He said there were some "alarming scenarios" that could weaken the power of states to resolve conflicts.

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He added that they did not comment on individual cases but it was working with the Ministry of Defence to try and resolve Mr Power's case.

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India knows that its ambition to be a global power will depend partly on its ability to mediate and resolve the rising number of crises in neighbouring countries.

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The great powers could now, as Wilson had hoped, form a "community of power" to manage and resolve these remaining conflicts.

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