Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Despite facing challenges in finalizing a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) ahead of President Trump’s April 2 deadline for reciprocal tariffs, the US administration remains optimistic about a “golden age” in US-India relations. This optimism is conveyed through statements from high-ranking officials, including US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, who reached out to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to discuss trade and other issues. Although the negotiations between the two countries, led by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, showed progress over several days of intense talks, they were unable to reach a final agreement. Trump, who previously criticized India’s…

Umesh Mishra, Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), has been awarded the 2025 Central Coast Innovation Award. The honor, presented at the annual Pacific Coast Business Times event at the Santa Barbara Hilton, recognizes his groundbreaking contributions to semiconductor technology and power electronics. The Central Coast Innovation Awards celebrate emerging technology and entrepreneurship in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Hosted in collaboration with UCSB’s California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), the event highlights the region’s role as a hub for innovation. Mishra, a leading expert in gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, has…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to lower the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) in its upcoming April policy meeting, as projected by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). This adjustment is expected to be part of a broader reduction totaling 75 bps during FY26. According to Ind-Ra, headline inflation for FY25 is estimated to decline to 4.7%. However, if US retaliatory tariffs have a greater-than-expected impact, the RBI may introduce further monetary easing measures. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is set to convene six times in FY26, with its initial meeting scheduled between…

India and the United States have had a “very open and active discussion” on trade, leading to an agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by fall this year, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Speaking at an event in Delhi on Wednesday, Jaishankar highlighted ongoing trade negotiations and recalled Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to the US in February. He noted that defense cooperation has seen notable progress, with the US showing greater openness in sharing technology and strengthening security partnerships. The proposed BTA comes as the…

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard admitted on March 26 that a journalist was mistakenly included in a Signal group chat where senior national security officials discussed military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, Gabbard acknowledged the error, stating, “A reporter was inadvertently added to a high-level Signal chat where policy discussions took place regarding imminent strikes and their potential impact.” However, she emphasized that no classified details were disclosed. She explained that while sensitive discussions are ideally held in person, the urgency of coordinating unclassified matters sometimes…

The 2025 US election cycle has seen a surge in Indian-American candidates running for office across the country. Among the most prominent is Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has officially launched his campaign for Ohio’s gubernatorial race in 2026. Ramaswamy, who previously headed the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and is advocating for major reforms in Ohio’s education system. In another key Ohio race, former state senator Niraj Antani has entered the contest for Chief Financial Officer. Antani, first elected at the age of 23 in 2014, holds the distinction…

Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Randy Mastro as New York City’s first deputy mayor. A lifelong New Yorker, Mastro has a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, known for his leadership in government, civil rights advocacy, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. In this position, he will manage essential initiatives that impact New York City’s 8.5 million residents. Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the administration has delivered historic achievements, including three consecutive on-time budgets, record job growth, affordable housing expansion, and improved public safety. Mastro will work closely with senior officials to build on these accomplishments. “Randy is…

Anand Sharma, a Shrewsbury resident since 2001, has officially announced his candidacy for the town’s Select Board. Alongside his wife, Meenu, and their children, Jiya and Arvin, Sharma has built deep ties within the local community. With a background in electrical engineering and an MBA, Sharma currently works as an IT specialist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He believes his expertise in technology and management will offer a strategic approach to town leadership. Over the years, Sharma has actively contributed to Shrewsbury’s civic life. He has been involved in town meetings, served on the 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee, and participated in…

The UK Prime Minister has appointed Akshata Murty as a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum, alongside five other prominent figures. Her four-year term began on March 10, 2025. The announcement, made by Culture Minister Chris Bryant on March 21, emphasized the diversity and expertise the new trustees bring to one of the UK’s leading cultural institutions. A total of 16 trustees have been appointed across the British Museum, Tate, and V&A Museum as part of a broader effort to refresh leadership in national institutions. Akshata Murty was recognized for her strong advocacy for education and creativity, reflected in…

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged a “very good relationship” with India but criticized the country for being “one of the highest tariffing nations in the world.” In an interview with Breitbart News, Trump stated that he expects India to substantially lower tariffs, adding that from April 2, the US will impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that charge high levies on American goods. Trump’s Stand on Trade & Tariffs Trump also referred to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor as a “group of wonderful nations” working together to counter trade adversaries. However, he emphasized that even US allies, including the European…