Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the United States in late September to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). However, attention is centered on the possibility of a meeting with US President Donald Trump amid ongoing tensions over a stalled bilateral trade agreement. India has remained firm in resisting Washington’s push to open its agricultural sector, prioritizing the livelihoods of its farmers over American demands. Negotiations between the two nations have been stuck on key issues, including market access for US agricultural products, tariffs on e-commerce, the steel industry, and differing climate policies. The timing of…

New Delhi will host the third edition of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday. The high-level gathering seeks to broaden and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations, paving the way for new areas of collaboration. The meeting comes amid speculation that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong may visit India next month, according to media sources. India will be represented by key ministers, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting,…

India’s proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union could open the door to a massive $875 billion market while aligning tariff structures with ASEAN nations, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) India head Rahul Jain. This follows last month’s landmark FTA with the United Kingdom, which is expected to increase annual bilateral trade by $34 billion and offer tariff-free access to 99% of Indian exports. Jain noted that the global trade landscape is being reshaped by shifting geopolitical dynamics and rising economic nationalism, with preferential market access and supply chain realignment becoming as crucial as cost efficiency. These…

A new wave of India-origin AI startups has attracted substantial early-stage capital, drawing in prominent global investors and commanding premium valuations. These ventures, built with a global-first mindset, are already demonstrating monetization potential, highlighting their scalability and relevance in international markets. Among the key deals, Y Combinator-backed GigaML, which enables secure on-premise deployment of large language models for enterprises, raised $40 million from US-based Redpoint Ventures at a $350 million valuation while operating at $1–3 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Atomicwork, positioned as an AI-native alternative to enterprise service desks, secured $25 million from Khosla Ventures at a $120…

Indian-origin scientists have emerged as influential leaders in the fields of American science, technology, and policy. Many of these brilliant minds began their academic paths in India before pursuing advanced education and research at prestigious U.S. institutions. Their journeys highlight how education and cross-cultural experiences can pave the way for groundbreaking global contributions. Venkatraman “Venki” Ramakrishnan, recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, uncovered the structure of ribosomes—an essential cellular component. He earned his physics degree from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and later completed a PhD in physics at Ohio University. A postdoctoral shift to molecular biology at…

India is making a significant push to empower its small businesses and artisans in the global e-commerce landscape with the development of E-Commerce Export Hubs (ECEHs). These dedicated hubs are designed to streamline the export process for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by offering cost-effective logistics, simplified customs procedures, and centralized facilities for warehousing, packaging, and certification — all in one location. Five pilot ECEHs are currently being developed, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) inviting proposals through Trade Notice No. 14/2025, dated August 22, 2024. The initiative supports Chapter Nine of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023,…

President Donald Trump’s renewed warnings of steep tariff hikes on India have done little to shake New Delhi’s strategic path. In fact, India has deepened its partnership with Russia, sending National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Moscow for high-stakes talks centered on defense and energy. His visit, although scheduled earlier, has taken on added importance amid growing US-India tensions. Doval is meeting senior Russian officials in a closed-door setting to discuss strategic alignment and military collaboration. As reported by Russian media outlet TASS, his discussions will also cover India’s ongoing oil imports from Russia. India is reportedly looking to acquire…

The Indian government issued a stern response on Monday following US President Donald Trump’s latest announcement of fresh tariffs on Indian goods, set at 25% starting August 1, 2025. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a strongly-worded statement on social media, criticized the “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting of India for continuing energy trade with Russia during the Ukraine conflict. According to the MEA, India’s increased oil imports from Russia were a strategic necessity, not a political maneuver. The ministry explained that traditional suppliers had diverted energy exports to Europe following the outbreak of war, and India stepped in to…

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra recently held discussions with US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. The meeting, which took place in Washington, comes at a crucial time for India-US relations as tensions simmer following the US government’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on Indian exports. Kwatra shared an update about the meeting on social platform X, posting a photo with Gabbard and her husband, Abraham Williams. “Pleasure to meet DNI @TulsiGabbard and her husband @abewilliamsdp. We had an engaging conversation on various issues of mutual interest,” Kwatra wrote. While…

India’s emerging role as a hub for Apple’s iPhone production could be derailed by President Donald Trump’s latest 25% tariff enforcement on Indian exports. Although electronics like iPhones are currently spared, growing anxiety within the tech sector signals the reprieve may be short-lived. After months of trade discussions, a sweeping tariff decision by Trump’s administration has disrupted momentum between the US and India. According to a Financial Express report, industries reliant on US-bound exports—particularly electronics and smartphones—are rattled. India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry responded with caution, stating that the government is assessing the impact while remaining open to a…