Author: Deepika chandrasekar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a sharp rebuttal to the Opposition during a Rajya Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, outlined India’s evolving national security doctrine, labeling it the ‘Modi normal’. This came in response to questions raised by several members who expressed confusion or criticism about India’s “new normal” approach to tackling terrorism. Clarifying the term, Jaishankar distinguished between what he called the ‘Modi normal’ and the ‘Congress normal’, asserting that the current government has drawn clear, non-negotiable lines on issues of terrorism and sovereignty. He elaborated on the principles of the ‘Modi normal’, stating: “Terrorists will not be…

India’s shift toward a cashless economy continued to gain pace, with digital payments registering a 10.7% year-on-year growth as of March 2025. The Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Payments Index (DPI) recorded a strong increase, underscoring the rising adoption of platforms like UPI, internet banking, and point-of-sale (POS) systems. According to the latest data, the DPI rose to 493.22 in March 2025 from 465.33 in September 2024. This steady growth follows a 13.3% jump recorded during the previous financial year, confirming that digital payment penetration remains on an upward trajectory across both urban and rural India. The Digital Payments Index,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at the 1,000-year-old Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu, offering prayers before Lord Shiva and immersing himself in the spiritual ambiance heightened by music of Ilaiyaraaja and chanting by Odhuvars. He remarked on the emotional resonance of Shiva Darshan, describing it as deeply transformative. Marking one millennium since the Brihadeeswarar Temple’s construction, Modi expressed gratitude for participating in the auspicious moment and prayed for the prosperity of 140 crore Indians, invoking blessings of Lord Shiva’s uplifting chant. He encouraged attendance at the exhibition on 1,000 years of heritage and welfare,…

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) has issued a firm reminder to all lawful permanent residents: always carry proof of your immigration status. This directive is based on Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which classifies failure to possess valid alien registration documents as a federal misdemeanor. Individuals 18 and older are legally obligated to carry their alien registration card or certificate at all times. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), USCBP stated that not having this documentation when approached by federal authorities could result in misdemeanor charges and fines. The directive follows increased immigration enforcement…

Former President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has credited India with playing a crucial role in preventing his country’s financial collapse. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day trip to the Maldives to attend the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, Nasheed stated that Indian support was vital in helping the Maldives avert default during one of its most severe economic crises. “If not for India, the Maldives would have defaulted,” Nasheed said in an exclusive interaction. He acknowledged that India’s prompt assistance during difficult times stabilized the nation’s fragile economy. Nasheed emphasized that the economic partnership between the two…

Starting July 24, India will once again issue tourist visas to Chinese citizens, ending a five-year pause. This development, confirmed by the Indian embassy in China on Wednesday, marks a significant move in rebuilding the strained relationship between the two Asian neighbors. Relations between India and China soured significantly after a violent military confrontation in 2020 along their contested Himalayan frontier. In response, India clamped down on Chinese investments, shut down numerous widely-used Chinese apps, and reduced passenger travel links between the two nations. China, on the other hand, halted visa issuance to Indian citizens and most foreign travelers during…

India’s tyre industry is poised for a steady revenue increase of 7-8% during FY26, largely driven by robust replacement demand, which accounts for nearly half of the sector’s total annual sales. While orders from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are expected to remain on the lower side, an upward shift toward premium products could slightly lift revenue per unit sold, according to recent market analysis. Despite moderate top-line growth, the industry’s operating profitability is forecast to stay stable at around 13-13.5%, supported by controlled input costs and healthy capacity utilization rates. Lean balance sheets, strong cash flows, and cautious capital expenditure…

India’s industrial and warehousing market experienced unprecedented growth in the first half of 2025, setting new benchmarks for leasing activity. According to the latest industry data, nearly 20 million sq. ft. of space was leased during this period, marking a 33% year-over-year increase. The momentum continued into the second quarter, which alone recorded 11 million sq. ft. of leasing, making it the most active quarter for warehousing absorption in recent memory. Delhi NCR and Chennai stood out as the top-performing regions, jointly accounting for almost 50% of the total leasing activity in H1 2025. The surge in demand within Delhi…

Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, one of India’s most seasoned diplomats with close to 40 years of service, has been appointed as Advisor to the Board and Chairman of the Geopolitical Institute at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). His new role was officially announced in a statement from the forum. In this capacity, Ambassador Sandhu will contribute his vast diplomatic expertise to shape USISPF’s engagement on several critical initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Indo-Pacific security framework known as the Quad, and the I2U2 grouping involving India, Israel, the United States, and the UAE. Having…