Author: Deepika chandrasekar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the growing importance of the India-Japan partnership, stating that it plays a key role in maintaining strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at the 8th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum in New Delhi, he highlighted how the two nations’ collaboration has evolved into a cornerstone of peace, stability, and economic progress. Jaishankar remarked that the India-Japan relationship, which has strengthened over the past few decades, holds greater value today than ever before. He noted that maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific has become both an essential goal and a complex challenge. The deepening cooperation between…

In a move reflecting thawing relations with Beijing, New Delhi is preparing to restart long-pending import approvals for goods from China and other nations. The decision covers a range of products including electronic components, shoes, steel, household items, and raw materials — many of which have faced supply disruptions since 2020. The approval freeze began after the 2020 border clashes soured diplomatic relations between the two neighbors. Now, with improving ties and surging consumer demand driven by recent GST reductions, the government is ready to issue mandatory certifications for overseas plants. These certifications are crucial for companies seeking to export…

India’s oil imports from Russia have witnessed a sharp downturn after the United States imposed sanctions on Moscow’s two leading energy companies—Rosneft and Lukoil. According to preliminary tanker data reviewed by The Indian Express, Russian oil flows to India averaged just 1.19 million barrels per day (bpd) in the week ending October 27, down from nearly 1.95 million bpd over the prior two weeks. These sanctions, announced on October 22, are part of Washington’s broader campaign to limit Moscow’s revenue amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The measures block the operations of Rosneft and Lukoil, along with their subsidiaries, ahead…

November 2, 2025, marked a golden chapter in Indian cricket as the women’s team lifted their maiden World Cup trophy, ending a 52-year-long wait for global glory. Under the composed leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, India triumphed over South Africa at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium in a high-intensity final that had fans on edge until the last moment. After heavy rains delayed the start, South Africa opted to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of the conditions. However, India’s opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, turned the tide with an electric 104-run partnership—the second-highest stand ever in a World…

A remarkable milestone has been reached in the world of global entrepreneurship: three young men, all aged 22, have become the youngest self-made billionaires in history. The achievement is anchored in their company, Mercor, a San Francisco-based artificial-intelligence recruiting platform valued at around $10 billion after a $350 million funding round. Among these founders are two Indian-American former high-school classmates: Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha. The pair attended the same all-boys secondary school, where they excelled on the debate team and made history by winning all three major national policy-debate tournaments in a single year. Hiremath later enrolled at Harvard…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Friday by paying homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar. The tribute came on the occasion of Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, with the Prime Minister highlighting the Iron Man’s unparalleled contribution to the unification of India and his enduring message of national integrity. Arriving early in the morning, PM Modi offered prayers and floral tributes at the world’s tallest statue, located along the Narmada River. He also witnessed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade and led the oath of unity ceremony, reaffirming India’s commitment to…

India’s automobile market is experiencing a significant transformation following the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate reductions. According to a recent AI-powered SmyttenPulse study conducted in October 2025, nearly 79% of Indian car buyers are channeling their GST savings into premium vehicles and additional features instead of putting the money aside. The findings highlight a major shift in buyer behavior across tier-I, II, and III cities, with 46% of respondents opting for larger vehicles such as compact and full-size SUVs. Meanwhile, more than 60% of consumers expressed their intent to upgrade within the same brand, focusing on higher-end variants. SUVs…

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has strongly condemned Monday’s event, “Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,” at Rutgers University, which has drawn bipartisan criticism from Members of Congress and outrage from the Hindu community. The event, framed as academic discussion, featured no practicing Hindus and made sweeping, uninformed claims about the faith. Panelists attempted to distinguish Hinduism from Hindutva while dismissing concerns about Hinduphobia. They also equated the Nazi Hakenkreuz with the Hindu Swastika and implied Hindu organizations were “agents of India.” Outside the venue, Hindu students held a peaceful, permitted protest but…

The upcoming trade agreement between India and the United States is set to open a new chapter in bilateral commerce, with several Indian industries poised to benefit from reduced tariffs. The annual trade volume between the two nations currently stands at about $125 billion, with India exporting roughly $80–85 billion worth of goods while importing around $40 billion. This imbalance, which results in a trade deficit for the US, had earlier prompted Washington to impose heavy tariffs on Indian products. US President Donald Trump has now confirmed that a deal could soon be finalized, bringing tariff rates on Indian exports…

During his visit to South Korea, Donald Trump announced that the United States and India are on the verge of finalizing a long-delayed trade agreement. Speaking on the last leg of his Asia tour, Trump suggested that the deal between two of the world’s largest economies is nearly complete after months of negotiation. Talks had been slowed by differences over India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil, Washington’s tariffs on Indian goods, and India’s reluctance to open its agriculture and dairy sectors to US imports. However, Trump said he had “great respect and love” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing their…