Author: Akancha Mishra

During an interactive session at Delhi University’s Hansraj College on Thursday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the strong bilateral relations between India and the United States, describing President Donald Trump as an “American nationalist.” In response to a question about whether Trump is a friend or adversary to India, Jaishankar emphasized the evolving landscape of global diplomacy and India’s approach to it. Jaishankar shared that he attended Trump’s oath-taking ceremony and felt that India was treated positively. He noted that while Trump’s policies could bring notable changes to global affairs, India would continue to base its foreign policy…

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has announced that Prabhakar Raghavan, Chief Technologist at Google, has joined its Board of Directors, marking the first board appointment of 2025. With deep expertise in AI, search algorithms, and digital transformation, Raghavan is expected to play a key role in enhancing US-India tech collaboration. As Chief Technologist, Raghavan works closely with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to uphold the company’s culture of technical excellence. A renowned expert in Search, he has co-authored two widely used graduate textbooks and holds 20 patents, including pioneering work in web search and link analysis. Welcoming Raghavan, Dr. Mukesh…

Sam Altman, the CEO of Microsoft-backed OpenAI, is expected to visit India next week, marking his first trip in two years, according to sources familiar with the matter. His visit comes at a time when OpenAI is facing legal disputes in India. According to sources, Altman is likely to travel to New Delhi on February 5, with discussions involving government officials potentially on the agenda. However, the itinerary has not been finalized, and plans could still change. OpenAI, India’s IT ministry, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the visit. India is OpenAI’s second-largest…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone with the launch of its 100th rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15). The rocket carried the NVS-02 satellite, which will enhance India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC), also known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The launch took place at 6:23 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Strengthening India’s Navigation Capabilities The addition of the NVS-02 satellite increases the number of operational satellites in the NavIC constellation from four to five, improving positioning accuracy across India and its surrounding regions. ISRO’s Space…

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has returned to Prayagraj after a 144-year hiatus, drawing millions of devotees from around the world. Social media is buzzing with visuals of the event, showcasing devotees performing the sacred “Amrit Snan” at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers to seek salvation and cleanse sins. Yet, a unique perspective of this massive congregation has now emerged—from space. NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, part of the Expedition 72 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has shared breathtaking photographs of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest human gathering, as seen from space. “2025…

Dr. V. Pandharipande, MD, MPH, FACR, a distinguished physician-scientist at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Radiology at Penn Medicine, effective June 1, 2025. Since 2021, Dr. Pandharipande has led the Radiology Department at OSU and served as Chief of Radiology Services at Wexner Medical Center. During her tenure, she advanced imaging capabilities, increased service volumes, and expanded the department’s training programs. Previously, she dedicated 17 years to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where she focused on imaging value, cancer care, and integrating imaging services across MGH,…

Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, is poised to revolutionize artificial intelligence (AI) in India by constructing the world’s largest data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This significant project will be powered by Nvidia’s advanced Blackwell AI processors, acquired after a pivotal collaboration announced during the Nvidia AI Summit in October 2024. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani have expressed confidence in India’s capacity to emerge as a leader in AI, citing its robust digital infrastructure as a strategic advantage. This partnership underscores Reliance Industries’ ambition to create AI supercomputers and large language models tailored to India’s…

Abdulnasser Alshaali, the UAE Ambassador to India, emphasized the growing economic relations between India and the UAE, especially through initiatives like the UAE-India CEPA Council. This council was established during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit on January 10, 2024, and is designed to ensure that both countries’ business communities fully capitalize on the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been in effect since May 2022. Ambassador Alshaali pointed out that the UAE and India have been actively organizing business events and roundtables across India to enhance bilateral trade and foster entrepreneurship. He specifically mentioned the importance of engaging with…

On the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to unite for a “Vikshit Bharat,” drawing inspiration from Netaji’s Azad Hind Fauj. Speaking virtually at the Parakram Diwas celebrations held at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, Odisha, the Prime Minister praised Netaji’s sacrifices and dedication to India’s freedom struggle. PM Modi began his address in Odia, congratulating the people and government of Odisha for hosting the three-day event at Netaji’s birthplace. He highlighted the various exhibitions and activities, including a display of heritage items, artwork, and books related to Netaji’s life. Cultural programs, sculpture…

Goldman Sachs Group has undertaken a significant leadership overhaul, promoting several “star executives” to pivotal roles within its Wall Street operations, as reported by Bloomberg News. The shake-up includes fresh appointments for the equities, fixed income, and banking units, along with a notable expansion of its management committee. Indian-Americans Kunal Shah and Anshul Sehgal have emerged as prominent figures in this transition. Shah, with over two decades at Goldman Sachs, will now co-lead the fixed-income business alongside Anshul Sehgal and Jason Brauth. Additionally, Shah has been named co-CEO of Goldman Sachs International, sharing the role with Anthony Gutman. His rapid…