Author: Malavika Subramanyan

In a landmark achievement for India, Dr. S Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was awarded the prestigious IAF World Space Award for 2024 in Milan on Monday. This honor was given in recognition of ISRO’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which significantly advanced lunar exploration. ISRO shared the news on social media, announcing that Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, has been honored with the esteemed IAF World Space Award for the significant success of Chandrayaan-3. This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration.…

SAP Labs India, the largest research and development center for German software giant SAP outside its headquarters, is rapidly advancing its AI initiatives, according to Managing Director Sindhu Gangadharan. As the company moves forward with the construction of a massive new campus in Bengaluru, set to be completed by 2025, it aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI innovation globally. Gangadharan highlighted that artificial intelligence, including generative AI, is transforming businesses by allowing them to reimagine customer experiences and operational processes. SAP Labs India is at the forefront of this shift, focusing on Custom AI and multi-agent…

Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev discussed India’s growing involvement in tackling global challenges like climate change and employment, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to a proactive international role. Sachdev noted that Modi is advocating for a “single-point peace plan” to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing a message of peace during his interactions with the Indian diaspora in the United States. Speaking to ANI, Sachdev outlined that PM Modi’s key message during his US trip, particularly at the United Nations and with world leaders, is that this is not a time for war but rather for coexistence. Modi’s approach is…

President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, marking the start of Modi’s three-day visit to the US. During the discussions, Biden emphasized the importance of India’s role in reforming global institutions, including supporting India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Both leaders addressed global concerns, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China has become increasingly assertive. Biden praised India’s proactive stance on addressing global challenges, including the COVID-19 response and managing international conflicts. He acknowledged Modi’s efforts in fostering peace during his historic…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the Quad’s growing importance as a key group of like-minded nations working towards peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. His remarks came just before his three-day visit to the United States, where he will participate in the Quad Summit, hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington. During the trip, Modi is also set to address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly in New York. Expressing enthusiasm, he said, “I look forward to joining President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese, and Prime Minister Kishida at the Quad Summit, a crucial forum…

In the initial 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new term, the government has set forth an agenda focused on empowering Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, minorities, and tribal communities. Central to this agenda is the Prime Minister’s Developed Tribal Village Campaign, which aims to uplift 63,000 tribal villages and improve the socio-economic conditions of approximately 5 million tribal individuals. The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme has been broadened to include waste-pickers alongside sanitation workers, promoting their social and economic empowerment. Additionally, 300,000 identification cards have been issued for persons with disabilities from Scheduled Tribes, with…

India’s approach to multilateral engagement is founded on mutual respect and solidarity, according to a prominent UN envoy, who emphasised the Global South’s reliance on “the India way” to shape the future. In a webinar organised by the Centre for Global India Insights (CGII) and India Writes Network, Inga Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the UN, lauded India’s role as a leading voice in the Global South. King highlighted India’s expanding leadership, citing initiatives such as the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and the nation’s vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for her White House bid against former President Donald Trump in November, she has enlisted a notable figure for her campaign strategy: Karen Dunn, a high-powered lawyer with an intriguing side job. Dunn, a partner at the prestigious Paul, Weiss law firm, is not only preparing Harris for the critical debate against Trump but is also at the forefront of Google’s defence in a landmark antitrust trial that could significantly impact the tech giant’s future. Dunn’s dual roles have raised concerns among antitrust experts, who worry that her close association with Harris might…

On the second day of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024) in New Delhi, India’s upcoming partnership with European Hydrogen Week, scheduled for November 2024, was highlighted. This collaboration aims to synchronise with EU green regulations to boost exports. A Letter of Intent was signed between Chane Terminal from the Netherlands and ACME Cleantech from India to establish ammonia import terminals. The conference featured sessions with contributions from the EU, Australia, and the Netherlands, focusing on green hydrogen’s role in global decarbonization. Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, discussed the EU’s efforts to reform its Emission…

Pope Francis has advised American Catholics to weigh the “lesser evil” when choosing between the major US presidential candidates in the upcoming election. During a news conference concluding his Southeast Asian tour, the Pope criticised both candidates’ stances, referring to them as “against life” without naming them explicitly. He condemned the rejection of migrants as a “serious” sin and compared Kamala Harris’s pro-abortion position to “assassination.” The Pope argued that both expelling migrants and supporting abortion contradict the sanctity of life. Although Pope Francis clarified that he would not be participating in the US election, he urged Americans to vote,…