Author: Akancha Mishra

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, hosted US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick along with US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, on Thursday to discuss strengthening trade and economic ties between the two nations. The discussions, conducted over a working lunch, focused on expanding bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and deeper economic collaboration. Sharing updates on social media platform X, Goyal described the meeting as “very fruitful,” emphasizing the wide-ranging potential for cooperation between India and the United States. Ambassador Gor also highlighted the productive discussions, noting the many avenues for collaboration that could benefit both countries. Earlier in…

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Tourism Leadership Summit 2026, organised by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in New Delhi. In his address, he emphasised that tourism is much more than an industry; it serves as a bridge between cultures while creating significant economic opportunities. He described tourism as a powerful instrument of soft diplomacy and a key pillar of the India-US economic corridor, noting that modern travelers increasingly value authentic experiences, culture, heritage, sustainability, wellness, and meaningful connections. Radhakrishnan highlighted that tourism is one of the country’s largest employment generators. He stressed the need to invest in skill…

The Trump administration has introduced preliminary duties of 126 percent on solar panel imports from India after concluding that Indian manufacturers benefited from government subsidies that created an unfair pricing advantage in the US market. The decision was announced by the US Department of Commerce as part of an ongoing trade investigation into foreign solar producers. In addition to India, the department imposed initial countervailing duties ranging from 86 percent to 143 percent on imports from Indonesia and set an 81 percent rate for Laos. US officials determined that exporters from these countries received financial support that allowed them to…

A recent analysis by the Pew Research Center reveals that Hindus are the most highly educated religious community in the United States, followed closely by Jews. The findings come from the 2023–24 Religious Landscape Study (RLS), one of the most extensive surveys examining religion, public life, and education in America. According to the study, 70% of Hindus and 65% of Jews have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 35% of the general U.S. adult population. Other religious groups with above-average educational attainment include Muslims, Buddhists, and Orthodox Christians, with more than four in ten adults holding at least…

The Indian and US armies have commenced the 16th edition of their joint Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar, at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Scheduled from February 23 to March 15, 2026, the exercise is aimed at deepening defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability, and improving joint operational readiness between the two nations. According to the Indian Army, the exercise provides a platform for exchanging advanced special operations tactics, techniques, and procedures. The training involves realistic scenarios designed to build mutual trust and operational synergy. The previous edition in 2024 was held in Idaho, US, with 45 personnel…

India’s planned official visit to the United States has been postponed, according to a senior government official, as both countries assess the implications of a recent US Supreme Court decision. Authorities are reviewing the impact of the landmark ruling and will determine a mutually convenient date for the visit soon. The Supreme Court of the United States on Friday struck down President Donald Trump’s broad reciprocal tariff measures, ruling that the executive branch had overstepped its constitutional authority by using emergency powers to impose wide-ranging import duties. In a 6-3 decision, the judges concluded that Trump’s tariffs on numerous products…

Leading U.S. technology companies unveiled significant investments and partnerships in India during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure, autonomy, and broad access across the AI ecosystem. The summit brought together global leaders and ministerial delegations to discuss AI’s economic and societal influence. Google and Nvidia announced India-specific initiatives, while executives from OpenAI, Microsoft, FedEx, and Khosla Ventures shared strategies for AI deployment, governance, and inclusive growth. Google revealed plans to construct new subsea cable links connecting India directly to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia, enhancing digital connectivity as computing demands rise. This builds on…

In a decisive shift in maritime enforcement, India’s Coast Guard has seized three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States, alleging their involvement in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of restricted petroleum cargo. The move marks India’s first direct operational action aligning with U.S. sanctions enforcement, signaling a notable evolution in bilateral strategic cooperation. The vessels — Al Jafzia, Asphalt Star, and Stellar Ruby — had been blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury for allegedly transporting Iranian oil under deceptive ownership structures and false flags. Such tactics are common within the so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of aging tankers that obscure cargo origins…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi to discuss ways to deepen bilateral collaboration, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the leaders reflected on the long-standing ties between India and the UAE, expressed satisfaction over progress in multiple sectors, and explored new avenues for AI cooperation. Sheikh Khaled, attending on behalf of the UAE President, arrived in New Delhi late Wednesday and was welcomed by Union Minister of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where the two discussed expanding artificial intelligence collaboration and creating opportunities for Indian students and professionals. The interaction took place on the sidelines of the five-day summit being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to February 20. Sharing details of the meeting, Modi said they discussed India’s ongoing AI initiatives and explored ways Google could partner with the country’s skilled youth in advancing innovation. The Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing AI ecosystem and emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in nurturing…