Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Justice Surya Kant on Monday as he formally stepped into the role of the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Modi, who attended the oath-taking ceremony, expressed his best wishes in a post on X, noting that he was honored to witness the moment at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Surya Kant was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu, marking the beginning of a nearly 15-month tenure at the helm of the Indian judiciary. The ceremony was attended by a wide range of dignitaries, including Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit…

The United States has granted approval for India to purchase the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system along with M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds and related equipment, a package valued at $47.1 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed the clearance, noting that the US State Department has authorised a broader set of military equipment worth $93 million. India’s order includes 100 Javelin missiles, a single fly-to-buy test round, 25 command-launch units, training equipment, dummy rounds, spare components, and complete lifecycle support. Additionally, the approval covers as many as 216 Excalibur artillery rounds, which account for an estimated $47.1 million…

Donald Trump Jr., the son of US President Donald Trump, is scheduled to land in Agra on Thursday for a special visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal. He will arrive at Kheria Airport on a private aircraft, after which he will head directly toward the historic monument. This trip marks his first-ever tour of the Taj Mahal, although his father visited the landmark with First Lady Melania Trump in 2020. Trump Jr. will be accompanied by a delegation of 126 distinguished guests representing nearly 40 countries. Local authorities in Agra have been preparing extensively for his arrival, making sure that…

India has introduced the Trade Intelligence and Analytics (TIA) Portal, a comprehensive digital platform designed to enhance access to global trade information and deliver advanced analytical tools to businesses of all sizes. Launched by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the portal represents a major step toward democratizing trade intelligence, especially for MSMEs, startups, exporters, and importers who previously lacked access to such detailed datasets. Speaking at the launch event, Goyal emphasized that the TIA Portal will enable businesses to identify promising global markets, study tariff structures, maximize the benefits of Free Trade Agreements, and diversify India’s export landscape.…

Ayodhya is preparing for one of its most anticipated spiritual events as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust announced that the ceremonial flag hoisting on the Ram Temple’s main spire will take place on Tuesday, November 25, 2025—celebrated traditionally as the wedding day of Lord Ram. The Trust’s General Secretary, Champat Rai, confirmed the plans, highlighting the deep cultural and religious significance the day holds for devotees across India. Rai shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present for the ceremony, which marks a historic moment in the ongoing development of the Ram Temple. He added that authorities…

US Representatives Ami Bera and Joe Wilson introduced a bipartisan congressional resolution on Monday reaffirming the strength and long-term value of the India-US partnership. The measure positions the relationship as a cornerstone for regional stability, democratic alignment, and shared global priorities, drawing support from both sides of the political aisle. The resolution debuted with 24 original cosponsors, including Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Rich McCormick, Deborah Ross, Rob Wittman, Suhas Subramanyam, and Jay Obernolte—reflecting widespread, cross-party agreement on the strategic importance of ties with India. Lawmakers placed a significant emphasis on joint counterterrorism efforts. The resolution urged continued collaboration to address global security…

Hundreds of Indian American physicians, medical experts, and international delegates are set to gather in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from January 9–11, 2026 for the 19th Global Health Summit organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). The annual event aims to spotlight India’s most urgent and persistent health concerns while fostering deeper collaboration between global healthcare communities. AAPI President and Summit Chairman Dr. Amit Chakrabarty said the organization remains committed to expanding access to affordable, high-quality healthcare across India. He noted that this year’s focus areas—Tuberculosis, Diabetes, Ayurveda integration, and advanced medical technology—reflect the country’s immediate needs. The…

India’s space ambitions continue to surge, marked by the successful launch of a 4,400-kg communication satellite — one of the heaviest ever placed into orbit by the country, according to a report. The feat highlights the technological advancements achieved since India entered the space age with the launch of Aryabhata in 1975, placing ISRO firmly among the world’s leading spacefaring nations. Over the decades, ISRO has developed a robust and diversified launch capability through vehicles such as the PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3. According to a report by Times of Oman, the upcoming Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is expected to…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar wrapped up a significant diplomatic day in New York by leading the Consul Generals Conference, where he acknowledged the dedicated work of India’s missions across the United States. Addressing representatives from every Indian Consulate in the country, along with officials from the Embassy in Washington, he praised their contributions to elevating India-US relations and supporting one of the world’s largest overseas Indian communities. Sharing highlights from the meeting on X, Jaishankar noted that the gathering included Consuls General from New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and Boston. He emphasized that the…

The United States has signaled that negotiations on a long-delayed trade agreement with India are finally gaining traction, with a senior administration official stating that recent exchanges have delivered “a lot of positive developments.” The shift comes after Washington softened its earlier criticism of India’s purchases of Russian oil, reducing tensions that had slowed trade discussions for months. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the official said the Biden administration is working with India on two separate but interconnected tracks: a reciprocal trade pact and ongoing monitoring of India’s crude oil imports from Russia. The official noted that both fronts have…