The Association of Indians in America–New York (AIA-NY) is preparing to welcome families and communities to its 39th Annual Deepavali Festival on October 3, 2026, at Overlook Beach in Babylon, Long Island. The celebration will bring together Indian Americans and visitors from across the New York metropolitan region for a day dedicated to culture, tradition and community spirit.

Scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the event will offer free admission and parking, making it accessible to families and guests of all backgrounds. Organizers are inviting attendees to experience the Festival of Lights through music, dance, food, art and entertainment.

Deepavali, widely celebrated across India and around the world, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. AIA-NY’s annual gathering seeks to preserve this cultural heritage while introducing Indian traditions to younger generations and the wider American community.

The 2026 program will feature performances spanning Indian classical, folk and Bollywood dance, with local students and performers taking the stage. London-based artist Arjun Coomaraswamy, known professionally as Arjun, is scheduled to deliver a live evening performance. The lineup will also include a Kathak and Ramayana presentation by Pandit S.N. Charka of the East-West School of Dance.

Audiences can enjoy Bhangra, Giddha, Ghoomar, Garba and Dandiya performances, alongside children’s art activities, rangoli-making sessions, entertainment and family-oriented attractions. Health and wellness activities will add another dimension to the festival.

Food lovers will find traditional Indian refreshments and popular favorites, including samosas, masala chai, rotis and sweets. A Meena Bazaar will offer clothing, jewelry, gifts, handicrafts and other Indian merchandise, creating opportunities for visitors to shop while celebrating.

Religious and cultural traditions will remain central to the program. The festivities will begin with an invocation to Lord Ganesha and conclude with Lakshmi Aarti, reflecting wishes for prosperity, peace and well-being. A grand fireworks display is planned for approximately 7:15 p.m.

Beena Kothari, president of AIA-NY, described Deepavali as a celebration of light, unity, heritage and community. She invited families and friends from across the region to participate in an inclusive gathering showcasing India’s cultural diversity.

The event is supported by volunteers, sponsors, businesses and community members who continue to help sustain this longstanding tradition.

The post AIA-NY to Host 39th Annual Deepavali Festival first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

The United States is preparing to deploy its advanced F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets for joint combat drills with the Indian Air Force (IAF) during Tarang Shakti 2026, marking the aircraft’s first participation in a military exercise on Indian soil. The development represents a notable expansion of operational engagement between the two countries’ air forces.

The multinational air exercise is scheduled to take place at Air Force Station Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 26 to October 12. Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit confirmed the F-35’s planned participation while indicating that certain operational details may remain confidential for security reasons.

The aircraft had previously appeared in India during the Aero India aviation exhibition. However, its involvement in tactical military exercises with the IAF will provide a different setting for professional interaction and operational learning.

Tarang Shakti 2026 is designed to bring together air forces from multiple nations for complex combat simulations and coordinated aerial operations. More than 40 countries are expected to participate in the exercise, with several nations contributing fighter aircraft and other support platforms.

The United States is expected to deploy F-35 aircraft, while France will participate with Rafale fighters and the United Arab Emirates will contribute F-16 jets. India will field key platforms, including Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft, alongside airborne early warning and control systems, transport planes, and air-to-air refueling tankers.

Air Marshal Dixit explained that the exercise builds on India’s experience hosting its first major multinational air exercise in 2024. The IAF is seeking to move beyond traditional bilateral drills and develop greater proficiency in coordinating operations with multiple foreign air forces simultaneously.

He also highlighted how recent conflicts have demonstrated the growing importance of integrated air defenses, precision strikes, unmanned systems, intelligence sharing, and space-enabled capabilities. Tarang Shakti will provide participating forces with opportunities to exchange operational knowledge and explore responses to evolving security challenges.

The exercise follows the India-Japan Veer Guardian air drill, which was also hosted at Jodhpur. Together, these engagements reflect India’s expanding military cooperation with international partners.

For India and the United States, the F-35’s participation offers an opportunity to deepen professional military interaction and improve interoperability. The exercise also provides a platform for examining how advanced combat aircraft operate alongside different air power systems in a realistic multinational environment.

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Starbucks is preparing to expand its technology footprint in India with the establishment of a new technology hub in Chennai, marking a significant step in the coffee giant’s efforts to strengthen its global digital and business operations. The company confirmed the location on September 21, following earlier plans to establish an Indian technology center during fiscal year 2027.

The upcoming Chennai facility will function as part of Starbucks’ international Technology organization, supporting business requirements across the company’s global network. Its teams are expected to collaborate with technology and business professionals based in the United States and other international locations, including Seattle, Nashville, London, and Hong Kong.

The company had previously disclosed its intention to launch a technology hub in India but had not revealed where the facility would be located. Anand Varadarajan, Starbucks’ executive vice president and chief technology officer, announced the Chennai decision in a communication addressed to the company’s Technology team.

