Author: Bhakti Narayanan

People-to-people connections have played a defining role in strengthening the relationship between India and the United States, according to former US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster. Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington, Juster described these human connections as the “secret sauce” that has helped both countries maintain strong ties despite occasional diplomatic challenges over the decades. Reflecting on the long-standing relationship, Juster said the partnership stretches back centuries, well before the modern era of strategic cooperation. He pointed out that the United States established diplomatic missions in Calcutta in 1792 and Madras in 1794,…

In a deeply emotional homecoming, a 94-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh has officially regained Indian citizenship after voluntarily giving up her United States citizenship to spend the remainder of her life in her native village. Her decision reflects a lifelong emotional bond with her homeland and a desire to reconnect with the place where she was born and raised. Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, a resident of Chintagumpala village in Bapatla district, had moved to the United States years ago to live with her son following the passing of her husband. During her time abroad, she became a naturalized US citizen. However, despite…

India and the United States have taken another step forward in strengthening their strategic technology partnership by holding a closed-door roundtable focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains, and critical minerals. The meeting brought together senior government officials and leading industry representatives from both countries, highlighting the growing importance of collaboration in emerging technologies. The discussions were centered on building a stronger and more resilient ecosystem for advanced technologies, particularly in AI development and chip manufacturing. Officials emphasized the need to improve investment conditions, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and create stable demand signals that can support long-term cooperation between the…

Indian-American business leader Shankh Mitra has secured a place among the highest-paid corporate executives in the world, with a compensation package valued at approximately $821 million, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. The figure places him second globally among chief executive officers, behind Tesla chief Elon Musk, whose compensation package remains significantly larger. Mitra serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Welltower, a major healthcare-focused real estate investment trust and a constituent of the S&P 500 index. His compensation package is considered one of the largest awarded to a public company CEO in recent years and…

India’s new-generation consumer brands are rapidly reshaping the fast-moving consumer goods landscape, expanding at a pace more than three times faster than the overall market they operate in. A recent report by Bain & Company and DSG Consumer Partners highlights the growing influence of these emerging players, often referred to as “insurgent brands,” across multiple consumer categories. The report estimates that this ecosystem generated approximately $7.5 billion in revenue in FY25, a sharp increase from about $2 billion five years earlier. This growth reflects the accelerating shift in consumer preferences, driven by digital-first purchasing habits, evolving lifestyles, and increased exposure…

As he prepares to embark on one of the most challenging assignments of his career, NASA astronaut Anil Menon is reflecting on a journey that began in the bustling streets of New Delhi and led him to the threshold of space. Scheduled to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft on July 14, Menon will spend eight months aboard the International Space Station, conducting scientific work while orbiting nearly 400 kilometers above Earth. A physician, engineer, and colonel in the US Space Force, Menon has spent years preparing for the opportunity that now lies before him. Speaking from Russia’s renowned Star…

Strong bipartisan backing for deeper India-US relations emerged as lawmakers, senior officials, diplomats, and community leaders gathered at a major Capitol Hill advocacy event. The discussions highlighted expanding cooperation between the two democracies across trade, technology, defence, immigration policy, and Indo-Pacific security, while also addressing concerns over rising prejudice targeting Indian and Hindu communities in the United States. The event, organised by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, brought together more than 150 delegates from across 25 US states for meetings with members of Congress and Senate offices. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties at a…

The United States and India are taking another significant step toward finalizing a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement, with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer scheduled to visit New Delhi for a fresh round of discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and other senior officials. The upcoming visit, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, reflects growing momentum in efforts to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. The discussions are expected to focus on advancing the broader framework of the proposed trade pact, which was initiated following a joint understanding reached by President Donald Trump…

India and the United States are preparing to intensify discussions this week on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with senior officials from both countries meeting in New Delhi to accelerate negotiations ahead of an important tariff deadline set by the United States. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will visit India for a series of high-level discussions with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The meetings are expected to focus on advancing the proposed trade framework and addressing key unresolved issues that have slowed progress in recent months. According to Gor, multiple…

Dr. Nihal Satyadev, a neurology resident at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Stethoscope Award, a recognition bestowed by medical students to honor outstanding teaching and mentorship during clinical training. The award is regarded as one of the highest distinctions for residents and fellows at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, celebrating individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to educating and guiding future physicians. Satyadev was among a select group of honorees recognized during the Class of 2026 commencement program. Currently in his third year of residency, Satyadev has built a reputation for combining clinical…