple fell for it hook, line and sinker. Now we live under contstant prison camp training everywhere we go and the tyrannical police state is ready to sweep all resistance aside. It was a coupe de tat to overthrow the Constitution, the government, and what was left of our so-called rights.
BINGO! We have a winner!
Please stay away from nail guns and hot tubs, Sir!
This place is great for the daily dose of lulz to preserve some sanity.
All you have to see is the video of that guy screaming......PULL IT!
The miraculous destruction of WTC 7.
Three buildings come straight down....one of them wasn't even hit. Go buy that lottery ticket....today is your day.
Some people in Riyadh are furious because of the Iran talks so they're playing geopolitics with the bear.
Russia is not stupid, they know who they're dealing with here. The ones who support jihad in the caucuses on their doorsteps. Russian is in only for business, its their main interest. Anything beyond that with the Saudis is unlikely.
The Russians can referee between Iran and Saudi. That may let them make some side money as well as reduce area tensions.
And China who will shortly tell the Saudis "As your largest customer for oil, we now want to pay you in Yuan".
that would be the "shot heard 'round the world"
Note that Putin is standing erect in the photo and shaking hands like a man.
Might be some good advice in this hidden symbolism, rather than holding hands and sword dancing (Bush) or going prostrate and hand kissing (Obama).
The only man Vlad bows to is Chuck Norris, and that is in the dojo, while Chuck also bows to him.
Boys and girls, the comment above is sheer blasphemy. Chuck Norris bows to no man!
Chuck Norris scares himself in the mirror every morning.
"Jim, grab the camera, let's get outta here. Nothing we report will pass the US censors."
Not a chance. They are owned by the US due to infinite spying by the NSA. Besides, all their weapons come from the US.
The Saudi royalty would collapse in a week without US support.
they could play both sides like the Turks
won't be long until Saud takes yuan for oil
No, all their weapons do not come from the US..http://thediplomat.com/2014/01/china-secretly-sold-saudi-arabia-df-21-mi...
Hey, I haven't seen an article from Zachary Zippity Zionist Keck for ages. That bloke never misses an opportunity to stir up hatred between nations from his one room office/bedsit in Tokyo.
a few missiles...as opposed to their entire US-built and 'discounted' military arsenal. Ok.
Sorry, its not 'entire' there is significant British and French stuff in the Saudi arsenal.
At least the Chinese and Russian stuff works, the Yank stuff is 'discounted' for a reason.
Well that goes w/o saying.
i think the saudis dont want to vaporize 6 decades worth of accumulated dollar reserves
And all for a new blend to make my (near) perfect Lexus last forever. Thxs guys :)
OK, who failed the irony test?
Was it a Cadillac owner?
If China and Russia got together to block trans Atlantic maritime shipping and shut down the U.S. Navy the U.S. would be done - and Europe would have to drop the fantasy of the E.U.
We've sold out our manufacturing, poked Russia, meddled in the Middle East, and given up on the rule-of-law and the Constitution at home.
It wouldn't bother me to see the U.S. humbled - and our corrupt and immoral leaders of government and industry strung up or shot on the town square.
one of the reasons the USSR eventually collapsed is because, despite wargaming the fuck out of the very scenario you described, they could never get a result where they could shut down north Atlantic shipping lanes from US to Europe (NATO)... so yeah, what are the odds of that happening now with Russia's military a shadow of its former self and an ally who has to retrofit a single carrier from them just so they can have one... I'd say about nil...
Take Iceland and you take the North Atlantic. Both the USSR and NATO had that in their scenarios. It featured even in Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising, including taking out satellites that keep an eye on the ocean and Bear bombers launching massive missile attack to take out Atlantic carrier group. It is speculation of course if they could really accomplish that.
yeah, that ends with the re-taking of Iceland and eventual overthrow of the USSR govt... so if we're playing make believe, the strategic goal still doesn't get accomplished...
Carrier battle groups can be nuked. If Russia and China allied we would either call their bluff or tuck tail.
The stakes are high, the oil is in the Middle East, and China has billions of mouths to feed.
the problem wasn't the carrier groups, it was submarine and ASW tech that was light years ahead of anything they had... this is still true, btw
"...this is still true, btw"
It is? How so...? That Chinese ¥F-22 variant tells quite a tale (of the Lincoln bedroom), does it not...? And that's 20+ years ago...
first of all, your slip is showing with the fonts in your reply lol... we know where your loyalties live... second, what does an air superiority fighter have to do with submarines and ASW tech... oh yeah, nothing... lol, the amateurs we get around here, all too easy...
