A host of world leaders trooped into India over the last few months, including Russia's president on Tuesday, to strengthen relations with Asia's third-largest economy, attracted by its booming market and growing diplomatic heft.

Iranian ice cream parlor Ice Pack wants to challenge U.S. fast-food hegemony around the world. They've got some catching up to do. When you think of soft power being used throughout the world, it's generally American brands, American music, American food, American culture.

Despite the worldwide economic downturn, Brazil's economic performance is the strongest in recent memory. Inflation is under target and international reserves stand at around $240bn (£155bn). This, in turn, has created a space for Brazilian diplomatic activity that reaches far wider than in the past.

The philosophy is that the military can secure an area, while civilians implement quick impact development projects meant to win the support of Afghans. Hillary Clinton calls the strategy “smart power” and praises the inter-agency coordination it has brought to U.S. involvement there.

Bollywood finds mention in WikiLeaks in a confidential cable sent by U.S. diplomats in India suggesting that the appeal of Bollywood stars in Afghanistan could aid international efforts to stabilize the country. Media reports here over the weekend have quoted the March 2007 cable that was a response to a request from Washington for "specific, concrete ideas for opportunities for India to use soft power in helping Afghanistan's reconstruction."

China’s official news agency launches Financial Information Exchange. China’s official Xinhua News Agency Saturday launched its financial information exchange, an information sharing platform in the financial and cultural sectors to promote development of the nation’s capital market.

From Raj Kapoor to Aishwarya Rai, Russia's romance with Bollywood continues. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will keep this old affair burning when he visits the master showman's studio in Mumbai and interact with stars.

Two axioms transcend geography and culture. One, there is no such a thing as a totally free or independent media. Two, all media operate within existing political, cultural and material constraining contexts. This applies to Al Arabiyya, Al Alam or Rotana in the Middle East, as much as it does to Fox, CNN, or the New York Times in the US.