Author: Bhakti Narayanan

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a meeting with Riaz Hamidullah in New Delhi, with discussions focused on advancing bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh. The interaction underscored the continued engagement between the two countries aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors. Both sides explored avenues to further deepen diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people relations, reflecting the importance of the partnership in the South Asian region. The meeting comes amid broader regional cooperation efforts, where India has reiterated its commitment to supporting neighbouring countries based on mutual needs and shared interests. Recent developments have also highlighted India’s role in assisting Bangladesh…

India and Sri Lanka have held discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a key focus on the adoption of cost-effective technologies to improve farm productivity and increase farmers’ incomes. The talks reflect ongoing efforts by both countries to deepen bilateral ties in areas that directly support rural development and food security. India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K D Lal Kantha, in Colombo on Thursday. During the meeting, both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in modern agricultural practices, with emphasis on making advanced yet…

India has appointed seasoned diplomat Vikram K Doraiswami as its next Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, marking a significant step in strengthening diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs, indicating that he will assume his new role shortly. A 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, Doraiswami brings extensive diplomatic experience and deep familiarity with China-related affairs. He is currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a position he has held since August 2022. Prior to this, he also served as High Commissioner to Bangladesh, further…

Tanishq, India’s premier fine jewelry brand under the Tata Group, has officially expanded into New England with its first showroom in Westborough, Massachusetts. Located at 303 Turnpike Road, the 4,000 sq. ft. boutique opened its doors on December 4 and was formally inaugurated on March 6, marking Tanishq’s 10th store across the United States. For the growing Indian community in Massachusetts and the wider New England region, the launch goes beyond retail. Tanishq, a brand synonymous with weddings, festivals, and milestone celebrations, now provides a local destination for authentic Indian jewelry. The expansion also aligns with Tanishq’s broader U.S. strategy,…

India is positioning itself to play a leading role in shaping global 6G standards, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, highlighting the country’s ambition to drive the next phase of digital transformation worldwide. Speaking at an international workshop on telecom standardisation, Scindia described 6G technology as a transformative leap that goes beyond faster internet speeds. He said the next-generation network will enable an “intelligent internet of everything,” powered by artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and real-time connectivity. According to the minister, 6G has the potential to bridge the digital divide by making advanced technologies more accessible, particularly in remote and underserved…

India celebrated a major space milestone as IRNSS-1F, one of the country’s regional navigation satellites, completed its 10-year design mission life on March 10, 2026. Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in March 2016 aboard PSLV-C32 from Sriharikota, IRNSS-1F was the sixth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) constellation. Designed to operate in geostationary orbit at 32.5° East with a 5° inclination, the 1,425-kg satellite has been a silent yet pivotal contributor to India’s self-reliant navigation capabilities. Equipped with dual payloads—a navigation transmitter operating in L5 and S-bands and a C-band transponder for precise ranging—the…

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…