Author: Malavika Subramanyan

A recently unveiled trade framework between the United States and India is drawing enthusiastic support from American legislators, particularly those representing regions tied to agriculture and distilled spirits. Early indications suggest that farmers in Kansas and bourbon producers in Kentucky stand to benefit significantly as India expands access to key US goods. Representative Derek Schmidt of Kansas described the agreement as closely aligned with priorities he raised with federal trade officials last year. He had pushed for greater entry for grain sorghum, dried distillers’ grains, and soybean-based products into the Indian market. According to Schmidt, India’s growing demand and shifting…

Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met with Fiji’s Minister for Finance, Commerce, and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel, in New Delhi on February 10, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, shared priorities, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in digital infrastructure. Margherita highlighted that the discussions covered the full spectrum of India-Fiji relations, emphasizing development partnerships, capacity building, and ongoing digital cooperation initiatives. This recent engagement follows a series of high-level interactions between the two nations. On February 2, India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, met with Fiji Parliament Speaker Filimone Jitoko to discuss ways…

The India-US tariff agreement has been welcomed by key players in India’s gems and jewellery sector, who described it as a landmark step that would unlock a significant, high-value American market and strengthen bilateral trade. Dinesh Lakhani, Director of Kiran Gems Private Limited, highlighted that the deal would prove beneficial to both economies while revitalizing exports that had stalled due to steep tariffs. “This historic tariff agreement is advantageous for India and the US alike. It marks a major step forward for trade between our countries,” he said. Previously, over half of India’s gems and jewellery exports to the United…

 The Government of India has formalized Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements with 23 countries to advance the adoption and exchange of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), developed under the India Stack initiative. These agreements focus on areas such as digital identity, payments, data exchange, and service delivery platforms, aiming to strengthen global collaboration in digital governance. India’s flagship digital payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has been successfully adopted in over eight countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar. This expansion has boosted cross-border remittances, enhanced financial inclusion, and positioned India…

The AI India Impact Summit 2026, set to take place in New Delhi from February 16, is designed around three foundational pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. This strategic approach, outlined by Additional Secretary and CEO of India AI Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Abhishek Singh, positions India as a global “Tech Garage,” leveraging artificial intelligence to drive employment, economic growth, and societal impact. The summit will showcase AI’s transformative potential across critical sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, climate solutions, and manufacturing, aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat vision. Singh emphasized that AI is far more than a technological trend—it…

The United States is ready to elevate its relationship with India even further, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said, underlining the growing strategic momentum between the two countries. Sharing visuals of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s engagements in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Gor highlighted the significance of sustained high-level dialogue between New Delhi and Washington. He said engagement at the highest levels reflects the depth of trust and expanding cooperation across sectors, describing the partnership as having “limitless potential”. The ambassador’s remarks come amid intensifying bilateral interactions focused on trade,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Malaysia from February 7-8, responding to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Ministry of External Affairs announced. This will mark PM Modi’s third official visit to Malaysia and his first since India and Malaysia upgraded their relationship to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in August 2024. During the visit, PM Modi will engage in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and interact with members of the Indian community, as well as leading industry and business representatives. The 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum is also scheduled to coincide with the visit,…

A recently proposed trade arrangement between the United States and India is expected to gradually narrow India’s current account shortfall, lend stability to its currency, and reduce its exposure to global economic shocks, according to a report released on Tuesday. Under the agreement, Washington has agreed to lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian products to 18 per cent from the previous 50 per cent, a move analysts describe as structurally beneficial for India’s economic trajectory. Axis Securities highlighted that the pact is likely to strengthen India’s medium-term growth prospects and external financial position, particularly by supporting industries that are heavily reliant…

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar departed on Monday for a three‑day trip to the United States, where he will take part in a Washington‑hosted ministerial focused on critical minerals supply chains. The visit, spanning from February 2 to February 5, carries added diplomatic weight as it unfolds against a backdrop of frayed relations between India and the United States. Senior officials from the US administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to meet with Jaishankar during his stay. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the ministerial forum will concentrate on reinforcing the resilience of…

A recent State Department report has revealed a series of high-value gifts presented by Indian leaders to senior US officials, highlighting India’s diplomatic gift exchanges. Among the notable items, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted then-President Joe Biden a sterling silver train set valued at $7,750 during his visit. Following federal rules, the train set was transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The report, published in the Federal Register on January 29 by the Office of the Chief of Protocol, notes that refusing such gifts could cause embarrassment to both the donor and the US government. Alongside the…