Author: Akancha Mishra

Indian-inspired restaurants across the United States are gaining national acclaim, with Indibar and Nadu named semifinalists for the prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards. The announcement, made on January 21 by the James Beard Foundation in New York, underscores the growing influence and innovation of Indian cuisine in America. Indibar, located in Arizona, has been recognized in the Best New Restaurant category for its inventive take on Indian street food. Led by Chef Partner Nigel J. Lobo, who brings experience from Michelin-starred European kitchens, alongside tandoor expert Chef Ajay Singh, the restaurant offers a menu featuring elevated chaats, regional specialties, and…

Aditya Dhar’s action-thriller Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, continues to dominate the box office, grossing over $10 million in India. Released on December 5, 2023, the film has maintained strong performance despite weekly competition from new releases. Its star-studded ensemble—including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan—has helped make it one of the top-grossing Hindi films of the year. Following a successful theatrical run, attention has shifted to the film’s digital premiere. According to OTTplay, Dhurandhar will begin streaming on Netflix from January 30, 2026, offering audiences a chance to experience the espionage thriller from home. Analysts note that…

US President Donald Trump has voiced optimism about a substantial trade agreement with India during his visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Speaking to Moneycontrol on the sidelines of the forum, Trump commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “fantastic man” and a personal friend, while expressing confidence that a favorable trade deal between the two nations is forthcoming. Earlier, Trump delivered an extensive speech at WEF, emphasizing global economic cooperation. The remarks come against the backdrop of the United States imposing 50% tariffs on India, among the highest globally. These tariffs include a…

India is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy despite persistent global uncertainties, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest economic assessment. The central bank said current economic conditions provide strong grounds for optimism, with growth projections for 2025–26 reflecting sustained resilience driven primarily by domestic factors. The RBI noted that India has taken significant steps to diversify and strengthen its export base in order to mitigate external sector risks. Ongoing trade negotiations with 14 countries and regional groupings, covering nearly 50 nations, including the European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council members, and the United States, are expected to…

The 23rd edition of Harvard’s India Conference, a premier student-led international forum examining India’s rise across business, policy, and culture, is set for February 14–15 at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. This year, Olympic champion P.V. Sindhu, parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra will headline the event, joining more than 70 speakers over two days. PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist and the first Indian to claim gold at the Badminton World Championships, will participate in a moderated discussion on the growth of India’s sports ecosystem. The panel will explore how elite athletic performance and strategic…

 Indian American volunteers in the Boston area turned Martin Luther King Jr. Day into an opportunity for meaningful service by organizing a free healthcare camp that benefited hundreds of local residents. The event, spearheaded by the Foundation of Indian Americans–New England in collaboration with community organizations and medical professionals, aimed to provide accessible healthcare to underserved populations. Held on January 19 at the Academy of Creative Arts in Burlington, Massachusetts, the one-day initiative offered a wide range of medical services. Over 300 participants received complimentary health checkups, dental consultations, and vision screenings. Volunteers also distributed free reading glasses to those…

Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, is set to begin a two-day official visit to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement across diplomatic, cultural, and strategic domains. During the visit, Albares will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, where both sides are expected to review the full spectrum of India–Spain relations. The Spanish Foreign Minister is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu, reflecting the growing importance New Delhi and Madrid attach to their expanding partnership. India and Spain have steadily deepened their diplomatic engagement in recent years,…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Senator Steve Daines during his visit to India on Sunday, marking an important step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Jaishankar described the meeting as a “wide-ranging and open discussion” on the strategic significance of US-India ties. The engagement follows earlier talks between Senator Daines and India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, which focused on enhancing the multifaceted partnership between the nations. Jaishankar shared on X that the discussions covered developments in trade, technology, innovation, and the broader global landscape, underscoring the senator’s support for deepening the bilateral relationship.…

The International Monetary Fund has raised India’s economic growth projection for 2025 to 7.3 per cent, marking a significant upward revision and reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. In its latest World Economic Outlook update, the IMF attributed the revision to stronger-than-anticipated economic performance in the second half of the year, particularly a better-than-expected outcome in the third quarter and sustained momentum through the fourth quarter. The assessment reflects improving domestic demand, resilient consumption, and steady investment activity. While maintaining a positive outlook for the near term, the Fund expects India’s growth to moderate…

India is set to host the Global Economic Cooperation 2026 (GEC 2026), a high-level international forum aimed at strengthening infrastructure financing, economic diplomacy, and resilient supply chains in an increasingly multipolar global economy. The three-day event will be held in Mumbai from February 17 and is expected to bring together senior policymakers, global CEOs, investors, and leaders of multilateral institutions from India and abroad. Organised by the Future Economic Cooperation Council (FECC) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Maharashtra, the forum will focus on cooperation beyond traditional trade frameworks. GEC 2026 will feature structured…