Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh on August 1, marking a major step forward in regional infrastructure development. Built with an investment of nearly $600 million, the airport is expected to strengthen connectivity, support tourism, expand logistics networks, and encourage industrial growth in North Andhra. The Andhra Pradesh government has positioned the airport as a transformative project that goes beyond transportation, aiming to create a foundation for economic expansion across the region. Officials believe the facility will help improve Visakhapatnam’s global connectivity while attracting investments in manufacturing,…

India has made significant progress in strengthening its economic framework, moving up 25 positions in global rankings for structural and pro-competitive reforms. According to a report released by the Competere Foundation, India improved its ranking from 82nd in 2010 to 57th in 2023, reflecting continued efforts to reduce market distortions and create a more competitive business environment. The report, titled India’s Next Growth Frontier: Reducing Anti-Competitive Market Distortions to Build on India’s 2010–2023 Reform Progress, was introduced during a discussion organized by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New…

US-based semiconductor giant Marvell Technology has unveiled plans to invest $250 million in India over the next three years, marking a significant step in strengthening its research and development capabilities across the country. The investment is aimed at expanding engineering talent, upgrading infrastructure, and accelerating innovation in advanced semiconductor technologies as India continues to emerge as a major global technology hub. The announcement comes as Marvell celebrates two decades of operations in India. As part of its long-term growth strategy, the company also intends to double its workforce during the same three-year period, reflecting its increasing reliance on Indian engineering…

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has launched a new tenant-focused initiative called “Talk to Tenants” to help renters living in buildings with repeated housing violations organize collectively and advocate for better living conditions. The campaign, introduced by the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement (OME) in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT), aims to connect residents with resources, training programs, and information about their legal right to organize. As part of the initiative, volunteers will conduct door-to-door outreach in neighborhoods where tenants face rising housing costs and ongoing concerns about poor building conditions. The campaign will…

India could witness foreign exchange inflows of as much as $85 million following the Reserve Bank of India’s measures aimed at encouraging Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR(B), deposits, according to a new report released by SBI Research. The initiative is expected to significantly improve the country’s foreign exchange reserves while strengthening confidence in India’s external financial position. The report estimates that FCNR(B) deposits alone may contribute between $65 million and $70 million by the time the scheme concludes. If achieved, this would comfortably exceed the amount raised under a similar RBI initiative introduced in 2013, highlighting the strong response…

The United States and India are broadening their strategic partnership by increasing collaboration in defence, civil nuclear energy and trusted artificial intelligence, according to US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening economic growth, improving regional security and advancing cooperation in emerging technologies. Kapur shared the update while participating in a roundtable discussion on India at the Hoover Institution. The event also featured former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former US Ambassador to India David C. Mulford, highlighting the continued importance of India-US relations among senior policymakers. In a message posted on…

India’s steel industry delivered another quarter of steady growth during the first three months of FY27, driven by increased manufacturing activity, infrastructure development, and expanding domestic demand. Fresh provisional figures released by the Joint Plant Committee (JPC) indicate that both production and consumption continued to move upward between April and June 2026, highlighting the sector’s resilience despite evolving global market conditions. Crude steel output climbed by 3% year over year to 42.1 million metric tons, while finished steel production increased by 4.9% to 40.6 million metric tons. Domestic demand remained a major growth driver, with finished steel consumption reaching 41.6…

Education activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after midnight on Thursday following discussions with senior government representatives and assurances on strengthening India’s examination system. The protest, which drew widespread attention amid concerns over the NEET paper leak controversy, concluded after a meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Wangchuk announced that he had ended his fast in the presence of government leaders and representatives from the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh after what he described as detailed discussions over multiple demands. He said the decision was taken after extensive negotiations…

President Droupadi Murmu continued her landmark State Visit to Romania by holding high-level talks with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan at Victoria Palace in Bucharest on Friday. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors, reflecting both nations’ commitment to building a stronger and more future-focused partnership. Senior officials, including Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George, participated in the meeting alongside representatives from both governments. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders explored new opportunities to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, clean energy, connectivity, and emerging technologies. These sectors have become central…

Indian-American politician and physician Amish Shah has secured the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s First Congressional District after defeating an establishment-backed rival in a closely watched primary election. His victory sets up a high-profile contest against Republican candidate and former NFL kicker Jay Feely, who has received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump, in the November congressional election. A practicing emergency medicine physician and a moderate Democrat, Shah built his campaign around direct voter engagement. His team reported that he personally visited nearly 28,000 homes, emphasizing face-to-face conversations with residents throughout the district. The grassroots strategy helped him overcome former…