Author: Akancha Mishra

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India next week at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking another significant step in strengthening the India–Brazil Strategic Partnership. During his visit, President Lula will attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where global leaders, policymakers and technology stakeholders are expected to deliberate on emerging trends in artificial intelligence and its global implications. The main bilateral engagement of the visit will include delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Lula. The discussions are expected to review the entire spectrum of India–Brazil relations and…

 US lawmakers have called on the State Department to make the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, available for congressional testimony, highlighting the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship and seeking greater oversight. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia, Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur if he would coordinate with Congress to bring Ambassador Gor before the committee. Kamlager-Dove stressed that, given India’s strategic significance in the Indo-Pacific, it would be essential for Gor to answer questions regarding US priorities and policies in the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep shock over the deadly shooting incident at a school in Canada’s British Columbia, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister described the incident as horrendous and conveyed India’s solidarity with the people of Canada during what he termed a moment of profound grief. He offered heartfelt sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones and expressed hope for the swift recovery of the injured. The tragic incident resulted in multiple fatalities after a…

 The Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has welcomed the newly signed India-US trade agreement, describing it as a landmark development that promises significant benefits for India’s leather, footwear, and leather products industries. The council highlighted that the deal is mutually advantageous, as it offers more liberalized trade conditions, including reduced tariffs and fewer barriers, fostering stronger commercial ties between the two countries. CLE noted that the United States remains the largest consumer of Indian leather products, accounting for roughly a quarter of India’s total leather exports. With the new agreement easing longstanding tariff and non-tariff restrictions, Indian leather goods are…

India has achieved a historic milestone in its trade relations with the United States by signing an interim trade agreement that opens preferential access to a US$30 trillion market for Indian exporters. The announcement, made by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, establishes a framework that significantly reduces the maximum US tariff from 50% to a standard rate of 18%, applied reciprocally. Existing tariffs on goods from other nations are also being adjusted, making Indian products more competitive globally. Comparatively, India’s new average tariff rate is now lower than that of China (35%), Vietnam (20%), and Bangladesh (20%). Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 aired today, bringing together students, teachers, and parents across India. The session, a signature annual interaction, focused on empowering young learners to balance academic preparation with personal growth and self-discovery. PM Modi urged students to study beyond the syllabus and encouraged teachers to extend learning beyond textbooks. Highlighting the importance of dreaming, he stated that limiting one’s ambitions is akin to a personal crime. Addressing the influence of the digital world, Modi cautioned against excessive screen time and mindless scrolling, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between online engagement and…

India’s services sector maintained robust momentum in January, driven by strong domestic and regional demand, according to the latest HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data. The January reading rose to 58.5 from 58.0 in December, marking the 54th consecutive month of expansion and highlighting the continued strength of the services-driven engine of economic growth. Growth in new business accelerated at the fastest pace since November, supported by higher orders from South and Southeast Asian markets. Companies reported that increased online presence and proactive marketing campaigns played a key role in attracting new business, while export orders also showed…

Uber has announced the appointment of Balaji Krishnamurthy as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective February 16, 2026, following the resignation of current CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah. Mahendra-Rajah will continue with the company as a senior finance advisor to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi until July 1, 2026. Krishnamurthy, 41, has been with Uber since 2019, serving in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Strategic Finance since 2023 and previously as Head of Investor Relations from 2020 to 2023. A graduate of Manipal Institute of Technology, he holds an MBA from the Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, and completed an exchange program at…

Willow by Cricbuzz announced on February 6 that it will stream Team USA matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup free of charge on YouTube, marking a first for viewers in the United States and Canada. The tournament runs from February 7 to March 8, with coverage kicking off at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 7 for the USA vs. India match. In addition to YouTube, the matches will also be accessible at no cost on Willow and Cricbuzz platforms. To enhance the viewing experience, Willow has partnered with Jomboy Media to produce an alternate, creator-led telecast for select…

Veerabhadran Ramanathan, distinguished professor emeritus at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Crafoord Prize in Geosciences for his groundbreaking research on atmospheric aerosols and climate pollutants. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences praised his work for establishing a fundamental understanding of how minute particles and gases in the atmosphere drive climate change, significantly advancing knowledge of Earth’s energy balance and global warming. Ramanathan expressed that he was “speechless and humbled” by the recognition, noting that receiving an award from the same academy that presents the Nobel Prize highlights the credibility of…