It’s that time of year again. 12 October 2010 saw the publication of this year’s results for the Anholt Roper GfK Nation Brands Index. As has been the case in recent years, there are few surprises in this year’s result. Obama’s US retains the top spot ahead of the familiar family of European big hitters and Japan.

Australia was seen as a "pariah state" by a growing number of countries after violent attacks against Indian students badly damaged its global standing, a public diplomacy expert said on Thursday...widespread publicity about crime against Indian students in the southern city of Melbourne, including muggings, beatings and a murder, had soured global views of Australia as a just and friendly nation.

Korea and India have always had strong cultural ties and in a collaborative effort sponsored by the Seoul city government, artists from both countries put forward a spellbinding performance.

The Commonwealth Games has been an occasion for the capital to seduce visitors with the country's soft power. And in the process, Delhiites have joined the celebrations in large numbers, in stark contrast with the empty stadiums.

Setting the tone for the second summit with African countries next year, India on Tuesday offered to share developmental experiences and poverty reduction strategies with the African continent.

For the US the war seems to have intensified from Afghanistan to a public diplomacy initiative in a West vs Islamdebate. Whether the US public diplomacy initiatives can resolve this larger cause to marginalise the radical Islamic elements across the globe is a tough ask at the best of times, especially now.

Train a man and you will feed a mouth. Train a woman, and you will feed a family. This adage has found form in remote villages of Tamil Nadu, in the form of “relevant cinema”. A film is being taken by road through the interiors of the state where mainstream cinema is rarely accessible. Surprisingly, the plot of the movie is business management.