Author: Akancha Mishra

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on Tuesday and reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said he assured Prime Minister Amarasuriya of India’s continued support for reconstruction and recovery, adding that the reconstruction package offered by India reflects the deep and enduring bonds between the two neighbouring nations. Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister also called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and…

Starbucks announced on Friday the appointment of Anand Varadarajan as its new Chief Technology Officer, effective January 19, 2026. Varadarajan will step in to lead the company’s technology division, replacing Deb Hall Lefevre, who resigned in September. In the interim, Ningyu Chen had been serving as the acting CTO. CEO Brian Niccol highlighted that Varadarajan will serve as executive vice president and a key member of Starbucks’ Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to him. This appointment aligns with Niccol’s strategy to revamp store technology and improve labour efficiency across Starbucks locations. Varadarajan comes to Starbucks with an extensive 19-year tenure…

 India’s pharmaceutical industry has achieved a record export value of US$ 30 billion, demonstrating the sustained global demand for Indian vaccines, generic medicines, and other therapeutic products. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal highlighted that this milestone reflects the sector’s robust fundamentals and its position as a key supplier to both regulated and semi-regulated international markets. The growth in exports has been driven by expanded production capacities, competitive pricing, adherence to strict quality standards, and strong regulatory compliance among Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to Agrawal, the US$ 30 billion mark indicates steady growth across various product categories, including formulations, bulk drugs, and…

 The United States has reiterated India’s importance as a strategic potential partner in safeguarding supply chains and advancing technology, despite New Delhi’s absence from the first Pax Silica Summit, a US-led effort aimed at securing the global semiconductor and silicon network. Addressing speculation linking India’s non-participation to political tensions, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg clarified that such assumptions were misplaced. He emphasized that discussions on trade agreements and supply chain security are distinct and parallel tracks, and Washington does not view them as interconnected. Helberg underlined that India remains a valued prospective partner for initiatives related…

The US Embassy in India on Wednesday announced the arrival of the final batch of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for the Indian Army, describing it as a fulfillment of commitments under the US-India defense partnership. The deliveries, which had been repeatedly delayed, mark a significant milestone in the ongoing military collaboration between the two countries. In a statement on X, the US Embassy emphasized that the deliveries advance the joint statement issued by the US President and India’s Prime Minister, reinforcing the Major Defense Partnership. “The arrival of the latest Apache helicopters demonstrates the reliable and expanding US-India defense…

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Thursday met Fiji’s Minister of Health and Medical Services, Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu, in New Delhi to review ongoing health and medical cooperation between the two countries. Following the meeting, Margherita said the discussions focused on strengthening healthcare collaboration, which remains a key pillar of the India–Fiji bilateral partnership. The engagement comes amid sustained diplomatic outreach between the two nations. Earlier this week, India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, held talks with Fiji’s Minister for Immigration, Viliame B. Naupoto, covering skilled mobility, people-to-people ties and broader cooperation. Mehta also…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by the Indian community in Oman on Wednesday, as hundreds gathered in Muscat waving Indian flags and chanting patriotic slogans. The Indian diaspora assembled at the hotel, where the Prime Minister personally greeted and interacted with attendees and observed cultural performances arranged to celebrate his visit. Arriving in Muscat earlier in the day, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour, PM Modi was received at the airport by Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, and honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. In a social…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday drew a powerful civilisational parallel between India and Ethiopia, noting that both nations revere their land as a mother, as reflected in India’s national song Vande Mataram and Ethiopia’s national anthem, March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia. Addressing a Joint Session of Ethiopia’s Parliament in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister said that this shared symbolism highlights the deep emotional and cultural connection both societies have with their motherland. He linked this sentiment to India’s guiding philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas,” emphasising collective growth, trust and shared responsibility. PM Modi said…

Murali Haran, a distinguished statistics professor at Penn State’s Eberly College of Science, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics (JABES) for a three-year term starting in 2026. JABES is jointly published by the American Statistical Association—the world’s largest professional organization for statisticians—and the International Biometric Society, which promotes statistical and mathematical research in the biosciences. JABES focuses on introducing innovative statistical approaches to tackle complex challenges in agriculture, biology, and environmental science. The journal maintains a truly global reach, both in authorship and readership, with past editors-in-chief representing five continents. Haran expressed his…

India witnessed its fastest export growth in over three years in November, with shipments rising 19.4% year-on-year to $38.1 billion, powered by strong demand from the US and China. At the same time, imports declined 2% to $62.7 billion, narrowing the trade deficit to $24.6 billion—the lowest since June. Exports to the US surged 22.6% to $7 billion despite the imposition of 50% additional tariffs, while exports to China skyrocketed 90% to $2.2 billion, making China India’s third-largest export destination for the month, surpassing the Netherlands in November, though the European nation retained a marginal lead over April–November. Commerce Secretary…