Author: Akancha Mishra

India’s passenger aircraft fleet is projected to expand from 720 planes at the end of 2023 to more than 3,800 by 2043, according to the 2024 Cirium Fleet Forecast. This increase will boost the country’s share of the Asia-Pacific passenger fleet from 8% to 18% by 2043. The forecast highlights India’s growing importance in global commercial aviation, with the nation being considered separately from the broader Asia-Pacific region for the first time. In 2023, Indian airlines led the world in aircraft orders, ranking second globally after the United States. By March 2025, Indian airlines are projected to place orders for…

Kiran Rao’s film, Laapataa Ladies, has been renamed Lost Ladies as it prepares to make its mark on the international film circuit. Initially selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025, the film unveiled its new name and poster on Instagram this Tuesday to mark the beginning of its Academy Awards campaign. The fresh poster showcases the film’s vibrant, quirky essence, highlighting the central characters of Phool and Jaya, offering a preview of their lively journey. The poster’s tagline reads, “Sometimes you have to lose your way to find yourself,” evoking the film’s heartwarming narrative. The filmmakers expressed their…

Apple Inc. and its partners plan to assemble 32% of the world’s iPhone production and 26% of its total value in India by the 2026-27 fiscal year. This shift, following the end of the five-year Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices, could lead to a production value exceeding US$ 34 billion, assuming global iPhone sales remain consistent with figures from the 2023-24 fiscal year. These projections are based on discussions between Apple, its suppliers, and government officials, although Apple did not respond to an inquiry for confirmation. For the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year, Apple’s suppliers are…

Following violent attacks on Hindu businesses and temples in Bangladesh, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has urged the US State Department to strengthen its efforts to protect the country’s Hindu minority. This surge in violence occurred after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, targeting the community, which constitutes around 8% of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million, while Muslims make up approximately 91%. Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, was briefed by the US State Department on their ongoing efforts to safeguard religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus. The State Department stressed that protecting religious minorities in…

Donald Trump and JD Vance’s campaign promise to alter naturalized citizenship laws has sparked significant concerns, particularly among Indian-Americans, as it could affect the future citizenship of their children. Under the proposed changes, children born in the U.S. would no longer automatically acquire citizenship unless at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This shift could leave thousands of children born to immigrant parents in legal limbo. During his campaign, Trump vowed that on “Day 1” of his presidency, he would sign an executive order aimed at curbing immigration, including targeting the legal process of naturalization.…

In a recent address at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that India should undoubtedly be considered among the world’s superpowers, citing its rapidly growing economy, rich cultural heritage, and status as the most populous nation globally. He praised India’s impressive economic growth, noting its economic expansion outpaces all other nations and its vibrant future prospects. Putin highlighted the deep trust and robust cooperation between Russia and India, particularly in defense and security. He pointed out how extensively Russian military equipment is used by India, emphasizing that the two nations not only trade arms but…

At the 2025 Grammy Awards, South Asian artists are making waves, with several nominations reflecting their diverse talents. British producer Peter Raeburn, working from his Soundtree Studios in Los Angeles, received high praise from Pitchfork, which described his album as transitioning from the warmth of late afternoon into the complex emotions of nighttime. Anoushka Shankar, daughter of legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, received a nomination in the Best Global Music Performance category for her collaboration on Jacob Collier’s track “A Rock Somewhere” alongside Bengaluru-based musician Varijashree Venugopal. Joining her in the same category, Pakistani-American artist Arooj Aftab earned recognition for her…

In a historic outcome for Indian-American political influence, seven of nine Indian-American candidates successfully won their seats in the U.S. Congress, indicating the growing strength of the “Samosa Caucus” within the legislative body. Previously, the caucus was represented by members such as Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Jeremy Cooney, and Shri Thanedar. This year, Suhas Subramanyam, a seasoned lawyer and Virginia state senator, made history as the first Indian-American to be elected from Virginia and the entire East Coast. Subramanyam, who previously served as an advisor in President Obama’s White House, voiced his gratitude to the people…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump on his historic victory in the 2024 US presidential election, expressing optimism for continued collaboration between India and the US. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory,” emphasizing his hope to further enhance the Indo-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership during Trump’s second term. PM Modi expressed his confidence in renewing efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations for the benefit of their people, as well as promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity. The two leaders have shared a…

Indian-Americans are celebrating Donald Trump’s recent presidential victory, expressing optimism for positive changes in areas like the economy, border security, and global peace. Trump’s win is seen as a resurgence, marking a remarkable comeback after his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden. Avinash Gupta, President of the Foreign Indian Association, highlighted the strong rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, believing it will further strengthen India-US relations. Gupta noted that factors such as inflation, open borders, and ongoing global conflicts were significant concerns for many Indian-American voters, who felt Trump’s policies aligned with their priorities. “The community voted with…