Author: Malavika Subramanyan

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Russia, stating that New Delhi will work closely with Moscow under its BRICS chairmanship to address shared global challenges. Speaking virtually at a conference titled “India and Russia: Towards a New Bilateral Agenda”, Jaishankar highlighted India’s “humanity-first” and people-centric approach during its leadership of BRICS. He emphasised that India looks forward to collaborating with Russia in a balanced and inclusive manner, while reiterating the strong foundation of trust and mutual respect that defines the bilateral relationship. Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to…

‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ has emerged as a major cinematic success in the United States, setting new benchmarks for Indian films with its extensive screenings and strong box office performance. The sequel has quickly gained traction among audiences, drawing packed houses and generating significant buzz across North American theatres. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, is witnessing an unprecedented exhibition strategy. In several multiplexes across the United States, screenings are scheduled as frequently as every 30 minutes, resulting in near sold-out shows throughout the day. This aggressive release pattern marks one of the widest distributions ever seen…

India’s Digital India programme, launched in 2015, has significantly reshaped the country’s digital ecosystem by expanding connectivity, improving affordability, and strengthening digital infrastructure across urban and rural regions. Over the past decade, the initiative has played a central role in transforming how citizens access services, communicate, and conduct financial transactions. Broadband penetration has witnessed a remarkable surge, rising from 2.5 billion connections to 10.3 billion, reflecting nearly a 400 percent increase. At the same time, mobile infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with base transceiver stations increasing by around 273 percent to 2.95 million units. Connectivity has now reached nearly all villages,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stepped up diplomatic efforts as tensions escalate in West Asia. On March 17, 2026, Modi held a phone conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemning recent attacks on the Gulf country and stressing the urgent need for secure and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, which handles nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments, was closed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following US and Israeli strikes on Tehran’s military and naval assets. These strikes, part of an ongoing conflict now in its 18th day, have rattled…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the landmark figure of 30 million subscribers on YouTube, emerging as the most-followed global leader on the video-sharing platform. With this milestone, PM Modi now leads worldwide rankings among serving and former heads of government in terms of subscriber base. His channel significantly outpaces other prominent political figures, underscoring the scale of his digital engagement and international outreach. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro holds the second position with around 6.6 million subscribers — roughly a quarter of PM Modi’s total. The Indian Prime Minister’s subscriber count is also reported to be more than seven…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on March 2, 2026, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi for extensive bilateral discussions aimed at reinforcing cooperation between the two countries. The high-level meeting underscored a shared determination to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement at a pivotal moment in India-Canada relations. During their talks, the two leaders evaluated progress under the India-Canada Strategic Partnership and explored new opportunities for collaboration. Key areas of focus included trade and investment, energy security, critical minerals, agriculture, education, research, innovation, and people-to-people connections. Both sides expressed interest in advancing negotiations toward a comprehensive…

India’s trade partnerships in 2026 reflect a decisive shift toward deeper global economic integration, underpinned by a growing network of modern, outcome-oriented trade agreements that are expanding market access, boosting exports, attracting investment and generating employment across multiple sectors. A landmark agreement with the European Union, alongside strengthened partnerships with major global economies, has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation. These trade frameworks are complemented by domestic policy, financial and regulatory measures aimed at enhancing exporter competitiveness, making India’s trade ecosystem more resilient and globally integrated. Several major economies are currently engaged in active negotiations with India to deepen…

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized that quality must form the cornerstone of India’s manufacturing and export growth. Speaking at the National Quality Conclave, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” vision is central to driving the nation’s development objectives. Goyal stated that India’s ambition to become a $30–35 trillion economy by 2047 hinges on producing high-quality goods and achieving inclusive growth. He underlined the importance of building “Brand India” around three…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level roundtable with CEOs and founders of India’s leading AI and deeptech startups at Seva Teerth, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and establishing India as a global technology leader. The session included executives from Abridge, Adalat AI, BrainSightAI, Credo AI, Eka Care, Glean, Innogle, Invideo, Miko, Origin, Prophaze, Rasen, Rubrik, SatSure, Supernova, and Sypha AI. Senior government officials, including Principal Secretary Shri P K Mishra, Principal Secretary-2 Shri Shaktikanta Das, and Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada, provided guidance on policy frameworks and public-private collaboration. Startups presented innovations across healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence (AI), introducing the ‘MANAV’ vision at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. Emphasizing responsibility alongside innovation, the Prime Minister called on the global community to guide AI in ways that prioritize humanity. Speaking at the summit, Modi noted that the world faces both great opportunities and responsibilities in the AI era. He stressed the importance of considering not just what AI can achieve in the future, but how it is used today. Drawing parallels to nuclear technology, he highlighted that AI, like other transformative innovations, can either benefit society or…