The Atlantic is not the issue it was. With manufacturing capacity gone in the US, what, apart from food, would be shipped?
.
Just the usual bullshit, fraud, and propaganda. So yeah, nothing useful.
ah yes, this old tired myth...
here are some fun facts for you...
- %US GDP, Industrial: 19.1%
- US GDP Industrial Output: $3.3T
- %China GDP, Industrial: 42.6%
- China GDP Industrial Output: $4.4T
pound for pound, no one is at the productivity levels in manufacturing that the US is... everyone here acts like nothing is being made in the US, couldn't be further from the truth... heaven help y'all if the US decides to go to post-WW2 levels of manufacturing again, no way in hell anyone else would be able to keep up with that... hell, we've outsourced left right and sideways and are still the #2 manufacturer in the world by any measure... and people say nothing is made in the US? ha, it is to laugh...
The whole aircraft-carrier-as-ultimate-projection-of-power meme is Waaayyy overrated. Time-to-completion, Cost, maneuverability, repair, maintenance, payroll, etc... Sure, it ~Looks~ impressive and intimidating, but... What if faced with a 'swarm' of relatively cheap, but highly effective and hard-to-kill missiles...?
who said anything about carrier groups...
Funny how everyone wants to be friends with the despotic tyrannical royal inbred Saudi regime just because they have oil.
Funny how everyone wants to be friends with the despotic tyrannical royal inbred U.S.S.A regime just because they have a military.
And the Saud's know that because we have the military, we can have the oil. It's just that the current arrangement means that we can influence the one, without having to use the other.
For now. The real question is, 'For how long?'
Why can't some credible US politician step forward and SELL the idea of a positive working relationship with Russia and China which would make a lot of economic sense going forward?
Am i just being naive?
yes
If you and I were neighbors, and I with my guns want to take over your house, kill your boys, have my way with your wife and daughters, can we have a positive working relationship? In this scenario I'm wearing a t-shirt that has a US flag on the front for illustration purposes.
"If you and I were neighbors, and I with my guns want to take over your house, kill your wife and daughters, have my way with your sons..."
Fixed.
You NEARLY got it right...remember who we're talking about here.
Make no mistake, the house of Saud has our current president by the clitorous:
http://goo.gl/ZJCEkN
And her predecessor:
http://goo.gl/gmmohF
They can agree on some things. But SA cannot replace the US with Russia and survive in the process because:
1) Russia and Saudi Arabia are totally financially dependent on energy exports.
2) Russia and Saudi Arabia are competing for the same markets in energy exports.
3) Saudi Arabia's mortal enemy, Iran, is Russia well-established ally.
Q: So can SA become a Russian protectorate instead of a US one?
A: Only if they want Aramco to become a Russian possession. Sorry, but competing for the same markets there are 100 ways to get to that result, some competetive, some military...but all roads lead to that result.
So can SA become a Russian protectorate instead of a US one? Theoretically it could, because many people keep forgetting that anything Russia now does, it does within the Eurasia Project with China, so China would be the protector as well. People still keep underestimating the Double Helix (integration of the Chinese and Russian civilisations). In fact Charlie Rose asked Putin in St Petersburg about this: "You are now getting very close with China, is it more natural for Russia to be with China than with USA and Europe? You know, some people are afraid of some kind of an anti-Western alliance." And Putin answered: "We are not anti-anything we are pro-everyone. Russia and China do not think in blocs but globally - and we just DISTRIBUTE RESPONSIBILITIES for the global order." And some experts would tell you that that is what Russia and China are doing: China is the economic leader and sponsor, Russia plays the role of the political/military leader, you can also see all this playing out in the Middle East, where Russia intervenes politically/militarily and China pumps money in the relevant places. Or someone also used a comparison: China is the Gateway (opening the doors financially), Russia is the Balancer (convincing countries politically to join the project). And as the article says, it seems that Russia finally convinced even India, who has now decided to join their grand project (India loves Russia, I mean literally, but dislikes China, but Russia managed to pull India with them to make this amazing triangle RIC, who will be the leaders of Eurasia). You can already see it in the AIIB Bank: the seating (voting) order: 1st China, 2nd India, 3rd Russia and all the rest will have just peanut votes:-) The seating order has been set and EU countries are in the back and the USA is not there at all.
+100 the world would be a better place if more people had an idea that this is happening.
