Author: Bhakti Narayanan

U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23, 2025, delivering a speech that highlighted his long-standing focus on national sovereignty, state independence, and cultural preservation. Speaking before a largely silent audience of world leaders, Trump criticized migration, climate initiatives, and the efficacy of international institutions, signaling a preference for transactional and bilateral diplomacy over multilateral cooperation. Trump described migration as a “crisis” threatening Western countries, arguing that nations should address challenges domestically rather than rely on international frameworks. He criticized UN programs for providing financial support to refugees, framing these efforts as a…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Banswara on Thursday to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several major development projects valued at $13 billion. A central highlight of his visit will be the launch of the 2,800 MW Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project, which is expected to significantly enhance India’s energy capacity and long-term power security. Alongside the nuclear project, the Prime Minister will virtually flag off two new Vande Bharat Express trains from Bikaner and Jodhpur to Delhi, as well as the Udaipur-Chandigarh Express. Additionally, he will lay foundations for key projects in other states during the…

 India has solidified its position as a leading investment hub in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, ranking fourth in real estate capital inflows during the first half of 2025, according to Colliers’ Investment Insights H1 2025 report. The study revealed that overall investments across nine major APAC markets reached $71.9 billion, marking a 6% year-over-year decline, yet India stood out with robust foreign and domestic activity. Foreign institutional inflows into India’s real estate market amounted to $1.6 billion, accounting for roughly 52% of total capital. Meanwhile, domestic investments showed impressive momentum, rising 53% compared to the same period last year and…

 India actively participated in the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the core principles and values set forth in the Commonwealth Charter. Representing India, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary West Sibi George attended the meeting held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session on September 22, 2025. In a statement shared on X, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that George highlighted India’s dedication to upholding the fundamental tenets of the Commonwealth Charter. He also addressed the need for reform within the Commonwealth to ensure that its structures and processes…

India has strongly criticized the United States after President Donald Trump introduced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants, a move that could significantly disrupt the flow of skilled workers to America. Officials in New Delhi described the measure as one with serious humanitarian consequences, as it would impact not just professionals but also their families who depend on these work permits. The H-1B visa, widely used by American companies to hire foreign talent in fields such as IT, engineering, and healthcare, has long been a pathway for Indian professionals. In 2024, India accounted for nearly 71% of all approved…

Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender on Thursday called on students to draw inspiration from the global achievements of Indian Americans, pointing out that although they represent just 2% of the United States population, they contribute nearly 8% to the American GDP. He stressed that such milestones are a reflection of discipline, resilience, and values—qualities that Indian students must also nurture. He delivered the message during the annual Inspirational Lecture hosted by Nalanda Educational Institutions in Vengalrao Nagar. The program, designed to connect young learners with accomplished leaders and thinkers, aims to instill wisdom, courage, and vision in future generations.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 75th birthday on Friday by planting a Kadamb sapling at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The sapling was a personal gift from King Charles III of the United Kingdom and formed part of PM Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, which promotes environmental awareness and tree plantation. A video shared of the occasion showed the Prime Minister personally planting and watering the young tree. The British High Commission in New Delhi had earlier announced the gift on social media, highlighting that King Charles III’s gesture was inspired by PM Modi’s environmental…

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have significantly strengthened the nation’s economy by injecting $22.77 billion in additional liquidity. Addressing the Outreach and Interaction Programme on Next Generation GST Reforms in Visakhapatnam, she explained that the reforms will save citizens an equivalent amount, easing their financial burden while giving the economy a much-needed boost. Sitharaman pointed out that the sweeping changes to the tax structure were designed to help the middle class and curb poverty. Nearly all products that once fell under the 12% GST category—about 99%—are now taxed…

Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said on Thursday that a solution to the ongoing tariff dispute between India and the United States could emerge within the next eight to ten weeks. Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, he noted that discussions between New Delhi and Washington were actively progressing behind the scenes. “My sense is that we will likely see a resolution to the tariff challenge within the next two months,” Nageswaran remarked, expressing optimism about the pace of ongoing talks. The US imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods entering…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s third-longest-serving leader, marked his 75th birthday on September 17, 2025. Alongside the celebrations, attention turned to his impact on the Indian economy, which has witnessed remarkable highs as well as persistent challenges during his premiership. Under Modi’s leadership, India climbed to the position of the world’s fourth-largest economy, trailing only the United States, China, and Germany. The nation’s GDP reached $4.19 trillion, with annual growth averaging 6.5% over the past decade. Despite a sharp contraction of -5.8% in 2020–21, largely due to the pandemic, India has rebounded strongly. The country’s nominal GDP tripled from about…