Author: Deepika chandrasekar

India and the European Union are moving closer toward what could become one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, a pact expected to influence nearly 2 billion people and account for almost one-third of global trade activity. Officials and industry leaders believe the proposed agreement could redefine economic cooperation between the two regions while strengthening global supply chains and investment partnerships. Speaking at a Federation of European Business in India event focused on the India-EU trade negotiations, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Darpan Jain described the proposed agreement as the “mother of all deals” because…

New York City officials have unveiled a major $95 million investment aimed at reducing chronic flooding in Brooklyn’s Homecrest neighborhood through an advanced Cloudburst stormwater management initiative. The project was jointly announced by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani along with senior officials from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Parks Department, Department of Transportation, and Public Schools system. The initiative represents a large-scale effort to modernize urban infrastructure in response to increasingly severe weather patterns. The Cloudburst system is designed to manage sudden, heavy rainfall events that overwhelm traditional drainage networks. Instead of relying solely on underground sewer expansion, the…

The United States has indicated that a long-anticipated trade agreement with India is approaching its final stage, with officials suggesting that both nations are now close to resolving the remaining issues. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on Tuesday that India and the United States are “very, very close” to finalizing the deal, noting that only a small number of outstanding matters remain before the agreement can be concluded. According to Landau, the negotiations have progressed significantly, and both sides now need to overcome what he described as the “last hurdle” in the process. His remarks reflect growing…

India’s export sector achieved a historic milestone in FY26, with total outbound shipments of goods and services rising by 4.6% year-on-year to reach a record US$ 863.11 billion. The latest figures, released by the Commerce Ministry, showed a notable increase from FY25 exports of US$ 825.26 billion, reflecting the country’s ability to maintain steady trade growth despite a difficult global economic environment. The strong export performance came amid persistent international challenges, including geopolitical instability, slowing demand in key economies, supply-chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures affecting global markets. Even with these obstacles, India managed to sustain momentum across both merchandise and…

Indian companies are preparing to significantly expand their global presence with planned investments exceeding $20.5 billion in the United States. This move highlights the strengthening economic relationship between the two countries and reflects the rising influence of Indian businesses on the global stage. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated that these investments are expected to generate strong economic impact by creating jobs and boosting business activity across multiple sectors in the United States. He emphasized that the growing partnership between India and the US is now delivering measurable outcomes for both economies. The investments are expected to be directed…

Following the 2026 Assembly election results, three major Indian states—West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu—are preparing for oath-taking ceremonies in May 2026, marking the formal transition of power to newly elected governments. The results have triggered constitutional processes across these states, with leadership selection and swearing-in arrangements now underway. In West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form its first government in the state after securing a clear majority in the 294-member Assembly. The party has appointed senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah as central observer, to supervise the selection of the legislative party leader. Once…

The 2026 Assembly election results delivered a significant setback to several major opposition parties as a number of influential regional leaders lost their own constituencies in closely watched contests across India. The results, declared on May 4, highlighted a dramatic shift in voter preferences and strengthened the position of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in key states. In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered one of the most high-profile defeats of the election season after losing the Bhabanipur Assembly seat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The defeat marked a symbolic moment in Bengal politics as the BJP…

Tamil Nadu witnessed a dramatic political shift in the 2026 Assembly election trends as the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, emerged as a powerful contender and disrupted the traditional dominance of established parties. Early results indicated that TVK had performed strongly across several regions, signaling a major change in the state’s political landscape. In a surprising development, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin reportedly lost in the Kolathur constituency to VS Babu, the TVK candidate. This outcome added to the growing impact of the debutant party, which rapidly positioned itself as a leading force in the…

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi continued his four-day diplomatic visit to Myanmar with a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening military and maritime cooperation between the two neighboring nations. The visit highlighted the growing strategic relationship between India and Myanmar, particularly in the field of naval engagement and regional security. During his stay, Admiral Tripathi met prominent Myanmar Navy leaders, including Aung Aung Naing, who heads the Central Naval Command, and Khun Aung Kyaw, the Commander of the Naval Training Command. Discussions centered on expanding cooperation between both navies and improving coordination in operational activities across regional…

India’s economic trajectory continues to draw global attention as a new report highlights both structural strengths and emerging challenges shaping the country’s growth story. The KPMG “Decoding the Indian Economy 2026” report presents a detailed overview of key macroeconomic indicators, positioning India as one of the fastest-evolving major economies worldwide. One of the most significant highlights is the sharp decline in inflation. Despite global pressures such as crude oil prices crossing $120 per barrel and ongoing geopolitical tensions, India’s retail inflation for FY26 has eased to around 2.1%, the lowest level in five years and well below the central bank’s…