Author: Bhakti Narayanan

New Delhi witnessed a wave of positive reactions from Indian political leaders following the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussion, which covered bilateral relations, regional and international developments, was widely viewed as a constructive step toward strengthening cooperation between the two nations. BJP MP Shashank Mani Tripathi highlighted the importance of resolving misunderstandings arising from tariffs and other trade issues. “Both nations are friends. A successful trade deal will benefit everyone, boost our economy, and help contain inflation. It is a very positive sign,” he remarked. Similarly, BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar emphasized…

India has taken a major leap toward transforming its agricultural landscape by launching the world’s biggest grain storage initiative under a cooperative framework. The Central Government announced that this nationwide effort is designed to expand storage capacity, modernize rural infrastructure, and offer farmers greater flexibility in managing their harvests. During a recent Rajya Sabha session, Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol shared key details about the project’s early progress. As part of the pilot phase, 11 godowns have already been built across 11 states, marking the first step in a large-scale expansion plan. In addition, more than 500 Primary…

Indian American lawmakers in the United States Congress called for a more balanced and future-oriented reset in US-India relations, urging Washington to prioritise strategic clarity, innovation and smoother mobility for talent. During a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia, Representatives Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal delivered two of the most substantive interventions on the trajectory of the bilateral partnership. Bera, one of the longest-serving Indian American members of Congress, emphasised the depth of bipartisan support behind the relationship and highlighted a new resolution reaffirming three decades of strategic continuity. He said his recent visit to India…

Harshim Saluja, a computational data science junior at Penn State, has emerged as one of five global winners of the “Forecasting the Future: A Modern Economics Challenge.” The international competition, hosted by Bridgewater Associates in partnership with Global Citizen, invited students worldwide to analyze how shifting economic forces could influence global systems in the years ahead. Saluja impressed judges with an extensive analytical submission built on advanced computational modeling, rich economic visualizations, and a systems-thinking approach. Her work examined how artificial intelligence, increasing automation, and evolving cross-border trade relationships may reshape geopolitical influence and economic strength by 2035. Drawing on…

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said India is on course to become the world’s largest developer community by 2030, driven by its expanding talent pool and rising leadership in next-generation AI innovation. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Nadella highlighted how emerging tools and platforms are reshaping the way software is built, applications are designed, and multi-agent AI systems are created. He said India is projected to have more than 57 million developers by 2030, surpassing all other markets and positioning the country at the forefront of global software innovation. According to him, developers in India are increasingly…

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for supporting her during the political crisis that forced her to flee Dhaka last year. Speaking exclusively, Hasina described India as a “vital neighbour and partner” and said she valued the longstanding relationship between the two countries. She also acknowledged the personal refuge provided to her during what she called a period of grave danger. Hasina left Bangladesh in August after her elected government collapsed amid violent unrest that resulted in widespread casualties. She has since been sentenced to death in absentia by…

Indian American entrepreneur and community advocate Sunny Reddy has been unanimously chosen as Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, marking a significant milestone for the Indian diaspora in one of the most competitive political states in the country. The decision, approved by unanimous consent, solidifies Reddy’s status as one of the most prominent Indian American Republican figures in the Midwest. Michigan GOP Chairman Jim Runestad, who put Reddy’s name forward, praised him for his unmatched work ethic and deep engagement with communities across the state. Runestad highlighted that Reddy brings a rare blend of grassroots commitment, fundraising strength, and personal…

British Indian philanthropy specialist Hitan Mehta has been appointed the new chief executive of the British Asian Trust, an influential charity created by King Charles to address inequality, poverty and systemic challenges across South Asia. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization, which has expanded steadily since its founding in 2007, when King Charles—then the Prince of Wales—launched the charity to support transformative development efforts in the region. Mehta, who received an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for his longstanding service to Britain’s South Asian community, was one of the earliest architects of the…

Northeastern Illinois University has announced that acclaimed investigative journalist and six-time Emmy Award recipient PJ Randhawa will deliver the December 2025 Commencement Address. Randhawa, who graduated from NEIU in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Media and Theatre, will speak at the ceremony on December 14 at 2 p.m. The event will take place at Chicago’s Credit Union 1 Arena and will be accessible to graduates and their invited guests through ticketed entry. A livestream will also be available on the university’s website for broader viewing. NEIU President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan praised Randhawa’s journey, highlighting how professors remembered her…

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…