Author: Bhakti Sharma

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held a series of high-level engagements in Washington aimed at expanding the India-US strategic relationship. In a notable outreach effort, Kwatra welcomed a bipartisan delegation of US Senators to India House, where discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in defense, energy, trade, and shared global priorities. The delegation included Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, Dan Sullivan, and Markwayne Mullin, along with Democratic Senators Peter Welch, Richard Blumenthal, and Sheldon Whitehouse. During the meeting, Kwatra expressed appreciation for the continued bipartisan support for deepening ties between New Delhi and Washington. He noted that the…

As the Akshaya Patra Foundation marks its 25th anniversary, it looks back on an inspiring journey that began in 2000 by serving just 1,500 meals in Bengaluru — a modest effort that has since grown into a massive initiative providing meals to millions of children across India every school day.The foundation states that it currently runs 78 kitchens spread across 16 states and three Union Territories. Through this extensive network, and under the Government of India’s PM POSHAN scheme, Akshaya Patra delivers nutritious mid-day meals — along with an additional morning nutrition program — to schoolchildren. In a recent conversation,…

In Washington, a coalition of 21 American lawmakers has urged President Trump to rebuild and strengthen diplomatic and trade relations with India, warning that his punitive trade measures are harming both economies. In a letter sent on Wednesday, the group cautioned that the administration’s current approach risks undermining US strategic priorities in Asia and driving India closer to rival powers such as China and Russia. The letter highlighted India’s growing influence as a stabilizing force in the Indo-Pacific region through its role in the Quad alliance alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia. The lawmakers stressed that alienating India at…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extended his greetings to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the people of China on the occasion of the country’s founding day, marking the 76th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. In his message posted on X, Jaishankar expressed hope for continued collaboration to stabilize and rebuild the ties between India and China. The founding day commemorates the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949. Earlier this year in August, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India for a two-day official engagement. During the visit, he met…

India and the United States have agreed to step up efforts for the swift finalization of a bilateral trade deal, the External Affairs Ministry confirmed on Friday. This development follows months of tension triggered by punitive tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump and concerns over India’s purchases of Russian oil. This week, a US delegation led by Assistant Trade Representative Brenden Lynch met with Indian negotiators in New Delhi. The discussions, described as “positive and forward-looking” by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, marked the resumption of trade talks after nearly a two-month pause. Lynch held meetings with India’s chief negotiator…

On August 23, 2025, India celebrated National Space Day, marking two years since Chandrayaan-3 achieved its historic soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. The achievement made India the first nation to successfully reach this unexplored region, placing the country firmly among global space leaders. The day, first declared in 2023, continues to highlight India’s rise in space exploration. This year’s celebration carried added significance with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 crew. His presence on the ISS represented India’s expanding role in human spaceflight and filled the nation…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily becoming a cornerstone of India’s evolving workforce, as professionals across industries increasingly view it as both a career booster and a powerful productivity tool. According to a workforce survey conducted by hiring platform Indeed in May 2025, a large segment of Indian employees is actively preparing to adapt to technologies like generative AI and agentic AI over the next two to five years. The study, which gathered responses from 3,001 professionals spanning 12 industries, revealed that 43% of participants feel confident in adapting to AI-driven changes. Mid-career employees, particularly those between 35 and 54 years…

Indian Americans have emerged as the top earners among Asian communities in the United States, boasting a median household income exceeding $150,000. This figure is roughly 40% higher than that of both Chinese and Japanese Americans, placing them significantly ahead in economic terms. In 2000, the Asian population in the U.S. was around 12 million. Fast forward to 2013, and that number had doubled. By 2023, Asians constituted 7.4% of the U.S. population, rising significantly from 4.2% in 2000. In terms of representation within the Asian American population, Chinese Americans lead the chart at 22%, followed by Indian Americans at…

The 64 Squares initiative, launched jointly by the Pravaha Foundation and chess tech company MGD1, has revealed its 2025 cohort, featuring five of India’s most talented women chess players. At the forefront is International Master Vantika Agrawal, a previous fellow from 2023, who continues to scale new heights in the chess world. In 2024, she clinched both team and individual gold medals at the Chess Olympiad and now sets her sights on earning the prestigious Grandmaster title. This year’s fellowship, valued at approximately $120,000, offers full support for coaching, tournament travel, and global exposure. Alongside Vantika, the selected players include…

Indian American author and Creative Director of the New Jersey-based Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), Inni Kaur, recently visited the historic residence of Sikh scholar and literary icon Bhai Vir Singh. During her visit, she led a profound session reflecting on his influential writings and spiritual contributions. Kaur, who has penned multiple books on Sikh philosophy and the teachings of the Gurus, shared how Bhai Vir Singh’s literature played a pivotal role in shaping her understanding of Sikh values. Having spent her early years abroad and studied in a convent school, she shared that it was the writings of Bhai Vir…