Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The Indian government has introduced a major overhaul of the country’s visa framework, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23. The reform aims to simplify the application process, reduce administrative complexities and make India more accessible to international visitors. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also reduced the number of fields required in visa application forms by 65 to 70 per cent across all 23 sub-categories. The move is expected to make applications easier and faster for foreign nationals travelling to India for tourism, business, education, healthcare, research and…

India’s growing renewable energy sector has significantly reduced the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, helping avoid approximately $100 billion in coal and natural gas import expenses between 2011 and 2025. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) India Renewable Energy Market Report 2026, released on November 3, cumulative savings could climb to nearly $240 billion by 2030, highlighting the economic and strategic benefits of the country’s clean energy transition. The report estimates that without the solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and bioenergy capacity installed since 2010, India’s coal imports in 2025 would have been approximately 110 million metric tons higher.…

India has reiterated that its relationship with the United States enjoys strong bipartisan support, emphasising that the strategic partnership between the two countries remains important regardless of political changes in Washington. The statement came after the Democratic Party secured victories in both chambers of the US Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, dealing a setback to US President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. Responding to questions about the election results, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the midterm elections as an internal matter of the United States and said India had no specific comments on the outcome. However, he…

India is emerging as an attractive investment destination for global investors, offering a combination of economic growth, earnings resilience and portfolio diversification amid increasing concentration in artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks across Asian markets, according to a report by HSBC Global Investment Research. HSBC has upgraded Indian equities to an overweight rating from neutral, citing strong credit growth, improving corporate earnings and government measures supporting economic expansion and currency stability. The upgrade follows a prolonged valuation correction and a period of significant underperformance by Indian equities compared with other emerging markets. HSBC believes these developments have made valuations more reasonable, particularly…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to prioritize preventive healthcare and adopt healthier lifestyle practices on the occasion of Dhanteras, highlighting the importance of Ayurveda in maintaining long-term health and well-being. In a social media message, Modi encouraged families to make a commitment to better health, noting that Ayurveda emphasizes preserving health rather than focusing only on treating illnesses. The Prime Minister highlighted simple practices such as mindful eating, regular Yoga, adequate sleep and timely health screenings as important steps towards preventing diseases and improving quality of life. He also described investing in the health of family members as…

India is stepping up its efforts to address the growing challenge of orbital pollution, with Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh announcing an ambitious target of achieving debris-free space by 2030. The announcement underscores India’s emergence as one of the early global participants in developing technologies for removing space debris and maintaining safer orbital environments. On November 5, 2026, Singh virtually inaugurated Base 1, a new facility established by Cosmoserve Space in Hyderabad. Telangana’s Minister for IT and Industries, D. Sridhar Babu, attended the programme. Covering approximately 14,800 square feet, the facility will focus on…

India has achieved a significant milestone in its renewable energy journey, recording more than 6.5 million rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana within just 104 days. The achievement highlights the growing acceptance of residential solar energy and the country’s efforts to expand access to cleaner electricity. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced the development during a session titled Rooftop Solar as a Catalyst for the Global Energy Transition at the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 in New Delhi. According to the minister, more than 100,000 rooftop solar systems are…

Indian-American Democrat Jyot Singh has made history by winning Georgia’s House District 97, becoming the first Sikh American elected to the Georgia State Legislature. His victory in the November 3 elections marks a significant milestone for the Indian-American and Sikh communities in the United States. Singh defeated Republican Yassin Moghazy in a constituency covering parts of Gwinnett County, including Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake. Celebrating his victory, Singh shared a message on social media, saying, “We won!!! Thank you Georgia! I’m honored to be your representative-elect in HD-97.” The son of Indian immigrant parents, Singh grew up in…

Indian American Democrat Dr. Amish Shah has won the election for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, defeating Republican candidate Jay Feely and turning a previously Republican-held seat in favor of the Democrats. His victory marks a historic achievement, as he is set to become the first Indian American to represent Arizona in the US Congress. Indian American Impact, a political organization dedicated to increasing Indian and South Asian American representation in public office, congratulated Shah on his electoral success. The organization revealed that it invested and mobilized more than $355,000 in support of his campaign, which was among the most closely…

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has cited Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in the Michigan Senate race in the United States to call for a stronger political identity among Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Reacting to the 2026 US midterm election results, the Hyderabad MP said the victory should inspire people in the state to pursue greater political representation and leadership. In a post on X, Owaisi said, “An ‘Abdul’ has won in Michigan; now, the ‘Abdul’ of Uttar Pradesh must strengthen his own political identity.” He was referring to Abdul El-Sayed, whose victory made him the first Muslim to win a seat in…