Author: Malavika Subramanyan

During a speech in Dubai at the climate change conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed India as the host for the 2028 Conference of the Parties (COP). This announcement aligns with India’s strategic positioning as a leading advocate for the Global South, emphasizing climate compensation for emerging nations based on the “polluter pays” principle. Prime Minister Modi’s historic opening address at the COP’s High-Level National Statement section solidifies India’s pivotal role in climate discussions. Led by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, India’s delegation to COP conferences showcases the nation’s growing confidence on the global stage, boosted by…

President Joe Biden has put forth the nomination of Deven J. Parekh, a prominent Indian American venture capitalist, for a renewed three-year term on the Board of Directors of the US International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC). The nomination, sent to the Senate, follows Parekh’s initial appointment by President Donald Trump in June 2020. As the Managing Director at Insight Partners, a New York-based growth equity investment fund, Parekh has made over 140 investments globally in enterprise software, data, and consumer internet businesses since joining in 2000. His extensive portfolio spans regions such as North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East,…

Deepika Padukone shares glimpses of her winter vacation in London with friends Sneha Ramachander and Divya Narayan. The pictures capture the trio’s joy after a delightful meal, showcasing Deepika’s stylish yet cozy outfit. Ranveer Singh, expressing admiration, drops heart emojis in response, continuing his trend of leaving affectionate comments on Deepika’s posts. The images depict Deepika in monochrome attire, sporting a long tan fuzzy coat with her hair pulled back. One selfie, taken by Deepika, radiates fun vibes, while another, presumably captured by someone else, showcases the group seated inside a restaurant, eagerly awaiting their food. Ranveer’s affectionate response aligns…

Rohit Chopra, the Indian American director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has expressed concerns about the potential concentration of power in the hands of a few entities due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized the transformative impact of massive consumer data aggregation on the economy and its consequences for Americans, particularly highlighting the “winner-take-all” aspect of AI. Chopra, speaking at the Axios AI+ Summit, voiced worries about the unprecedented simulation of human interaction by AI and its potential for fraud, crime, and abuse, especially in financial services like customer service and lending. Despite these concerns, he…

Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, remains optimistic about the growth of India’s Information Technology (IT) industry, projecting it to reach US$ 350 billion by 2030 despite global economic challenges. Speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, he highlighted the industry’s consistent 9% growth last year, emphasizing its resilience as a high-growth sector. In the face of a slowing global economy, Gopalakrishnan anticipates sustained growth for the Indian IT industry in the medium to long term. He underscored the transformative impact of emerging technologies like ChatGPT and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), citing ChatGPT’s rapid ascent since its introduction in November 2022.…

Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful of Indian American descent, received a significant endorsement from the Americans for Prosperity Action, a network associated with billionaire Charles Koch. This support positions her as an alternative to former President Donald Trump and may reshape the Republican landscape just seven weeks before the Iowa caucuses. The Koch-backed group, known for its vast resources and conservative activist network, chose Haley over other contenders like North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Ron DeSantis. The Americans for Prosperity Action’s endorsement lends organizational muscle and financial support to Nikki Haley’s campaign. The…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reached out to the workers rescued from the collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel, expressing appreciation for the successful operation. All workers gathered in a room, engaging with the Prime Minister over the phone. Modi commended the rescue team’s efforts and lauded the trapped workers’ courage and patience, wishing them good health. The collapsed tunnel, part of the Char Dham project, faced a challenging rescue mission initiated on November 12. The final operation involved specialized miners, accomplishing the last 12-meter stretch in less than 24 hours after high-tech machines faltered. The extraction process, commencing at 8 pm, took…

Foreign Policy magazine recently featured Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, recognizing his significant role in shaping the United States’ China policy within Congress. The profile highlights his leadership of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, alongside Congressman Mike Gallagher, who chairs the China Committee. The joint profile emphasizes the committee’s establishment in February of the current year, focusing on investigating and formulating policies to address economic, technological, and security competition with China’s ruling Communist Party. Krishnamoorthi, at 50, made history as the first South Asian to lead a U.S. Congressional…

Dave Sharma, a candidate of Indian descent from the Australian Liberal Party, has been chosen to fill the New South Wales (NSW) senate seat vacated by Senator Marise Payne, Australia’s longest-serving female in that position. Sharma emerged victorious in the selection process, surpassing contenders Zed Seselja and Andrew Constance. Seselja secured the third position, while Sharma won against Constance with a 251-206 vote. This milestone marks Sharma as the inaugural person of Indian origin from the Liberal Party to assume a federal senator role in Australia. His political journey began in 2019 when he became the first individual of Indian…

Ash Kalra, the first Indian American elected to the California State Assembly, has been designated as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary by Speaker Robert Rivas. Expressing gratitude for the appointment on Nov 22, Kalra emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil rights and ensuring a just legal system. Having served on the committee for seven years, he commended the leadership of Chairs Stone and Maienschein, expressing readiness to contribute further. Speaker Rivas praised Kalra’s commitment to justice, highlighting the foundational role of the justice system in ensuring public safety and holding offenders accountable. Kalra’s new role involves primary…