Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he is eagerly anticipating his official visit to Israel, expressing confidence that the trip will significantly enhance bilateral cooperation. Responding to a message from Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on X, Modi emphasized that the visit would add fresh momentum to the growing partnership between the two nations. Lapid, in his post written in Hindi, described Modi as a trusted friend of Israel and highlighted the deep-rooted friendship that extends beyond strategic collaboration. He noted that the people of Israel were enthusiastic about welcoming the Indian leader for the two-day State Visit, underscoring the…

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have officially initiated negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the two sides. The formal launch was confirmed through a Joint Statement signed in New Delhi by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. Earlier this month, both parties finalized the Terms of Reference (ToR), outlining the framework and scope of the proposed agreement. The GCC, comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, is India’s largest trading bloc partner. Bilateral trade reached $178.56 billion…

Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Gaming, effective immediately, the company announced on February 19. Sharma will report directly to Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, succeeding Phil Spencer, who is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, including 12 years leading its gaming division. Spencer will remain in an advisory capacity through the summer to ensure a smooth leadership transition. In a company-wide message, Nadella highlighted gaming as a cornerstone of Microsoft’s strategy, praising Sharma for her “extensive experience in building and scaling platforms, aligning business models for long-term growth, and…

Prominent Indian-American lawyer Neal Katyal has raised serious legal questions about President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 15 per cent global tariff. Katyal highlighted a potential conflict with earlier positions taken by the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the same statutory authority. In a post on X, Katyal noted that the administration’s reliance on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 may be legally flawed. He cited the DOJ’s previous statement to the Supreme Court that Section 122 “does not have any obvious application” where the President cited trade deficits, which differ from balance-of-payments deficits. This prior stance…

India’s smartphone exports experienced a remarkable surge in 2025, totaling $30.13 billion, with Apple’s iPhones alone contributing $23 billion, according to industry reports. This growth represents a 47% jump from $20.44 billion in 2024 and positions smartphones as India’s top export category, surpassing automotive diesel fuel, which generated $16.34 billion in shipments. Other significant export items included diamonds, retail medicines, and motor gasoline, signaling a rising contribution of electronics in India’s trade portfolio. iPhones dominated the smartphone export segment, accounting for roughly 76% of total shipments. Most of these products were destined for the United States. Analysts attribute the export…

Do Deewane Seher Mein, directed by Ravi Udyawar, explores a modern romantic tale centered on Shashank Sharma and Roshni Srivastava. Portrayed by Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur, the pair meet through an arranged marriage setup. Shashank, an executive in a Korean washing machine company, struggles with a speech disorder that affects his confidence, while Roshni, a confident journalist, battles self-consciousness due to her appearance. Their initial meeting sparks a journey of mutual discovery, where love develops amid personal insecurities. However, a major conflict later threatens to separate them, leaving audiences to wonder if love will prevail. The film’s direction and…

Popular African American singer Mary Millben has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged with the stronger outcome in the recently concluded India–US trade negotiations, crediting his patience and diplomatic strategy for securing favorable terms. In an interview following her performance at the Trump Kennedy Center, Millben praised both leaders for reaching an agreement but made clear her view on who benefited more. “I will always tip the hat to the Prime Minister because in my book, he wins in this terrain,” she said, describing Modi as measured and unwavering in ensuring India’s interests were protected. Rejecting criticism from Congress leader…

India has set a Guinness World Record by securing over 250,000 pledges for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within 24 hours during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This milestone reflects a growing public awareness and commitment to ethical AI practices aligned with the government’s vision of human-centric technological development. The record-breaking initiative drew participation from students, professionals, and stakeholders across multiple sectors, reinforcing the importance of AI systems that are transparent, socially responsible, and inclusive. It underscores India’s proactive role in shaping global conversations on responsible AI and demonstrates the country’s increasing influence in the digital economy.…

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a State visit, greeting India with a traditional “Namaste” and outlining an agenda centered on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global discussions on artificial intelligence. In a message shared after his arrival, Lula emphasized his commitment to deepening partnerships, enhancing cooperation, and exploring the future of AI on the global stage. He noted that the visit aims to expand opportunities for innovation and collaboration between India and Brazil, reflecting the growing alignment between the two emerging economies. The Brazilian leader is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The engagement focused on reviewing and advancing India-Serbia relations across multiple sectors. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two leaders explored ways to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, artificial intelligence, fintech, education, agriculture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. They also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming the long-standing friendship between the two nations, underpinned by close cultural and social ties. The discussions aim to further enhance strategic and economic collaboration,…