Author: Deepika chandrasekar

In the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, India has made significant progress in enhancing its global influence through various diplomatic, maritime, and digital initiatives. According to an official report by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has expanded its international partnerships, particularly in renewable energy and digital payments infrastructure. Five new diplomatic missions were inaugurated in Albania, Gabon, Georgia, Latvia, and Timor-Leste, reflecting India’s commitment to increasing its global presence. Two Indian Consulates were also opened in Auckland, New Zealand, and Barcelona, Spain. To further strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora, e-passport pilot projects…

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has committed to implementing stricter security measures at the border and reforming America’s immigration system, aiming to counter frequent political attacks from her Republican rival, Donald Trump, as the November election approaches. Harris made these remarks during her visit to the US-Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona, on Friday. While adopting a firm stance on border security, she also advocated for a “pathway to citizenship” for undocumented migrants currently residing in the U.S. Harris stated, “As President, I will collaborate with Congress to finally establish a pathway to citizenship for dedicated immigrants who have lived here…

The White House affirmed that the United States’ relationship with India is “strong and getting stronger,” underlining President Joe Biden’s commitment to enhancing this bilateral partnership. As his presidency approaches its conclusion, the administration reflected on the advancements made with India, stating that Biden will take pride in the deepening ties when he looks back on his term. John Kirby, National Security Communications Advisor, characterized the relationship in three words: “strong, and getting stronger,” during a press briefing in response to a query from PTI about the evolution of US-India relations during Biden’s presidency and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.…

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris spoke alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, a day after former President Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not negotiating a deal with Russia that Trump claimed could have ended the ongoing war. Harris emphasized her commitment to ensuring Ukraine prevails in the war, which is now entering its third year, and achieves a just peace. Without directly naming Trump, she criticized certain voices in the U.S. advocating for Ukraine to relinquish significant territory and compromise its security alliances. She stated that such proposals mirror those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, clarifying that they…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s position on key global governance reforms during his speech at the second G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This event took place under Brazil’s G20 Presidency, alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting, chaired by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, included prominent global leaders such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. As a member of the G20 Troika, Jaishankar focused on three major areas of global governance reform: the reform of the United Nations and its associated bodies, the…

India has overtaken Japan as the third-largest power in the Asia-Pacific, according to the latest Asia Power Index. The report highlights India’s growing geopolitical presence, bolstered by a dynamic economy, expanding youthful population, and post-pandemic recovery. A key contributor to India’s rise is the country’s Economic Capability score, which saw a 4.2-point increase due to its strong GDP growth and substantial population, solidifying its place as the third-largest global economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Moreover, an 8.2-point boost in the Future Resources score signals India’s potential to capitalize on its youthful demographic in the coming decades. India’s…

India has officially selected Laapataa Ladies as its entry for the Best Foreign Film category at the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, the film aims to highlight significant social issues while representing Indian cinema on the global stage. The announcement was confirmed by Kiran Rao’s team. Laapataa Ladies explores themes of gender equality and women’s empowerment in rural India, focusing on the narrative of two brides who are mistakenly swapped during a train journey in 2001. The film stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel in lead roles, combining a poignant narrative…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in the United States on Saturday for a significant three-day visit. His itinerary includes participation in the Quad summit, a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden, and an address to the Indian diaspora at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, followed by a speech at the Summit of the Future. A major topic at the Quad summit will be China’s aggressive stance, which US National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator John Kirby indicated will be a priority on the agenda. Indian-origin Congressman Shri Thanedar emphasized the need for the US and India to strengthen their…

Suhas Subramanyam, a 37-year-old Indian-American politician, is on the verge of making history once again. With a promising political career, Subramanyam is now a frontrunner to win a seat in the United States House of Representatives from Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in the upcoming November election. If successful, he will be the first Indian-American from the East Coast and only the seventh overall to hold such a position. Subramanyam, no stranger to breaking barriers, made headlines in 2020 when he became the first Indian-American to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates in its 400-year history. Reflecting on his journey,…

On Wednesday, the Defence Spokesperson announced that more than 1,200 Indian and US soldiers are undergoing rigorous training in Rajasthan’s tough landscape. This joint exercise, part of the 20th edition of ‘Yudh Abhyas 2024,’ focuses on honing firepower and endurance through live counter-terrorism drills. The collaboration between Indian and US forces aims to enhance operational compatibility and build stronger ties between the two nations. A Ministry of Defence post on X stated that the joint drills are a testament to the deepening trust and cooperation between the countries, as troops work together to strengthen bilateral military relations. Training has been…