Author: Malavika Subramanyan

India received a record-breaking $135.46 billion in diaspora remittances during the 2024–25 fiscal year, registering a 14% year-on-year growth, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest balance of payments data. These remittance inflows—categorized under “private transfers”—continue to keep India at the top spot globally for cross-border income from its overseas citizens. This remarkable growth marks more than double the amount received eight years ago, when the country recorded $61 billion in FY17. The remittances in FY25 constituted over 10% of India’s total current account inflows, which amounted to $1 trillion, playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the country’s balance…

Foreign ministers from the Quad nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—are set to convene in Washington, DC on July 1. The meeting comes in preparation for the upcoming Quad leaders’ summit, which India will host later this year. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers will evaluate the progress of ongoing Quad collaborations and exchange insights on critical regional and global developments, with particular focus on the Indo-Pacific. A key agenda for the session is the consideration of fresh initiatives aimed at reinforcing a shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. This vision has…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a significant five-nation diplomatic tour beginning July 2, marking his longest overseas visit since assuming office in 2014. The eight-day journey, concluding on July 9, spans two continents and includes strategic engagements in Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The tour commences in Ghana, where Modi will stay from July 2 to 3. This marks the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Ghana in three decades. The agenda includes discussions with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy, defense, and trade. From there,…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar praised India’s all-party delegation that traveled to 33 countries after Operation Sindoor as part of a global outreach campaign. Calling the experience “a great source of pride,” Jaishankar emphasized the unified stance all political parties took in defense of the nation’s interests and against terrorism. He noted that representatives like Shashi Tharoor, Supriya Sule, Kanimozhi, Sanjay Jha, Jay Panda, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Shrikant Shinde set aside political differences to speak with one voice. According to Jaishankar, the world was impressed that despite internal politics, India presented a united front. The delegation delivered a clear…

India’s space industry is set to soar, with projections estimating its value could reach $40 to $45 billion within the next decade, according to Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to open the sector to private enterprises as a defining moment that triggered this “miraculous transformation.” In a recent interview, Singh emphasized how the inclusion of private players over the last few years has attracted massive investments and unlocked new potential for innovation and growth. “Thousands of crores are being invested by private firms, something unimaginable a few years ago,” he noted. He hailed the…

International Yoga Day 2025 came alive in New York’s Central Park with a refreshing blend of humor, heart, and holistic wellness as Emmy-nominated filmmaker and happiness ambassador Tirlok Malik led his “Happy Life Yoga” session. Hosted as part of the “UPLIFTNY2025” event by Meera Gandhi and The Giving Back Foundation, the June 21 gathering was a radiant celebration of yoga’s power to connect, uplift, and heal. Under the summer sun, attendees joined in-person and virtually, laughing, stretching, and sharing stories that reflected Malik’s signature style — merging ancient wellness wisdom with modern joy. His session wasn’t just about poses and…

1.4 Billion Dreams Soar with Shubhanshu Shukla into Space as ‘Tiranga’ Touches the Stars India marked a historic leap in space exploration as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a commercial mission. Shukla blasted off aboard Axiom-4, a private spaceflight mission, representing India after a gap of nearly 41 years since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic space journey. The moment was hailed across the country as a symbol of national pride and scientific progress. Several Union Ministers took to social media to congratulate Shukla and celebrate the…

India’s growing influence in global science and technology is impossible to ignore, according to Britain’s Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, Patrick Vallance. Speaking at the India Global Forum’s Future Frontiers Forum in London, Vallance stressed that the United Kingdom must build on its strong academic and scientific ties with India. The event, titled Unlocking UK–India Collaboration for a New Era of Innovation, highlighted how the two nations can accelerate collaboration through fresh policies and joint ventures. Vallance emphasized the importance of expanding skilled migration through tools like the Global Talent Visa, which is expected to foster stronger professional exchange…

Amid mounting regional tensions, the Embassy of India in Qatar has issued a public advisory, urging Indian nationals in the country to remain vigilant and indoors following Iran’s recent missile attacks on US military sites located in Qatar and Iraq. In an official statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), the embassy asked the Indian diaspora to stay calm and adhere strictly to local news updates and directions issued by Qatari authorities. “In view of the ongoing situation, the Indian community in Qatar is urged to be cautious and remain indoors. Please remain calm and follow local news, instructions, and guidance…

In a vibrant display of unity and wellness, Times Square transformed into a serene yoga arena as the Consulate General of India in New York, in collaboration with the Times Square Alliance, celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 20, 2025. Known as Solstice at Times Square, the day-long event welcomed around 10,000 yoga enthusiasts, representing diverse cultures and communities. From sunrise to sunset, the heart of New York City pulsed with the rhythm of seven yoga sessions, each drawing large crowds eager to embrace the ancient Indian practice. The iconic venue, usually buzzing with traffic and screens,…