Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The Union Government is set to relaunch an updated version of the Stand-Up India Scheme to provide stronger support to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women entrepreneurs nationwide. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared details during a Lok Sabha session, explaining that the earlier scheme, launched in April 2016, concluded last March and is now being redesigned to deliver enhanced benefits. The revamp follows an extensive review by NITI Aayog and other government bodies to expand the program’s reach and effectiveness among traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs. The revamped Stand-Up India initiative aims to improve access to formal credit and…

Senior officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and ambassadors from Nordic nations recently met in New Delhi to explore opportunities for expanding cooperation across several key sectors. The discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in areas such as trade, investment, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, renewable energy, clean technologies, Arctic research, and space collaboration. The meeting took place during a luncheon hosted by Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, for ambassadors representing the Nordic region. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the dialogue emphasized deepening India’s engagement with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Officials…

The signing of the India-US trade agreement will occur only after a revised US tariff framework is established, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal confirmed on Monday during a trade briefing. Agrawal explained that the finalisation of the deal depends on Washington restoring global tariff rates following a court ruling that had invalidated previous measures. “Each country approaches the deal with its own comparative advantages relative to competitors,” Agrawal added, as reported by PTI. India and the US had recently announced a framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade pact, under which the US agreed to reduce tariffs on Indian…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held his fourth telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday, focusing on bilateral cooperation and BRICS-related matters, where India currently holds the chair and Iran is a member. The call followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday night, reviewing the escalating tensions in West Asia involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. On social media, EAM Jaishankar confirmed the discussion covered both bilateral issues and BRICS cooperation. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Araghchi updated Jaishankar on the situation resulting from “acts of aggression” by…

The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund has emerged as a significant platform for South-South cooperation, promoting women’s empowerment through development initiatives across multiple countries. Leaders from the three nations highlighted the growing impact of the fund during discussions focused on women-led development and international cooperation. Established in 2004, the IBSA Fund has supported more than 50 development assistance projects across nearly 40 countries, demonstrating the collective commitment of emerging economies to sustainable development. India’s Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, described the fund as a far-sighted initiative that reflects the shared vision of India, Brazil and South…

India’s installed solar power capacity has reached nearly 136 gigawatts, accounting for almost half of the country’s total renewable energy capacity, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said while highlighting the nation’s rapid progress in clean energy deployment. Speaking at the Foundation Day celebrations of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi, Joshi noted that the growth of India’s solar sector reflects the impact of sustained policy commitment, technological innovation and international cooperation in accelerating the global clean energy transition. He said the International Solar Alliance has played a crucial role in expanding solar adoption across the…

India continues to play a significant role as a major exporter of refined petroleum products in South Asia, with particular attention to its neighbouring countries. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently confirmed that the government has received a request from Bangladesh for diesel supply, which is currently under careful review. Officials highlighted that India’s energy exports are guided by a people-centric and development-oriented approach to regional partnerships. Diesel shipments from the Numaligarh Refinery to Bangladesh have been ongoing since 2007 using multiple transport modes, including waterways, rail, and the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. A formal sale purchase agreement between Numaligarh…

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) formalized a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in New Delhi. The MoU, inked during the India-Canada Business Roundtable, aims to reinforce institutional ties between the two organizations and enhance collaboration between the business communities of India and Canada. The agreement provides a framework for ASSOCHAM and ICCC to work together to promote trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation among their members. It seeks to facilitate new avenues for business engagement by encouraging organizations in both countries…

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a landmark $300 billion refinery project in Brownsville, Texas, marking the first new refinery in the United States in half a century. The initiative, backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, aims to process exclusively American shale oil and significantly strengthen domestic energy infrastructure. Trump described the deal as the largest in U.S. history, emphasizing its economic and strategic significance. “This investment will boost American energy production, create billions in economic value, and stand as the cleanest refinery in the world,” he stated on Truth Social. Reliance Industries, India’s largest private energy firm…

India’s top leadership has begun urgent discussions to manage potential disruptions in the country’s liquified petroleum gas supply following escalating tensions in the Middle East. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high level meeting with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to assess the situation and ensure that domestic consumers remain protected from possible shortages. The review comes as military hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continue to intensify, entering their eleventh day. The conflict has affected maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.…