Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Indonesia has renewed an interagency agreement allowing Hindu and Buddhist communities from the country and abroad to use four historic temples for religious activities. The updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covers Prambanan, Borobudur, Mendut and Pawon temples, with the government aiming to balance religious access, heritage conservation and sustainable tourism. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism worked with other ministries, government agencies and local administrations to renew the agreement. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to developing the four temple complexes as internationally recognized destinations for religious and spiritual tourism while protecting their cultural and…

Poland is looking to expand defence exports and industrial cooperation with India ahead of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s planned visit to the country later this month, Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański has said. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, Domański said Poland wants to strengthen defence trade with trusted partners such as India and intends to bring Polish defence companies as part of a larger business delegation accompanying Tusk. The Polish minister said the upcoming visit will include meetings in both Delhi and Bengaluru and will feature a delegation of around 100 companies. The visit…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch its NVS-03 navigation satellite between October 15 and 20, a mission that could help restore NavIC’s standalone positioning capability. The satellite is expected to be launched aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) currently has three operational satellites capable of providing positioning services. The government said in a July 2026 parliamentary reply that at least four operational satellites are required for NavIC to provide standalone positioning, while its timing service remains functional. NVS-03 is part of a series of…

The US and Indian armies conducted joint long-range marksmanship training in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand as part of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, giving troops from both countries an opportunity to practice working together in challenging terrain. The training near Auli on September 22 focused on improving coordination between sniper and spotter teams while familiarizing American soldiers with equipment used by their Indian counterparts. During the exercise, US and Indian troops formed mixed teams and trained with the Indian Army’s Sako TRG rifle, which uses the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. The teams began by zeroing their rifles before progressing to…

National Award-winning filmmaker Vinod Kapri’s Pyre is set to release theatrically across India on October 23, 2026. Set in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the film follows an elderly couple whose lives are deeply connected to their home, memories and decades-long companionship. The film explores the emotional impact of migration as the couple’s children leave their mountain village in search of better opportunities. Left behind, the parents face their later years while maintaining the life and relationship they have built together. Produced by Vinod Kapri, Suresh Joshi and Arindra Rai Chaudhuri under Bhagirathi Films and Mashakbeen Studios, Pyre features Uttarakhand…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

NEW DELHI: The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force on October 20, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. 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,…