Author: Deepika chandrasekar

The Government of India has appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram K Doraiswami as the country’s next Ambassador to China. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs, confirming that the experienced diplomat will take up the assignment shortly. At present, Doraiswami is serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. His new posting comes at a sensitive time, as India and China continue efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations following tensions that escalated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Doraiswami, a 1992-batch IFS officer,…

India’s thermal power plants currently hold sufficient coal reserves to sustain operations for nearly three weeks, reflecting a proactive approach by public sector companies to ensure uninterrupted energy supply. The availability of coal has been strengthened further by increased production and stockpiling at mining sites, even as global uncertainties impact oil and gas supplies. According to official data, coal stocks at power plants stand at over 53 million tonnes, adequate for around 23 days at the current consumption rate. In addition, significant reserves are being maintained at the pitheads of mining companies, providing a buffer against any potential supply disruptions.…

India continues to hold its position as the world’s largest producer of coconuts, accounting for over 30% of global output, according to a recent parliamentary briefing. The coconut sector is a cornerstone of rural economies, supporting millions of farmers and their families across major producing states including Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Beyond farming, the industry underpins allied sectors such as coir, coconut oil, and other value-added products, which together form a significant component of India’s agro-based industrial ecosystem. Despite its scale, the sector faces pressing challenges. Ageing plantations, declining productivity, and pest infestations have reduced output in…

India has reinforced its defence cooperation with Seychelles by donating ship spares to the Seychelles Defence Forces, underlining its commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean region. The ship spares were handed over by Captain Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer of INS Trikand, which is currently visiting Port Victoria. The visit coincides with India’s participation in the 11th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Lamitye 2026’. During the visit, Captain Kulkarni also met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette, where discussions focused on ongoing cooperation and the role of INS Trikand in the joint exercise. Exercise…

A recent report highlights that Indian American households have a median annual income of approximately $151,200, substantially higher than the US median of about $83,700. This positions them as the highest-earning ethnic group in the country, earning nearly $67,500 more than the average American household—a difference of nearly 80 percent. Although Indian Americans represent a relatively small segment of the US population, around 4.8 million people or 1.4 percent of the total population, their economic impact is substantial. The report attributes this to their significant presence in professional, technical, and specialised sectors, resulting in strong earnings and a robust financial…

India’s passenger vehicle dispatches recorded strong growth in February, rising 10.6 percent compared to the same period last year. According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), total dispatches reached 417,705 units during the month, reflecting sustained demand in the domestic automobile market. The increase highlights continued momentum in India’s automotive sector, driven by strong consumer interest across both urban and semi-urban markets. Automakers have also benefited from the launch of new vehicle models and improving economic sentiment among buyers. Demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) remains particularly strong, contributing significantly to the overall rise in…

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has selected Ravi V. Bellamkonda as the 18th president in the university’s history. Bellamkonda, a globally recognized bioengineer and neuroscientist, previously served as Ohio State’s executive vice president and provost since early 2025, overseeing academic and administrative operations across the institution’s 15 colleges, regional campuses, and University Libraries. During his tenure as provost, Bellamkonda collaborated closely with the University Senate and other governance bodies to advance Ohio State’s academic mission. Upon his appointment, he described the university as a top-tier institution with unparalleled reach and the capacity to achieve goals that few others…

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Temple in Abu Dhabi has announced it will remain closed until further notice due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which now involves the United States. On March 2, the temple confirmed that its priests are continuing to offer prayers for the safety and well-being of all individuals. A temple statement said, “While the BAPS Hindu Mandir remains temporarily closed to visitors, the Swamis continue special prayers within the sanctums. In these spiritual moments, their devotion carries hopes for peace, protection, and the welfare of all.” The announcement emphasizes the importance of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme on Friday, marking another round of direct financial assistance to farmers across the country. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the installment will be released from Guwahati in Assam, with more than ₹18,640 crore set to be transferred directly to the bank accounts of over 9.32 crore farmer families through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. The initiative reflects the government’s continued focus on supporting farmers and recognising their contribution as the nation’s “annadatas”. Since the launch of the PM-Kisan…

 External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, has been actively engaging global counterparts to discuss the ongoing conflict in West Asia and strengthen bilateral ties. On March 12, he held a telephonic conversation with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, exchanging perspectives on regional security and agreeing to convene a Joint Commission meeting at an early date. These discussions come in the wake of heightened tensions following the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Iran targeting US assets, regional capitals, and allied forces. In response, India has been maintaining close diplomatic contact…