Author: Malavika Subramanyan

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in partnership with Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), has launched AIR SUVIDHA 2.0, an upgraded digital platform designed to modernize health screening for international passengers entering India. The contactless system aims to reinforce public health surveillance at airports across the country, especially amid growing global concern over an Ebola-related outbreak. The initiative has been developed in coordination with the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in parts of Africa as a Public Health Emergency of…

Trade negotiations between India and the United States have entered a critical phase, with senior US officials expressing confidence that a landmark agreement between the two countries is nearing completion. According to US Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Poulos Morrison, both governments are making rapid progress toward finalizing what she described as a historic trade pact. Her remarks came as a delegation headed by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer concluded meetings with Indian negotiators in New Delhi. Discussions focused on an interim arrangement and the broader Bilateral Trade Agreement framework initiated by President Donald Trump…

Seoul witnessed renewed diplomatic engagement as India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to review the growing breadth of bilateral relations. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across key sectors including shipbuilding, trade, investment, defence, advanced technology, clean energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Both leaders also placed strong emphasis on emerging areas such as startups and financial technology, recognizing them as vital engines for future economic growth. The dialogue further extended to multilateral coordination, highlighting the importance of closer alignment between the two nations in global forums. Following the meeting, Jaishankar…

Two Indian-American teenage sisters are playing a transformative role in reshaping education in one of India’s most remote and environmentally challenging regions—the Sundarbans. Through their youth-led nonprofit organization, they are introducing modern, hands-on learning methods that are replacing traditional chalk-and-talk teaching in local classrooms. At Swapnopuron Shiksha Niketan in Hingalganj, a gradual but powerful shift is taking place. Students who once depended solely on textbooks and blackboards are now being introduced to technology-driven education that encourages creativity, experimentation, and critical thinking. The initiative is helping rural learners experience a more interactive and skill-based approach to education. This transformation is being…

Thousands of yoga enthusiasts gathered at New York’s iconic Times Square to celebrate International Yoga Day, transforming one of the world’s busiest intersections into a vibrant space for wellness, mindfulness, and unity. The annual event, known as “Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga,” once again showcased the growing global appeal of yoga and its role in promoting physical and mental well-being. Participants from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds joined multiple yoga sessions throughout the day, practicing amid the bustling atmosphere of Times Square. The event highlighted this year’s International Yoga Day theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasizing the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump shared a friendly interaction during the second day of the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, France, drawing attention ahead of their anticipated bilateral discussions. The exchange took place shortly after world leaders assembled for the traditional family photograph, one of the summit’s most symbolic moments. Images from the event captured the two leaders greeting one another warmly as they joined fellow heads of state and government following the official group photo. Modi and Trump exchanged a firm handshake and appeared engaged in a brief conversation, reflecting the strong personal rapport…

India’s flagship digital payments platform, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has expanded its international footprint with its launch at Nice Massena, one of France’s prominent retail and commercial destinations. The initiative was formally launched by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his visit to France. The introduction of UPI in Nice represents another significant milestone in India’s efforts to take its successful digital public infrastructure to global markets. The move is expected to make transactions easier for Indian travelers, business visitors, and members of the Indian diaspora while also demonstrating the scalability and reliability of India’s digital payment ecosystem.…

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on June 17 during the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Evian, France, with ongoing trade negotiations likely to take center stage. According to a senior White House official, the two leaders are set to review the progress made toward a proposed India-U.S. trade agreement and discuss the path forward for finalizing the deal. The upcoming interaction will mark the first formal bilateral engagement between Trump and Modi since Operation Sindoor last year, an event that significantly influenced South Asia’s strategic environment. Their meeting…

Dr. Tara Shajan has been appointed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at a New York State Psychiatric Center under the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), marking another significant milestone in her distinguished career in psychiatric nursing and healthcare leadership. The appointment reflects recognition of her extensive experience in behavioral health administration, clinical excellence, and commitment to advancing nursing practice. In her new position, Dr. Shajan will serve as a member of the hospital’s executive leadership team, guiding the strategic direction of nursing services throughout the organization. Her responsibilities will include strengthening evidence-based nursing practices, promoting patient safety initiatives,…

A delegation from India’s prestigious National Defence College (NDC) is currently undertaking a Foreign Country Study Tour in Russia, where they engaged in high-level interactions with diplomatic and defence officials in Moscow. As part of the visit, the delegation met India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, at the Embassy of India in Moscow, where they discussed a wide range of strategic and security-related issues. According to official updates shared by the Embassy of India in Russia on social media, Ambassador Vinay Kumar held detailed discussions with the visiting officers, offering insights into India-Russia bilateral relations and ongoing cooperation in defence…