Author: Akancha Mishra

Manhattan University has named Grishma Shah, Ph.D., as the new Associate Dean of the O’Malley School of Business. Dr. Shah, who has been with the university since 2008, previously served as Professor and Director of Global Business Studies. A Rutgers University graduate with a doctorate in Global Affairs and International Business, she brings close to 20 years of teaching, research, and international engagement to her new leadership position. Dr. Shah is widely regarded for her scholarship on globalization, gender equity, and cultural transformation, with her work appearing in publications such as the Harvard Business Review. She is also a sought-after…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reassured Indian exporters that the government is preparing targeted relief to counter the heavy blow of higher US tariffs. Speaking on Friday, she emphasized that New Delhi would not leave its exporters “high and dry,” noting that an assistance package is being finalized for industries most affected by the tariff escalation. “The government will come out with something to handhold those hit by 50% tariffs,” Sitharaman told CNBC TV18, explaining that Cabinet approval would be needed before the rollout. She highlighted that sectors including garments, jewellery, footwear, and chemicals have been particularly strained since Washington…

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underlined his government’s intent to expand cooperation with Russia, as he held talks with President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. During their meeting, Sharif acknowledged Moscow’s close relations with New Delhi but stressed that Islamabad values its independent partnership with Russia. “We respect your ties with India, but we also want to build a robust relationship with Russia that will serve as complementary and beneficial for regional prosperity,” Sharif said, describing Putin as a “dynamic leader” guiding their cooperation in the right direction. The Pakistani leader…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a joint phone conversation on Thursday, September 4, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa. The dialogue spanned key global and bilateral issues, from trade and technology to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the Indian government’s readout, the leaders stressed that India and the European Union, as two of the world’s largest democratic powers, share a strong bond anchored in trust, shared values, and a vision for a stable, rules-based global order. The discussions highlighted the importance of the India-EU Strategic Partnership in tackling international challenges and…

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump for undermining US-India relations and inadvertently pushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi toward closer engagement with Russia and China. His remarks came amid escalating tensions following Washington’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian imports, along with an additional 25% linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. In a series of posts on X, Bolton accused Trump of destroying decades of carefully built diplomatic progress. He argued that the White House’s approach “has set US-India relations back by decades,” providing Beijing and Moscow with opportunities…

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, began its 56th meeting in New Delhi this week, focusing on sweeping reforms aimed at simplifying India’s indirect tax system. The two-day session, held on September 3-4, discussed moving away from the current four-tier GST framework to a more streamlined two-tier structure. At present, goods and services are taxed under four slabs of 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. The Council is now considering retaining just two primary slabs—5% for essentials and 18% for non-essentials—while introducing a special 40% rate for so-called “sin goods.” These include items like…

India reached a major milestone in its pursuit of semiconductor independence with the unveiling of the Vikram-32 chip at Semicon India 2025. Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the nation’s first indigenously developed 32-bit processor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a proud step forward in India’s technological capabilities. The Vikram-32 was created by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, Punjab. Specifically designed to endure the demanding environment of space launches, it represents India’s first fully homegrown microprocessor engineered for satellite and rocket applications. The initial batch, labeled Vikram 3201, was successfully tested during the…

India and the Philippines have taken a major step toward strengthening ties in the fields of space and electronics with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, finalized between the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) and the Electronic Industry Association of the Philippines Inc (EIAPI), focuses on boosting collaboration in satellite communication, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded systems, and advanced space electronics. The partnership seeks to create a strong platform for joint research, co-development, and innovation. By enabling industry-to-industry cooperation, both nations are aiming to expand manufacturing capabilities, develop critical technologies, and enhance supply chain integration…

A discreet letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu in March has emerged as a turning point in India-China relations, according to a Bloomberg report. The note, later passed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaled Beijing’s cautious willingness to improve ties after years of strained relations. An Indian official described the communication as an effort to “test the waters on improving ties,” with the message carefully calibrated to avoid overcommitment. The outreach coincided with rising trade friction between Washington and both Beijing and New Delhi, putting pressure on Asian powers to explore common ground. By…

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has urged New Delhi to rethink its heavy dependence on Russian oil supplies, warning that the country risks serious economic setbacks after Washington imposed unprecedented tariffs on Indian imports. Speaking in an interview with India Today on Wednesday, Rajan described the latest measures as a “wake-up call” for policymakers. “These tariffs are deeply troubling. We must consider who truly benefits and who bears the cost. Refiners may gain from cheaper Russian crude, but exporters and manufacturers are now paying a steep price,” he remarked. The 50% import duties, enforced by the…