Author: Akancha Mishra

 India is weighing the option of importing corn from the United States to boost ethanol production as part of ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. The discussions are intended to culminate in a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by the fall, focusing on mutual benefits and expanded economic cooperation. New Delhi is simultaneously pressing the US to lift the additional 25% tariffs imposed on Indian imports of Russian crude oil, which the US has argued indirectly supports the conflict in Ukraine. Officials indicate that fresh proposals, including discussions on US corn purchases for ethanol, have already been tabled, signalling progress in the…

India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with Belize, focusing on affordable healthcare and education partnerships. On the occasion of Belize’s 44th Independence Day, India’s Ambassador to Mexico, Pankaj Sharma, met Prime Minister John Briceño and conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders discussed potential collaboration in low-cost healthcare through India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP), which provides affordable medicines and medical devices to millions. The Indian Embassy in Mexico described the meeting as an honor, emphasizing the importance of sharing India’s healthcare expertise with Belize. Extending congratulations, Sharma noted that partnerships in healthcare…

At the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show in Greater Noida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on India to reduce dependence on other nations and chart an independent growth path. Highlighting Russia’s role as the country partner at the event, Modi described the collaboration as a “strengthening of a time-tested partnership,” with over 2,200 exhibitors showcasing products and services. Modi emphasized Uttar Pradesh’s contribution to India’s industrial growth, noting that 55% of all mobile phones manufactured in India are produced in the state. He also highlighted the state’s emerging role in the semiconductor sector and in defence manufacturing. “Very soon, with…

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on his first visit to China since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, addressed the High-Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday. During his remarks, he called for greater collaboration among developing nations and emphasized the need for reforms in global institutions. Jaishankar noted that the world is experiencing increasing uncertainty, which poses growing concerns for member states. He highlighted that the Global South faces unique challenges, which have intensified during the first half of this decade. These include the lingering…

The 2025 Quad Summit, which India is set to host, appears to be moving forward as planned, with sources in Washington reporting to India Today TV that the initial trade delegation meeting between India and the United States is “going well.” If these negotiations continue positively, the four-nation summit—featuring India, the US, Japan, and Australia—could be held before the end of the year, with President Donald Trump expected to attend. The developments come after a period of diplomatic uncertainty caused by tensions over trade policies and India’s Russian oil imports. Despite these challenges, the first meeting in New York between…

India and the United States took another step toward resolving their trade differences as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in New York on Monday. The meeting was aimed at accelerating discussions on a bilateral trade agreement, with both sides eager to build on the renewed momentum created by recent interactions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. People familiar with the talks suggested that both Goyal and Greer were optimistic about making tangible progress. The meeting was their third in 2025, following earlier sessions in March and May. India…

President Donald Trump has announced a major change to the H-1B visa system, introducing a $100,000 fee per petition, dramatically higher than the previous $1,500 administrative cost. The executive order, effective September 21, is expected to affect thousands of Indian American IT professionals, as well as Chinese workers, who form the majority of H-1B visa holders. The White House justified the fee by claiming the H-1B program has been misused to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor. Data cited by the administration shows that foreign STEM workers in the US have doubled from 1.2 million in 2000 to 2.5…

The Trump administration has announced a dramatic increase in H-1B visa application fees, raising them to $100,000 per petition effective September 21, 2025. The move aims to curb misuse of the program while giving preference to highly paid and specialized foreign professionals. This change is expected to have a significant impact on Indian IT employees and US companies heavily reliant on foreign STEM talent. The H-1B visa program allows US firms to hire foreign workers in specialized roles across IT, engineering, science, mathematics, and medicine. Previously, fees ranged from $1,700 to $4,500, meaning the new charge represents a staggering 2,111%…

The much-anticipated courtroom drama Jolly LLB 3, starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, finally hit theaters on September 19, 2025, and the initial reactions suggest the film has struck the right chord with audiences. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been buzzing since morning with enthusiastic reviews from moviegoers who were quick to call it a powerful entertainer. One user described the film as a “masterpiece,” praising Akshay Kumar for delivering one of the finest performances of his career. Arshad Warsi, reprising his role as Jolly, was lauded for effortlessly blending humor and seriousness, a combination that made his…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first official conversation with Nepal’s Interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, on Thursday. During the exchange, Modi expressed heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of lives in Nepal and assured India’s continued support in restoring peace and stability across the Himalayan nation. In a message shared on X, Modi described the discussion as warm and reaffirmed India’s commitment to assist Nepal during this turbulent phase. He extended greetings to Karki and the people of Nepal on the eve of their National Day, highlighting the deep historical and cultural connections between the two neighbors. Sushila Karki,…