News Broadcasting
Terrorism can destroy democracy: BBC survey
MUMBAI: People across the world believe that terrorism can destroy democracy. This is one of the core findings of a survey commissioned by BBC World to international market research company Synovate.
The survey was carried on 12,000 people across 15 countries on five continents. The survey was commissioned as part of a wider exploration of global attitudes to democracy to be aired during BBC World’s Why Democracy?.
58 per cent of the respondents believe that terrorism can destroy democracy. The country with the highest seeming concern is France with 76 per cent agreeing, closely followed by Denmark with 75 per cent, Dubai with 72 per cent and the United States with 70 per cent. 37 per cent in Italy and 31 per cent in India strongly oppose that terrorism can destroy democracy.
USA with 57 per cent votes is the best equipped country to combat climate change, while China could manage 22 per cent votes. But only 40 per cent of India’s respondents believe that United States’ ability to combat climate change.
On the other hand, 84 per cent of the total respondents feel that it is important to vote. France with 82 per cent is the most convinced country on the importance of voting. Other countries sharing similar strength of opinion include Denmark, South Africa, the USA and India. In Russia, however, just 34 per cent believe that voting is important.
BBC World editorial director Sian Kevill said, “There are many fascinating national variations to come out of this survey, but I was particularly struck by how people in some of the world’s longest established democracies, seem to have an element of fear over how fragile that could prove in the face of terrorism.”
Synovate global head of media research Steve Garton said, “We set out to reflect people’s feelings across the world about how important role democratic process played in their lives. The answers may surprise some, showing a diversity of opinion. Interestingly, it is precisely this diversity of opinion that underpins democratic principles.”
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
