Author: Deepika chandrasekar

India has made it clear that trade deals will only be finalized when they fully align with the country’s strategic and economic interests, rather than by meeting arbitrary deadlines. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the nation is not rushing into any agreement unless it offers a mutually beneficial outcome. His statement comes as India and the United States are reportedly nearing a temporary trade agreement. Goyal reiterated that India’s stance in global trade negotiations is firm, with a clear priority on national interest. For example, while India seeks expanded market access for its labor-intensive sectors, the US is pushing…

In a symbolic gesture underscoring India’s deep-rooted ties with Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with sacred water from the Sangam and Saryu River, collected during the Mahakumbh, along with a replica of the Ram Mandir. The exchange took place on July 3, 2025, during PM Modi’s first official visit to the Caribbean nation. Speaking at a community gathering in Port of Spain, PM Modi referred to Kamla Persad-Bissessar as the “daughter of Bihar,” acknowledging her ancestral roots in Buxar district. He recalled her 2012 visit to Bhelupur, her ancestral village in Bihar, and…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has firmly rejected claims made by US President Donald Trump regarding Washington’s alleged role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Speaking in Washington DC on Thursday, Jaishankar clarified that the ceasefire agreement, which came after intense cross-border military escalation in May, was entirely the result of direct communication between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). Refuting Trump’s repeated assertions that US-led trade diplomacy helped ease tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, Jaishankar said, “The record of what happened at that time was very clear and the ceasefire was something which…

India is experiencing a remarkable boom in clean energy production, with its renewable power generation increasing by a robust 24.4% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. Output reached 134.43 billion kilowatt hours, marking the sharpest increase in over three years. This surge underscores the country’s growing commitment to sustainable energy solutions and its shift away from traditional fossil fuels. According to data sourced from the federal grid and analyzed by Reuters, non-hydropower renewables—mainly solar and wind—rose to a record 17% share of India’s electricity mix in June 2025. This uptick was supported by favorable weather conditions, such as cooler…

In a significant announcement from his office on Tuesday, 2025, the 14th Dalai Lama confirmed that the ancient tradition of the Dalai Lama will be upheld and continued. The statement follows years of growing appeals from Tibetan and Buddhist communities across the world urging the continuation of this spiritual lineage. This decision comes over a decade after the Dalai Lama first publicly raised the question of succession during ameeting on September 24, 2011, with the heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions. At that time, he stated that it should be the collective will of the Tibetan people and global…

In a modern experiment blending education, innovation, and nation-building, Indian-American tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has created a private island retreat aimed at prototyping a new kind of country. This initiative—known as the Network School—welcomes ambitious startup founders and fitness enthusiasts for a three-month, immersive experience in learning, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Nick Peterson, an Instagram user and participant, recently gave viewers a virtual tour of the island, describing it asa dreamlike “oasis” designed for future builders. The project was launched in September 2024 and is the first real-world implementation of Srinivasan’s “Network State” concept. His vision centers around…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set for an ambitious diplomatic mission, traveling to five countries across two continents from July 2 to 9, concluding with the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Brazil. This marks his longest overseas tour in over a decade, reflecting India’s evolving global strategy. Modi’s first stop will be Ghana from July 2 to 3, marking the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to the West African country in 30 years. Ghana’s rapidly growing economy shares strong commercial ties with India, with gold making up the bulk of its exports. PM Modi is expected to engage with President John…

The demolition of a temporary Durga temple in Khilkhet, on the outskirts of Dhaka, has stirred widespread anger across Bangladesh, especially as it occurred just a day ahead of the Hindu festival of Rath Yatra on June 26. The incident has sparked intense protests, university campus demonstrations, and a nationwide shutdown called jointly by the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council and the Hindu Federation. Protesters gathered at key locations like Shahbag in Dhaka, criticizing what they claim to be a targeted action against Hindu religious institutions. Advocate Gobind Chandra Pramanik, a prominent Hindu leader, argued that despite numerous unauthorized structures in…

The Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) took part in a meaningful walkathon at Mill River Park in Stamford. This marked the chapter’s 16th year supporting the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital, an initiative that helps provide cancer patients and their families with vital, cost-free services during treatment. The funds raised through this event are instrumental in covering essential support services for patients. These include complimentary rides to and from treatment sessions, one-on-one nutritional counseling, acupuncture, and other forms of holistic care—all at no cost to those receiving treatment at the Bennett Cancer…

India is celebrating a historic moment as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla blasts off aboard the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, becoming the first Indian to achieve this milestone. The mission, which launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has brought together astronauts from India, the US, Hungary, and Poland on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. President Droupadi Murmu called the launch a moment of national pride and joy. She praised Shukla’s achievement as a symbol of unity and international collaboration, referencing the ancient Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family. She also acknowledged…