Author: Aarohi Talati
India has formally taken its first step towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic. On August 20, 2025, both parties signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to initiate negotiations, according to an official statement from the Indian government. The signing ceremony featured Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, and Mikhail Cherekaev, Deputy Director of the Trade Policy Department at the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). This development comes at a time when India faces mounting pressure from the United States, which has imposed…
India’s renewable energy landscape has seen a monumental transformation in June 2025, with a 420% year-over-year increase in capacity additions. According to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Mr. Pralhad Joshi, the nation’s clean energy installations surged from 1.4 gigawatts (GW) in June 2024 to 7.3 GW this year. Speaking at the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit in Mumbai, he emphasized this achievement as a milestone in India’s journey toward green energy leadership. A standout success in this transition is India’s solar power sector, which expanded an extraordinary 4,000% since its early days. Solar capacity has skyrocketed from just 2.82…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit China next month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, according to a report by the Economic Times on July 16, 2025. This potential visit would mark Modi’s first trip to China since the tense 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which severely strained relations between the neighboring nations. The SCO summit will take place in Tianjin on August 31 and September 1. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that the gathering will include leaders from over 20 countries and representatives of 10 international organizations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other heads of…
In a major development offering hope to international students, a federal court in Georgia has issued a temporary order restoring SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records for 133 students, most of whom are Indian nationals. This came after their records were unexpectedly revoked and their student visas invalidated by the US Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These students pursued legal action, challenging the Trump administration’s crackdown, which they argue unjustly stripped them of legal status by deleting them from the SEVIS database—a system that allows educational institutions to report foreign student data to the…
Preserving the grandeur of centuries-old structures while resolving modern structural issues remains a tough balancing act—especially when the monument in question is the revered Srikalahastheeswara Swamy Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district. The temple, dating back to the 11th century and associated with the Chola dynasty, has long struggled with water leakage from its expansive roof despite repeated concrete repairs. The vast stone-and-brick roof, covering approximately 64,000 sq. ft. including sanctums of key deities, was originally constructed using traditional surkhi mortar—a mix of burnt clay and lime. Over time, rainwater began seeping through gaps in the stone joints and pillars.…
Gold prices in India soared to unprecedented levels on Tuesday, with 24-carat gold breaching the $1,200 per 10-gram mark for the very first time. According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), the price surged by nearly $40 in just 24 hours, jumping from roughly $1,160 to $1,200 per 10 grams. Other purities of gold followed the same trend. Rates for 22-carat gold reached $1,170, 20-carat climbed to $1,065, and 18-carat gold touched $970 per 10 grams. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), October futures even surpassed $1,205 before closing slightly lower, marking a sharp 2% rise in a…
Speaking at the 17th Civil Services Day in Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised the pivotal role of civil servants in shaping the future of a developed India. He called upon the country’s bureaucrats to adopt the mantra of ‘Naagrik Devo Bhava’ — likening the respect traditionally accorded to guests in Indian culture (Atithi Devo Bhava) to how civil servants should approach their duty towards citizens. The Prime Minister highlighted that the last decade has seen India undergo transformative changes across multiple sectors, laying a robust foundation for the grand ambition of Viksit Bharat by 2047.…
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has officially announced his visit to India later this year following a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tech mogul expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to speak with PM Modi, describing it as an “honor” and sharing his enthusiasm about exploring collaboration opportunities between India and the United States. Their call revisited discussions from PM Modi’s Washington visit earlier this year, where both leaders spoke about the potential for advancing joint efforts in space, electric mobility, and innovation. Musk expressed that speaking with Prime Minister Modi was an honour and…
Kamala Harris, former U.S. Vice President and the Democratic nominee in the 2024 election, is set to headline a major Democratic National Committee fundraiser next month in New York, marking a significant step in her political re-engagement following last year’s electoral loss. The event, scheduled for May 6, will feature a discussion between Harris and DNC Chair Ken Martin, according to an invitation obtained by The New York Times. Ticket tiers begin at $25,000, designated as “building the opposition,” while a higher level of $44,300 is referred to as “fighting for the future.” Harris’s involvement in the fundraiser marks her…
