Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Artificial Intelligence is expected to generate new employment opportunities across areas such as data science, data curation and advanced analytics, with over 0.87 million Indians already trained or enrolled in emerging technologies, Parliament was informed on Thursday. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched the FutureSkills PRIME programme to reskill and upskill IT professionals across ten emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence. Under the initiative, more than 0.32 million candidates have received training specifically in AI and Big Data Analytics. Replying to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje…

US-based aviation startup Natilus has announced its formal entry into the Indian aviation market after low-cost carrier SpiceJet placed an order for 100 of its blended-wing-body aircraft. The deal marks a major milestone for Natilus as it expands into one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets through the launch of a local subsidiary, Natilus India, which will be headquartered in Mumbai. India currently ranks as the fifth-largest aviation market globally, according to industry estimates, making it an increasingly attractive destination for aircraft manufacturers and global airlines. Rising demand for air travel following the pandemic has strengthened traffic to and from…

Before making history as New York City’s youngest and first Indian-American Muslim mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani had a surprising encounter with the film world. The Democratic socialist was once personally offered the lead role in Mira Nair’s adaptation of A Suitable Boy, a sprawling period drama, but he declined, prioritizing his own path over acting. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, filmmaker Mira Nair revealed that she had considered Mamdani for the lead role because of his natural presence and ease in reading lines opposite actors at home. However, Mamdani politely refused, demonstrating a strong sense of self-awareness. “Many…

India’s gem and jewelry sector witnessed a notable surge in exports during November, reaching US$ 2.50 billion—a nearly 20% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The growth was driven largely by strong demand across key categories, particularly cut and polished diamonds, which recorded a sharp rise in exports. Polished lab-grown diamonds also contributed consistently, highlighting the growing global acceptance of affordable and sustainable alternatives. The sector’s gold and silver jewelry segments played an important role, buoyed by rising employment demand and the restoration of silver bullion supply chains.…

The Italy–India Business Forum 2025, hosted in Mumbai during the official visit of Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, marked a major milestone in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. The forum served as a platform where senior government leaders, industry representatives, and over 150 companies from both sides gathered to explore fresh opportunities in trade, technology, and long-term collaboration. A diverse set of sectors dominated the discussions—including automotive innovations, waste-to-energy solutions, renewable energy systems, agri-food advancements, sports technology, industrial connectivity, and next-generation manufacturing capabilities. The event emphasized not only trade growth but also the creation of sustainable…

Menka Soni has created a historic milestone in the United States by becoming the first Indian-American woman to take her oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita after being elected to the Redmond City Council in Washington state. Speaking to ANI, Soni explained that she wanted her swearing-in ceremony to reflect her values, cultural heritage, and spiritual beliefs. “I am deeply spiritual, and I maintain a small temple at home. I am a vegetarian and celebrate festivals like Navratri, Holi, and Diwali. Spiritually, we have never really left India,” she said. She added that taking the oath on the Gita…

Two of the most prominent Indian American voices in the U.S. Congress—Representative Ami Bera and Representative Pramila Jayapal—delivered some of the most forceful and substantive remarks during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on the US-India strategic partnership. Both lawmakers pushed for a steadier, more principled, and aspiration-driven roadmap for the relationship between Washington and New Delhi. Bera, a California Democrat and one of the longest-serving Indian American members in Congress, emphasized that support for India spans administrations and political parties. He pointed to a bipartisan resolution recently introduced by 24 lawmakers, outlining three decades of U.S. strategic engagement with…

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will arrive in India on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening political, economic, and strategic cooperation between the two countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Tajani will hold discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi before travelling to Mumbai for a series of meetings and official engagements on Thursday. He is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday. The visit comes amid renewed momentum in India–Italy relations, highlighted by the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on…

 US President Donald Trump has signaled that new tariffs on certain agricultural imports may be imminent, focusing particularly on rice from India and fertilizer from Canada. The announcement came during a White House event where he introduced a $12 billion farm assistance plan aimed at supporting American farmers, even as trade negotiations with India and Canada show little progress. Trump emphasized that these measures are critical to protecting domestic producers from what he described as unfair foreign competition. Trump stated that imports from India are putting US farmers at a disadvantage. During the discussion, Louisiana rice producers were highlighted, noting…

Russia has reiterated that India will continue purchasing fuel where it finds the best economic advantage, underscoring New Delhi’s sovereign right to determine its own trade priorities. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said India conducts foreign trade in line with national interests and is expected to maintain the same approach following President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to New Delhi. He described the visit as highly successful and said Moscow fully understands India’s position on sourcing energy competitively. Peskov’s remarks aligned with President Putin’s assurances that Russia remains one of India’s most dependable energy suppliers. After talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,…