Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement as a historic milestone, drawing a sharp contrast with the approach followed during the UPA era, when trade agreements were rushed and India often conceded more than it gained. Goyal said the India-EU FTA reflects a decisive shift in India’s trade strategy, one that prioritises national interest while expanding global market access. He noted that the agreement is designed to strengthen key sectors of the economy and ensure that its benefits reach every region and citizen. Highlighting the policy transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the…

The United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) will hold its first public hearing of 2026 in February, with a special emphasis on India. The bipartisan congressional body plans to examine the evolving strategic partnership between the United States and India, as well as the implications of India’s relationship with China on regional security and economic interests. The hearing is scheduled for February 17. The session will cover geopolitical and defence-related issues, including India-China border tensions, maritime access in the Indian Ocean, and India’s role as a strategic power in the Indo-Pacific. It will also explore economic and technological…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss multiple aspects of the India-US bilateral relationship. The meeting underscored the two countries’ commitment to strengthening strategic, defence, and economic ties. EAM Jaishankar welcomed Ambassador Gor and expressed confidence in his role in further enhancing the partnership between the two nations. Ambassador Gor highlighted the significance of the 10-year defence pact signed in 2025, calling it a milestone that will deepen military collaboration. He noted that joint exercises are set to continue and additional defence sales are underway, reinforcing the robust…

Indian authorities have announced the launch of a new Indian Consular Application Centre in Seattle, a move aimed at improving access to essential consular services for the Indian community across the Pacific Northwest. The new facility has been set up at a central downtown location and operates alongside the Indian Consulate in Seattle, creating a single point of contact for applicants. Officials said the decision to co-locate the application center with the Consulate is intended to simplify procedures and reduce the need for applicants to visit multiple offices. The initiative is expected to benefit Indian nationals as well as other…

India and the European Union have finalized the long-awaited India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between two of the world’s largest economies. The announcement was made during the 16th India-EU Summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the strategic and economic partnership between the nations. The FTA positions India, the world’s fourth-largest economy, and the EU, the second-largest economy, as trusted global trade partners, collectively accounting for 25% of global GDP and nearly one-third of worldwide trade. A cornerstone of the agreement is the preferential market…

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, expressed his delight on the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, extending greetings and emphasizing the historic significance of the celebration. Speaking through his official X account, Gor noted that attending the parade for the first time was an honour and highlighted the symbolic impact of US-made fighter jets soaring over Indian skies as a reflection of the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed an impressive fleet of around 20 fighter aircraft for the Republic Day parade, including Rafales, Su-30s, Mirage 2000 jets, and the Netra Airborne…

On January 26, Indian diplomatic missions across the world commemorated the 77th Republic Day with grand celebrations, reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage and the democratic principles enshrined in its Constitution. The day, which marks the formal adoption of the Constitution in 1950, was observed with flag hoisting, patriotic performances, and the reading of President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation. In Wellington, New Zealand, High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan led the celebrations by unfurling the national flag and singing the National Anthem, followed by the reading of President Murmu’s Republic Day message. The event featured vibrant cultural performances, including a dance…

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, delivered the opening address at the India-US Drug Policy Framework Executive Group meeting, reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration between the two nations in countering drug trafficking. The high-level engagement focused on reviewing ongoing initiatives aimed at tackling narcotics smuggling and the illegal movement of precursor chemicals. The meeting brought together senior officials from both countries, including Sara Carter, Director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy. Discussions centered on strengthening operational coordination and enhancing enforcement mechanisms to disrupt illicit drug supply chains. According to the Indian Embassy in…

Before becoming one of the world’s leading astronomers, Shrinivas Kulkarni grew up in a close-knit and highly accomplished family in Karnataka, India. The youngest of four siblings and son of a government doctor, Kulkarni was surrounded by excellence from an early age, with his sisters excelling in medicine, education, philanthropy, and global technology. Today, Kulkarni, the George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science at Caltech, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), the highest accolade the London-based institution has presented since 1824. The medal recognized his “sustained, innovative, and groundbreaking contributions to…

India has strongly condemned the incident of trespassing and vandalism at its Embassy in Zagreb, asserting that the matter has been taken up firmly with Croatian authorities and that those responsible must be held accountable for their illegal actions. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored that diplomatic premises are inviolable under the Vienna Convention and must be protected by host governments. India has raised the issue with Croatian authorities both in New Delhi and in Zagreb, seeking swift action against the perpetrators involved in the incident. The government described the act as reprehensible, noting that such…