Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Indian American entrepreneur and community advocate Sunny Reddy has been unanimously chosen as Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, marking a significant milestone for the Indian diaspora in one of the most competitive political states in the country. The decision, approved by unanimous consent, solidifies Reddy’s status as one of the most prominent Indian American Republican figures in the Midwest. Michigan GOP Chairman Jim Runestad, who put Reddy’s name forward, praised him for his unmatched work ethic and deep engagement with communities across the state. Runestad highlighted that Reddy brings a rare blend of grassroots commitment, fundraising strength, and personal…

British Indian philanthropy specialist Hitan Mehta has been appointed the new chief executive of the British Asian Trust, an influential charity created by King Charles to address inequality, poverty and systemic challenges across South Asia. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization, which has expanded steadily since its founding in 2007, when King Charles—then the Prince of Wales—launched the charity to support transformative development efforts in the region. Mehta, who received an OBE in the King’s 2023 New Year Honours List for his longstanding service to Britain’s South Asian community, was one of the earliest architects of the…

Northeastern Illinois University has announced that acclaimed investigative journalist and six-time Emmy Award recipient PJ Randhawa will deliver the December 2025 Commencement Address. Randhawa, who graduated from NEIU in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Media and Theatre, will speak at the ceremony on December 14 at 2 p.m. The event will take place at Chicago’s Credit Union 1 Arena and will be accessible to graduates and their invited guests through ticketed entry. A livestream will also be available on the university’s website for broader viewing. NEIU President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan praised Randhawa’s journey, highlighting how professors remembered her…

A panel of leading American strategic experts has warned that the United States and India are passing through one of the most fragile phases in their bilateral relationship in nearly 25 years, with political mistrust, stalled trade discussions and geopolitical pressure eroding what has long been viewed as a critical Indo-Pacific partnership. Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, Richard Fontaine noted that bipartisan efforts in both countries over the last two decades had transformed the relationship and made it central to addressing China’s rise. “But we’re in a different place…

The US State Department has issued new instructions requiring American consular officers to closely review the LinkedIn profiles and resumes of H-1B visa applicants, according to a Reuters report. Under this directive, anyone found to have participated in what Washington views as censorship of legally protected speech in the United States may be ruled ineligible for entry. The H-1B program is a critical talent pipeline for US technology firms, with a large share of workers arriving from India and China. Despite earlier expectations that Donald Trump’s leadership would result in business-friendly policies, companies are now faced with yet another level…

Apple has made a major addition to its senior leadership by appointing seasoned artificial intelligence expert Amar Subramanya as its new vice president of AI. The move reflects how determined the company is to expand its influence in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem and deepen its investment in cutting-edge machine learning technologies. Subramanya, 46, is widely respected in the AI community for his deep technical expertise and years of experience leading large engineering teams. Originally from Bengaluru, he completed his undergraduate degree in electronics and communications engineering before relocating to the United States to pursue further studies. He later earned…

Apple is preparing to push back against a new directive issued by the Indian government that would require every iPhone sold in the country to come with a government-controlled security app already installed. Reuters first reported that India’s Department of Telecommunications has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to preload Sanchar Saathi, an app developed and operated by the government. The app is designed to help users block lost or stolen phones, identify fraudulent calls, and verify the status of second-hand devices. However, Sanchar Saathi includes extensive tracking features that fall under government oversight, raising immediate concerns about user privacy and the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Bangladesh on Monday, December 1, 2025, expressing deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating health of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Zia, who leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been in a critical state for nearly a week at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital. Modi assured that India is prepared to offer “all possible support” to assist in her recovery. Earlier the same day, Bangladesh received a five-member team of Chinese doctors who arrived in Dhaka to join the specialists overseeing Zia’s treatment. Their presence reflects growing international attention surrounding the health crisis of…

Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, has emphasized that cooperation between New Delhi and Berlin will play a decisive role in carrying forward the commitments and outcomes agreed at COP30. Speaking at the high-level “Climate Talks” session hosted by the German Embassy, Ackermann highlighted that the long-standing partnership between the two countries is now entering a phase of deeper implementation under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Referencing the recent meeting between India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider in Belem, he noted that both sides have expanded the scope of engagement across climate resilience, renewable…

India has embarked on an extensive global trade expansion initiative, engaging in discussions with nearly 50 countries and regional blocs to establish new trade agreements. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the development during the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry’s 98th Annual General Meeting, highlighting the government’s efforts to broaden access to international markets and strengthen economic alliances. These negotiations span 14 different trade negotiation tracks and include both bilateral and multilateral partnerships. India’s strategy focuses on building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that support the country’s economic growth and position it as a key participant…