Varadarajan described the development as an important milestone in building a more adaptable and internationally connected technology organization. The new center is expected to encourage closer coordination among teams working across different geographical locations while supporting shared business and technology objectives.

Starbucks said Chennai was chosen after considering several factors, including the city’s availability of skilled technology professionals, its ability to retain talent, and its potential to meet the company’s long-term operational requirements. The decision highlights the importance of India’s technology workforce in supporting multinational companies seeking to expand their digital capabilities.

In addition to developing new capabilities, the Chennai hub could allow Starbucks to gradually transition certain responsibilities currently managed by external service providers to internal teams. This approach may give the company greater control over selected technology functions while improving coordination across its operations.

Despite the announcement, the project remains in its preliminary stages. Starbucks will spend the coming months preparing for recruitment, establishing the office, and organizing the operational infrastructure required to launch the facility.

Hiring is expected to begin during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. The company plans to share further information about recruitment and the hub’s development as preparations progress.

The Chennai initiative reflects Starbucks’ broader focus on creating a more integrated technology network capable of supporting its evolving global business needs.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., during the 11th JPMorgan India Investor Conference held in Mumbai on September 21. The meeting brought together two prominent figures from India’s financial and global banking sectors amid continued discussions about the country’s economic growth and investment potential.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Dimon spoke with Sitharaman on the sidelines of the conference, which featured investors, policymakers, and business leaders examining India’s economic trajectory and opportunities across various sectors. The gathering served as a platform for discussions on market developments, investment prospects, and the evolving financial environment.

Sitharaman also participated in the conference’s proceedings, addressing attendees and joining a fireside conversation with Sajjid Chinoy, JPMorgan’s Head of Asia Economics. Their discussion provided an opportunity to explore broader economic trends and the factors shaping investor sentiment toward India.

The interaction comes as JPMorgan continues to assess the changing dynamics of India’s equity markets, particularly the expanding influence of domestic investors. In a recent analysis, the financial institution noted that tax adjustments and regulatory developments had improved the appeal of equities among Indian investors, contributing to sustained capital inflows despite relatively modest market performance over the previous two years.

JPMorgan’s assessment pointed to a gradual transformation in household investment behavior. According to the report, modifications to the taxation system, combined with increased participation in systematic investment plans, have encouraged more households to direct their savings toward financial instruments rather than traditional avenues.

The bank further observed that domestic investors have assumed a more significant stabilizing role in India’s stock markets. Their continued participation has helped cushion the impact of volatility associated with foreign portfolio investor withdrawals and uncertainties in the global economic environment.

The meeting between Sitharaman and Dimon underscores the continued engagement between Indian policymakers and international financial institutions as India seeks to strengthen investor confidence and expand its position in global financial markets.

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India and New Zealand signed the trade agreement on April 27, with the pact aimed at expanding bilateral trade in goods and services while creating greater opportunities for investment between the two countries.

“I’m delighted that we are taking forward the next important milestone in our bilateral economic partnership: the entry into force of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which will come into force on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra on 20th of October, 2026,” Goyal said.

A key provision of the agreement is New Zealand’s commitment to provide duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to its market. The measure is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian products by reducing tariff costs for exporters.

New Zealand currently imposes peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent on several Indian products, including ceramics, carpets, automobiles and auto components. The removal of these duties is expected to expand market access for Indian exporters in these sectors.

The agreement also includes a major investment commitment from New Zealand. Under the pact, New Zealand has committed to investing USD 20 billion in India over a 15-year period, adding an investment component to the broader bilateral trade relationship.

The FTA is intended to strengthen economic ties between the two countries by lowering trade barriers, improving market access and encouraging investment flows. Its implementation from October 20 will mark the beginning of the commitments agreed under the pact.

Goyal also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand in July, describing it as the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in four decades.

He said the strategic partnership and roadmap to 2030 reflect the shared ambition of India and New Zealand to deepen economic cooperation. The two countries have set an aspirational goal of nearly doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to around Rs 35,000 crore over the next four to five years.

Goyal said the entry into force of the FTA would translate the countries’ economic partnership into concrete opportunities for businesses, exporters and investors.

The post India-New Zealand FTA to Take Effect on October 20 first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

NASA’s Indian-American senior official Amit Kshatriya has highlighted the growing capabilities of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), expressing optimism about expanding collaboration between the two space agencies in scientific research and human spaceflight.

Kshatriya, who serves as NASA’s Associate Administrator and Chief Engineer, described the existing relationship between NASA and ISRO as an important partnership. Speaking during an interaction at New York’s Intrepid Museum, he acknowledged India’s progress in developing advanced space missions and its increasing involvement in human space exploration.

