Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged young Indians to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), develop new skills and contribute to the country’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Addressing the inauguration of the SRCC Centenary Conclave on “Pathways to Viksit Bharat”, he highlighted the importance of technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and continuous learning in strengthening India’s economic growth. Goyal said emerging technologies are transforming industries and employment opportunities, making it essential for young people to upgrade their capabilities and adapt to changing workforce requirements. He encouraged students to focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the practical application…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed hope that India and the United States will conclude their proposed trade agreement at the earliest, saying a mutually beneficial deal would support bilateral commerce and global trade. Her remarks come amid signs of progress in negotiations between the two countries. Speaking with foreign policy expert Michael Kugelman at the Atlantic Council on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Bangkok, Sitharaman said an early agreement would benefit both countries. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has also expressed optimism about the negotiations.…

India and the United States are moving closer to finalising a bilateral trade agreement, with most major issues reportedly resolved and discussions continuing on outstanding details. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has expressed optimism that the two countries could conclude the negotiations soon. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, Gor said the broader framework of the proposed agreement had been established, with the remaining discussions focusing on specific products and tariff arrangements. His remarks indicate progress in efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. The ambassador described the negotiations as moving at an…

Indian-American student Anika Puri has demonstrated how artificial intelligence can support wildlife conservation through an innovative system designed to help identify potential poachers after dark. Her project, called ElSa, short for Elephant-Savior, analyzes thermal infrared footage captured by drones to distinguish human movement from animal activity. The innovation earned Puri a $25,000 scholarship as a 2022 Davidson Fellow, recognizing her engineering research and its potential contribution to protecting endangered wildlife. According to reports from the Society for Science and the Davidson Institute, Puri, who comes from Chappaqua, New York, developed an interest in technology through hands-on experimentation, robotics, and drone…

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is visiting India as part of a two-nation tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates, with discussions in New Delhi expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, security, defence and people-to-people relations. During her visit, Anand is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to advance priorities under the bilateral roadmap. The meeting marks continued high-level engagement between the two countries, with the ministers having met 11 times since September 2025. The visit comes as India and Canada seek to strengthen economic ties and advance negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic…

Indian-American educator Pia Dandiya is running for the US House of Representatives from Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District in the 2026 midterm elections. She secured the Democratic nomination in the district and is set to face Republican candidate Casey Askar in the November general election. Born and raised in Palm Beach County to parents who immigrated from India, Dandiya began her career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal. She later served as a White House Fellow at the Department of Education and worked in public-sector innovation at Apple. Dandiya initially entered the race in Florida’s 21st…

Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strengthening India’s position on the global stage, while also highlighting what he described as efforts to undermine the Indian leader despite his achievements. Speaking during a pre-election broadcast, Vucic said Modi had elevated India’s international standing and pursued principles associated with Mahatma Gandhi. He also suggested that attempts to portray successful leaders as failures had become a broader global pattern. Vucic separately congratulated Modi on completing 25 years of public service at the highest level. In a message on social media, he praised Modi’s long political journey from…

A new book by Indian-American author and former Silicon Valley executive Kamini Ramani is shining a spotlight on accomplished Indian-American women leaders and the challenges, experiences and lessons that shaped their journeys to the top. Titled Lotus Leadership: A Modern Playbook of Ancient Wisdom, the book draws on interviews with more than 30 trailblazing Indian-American women and three non-Indian-origin leaders who have established themselves across corporate America and the technology sector. The women featured include former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Yale astronomy professor Priyamvada Natarajan, Intel Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and People Officer Aparna Bawa, Palo Alto Networks…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has embarked on a five-day official visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia, with a focus on strengthening India’s bilateral partnerships with the three African nations. During the visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts and meet the leadership of all three countries to review existing ties and explore new avenues of cooperation. The engagements are expected to cover trade and economic relations, development cooperation, capacity building and people-to-people connections. Regional and global issues of mutual interest are also likely to feature in the discussions. The visit underlines India’s continued efforts…

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has submitted a memorandum to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlining concerns and policy suggestions gathered from members of the worldwide Indian diaspora. The document was presented by GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham during Jaishankar’s recent visit to New York, where the minister was participating in an event at the Asia Society. The recommendations cover several areas, including consular services, administrative procedures, philanthropy, cultural engagement and greater participation by overseas Indians in India-focused initiatives. The memorandum calls for a simpler and more accessible process for obtaining Overseas Citizen of…