Author: Bhakti Narayanan

A panel of leading American strategic experts has warned that the United States and India are passing through one of the most fragile phases in their bilateral relationship in nearly 25 years, with political mistrust, stalled trade discussions and geopolitical pressure eroding what has long been viewed as a critical Indo-Pacific partnership. Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, Richard Fontaine noted that bipartisan efforts in both countries over the last two decades had transformed the relationship and made it central to addressing China’s rise. “But we’re in a different place…

The US State Department has issued new instructions requiring American consular officers to closely review the LinkedIn profiles and resumes of H-1B visa applicants, according to a Reuters report. Under this directive, anyone found to have participated in what Washington views as censorship of legally protected speech in the United States may be ruled ineligible for entry. The H-1B program is a critical talent pipeline for US technology firms, with a large share of workers arriving from India and China. Despite earlier expectations that Donald Trump’s leadership would result in business-friendly policies, companies are now faced with yet another level…

Apple has made a major addition to its senior leadership by appointing seasoned artificial intelligence expert Amar Subramanya as its new vice president of AI. The move reflects how determined the company is to expand its influence in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem and deepen its investment in cutting-edge machine learning technologies. Subramanya, 46, is widely respected in the AI community for his deep technical expertise and years of experience leading large engineering teams. Originally from Bengaluru, he completed his undergraduate degree in electronics and communications engineering before relocating to the United States to pursue further studies. He later earned…

Apple is preparing to push back against a new directive issued by the Indian government that would require every iPhone sold in the country to come with a government-controlled security app already installed. Reuters first reported that India’s Department of Telecommunications has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to preload Sanchar Saathi, an app developed and operated by the government. The app is designed to help users block lost or stolen phones, identify fraudulent calls, and verify the status of second-hand devices. However, Sanchar Saathi includes extensive tracking features that fall under government oversight, raising immediate concerns about user privacy and the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Bangladesh on Monday, December 1, 2025, expressing deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating health of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Zia, who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been in a critical state for nearly a week at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital. Modi assured that India is prepared to offer “all possible support” to assist in her recovery. Earlier the same day, Bangladesh received a five-member team of Chinese doctors who arrived in Dhaka to join the specialists overseeing Zia’s treatment. Their presence reflects growing international attention surrounding the health crisis of…

Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, has emphasized that cooperation between New Delhi and Berlin will play a decisive role in carrying forward the commitments and outcomes agreed at COP30. Speaking at the high-level “Climate Talks” session hosted by the German Embassy, Ackermann highlighted that the long-standing partnership between the two countries is now entering a phase of deeper implementation under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Referencing the recent meeting between India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider in Belem, he noted that both sides have expanded the scope of engagement across climate resilience, renewable…

India has embarked on an extensive global trade expansion initiative, engaging in discussions with nearly 50 countries and regional blocs to establish new trade agreements. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the development during the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s 98th Annual General Meeting, highlighting the government’s efforts to broaden access to international markets and strengthen economic alliances. These negotiations span 14 different trade negotiation tracks and include both bilateral and multilateral partnerships. India’s strategy focuses on building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that support the country’s economic growth and position it as a key participant…

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, affirmed the dismissal of Army officer Samuel Kamalesan, ruling that his refusal to step into his regiment’s temple for an annual ritual amounted to a serious breach of military discipline. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and joined by Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said the officer had relied on his “personal interpretation” of his faith to disregard a lawful regimental requirement, thereby undermining unity within his unit. Chief Justice Kant noted that military leadership demands leading by example, not distancing oneself from long-standing traditions that soldiers see as central to their…

India and Indonesia renewed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific as senior defense leaders from both countries met in New Delhi on Thursday. During the third India–Indonesia Defense Ministers’ Dialogue, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed expanding bilateral defense cooperation and strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. A notable highlight from the meeting was Indonesia’s acknowledgment of India’s growing expertise in submarine development, including experience with the Scorpene-class program and supply-chain systems. Jakarta noted that India’s capabilities carry significant value for Indonesia’s future defense modernization plans. The two nations also emphasized deeper…

Covered California, the state’s primary health insurance marketplace, has announced the appointment of Theivanai Palaniappan as its new Chief Data and Insights Officer. Bringing over two decades of experience in enterprise data management and analytics, Palaniappan is poised to strengthen the organization’s data strategy, governance, and analytical capabilities, supporting informed decision-making across the marketplace. In her new role, Palaniappan will oversee all aspects of data-driven operations, ensuring that Covered California can leverage analytics to improve coverage access and operational efficiency. Executive Director Jessica Altman underscored the significance of the hire, stating, “Theivanai’s extensive experience leading large-scale data teams and complex…