He specifically pointed to the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission as an example of successful cooperation. Launched in July 2025, the joint satellite is designed to track changes across the Earth’s surface, including land, ice, water and vegetation. The mission combines technological expertise from both countries to support scientific observation and environmental monitoring.

Kshatriya also noted that NASA and ISRO are collaborating on human spaceflight initiatives. He emphasized the value of sharing experiences and lessons learned from previous space programmes as both nations work toward advancing their capabilities.

Discussing the broader future of space exploration, the NASA official stressed that international leadership should extend beyond technological competition. He advocated cooperation built around shared values, responsible practices, common standards and agreed norms for activities in space.

India’s participation in the Artemis Accords was another point of reference. The non-binding framework outlines principles for peaceful, transparent and responsible civil space exploration, reflecting the importance of international coordination as space activity expands.

Kshatriya made the remarks during a panel discussion commemorating the 50th anniversary of the public rollout of Enterprise, NASA’s prototype space shuttle orbiter. Former NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. and veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson also joined the event.

Whitson spoke favorably about working with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who served as pilot of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Shukla became the first Indian to reach the station and only the second Indian citizen to travel into space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Bolden, meanwhile, recognized India’s achievements in planetary exploration, citing the Mars Orbiter Mission, popularly known as Mangalyaan. Launched in November 2013, the mission made ISRO the fourth space agency to successfully place a spacecraft in orbit around Mars.

He also acknowledged NASA’s contribution through its Deep Space Network, which supported spacecraft tracking and navigation during the mission.

The post NASA Official Praises ISRO, Eyes Deeper Space Cooperation first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

India and Bhutan have reaffirmed the strength of their longstanding partnership, reviewing a broad range of bilateral, regional and international matters during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s three-day visit to Bhutan.

Jaishankar traveled to Bhutan from September 16-18 at the invitation of Bhutanese Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel. During the visit, both sides assessed progress across multiple areas of cooperation and welcomed continued momentum in their relationship.

A joint statement issued on September 18 highlighted advances in development cooperation under the leadership of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India reiterated its support for Bhutan’s development priorities, while Bhutan expressed appreciation for India’s assistance with initiatives under its 13th Five Year Plan, covering the 2024-2029 period.

Energy cooperation emerged as a key area of discussion. The two countries noted progress under their March 2024 Joint Vision for Energy Partnership. Recent developments include the commissioning of the 1,020-megawatt Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project and the signing of its tariff protocol. Construction activity has also resumed on the 1,200-megawatt Punatsangchhu-I project.

The countries further welcomed an agreement providing a concessional line of credit worth about $4.6 billion for energy projects in Bhutan. They also noted the growing involvement of Indian companies in Bhutan’s hydropower sector, describing it as an additional driver of bilateral energy cooperation.

Jaishankar also reiterated India’s backing for the Bhutanese King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Both governments agreed to maintain discussions through their Joint Working Group and explore further cooperation connected with the ambitious development project.

Connectivity and easier movement were also addressed. India reaffirmed its plan to establish an immigration checkpoint at Hatisar in Assam to support the movement of investors and visitors traveling to Gelephu. Bhutan welcomed India’s decision to introduce a temporary immigration facility there from November 1, 2026, particularly to assist third-country nationals involved in Project 108 Chortens/Stupas.

The two sides also discussed multilateral cooperation. India thanked Bhutan for backing its bid for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat for 2028-2029, while India welcomed Bhutan’s ratification of the International Big Cat Alliance framework agreement.

The visit concluded with both countries emphasizing their close ties, built on mutual trust, goodwill, understanding and strong people-to-people connections.

The post India, Bhutan Deepen Ties With Focus on Energy first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

Agimol Pradeep, an Indian-origin nurse based in the United Kingdom, has been named the recipient of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026. The award comes with a $250,000 prize and recognizes her work in transplant nursing, organ donation and stem cell donor awareness.

Originally from Kottayam, Kerala, Pradeep decided at an early age that she wanted to pursue nursing. She completed her nursing diploma at CSI Hospital in Bengaluru before undertaking additional training in dialysis and gaining experience at Manipal Hospital. She moved to the UK and began working as a transplant nurse at a Manchester hospital in 2001.

Over the following years, Pradeep continued expanding her professional qualifications while balancing family responsibilities. She began a degree program at the University of Manchester in 2005 and later completed a fully funded master’s degree. Her career eventually developed into a specialization in transplant care, making her one of the early Asian nurses to work in the field.

Her professional experience also led her to investigate disparities in transplant matching. After an Asian patient questioned why he appeared to be waiting longer for a transplant, Pradeep researched the issue as part of her academic work. Her research found that tissue-type compatibility plays a significant role, and patients can have a greater chance of finding suitable donors within their own ethnic communities.

