Author: Deepika chandrasekar

A Hindu prayer focused on peace, harmony, and unity was presented at the White House during the National Day of Prayer observance, reflecting the religious diversity that continues to shape the United States as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary of independence. The prayer was delivered by a volunteer associated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, widely known as BAPS. The organization stated that the participation symbolized the inclusion of Hindu traditions within national interfaith gatherings in the United States. At the beginning of the prayer session, attendees were invited to pause for reflection by closing their eyes and…

The United States has reiterated its commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties with India, as both nations continue advancing negotiations on a proposed interim trade agreement. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated that the Donald Trump administration is focused on expanding economic engagement between the two largest democracies. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Gor emphasized that Washington aims to reduce regulatory barriers and create more opportunities for cross-border trade. He also encouraged Indian companies to increase their investments in the United States, stating that such partnerships would benefit both…

India and the United States are moving closer to finalizing an interim trade agreement, with a US trade delegation expected to visit India later this month for further discussions. According to a government official familiar with the negotiations, the proposed arrangement is nearing completion after months of extended talks between both countries. India is currently pushing for a reduction in the tariff levels that were earlier discussed during negotiations. Officials from New Delhi argue that the effective tariff rate has already declined to nearly 10 percent following a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court. India believes the revised legal…

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…