Author: Deepika chandrasekar

India and the US have largely finalized their trade agreement, with discussions now focused on establishing a framework for preferential market access before the deal is formally signed, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Thursday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, Agrawal said both sides have reached a broad understanding that has received positive feedback from businesses in India and the US. He explained that India primarily follows Most Favoured Nation tariffs, while the US has been using executive tariffs. As a result, a suitable framework is needed to establish tariff differentials and preferential…

The United States India Relationship Council (USIRC), a bipartisan advocacy organization focused on closer ties between Washington and New Delhi, held a two-day series of meetings with nine members of Congress in Washington, DC, from August 30 through September 1. The organization, which operates as a non-connected political committee under federal law, used the meetings to discuss a broad range of issues shaping the US-India partnership. Topics included trade, defense, Indo-Pacific security, the Quad, concerns related to the Chinese Communist Party and matters affecting Indian-American and Hindu-American communities. USIRC said the outreach was aimed at developing stronger relationships with lawmakers…

India’s economic momentum is expected to remain strong through fiscal year 2027, with growth projected to stay above 7% as investment and exports take on a larger role in driving expansion. A recent assessment by SBI Funds Management Research points to a changing structure of economic activity, with businesses and external demand increasingly contributing alongside household consumption. The Indian economy recorded real GDP growth of 7.8% year over year during the first quarter of FY27. While consumer spending continued to support activity, investment and exports recorded significantly stronger growth. Real gross fixed capital formation and exports each expanded by about…

India needs to build stronger and more reliable healthcare supply chains while increasing its focus on research, innovation and global integration, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at the Bharat Health Global Expo 2026 in New Delhi. Goyal said India has earned a reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” through its strong generic drug industry, but the country now needs to move toward higher-value pharmaceutical development. He emphasized the importance of expanding research and development in areas such as new drug molecules, biosimilars and biotechnology to strengthen India’s position in the global healthcare market. A key priority,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Belgium are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation, with defense and security emerging as major pillars of the growing relationship between the two countries. Speaking alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever after their discussions in New Delhi on Thursday, Modi announced that India and Belgium had agreed to increase military exchanges and expand cooperation in defense training. The two nations also expect agreements involving governments and defense industries to create fresh opportunities for jointly developing and producing defense equipment. Modi said intelligence cooperation and coordination between agencies to combat crime would…

India and the United States are seeking to expand cooperation on critical minerals and strengthen supply chains as both countries work to broaden their economic and financial partnership. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. The two officials examined ways to improve cooperation on strategically important minerals while also discussing the wider economic relationship between New Delhi and Washington. According to India’s Finance Ministry, both sides acknowledged the long-standing partnership between…

The Indian American Public Affairs Council brought together community members, civic leaders, professionals, and public officials in Houston for an evening dedicated to celebrating women whose leadership, perseverance, and service have made a meaningful difference. The WE@IAPAC Women Who Inspire gathering attracted a full audience at Raindrop Turkish House and focused on the personal stories behind remarkable professional achievements. Led by IAPAC Board Members Ruchi Gupta and Jagruti Sarkar, the event recognized women whose contributions have helped strengthen communities and inspire future generations. The program also highlighted IAPAC’s broader commitment to civic participation and leadership, particularly as the United States…

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has selected Etsy Chief Executive Officer Kruti Patel Goyal to serve on a newly established Business Advisory Council that will provide guidance to City Hall on the city’s economic priorities and future growth. Goyal is among 15 prominent business leaders chosen for the council, which brings together executives from a wide range of industries, including finance, technology, real estate, sports, entertainment, retail, food and health care. The initiative is designed to give New York City’s business community a stronger role in discussions surrounding the city’s economic direction and opportunities for long-term growth. The…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Japan has given fresh momentum to efforts to strengthen trade, investment, technology and industrial cooperation between India and Japan. Goyal concluded his official visit after a series of high-level engagements in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, where he met senior Japanese government officials, financial institutions and business leaders to accelerate Japanese investment in India and expand bilateral economic cooperation. The minister held discussions with executives and leadership from more than 30 major Japanese companies and financial institutions with significant or growing interests in India. The engagements focused on expanding investment, strengthening resilient supply…

Career diplomat Satish Kumar Sivan has assumed charge as the new Consul General of India in San Francisco, succeeding Dr. K. Srikar Reddy, who has taken up a new assignment as India’s Ambassador to Qatar. Sivan brings nearly two decades of diplomatic experience to the position, having served in several important assignments within the Ministry of External Affairs and at Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Before his appointment in San Francisco, Sivan served as Consul General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, where he worked closely with the Indian diaspora and the UAE government on matters related to business,…