Saudis sponser ISIS
http://tersee.com/#!q=isis+saudi&t=text
Nice fucking work Obama, lets see if you can piss off every single ally we have around the world. What an asshole.
or a JewishCocksucker
Russia following the old adage of "Keeping your enemies closer"? I am pretty sure they haven't forgotten Bandar Bush's threats to Russia, nor the Saudi role in creating Wahabbi nutjobs and mercenaries in Syria with Washington. The Saudis can leave the fucking planet for all I care, but I reckon they're just seeing the writing on the wall for the dollar and hedging their bets.
The thing is, the Saudi royals wouldn't last a day without American MIC. They'll be sticking out their hand to be licked when/if Jeb Bush is elected.
US has a child as president, for 2 terms now this child called Obama has encouraged enemies and ignored allies.
USA will reap the fruits of voting a child as president, enjoy.
Yeah McCain would have been the real adult here.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, McCain not only looks like Benjamin Button, but I'm sure he shits in his diapers aswell...I imagine he shits a brick every time 'Platoon' or other Vietwar film comes on the telly...Send him to Israel with all the other loose assed old fuckers, he'll be right at home in Gods kingdom....shitting himself.
No worry the Federal Reserve's answer is always to print.
The Fed will not raise rates until there's a currency crisis and by then it will be too late.
Bit trite really. The USA is basically Israel's Rottweiler and that is discomforting to other states. Russia is a major power and Saudi knows it needs to have good relations, that's all.
The US is planning to replace the Saudi royal family and it will blow up in their faces. The Saudis need Intelligence and "other friends". If the USA is busy bugging French and German companies and spying everywhere, it is hardly safe to be a US ally.
ISIS is basically unstoppable and the US is in retreat just like Roman Legions in the area, Saudi has to watch itself and neutralise Qatar.
The Saudis also pissed off by the fact that the US will not support a major offensive by Arab countries against IS or supply the Kurds with weapons to fight IS.
Please, the CIA is behind IS. The Saudis know this.
Hence them being pissed off at the US and cosing up to Russia.
IS has recently attacked Saudi Arabia as well, a terror attack on some shia community in SA. Plus Saudis also made many people in Yemen very mad, who occassionally kick them across the border. I dont think that this is what Saudis need now - to have such troubles on their own soil. They must see that their support to IS and USA is now more a threat to them than anything else. The USA is far away, but they have to deal with the consequences and survive this mess. That is why they need Russia more and more. And on top of that, although they risked so much for the sake of the USA in Yemen, the USA is continuing with its rapproachement with Iran. Saudis must be very very angry.
Vermin can detect bad weather and earthquake, if they are abandoning the USA ship....
Next thing you know, the Saudi's will be defending Syria against the CIA/ISIS.
.
Russia:
China, Saudi's, India, EEC.
USA:
Puerto Rico.
Way to go Obama.
SA...what a shithole. Decentralized power will be their doom.
The bearded drag queens know the western banksters are fixen to get their hands on the pumps.
Theres a part of me that thinks this is all planned. America is broke...we know it...they know it. Us pulling out is actually a way to long-term bankrupt Russia/China in the endless morass that is the Middle East.
Strategically it's not a bad plan. America pulls out on an "ally" that is the House of Saud, lets them fall apart under the sphere of Russian/Chinese influence. I mean sincerely, do any of you really think Russia or China will do better in the Middle East than we did? I know the ZH crowd has a serious full-on Robot Chubby for Pooty-poot but lets be honest....Russian politics in matters like this is just an increasinly larger hammer used against their targets...subtlety isn't their forte. As for China...those guys take corruption to a level even we won't attempt....
All we have to do is stir up the hornets nest with the ISIL idiots and then sit back and watch. I think this is the payback for 9/11 from us to them. We are going to totally destabilize the area and then just walk away...
I think that in the long-run America is going to become more isolationist and is going to stop being the worlds cop. Once we pull back to fix our problems at home and leave the rest of our "Allies" to actually have to pick-up the tab to defend themselves.
Don't take it back but what a waste of time (save for the good laughters).
Saudi's are in the delicate position of having oil that everyone wants; at the same time
being hated by more-or-less everyone in the world. Funny when their oil runs out.
Too bad that won't happen sooner.
Hopefully Saudi gets those nukes they recently requested. Burr!
If the House of Saud pivots towards the Russians, their life expectancy will be counted in days, if not minutes.
