Author: Bhakti Narayanan

 India and the United States are in the advanced stages of negotiating a trade agreement that could significantly reduce tariffs on Indian exports from the current 50% to approximately 15–16%, according to sources cited by Mint. Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran expressed optimism that the dispute over penal tariffs could be resolved within the next two months, potentially leading to the rollback of the extra levies imposed by the White House. Nageswaran suggested that the reciprocal 25% tariffs may also decrease to between 10% and 15%, which would be a notable development for bilateral trade. Key topics under discussion…

India and Canada are taking concrete steps toward revitalizing their economic relationship, as Indian Acting Consul General in Toronto Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh met with Canadian Minister of Economic Development Victor Fedeli to discuss enhanced trade prospects. The meeting comes in preparation for Fedeli’s upcoming trade mission to India, signaling a renewed phase of engagement between the two nations. According to a post by the Consulate General of India in Toronto, the discussion highlighted a forward-looking approach to India–Canada relations, emphasizing growth opportunities across the India–Ontario economic corridor. The dialogue served as a strategic platform to align priorities before the minister’s…

As Diwali illuminated homes across the globe, the Indian-American community in the United States came together to share messages of light, hope, and unity. Prominent leaders and public officials took to social media and community events to celebrate the Festival of Lights, marking the triumph of good over evil and honoring their deep cultural roots. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, the first Indian-American to lead the agency, greeted people around the world with warm wishes. “Happy Diwali — celebrating the Festival of Lights across the world, as good triumphs over evil,” Patel posted on X, extending his…

 In a vibrant display of cultural appreciation, New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosted a special Diwali celebration at his official residence, Gracie Mansion. The Mayor extended warm greetings to the Indian community, acknowledging their significant contributions to the city’s cultural vibrancy and economic growth. Joining the festivities virtually, Deputy Consul General Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh represented the Consulate General of India in New York, sharing greetings and emphasizing Diwali’s enduring themes of light, hope, and joy. The Indian Consulate General highlighted the event on social media, praising the community’s active role in New York City’s dynamic life. Meanwhile, in Florida,…

India’s private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) landscape reached a remarkable milestone in 2025, with total investments soaring to $26 billion during the first nine months of the year — the highest in three years. This figure surpassed the combined totals of 2023 and 2024, reflecting a clear resurgence in investor confidence in India’s economic trajectory. According to Equirus Capital, this upward momentum was supported by multiple macroeconomic tailwinds — including strong agricultural output, a favorable monsoon season, and an upswing in consumer spending during India’s festive months. The period from January to September 2025 saw 1,363 transactions, up…

India is preparing to take its space ambitions to unprecedented heights, with plans to send its first astronauts into space by 2027 and land citizens on the Moon by 2040. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the country’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is progressing as scheduled, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s space program. Narayanan revealed that before the main crewed mission, three uncrewed flights will be launched, beginning with one featuring a half-humanoid robot named Vyommitra in December 2025. Two additional uncrewed tests are planned for 2026, ensuring safety and precision ahead of the 2027 mission. He…

India clarified its stance on US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would halt purchases of Russian oil. Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underlined that India’s energy strategy is firmly rooted in national priorities and the realities of the global market. “India is a major importer of oil and gas, and protecting consumer interests remains our consistent goal in a fluctuating energy landscape. Our import strategies are entirely guided by this objective,” Jaiswal stated. He highlighted that stable energy pricing and secure supplies are the cornerstones of India’s energy policy. To achieve these,…

India has been elected for the seventh time to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2026-28 term, announced India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, on Wednesday. Expressing gratitude on social media platform X, he thanked the international delegations for their support, noting that the election reflects India’s steadfast commitment to promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. “India has been elected to the Human Rights Council for 2026-28. We thank all delegations for their overwhelming support. This reflects India’s unwavering commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, and we look forward to advancing these objectives during…

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is set to embark on her maiden official visit to India from October 16 to 18, 2025. The three-day trip marks an important milestone in the partnership between the two South Asian neighbors, as Dr. Amarasuriya’s agenda focuses on education, technology, and economic collaboration. During her stay, the Sri Lankan leader will hold meetings with India’s key political figures to discuss a range of bilateral matters and areas of shared interest. The discussions are expected to cover new opportunities for cooperation that strengthen long-standing diplomatic and economic ties. One of the highlights of…

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Canada’s visiting Foreign Minister Anita Anand to discuss deepening cooperation across trade, energy, technology, agriculture, and people-to-people engagement. The meeting, held in New Delhi, underlined both leaders’ commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, with Modi extending warm wishes to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and expressing eagerness for future collaborations. The discussions coincide with the launch of a “New Roadmap for bilateral relations,” designed to reinvigorate India-Canada strategic ties. The roadmap builds on guidance provided by both Prime Ministers during the G7 Summit in Canada, emphasizing shared democratic values, rule of law, and respect…