Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Minoru Kihara recently convened with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for the third round of the India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting. This significant dialogue underscored the strengthening ties between the two nations amid a challenging global environment, as detailed in a press release from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Prime Minister Modi extended a warm reception to the Japanese ministers and emphasized the importance of the 2+2 meeting in enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Japan. Discussions focused on potential areas for deeper cooperation, such as critical…

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extended a warm welcome to Arzu Rana Deuba, Nepal’s Foreign Minister, marking her first official visit to India in her current role. Jaishankar shared a photo with Deuba on X, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming discussions: “Welcome @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal on her first visit to India as Foreign Minister. Looking forward to our talks.” Deuba arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a five-day visit, following an invitation from Jaishankar. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this visit is part of the ongoing tradition of high-level exchanges between India and Nepal.…

Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to facilitating a shift towards an inclusive and pluralistic democracy. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for free and fair elections while speaking at the Third Voice of Global South Summit, which was hosted virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Yunus, an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, reflected on the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, highlighting the mass uprising that took place on August 5, 2024, referred to as the ‘Second Revolution.’ This movement, led by courageous students and supported by the broader population,…

India has the potential to become a US$ 55 trillion economy by 2047 if both state and central governments implement policies to boost the nation’s growth rate from its historical average of 7% to 8% (in rupee terms). This perspective was shared by Krishnamurthy V Subramanian, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), during the launch of his book, “India @100,” at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. While he acknowledged that this target may appear ambitious, he emphasized that it is within reach. Subramanian noted that in 2020, India’s private credit to GDP ratio stood at…

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi for the 11th consecutive time, marking the celebration of India’s 78th Independence Day. The day began with overcast skies in Delhi, accompanied by a light drizzle. After raising the Tricolour, the Prime Minister received a ‘Rashtriya Salute.’ The Punjab Regiment Military band, led by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh and comprising one JCO and 25 other ranks, played the National Anthem during the flag-hoisting ceremony and presented the ‘Rashtriya Salute.’ Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister took to his social media platform X…

Global leaders are increasingly recognizing India’s potential to become a major superpower, with projections indicating it could soon be the world’s third-largest economy. The nation is on a transformative path, driven by the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, a surge in local manufacturing, and impressive GDP growth. Over the past decade, India has embarked on a robust growth journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initiatives have spanned various sectors, including local manufacturing, semiconductor development, artificial intelligence, 5G technology, startups, and innovation. This period has also seen significant investments in workforce skill development, resulting in the creation of…

During the recent global market sell-off, the Indian stock market demonstrated notable resilience. In a span of just 25 days, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index experienced a significant decline of over 25% from its July peak to its August low. This sharp drop had a cascading effect on neighboring markets, causing Taiwan and South Korea to see corrections of approximately 20%. In the US, the S&P 500 faced a 10% decline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped by 16%. In contrast, the Nifty50 index in India corrected by only 5%, showcasing its relative strength amidst the global downturn. The downturn in Japan…

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing a strong infrastructure for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services in India, catering to both domestic and international airlines. During his speech in the Lok Sabha, Naidu discussed the challenges the MRO sector faces and emphasized that the government’s efforts are geared towards not only supporting Indian airlines but also attracting global carriers to utilize India’s MRO facilities. Strategic locations such as Thiruvananthapuram were highlighted as key areas for this expansion. He also noted the recent unification of GST slabs for MRO components and services, which is…

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently disclosed that she could have remained in power if she had “surrendered” the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and “allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal,” according to media reports. Hasina, who traveled to India on August 5 amid violent protests in Bangladesh, revealed the contents of a speech she had prepared but never delivered. The 76-year-old leader explained that she chose to resign to avoid witnessing a “procession of dead bodies.” The details of this undelivered speech highlight her reasons for stepping down. Protesters reached Hasina’s residence, preventing her…

Willie Brown, the 90-year-old former mayor of San Francisco, who is often credited with helping launch Kamala Harris’s political career during their brief relationship many years ago, recently responded to claims made by Donald Trump. Trump alleged that Brown had once spoken negatively about Harris to him. However, Brown firmly denied these accusations, laughing off the idea as completely baseless. In a video addressing Trump’s statements, Brown appeared amused, dismissing the claims as utterly unbelievable. He expressed his inability to ever think poorly of Harris, whom he described as a long-time friend, an incredibly intelligent woman, and a highly successful…