She subsequently focused on the shortage of organ and stem cell donors among Asian communities in the UK. Pradeep completed her part-time PhD in three years and began working more closely with patients, families, healthcare professionals and religious leaders to improve awareness.

This work eventually led to the creation of Upahaar in 2014, an initiative promoting deceased organ donation and stem cell donation. A key part of its outreach has been addressing misconceptions surrounding stem cell donation and explaining that modern donation procedures can differ significantly from traditional perceptions of bone marrow extraction.

Pradeep and her volunteers have used religious and community gatherings to create opportunities for people to ask questions about donation. Faith leaders from Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities have participated in these discussions, helping address questions linked to religious beliefs.

Upahaar has since developed into a UK-wide network with about 100 volunteers and, according to Pradeep, approximately 10,000 potential donors registered through its efforts.

Today, Pradeep serves as a Senior Transplant Coordinator at King’s College Hospital and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford. She views nursing as a profession that has expanded beyond bedside care into advocacy, education, research, leadership and specialized practice.

After 25 years in nursing, she continues to emphasize the profession’s role in improving lives and addressing healthcare challenges. Her work combines clinical expertise with community engagement, particularly in areas where greater awareness of donation can potentially help patients awaiting life-saving transplants.

The post Indian-Origin Nurse Wins Global Nursing Award 2026 first appeared on Global Indian News Network.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked leaders of BRICS member countries for contributing to a productive and outcome-oriented summit hosted by India in New Delhi.

Modi shared a video on his social media platforms highlighting key moments from the two-day gathering, held on September 12 and 13. The video also featured excerpts from his summit address, in which he emphasized India’s efforts to strengthen friendship, partnership and cooperation through the BRICS grouping.

The summit brought together leaders and senior representatives from the expanded BRICS membership, reflecting the grouping’s growing international footprint. Among those attending were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Other participants included Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo.

The Delhi summit also provided an opportunity for India to pursue a series of bilateral engagements with participating countries and other international partners.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the gathering was attended by leaders from all 11 BRICS member countries and representatives from 10 partner countries, along with international organizations.

Modi held 15 bilateral meetings with heads of state or government over the three days surrounding the summit. The discussions added a bilateral dimension to India’s diplomatic outreach alongside the broader BRICS agenda.

India’s hosting of the summit comes as BRICS continues to expand its membership and role in international affairs. The grouping has increasingly become a platform for discussions on economic cooperation, development, global governance and coordination among emerging economies.

By describing the Delhi meeting as productive and outcome-oriented, Modi underscored India’s emphasis on using BRICS to deepen partnerships while advancing cooperation across member and partner countries.

The summit and the accompanying bilateral meetings highlighted New Delhi’s broader diplomatic engagement with major economies and developing nations, reinforcing BRICS as an important platform for India’s international outreach.

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World Bank Group President Ajay Banga is set to join an influential gathering of international leaders, business executives, philanthropists and social advocates at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2026 Annual Meeting in New York. The two-day event is scheduled for September 22 and 23 and will bring together prominent voices to explore practical approaches to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The 2026 meeting will be centered on the theme “How Do We Get It Right?” and is expected to examine issues spanning technology, economic opportunity, public health, humanitarian action, climate resilience and democratic institutions. The event aims to encourage collaboration among people and organizations working to turn ideas into measurable action.

Banga is part of the latest group of participants announced by former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton on September 10. Other newly announced attendees include Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Pan American Health Organization Director Jarbas Barbosa, Unitaid Executive Director Philippe Duneton and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

The gathering will also feature Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Octopus Energy Group founder and CEO Greg Jackson; Omidyar Network CEO Michele Jawando; Ingka Group CEO and President Juvencio Maeztu; science educator Bill Nye; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, among others.

Discussions are expected to focus on making artificial intelligence more responsible and inclusive while expanding access to economic opportunities. Participants will also examine ways to strengthen climate and energy resilience, support scientific and health innovation, protect democratic systems and trusted information, and improve humanitarian responses.

A major feature of the Clinton Global Initiative is its “Commitments to Action,” which encourage organizations to launch concrete projects with measurable goals. Since its establishment in 2005, CGI says members of its community have helped develop more than 4,300 such commitments, with projects benefiting about 500 million people across 180 countries.

The 2026 gathering will include leaders from foundations, multilateral institutions, businesses and organizations that collectively represent about $13.1 billion in annual grantmaking and investment, according to CGI.

Other participants already announced include Ford Foundation President Heather Gerken, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya.

Founded by Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together leaders from government, business, philanthropy and civil society to build partnerships around major social and economic issues. Banga’s participation adds another prominent global development voice to the 2026 agenda, reinforcing the meeting’s emphasis on cooperation and practical solutions.

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