Author: Akancha Mishra

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reached New York to represent India at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, as world leaders and senior officials gather for the annual high-level meetings. His visit places India’s diplomatic engagement at the center of discussions taking place during the General Assembly’s High-Level Week. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar will head the country’s delegation during the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to deliver India’s address at the high-level session on September 26, outlining the country’s perspectives on key international issues and its…

Six Indian American students have received national recognition through the 2026 Davidson Fellows Scholarship program for conducting research aimed at addressing complex challenges across science, technology, medicine and engineering. Their achievements demonstrate how young researchers are applying advanced scientific methods and emerging technologies to develop solutions with potential real-world applications. The Davidson Fellows program, established by the Davidson Institute, honors students under the age of 19 who have completed significant work in eligible fields. Selected recipients receive scholarships worth $25,000, $50,000 or $100,000, depending on the evaluation of their projects. The program recognizes original contributions rather than relying solely…

India has reached a significant milestone in its semiconductor manufacturing drive, with five semiconductor units now built and operating in production, according to S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Speaking about the country’s progress, Krishnan described 2026 as an important year for India’s semiconductor ambitions. The government’s focus is now moving beyond establishing individual manufacturing facilities toward creating a broader ecosystem capable of supporting different stages of the chip value chain. The next phase, known as the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, is expected to build on the manufacturing capabilities developed during the mission’s initial phase.…

India’s merchandise exports recorded strong growth in August 2026, rising 26.1% year over year to $43.8 billion, according to data cited by IBEF. The pace of expansion was higher than the 19.6% growth recorded in July, signaling stronger momentum in the country’s external trade. At the same time, slower growth in imports helped reduce India’s merchandise trade deficit. The gap narrowed to $26.9 billion in August from $32 billion in July and approximately $27.2 billion during the same month a year earlier. Exports excluding oil, gems and jewelry also performed strongly. Core exports increased 22.7% in August, compared with 14.9%…

Optima Global Solutions is celebrating a major milestone as the New Jersey-based IT consulting and solutions company enters its 25th year of operations. The company, led by President and CEO Mahesh Yadav, has also secured its fourth appearance on the Inc. 5000 list, which recognizes some of the fastest-growing privately owned businesses in the United States. Based in Hamilton, New Jersey, Optima placed No. 4,525 nationally on the 2026 Inc. 5000 ranking. The company was one of 147 businesses from New Jersey included on this year’s list and among nine organizations recognized from the Princeton and Hamilton region. The ranking…

Kapil Sharma is preparing to bring his signature comedy back to Netflix as The Great Indian Kapil Show returns for its fifth season on September 26. The upcoming season is set to arrive just ahead of the festive period, promising a mix of comedy, celebrity appearances and entertainment for audiences around the world. Sharma said the return marks another opportunity for the team to create new moments of humor for viewers. According to the comedian and actor, each season leaves the team feeling that they have already delivered plenty of fun, only for them to discover that there is still…

Indian solar manufacturers with significant exposure to the US market are likely to draw investor attention after Washington finalized steep anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar cells and panels imported from India, Indonesia and Laos. The US Department of Commerce announced its final affirmative determinations on Friday following investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. The agency concluded that producers and exporters in the three countries benefited from government subsidies and that their trade practices harmed the US solar manufacturing industry. For Indian producers, the Commerce Department established a final anti-dumping duty margin of 123.04%. It also imposed a 126.09% countervailing…

India is entering a new phase of industrial expansion, supported by strong domestic demand, increasing private-sector participation and sustained government policy measures, according to global investment bank Jefferies. The report identifies several emerging industries where policy initiatives and private investment are helping India strengthen its position in global manufacturing and technology. The space sector is among the areas seeing significant momentum after India opened the industry to greater private participation. Jefferies said the country has globally competitive capabilities and is targeting a space economy worth $40–45 billion by 2030. Companies including Skyroot, Pixxel and Agnikul are progressing toward commercial operations,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes to citizens across the country on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, one of India’s most widely celebrated Hindu festivals. In his message, Modi highlighted the spiritual significance of the festival and expressed hope that the worship of Lord Ganesha would fill people’s lives with renewed strength, optimism and enthusiasm. Known as Vighnaharta, or the remover of obstacles, Lord Ganesha holds a special place in Indian traditions. Reflecting on this symbolism, the prime minister prayed that divine blessings would help people overcome difficulties and bring positive outcomes to their endeavors. He also linked the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a key meeting in New Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, reviewing bilateral cooperation and discussing major regional and global developments. The two leaders exchanged a warm embrace before beginning their discussions, marking their second meeting this year following their talks on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. During the meeting, Modi presented Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the celebrated work of Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The classical text includes extensive writings on agriculture and farmers. The discussions are…