I assume that you are a spokesman for the CIA.
You misunderstand, I am not FOR the House of Saud being taken out, I am just calling it like I see it. Nobody gets away from the West....nobody, least of all Saudi Arabia.
You're absolutely right JG, the U.S. will either send in their forces (ISIS) or point at Saudi as being the perpetrators of 9/11, in which case the whole U.S. citizenry will be calling for them to be bombed to oblivion.
As much as I don't like the House of Saud, they've backed themselves into a corner with the U.S. puppeteers, anything they do against the grain will be severely punished.
I'd be more than happy to see them swinging from cranes if it were the Houthis or Saudi people that did it, but it won't be...
Will we see Hillary dancing around the Whitehouse again?
Quote, "Also, there is serious doubt as to whether it is so simple for the Saudis to raise oil prices. Flooding the markets with oil to crash prices only requires the Saudis to over-produce by some one and a half million barrels of oil per day, easily within their grasp, and something the Saudis can do on their own.
Bringing prices up is a different story, requiring global oil producers to comply in oil cutbacks."
That's wishful thinking. The Saudis only have one word to say to bring the prices back up, since no oil producer in his right mind wants to sell at low prices. What does he think oil-selling countries are, charities?
Other than that, is it me or is this author actually whining?
saudis raised oil prices to crush russia.
this WHOLE FUCKING ARTICLE IS NONSENSE.
Mmm, the purple flavored Kool-Aid is the best.
Oil is over.
SA prince to give away 32billion before the pivot to Russia and China. Will all be conficated anyway.
I view this as a good thing. I think our support of the Saudi royal family is a stain on our country. While we have our problems, it is hard to imagine a more evil group of people than the Saudi royal family. They are right up there with North Korea.
Now that the USA is actually competing with the Saudis in the oil market, any possible common interest is gone. From the Russian point of view, this is also a move of questionable value. Russia has a big problem with Sunni radicals and the Saudis have and will continue to fund Sunni radicals.
The best approach to this is let the Sunni and Shia fight it out - they will anyway. We can then make an peace with whoever comes out on top.
Let them fight it out with swords.
No guns, tanks, planes, or bombs for them.
When one is cut down, another can pick up his sword and keep on going.
I wouldn't give them the crust from my pizza.
Russia should fund terrorists to blow up Saudi Arabia oil installations, it would rise the price of oil and get some payback for all the shit they've created
Saudis have assets, we're broke looters, what is to discuss? Capitalist Russia is a threat to broke compromised socialist USsA.
Funny thing is we lost the cold war 30 years too late.
They can read a balance sheet too.
Look these counties are not stupid. All any country needs to do to find out what is REALLY going on in America is to send someone on a road trip. Coast to coast, see for themselves how hollowed out "Main Street USA" really is. So sad, Joe 6 pack knows how bad it is but figures he has no choice but shut up and take it and down another beer. World powers are pulling away like water going out. They will make deals where future profits can be made. At what point will America as a whole wake up to the political scum that is Washington D.C.
But their leaders don't have to be stupid.
They're all puppets.
ISIS Jihad Chechen Front in 3...2...1
I don't trust those Saudis.
At least Assad dresses like a human.
Maybe Polonium tea or Ricin shot is waiting for Putin in Saudi Arabia a country colonized by America.
An assassination attempt is likely considering that Saudi Arabia is a puppet & puppy of Satan America and it would be happy that America breaks up Russia into many parts (after Putin is gone) so as to have absolute monopoly on the priciest commodity - oil.
Dont forget Saudis are at war.
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Regarding India , it became close to US since independence in 1947 and its govt. went to UN for internal problems like Kasmir , an issue which has not been solved yet and remains a bone of contention(with Pakistan) and both have fought many wars over it, and the next one will be a nuclear one , which will destroy both and China will takeover both w/o firing a shot. And Indians realize now of this biggest mistake made by the first govt.
The best strategy for India, pakistan, China & Russia & other BRICS countries is to :
(1) Be good neighbors (so their defence expenditure will go down leading to tremendous development & prosperity)
(2) Accept present boundaries (line of control) as final, inform their public & move ahead
(3) Form economic union without SWIFT having own payment settlements
(4) Use local currencies for all payments
(5) Fix rates of their currencies as per the price index on retail basic foods, commodities & goods & services
(6) Junk the dollar ,dont use dollar for pricing , nor for any transaction.
(7) Share technical knowhow & designs for better products & services
(8) Have own internet substitute
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