Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Indian American candidates recorded strong gains in the 2026 US midterm elections, winning 30 state legislative seats, with Democrats securing 28 of the 33 decided contests. Two additional candidates were leading in races that remained undecided. The results also contributed to Democratic gains in Michigan and Arizona, where the party regained control of both legislative chambers. In Michigan, Democratic House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri won re-election in the 24th District with approximately 66% of the vote. He is expected to become the first Indian American and Sikh Speaker of the Michigan House, subject to approval by the Democratic caucus. In…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held discussions with Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister Chet Greene, with both leaders agreeing to expand cooperation across several important sectors, including healthcare, education, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and professional training. The meeting took place on Thursday during Jaishankar’s visit to the Caribbean nation for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Sharing details on social media platform X, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on strengthening existing partnerships through education, healthcare initiatives, business opportunities, and capacity-building programmes. The ministers also exchanged perspectives on the recently concluded Commonwealth summit. Jaishankar received a warm…

India and Guyana have taken steps to deepen their bilateral partnership, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announcing an extension of a $500 million Line of Credit for infrastructure and development projects in the South American nation. The announcement followed his meeting with Guyanese President Irfaan Ali on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026. Sharing details on X, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on reviewing progress in bilateral relations, particularly following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Guyana in 2024. The extended financial assistance will support projects involving roads, healthcare, and defense infrastructure. Both countries…

Indian American political figures recorded mixed results in statewide races during the US midterm elections, with Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller and Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul securing re-election, while Republican candidate Saritha Komatireddy lost her challenge for New York attorney general. In Maryland, Democratic Governor Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller won another four-year term, receiving 62.55 per cent of the vote, according to state election results. Their victory allows the two leaders to continue their administration for a second term. Following the results, Miller thanked voters for their support in a post on social media. She expressed…

Donald Trump has repeatedly defied political expectations, surviving controversies, impeachments, legal challenges and electoral setbacks. However, the 2026 US midterm elections delivered a significant rejection of his leadership, as voters backed Democrats in a series of closely watched races across the country. The results reflected growing dissatisfaction with the Republican president’s policies during the first half of his second term. His administration’s unilateral tariffs, which raised concerns about economic stability, and the US involvement in a war with Iran that contributed to higher fuel prices became major issues for voters. Trump’s decision to pursue the conflict also drew criticism from…

The close relationship between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given fresh momentum to India-Israel relations, strengthening mutual confidence and expanding cooperation, according to a report published by The Times of Israel. Although India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, their security and strategic cooperation continued to develop under successive governments. The report observed that Modi and Netanyahu have played an important role in raising the partnership’s profile and taking longstanding bilateral ties to a more prominent level. Describing their connection as more than personal chemistry or diplomatic symbolism, the report emphasized…

India and its three Quad partners—the United States, Japan, and Australia—have unveiled a series of initiatives to strengthen technological development, economic security, and regional cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. Announced on October 31 following a high-level meeting in Atlanta, the plans include more than $85 million in proposed financial and technical assistance to improve access to trusted artificial intelligence (AI). The United States has separately committed $10 million toward establishing critical minerals recycling infrastructure in India and Southeast Asia. The meeting brought together India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and…

Indian-American Democrat Shuchita Patel is bringing a new voice to local politics in Georgia as she challenges four-term Republican incumbent Todd Levent for the District 3 seat on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners in the November 3 midterm elections. A 40-year-old accountant and corporate controller, Patel is the first Indian-American to contest a seat on the Forsyth County Commission. Her candidacy comes at a time when the northern Atlanta suburb is experiencing significant demographic changes, with its South Asian and Latino communities steadily growing. Patel is taking on Levent, who has represented the district for 16 years and has…

A new business initiative aimed at strengthening commercial connections between India and the United States has opened in Piscataway, New Jersey. India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, inaugurated the 5,800-square-foot U.S.-India Collaborative Corridor (USICC), a facility designed to help Indian manufacturers, startups and technology companies establish a presence in the American market while assisting U.S. businesses exploring opportunities in India. The inauguration, held on October 31, 2026, brought together more than 100 representatives from government, business and institutional organizations. The center already accommodates seven Indian companies working toward establishing their U.S. operations and features products from…

India has strengthened its position in the global clean energy sector by securing green hydrogen offtake commitments totaling 555,610 metric tonnes per annum as of October 2026. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Indian companies have signed 23 supply agreements since the launch of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023. More than 70% of these commitments are intended for international markets, highlighting India’s growing role in the global green fuel trade. The momentum accelerated significantly in 2026, with companies entering into 18 additional agreements covering more than 400,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent…