Author: Bhakti Narayanan

  India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal voiced optimism about finalizing a long-pending trade deal with the United States ahead of an August 1 deadline, which threatens to trigger steep 26% tariffs on Indian exports. “I’m always confident,” Goyal told Bloomberg TV in London on Thursday, describing his meetings with US officials as warm and constructive. He praised US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as “very dear friends,” underlining the friendly nature of the talks. Despite months of back-and-forth negotiations, Goyal insisted there were no major obstacles remaining and clarified that contentious issues such as immigration and…

At the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, the Indian High Commission hosted a major technology exhibition spotlighting cutting-edge innovations from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Held on the sidelines of the summit, the event emphasized India’s growing role in global sustainability through space and scientific advancements. The technologies on display addressed pressing issues like climate adaptation, agricultural resilience, resource mapping, and environmental protection. The exhibition was organized in partnership with the Government of Guyana, underlining the deepening collaboration between India and Guyana in science and sustainable development.…

A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, part of the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier group, has successfully resumed operations after spending over a month grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on June 14 after encountering adverse weather conditions that prevented it from returning to its base ship. Following the emergency diversion, the jet experienced a technical snag involving its hydraulic system. Initial assessments were carried out by engineers from the aircraft carrier, who later determined that assistance from a UK-based engineering unit was essential. A specialist team…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday evening to a spirited reception from the Indian community, marking the start of a historic two-day visit centered on enhancing the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The atmosphere outside his hotel was electric, with members of the Indian diaspora waving posters, chanting slogans like “Modi, Modi,” “Vande Mataram,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and dancing in traditional attire. Earlier in the evening, artists playing dhol drums heightened the excitement as the crowd awaited his arrival. PM Modi took to social media platform X to express…

Trade discussions between India and the United States have picked up momentum as both nations aim to conclude an interim agreement before August 1. Former US President Donald Trump hinted at expanding market access, underscoring the urgency of the negotiations. Talks are set to continue into September and October, but both sides are working toward a short-term trade arrangement first. According to government sources, a US delegation will visit India in late August for another round of discussions. Last week, both countries completed their fifth negotiation round in Washington, led by India’s chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal and US Assistant Trade…

Nik Jhangiani, the Indian American Chief Financial Officer of Diageo, has stepped up as the company’s interim CEO after the sudden exit of CEO Debra Crew, who leaves the role after two years. The global liquor giant, best known for producing Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness beer, announced that Crew’s departure was a mutual decision but did not share further details. Despite the leadership change, Diageo has reaffirmed its financial outlook for 2025 and 2026. Crew faced challenges in winning investor confidence during her time at the helm, and Diageo remains focused on a significant turnaround plan. In May, the…

In Quanzhou, a coastal city in China’s Fujian province, stands a Buddhist temple uniquely adorned with Hindu imagery, illustrating the deep maritime connections between India and China that date back centuries. This temple, featuring lions—animals native to neither South India nor China—highlights how cultural symbols traveled with trade. The lion became a shared emblem of royalty across India and China and influenced place names like Sinhala (Sri Lanka) and Singapore, meaning “city of lions.” According to local legend, the temple was established when a merchant asked a landowner for permission to build a Buddhist shrine. The landowner, hesitant to give…

Amid growing global uncertainties, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged nations to collaborate in restoring stability to the world order. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin, he expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of conflicts, competition, and coercion in international relations. Jaishankar stressed the need for urgent action to address these issues, particularly given the current climate of economic turbulence and geopolitical friction. Jaishankar highlighted that the global system has become significantly more disordered in recent years. He pointed to the rising number of conflicts and trade disputes as symptoms…

India’s aviation sector is on the verge of a significant expansion phase, fueled by infrastructure development, enhanced connectivity, and rising consumer demand. According to a recent study by Jefferies, the country currently contributes only about 4% to the total global air traffic. This is notably low when compared to India’s share of the world’s population, which stands at approximately 18%. The disparity highlights how underdeveloped India’s aviation market remains despite being the third-largest in terms of passenger volume. The report points out that domestic air travel per capita is still in its early stages, leaving considerable room for growth.…

The American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), the fundraising and awareness organization supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has officially appointed Ike Anand as its new President and CEO.Anand, who had been serving as interim CEO since March 2025, now steps permanently into the role, becoming the seventh chief executive in ALSAC’s nearly seven-decade history. Anand’s appointment comes after a comprehensive global search initiated in December 2024, following the retirement announcement of Richard C. Shadyac Jr. Shadyac led the organization for 15 years, overseeing a period of unprecedented growth and outreach. Now at the helm, Anand will guide…