Author: Bhakti Narayanan

India and Zimbabwe have taken a significant step toward strengthening their defense relationship, agreeing to broaden military cooperation across several key sectors. The decision was reached during the first-ever meeting of the India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee (JDC), held in New Delhi on Thursday. Officials from both countries explored opportunities to build upon existing collaboration, particularly in military training programs and the maintenance and operational support of shared air assets. Discussions also focused on expanding cooperation into emerging areas that could further enhance strategic ties between the two nations. Among the topics highlighted during the meeting were prospects for joint defense…

Indian American entrepreneur Jay Gotra has officially entered the race for governor of Rhode Island, marking a significant political development as he becomes the first Indian American Democrat to seek the state’s highest office. His campaign announcement on June 2 introduced a policy framework aimed at reshaping the state’s economic and administrative direction. Gotra launched his campaign with a platform called GRIT, short for Grow Rhode Island Together. The initiative outlines priorities such as fiscal discipline, economic expansion, housing accessibility, energy policy reform, business development, and improved government transparency. He emphasized that his approach is inspired by private-sector efficiency, arguing…

The inaugural Icons of Impact Gala hosted by the Global Indian Diaspora Alliance (GLO-INDIA) in New York brought together a prominent group of Indian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and community leaders. Beyond celebrating achievements within the diaspora, the event served as the launchpad for a major initiative designed to strengthen economic cooperation between India and the United States. Addressing GLO-INDIA’s global network of more than 18,000 members, President H.S. Panaser thanked attendees and supporters for helping make the event a success. A highlight of the evening was a keynote address by India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Binaya S.…

Ride-hailing giant Uber has announced a strategic investment in India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), becoming one of the earliest global technology firms to financially support the country’s expanding open digital commerce ecosystem. The move marks a significant step in Uber’s long-term plan to deepen its presence in India’s mobility and logistics space through collaborative digital infrastructure. The U.S.-based company stated that this investment builds on its existing integration with ONDC and reflects its broader strategy of leveraging open networks to scale transportation and delivery services. Uber emphasized that the partnership will help accelerate innovation in mobility solutions while…

India is continuing diplomatic and trade discussions with the United States regarding proposed tariff actions under Section 301 of the US Trade Act while simultaneously working toward a broader bilateral trade framework aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently completed investigations covering 60 economies, including India. The review focused on policies adopted by these nations that affect the import of certain goods into their domestic markets. As a result of these investigations, the USTR has suggested imposing additional duties on…

An Indian parliamentary delegation on a knowledge exchange tour to Norway visited the country’s Parliament, the Storting, in Oslo as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral engagement and deepen cooperation between the two democracies. During the visit, members of the delegation interacted with Norwegian parliamentarians and gained insights into Norway’s parliamentary system, legislative processes, and democratic traditions. The discussions focused on fostering stronger institutional ties and expanding opportunities for collaboration between lawmakers from both nations. The Storting, established under Norway’s Constitution of 1814, serves as the country’s supreme unicameral legislature and consists of 169 elected representatives. The delegation’s visit provided…

Actor and acting coach Saurabh Sachdeva has opened up about his experience working on The Peasant, the upcoming action thriller directed by Dev Patel. The film has already generated significant interest among movie enthusiasts, particularly because it represents Patel’s next directorial project following the success of Monkey Man. Set in 14th-century India, the film is expected to bring a unique blend of historical storytelling and intense action to international audiences. Speaking about the project, Sachdeva explained that being part of The Peasant felt different from a conventional film production. While it carried the usual demands of a professional movie set,…

India significantly expanded its defence diplomacy at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, engaging with multiple global partners to reinforce cooperation on regional security and strategic stability. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh represented India at the high-profile security forum, where he participated in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at strengthening defence relations across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Among the key interactions, Singh met United States Congressman Pat Harrigan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, who led a bipartisan Congressional delegation. Their discussions focused on evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, expanding defence cooperation, and advancing…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in New Delhi on Monday for high-level bilateral discussions aimed at deepening cooperation between the neighboring countries. The meeting, held at Hyderabad House, focused on enhancing collaboration in several areas, including trade, economic engagement, technology, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. The talks reflect ongoing efforts by both nations to strengthen a relationship rooted in shared history, cultural connections, and geographic proximity. Officials from the two sides explored ways to expand existing partnerships and identify new opportunities for cooperation that could contribute to regional stability and economic growth. Following the discussions with…

India strengthened its international defense outreach during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh participated in multiple high-level meetings with senior officials from Canada, the United States, Singapore, Seychelles, and NATO. The discussions focused on expanding defense cooperation, addressing emerging security threats, and reinforcing strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. One of the major meetings took place between Singh and Canada’s Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Kelvin Brosseau. Both sides explored opportunities to deepen bilateral defense collaboration across several strategic sectors. Officials said the discussions reflected increasing alignment between India and Canada on shared…