Author: Malavika Subramanyan

On June 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil five new Vande Bharat Express trains, marking a significant expansion of the existing fleet. These trains will operate on the Goa-Mumbai, Patna-Ranchi, Bhopal-Indore, Bhopal-Jabalpur, and Bangalore-Hubli routes. The introduction of these trains will bring the total number of Vande Bharat Express trains in the country to 23. Built under the “Make in India” initiative of the Modi government, these semi-high-speed trains are designed to offer passengers a faster and more comfortable travel experience. Equipped with cutting-edge amenities, including spacious seating and advanced safety features, the Vande Bharat Express trains…

The projected value of India’s total exports, combining both merchandise and services, is expected to reach US$60.29 billion in May 2023. Specifically, services exports are estimated to be worth US$25.30 billion, while merchandise exports are valued at US$34.98 billion. During the period of April-May 2023, merchandise exports accounted for US$69.72 billion, while services exports reached US$51.14 billion. Among the merchandise exports, 13 out of the 30 key sectors exhibited positive growth in May 2023 compared to the same period in May 2022. These sectors include Electronic Goods (73.96%), Other Cereals (67.96%), Oil Meals (52.91%), Spices (49.84%), Iron Ore (48.26%), Oil…

The Indian Ministry of Defence has granted approval for the procurement of ‘predator drones’ from the United States, although the final decision on the acquisition will be made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This development is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States. Led by BJP leader Rajnath Singh, the Defence Ministry granted its approval for the acquisition of the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from America on Thursday. The Defence Acquisition Council meeting today approved the deal for the Predator drones. According to officials familiar with the matter in…

Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization representing global Indian diaspora leaders, has expressed excitement about the upcoming visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States. Scheduled from June 21 to June 23, 2023, this visit is considered historic as Prime Minister Modi is only the third Indian leader to be invited for a State visit, following President S Radhakrishnan in 1963 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2009. Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami welcomes Prime Minister Modi’s visit, highlighting the substantial growth of the U.S.-India relationship and its potential to become a consequential partnership of the century. Rangaswami expects important…

According to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the fourth-largest investor in India during the fiscal year 2023. Foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UAE to India has increased significantly, reaching US$ 3.35 billion, more than three times the amount invested in 2021-22, which was US$ 1.03 billion. This surge in investment is attributed to the strong bilateral relations and investment cooperation between the two countries, as well as increased investment commitments from the UAE and policy reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. In…

According to reports, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, had a productive discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on India’s thriving technology ecosystem and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) for the country. Altman expressed his enjoyment of the meetings he had with individuals in the Prime Minister’s Office. During his visit to the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi, Altman shared the topics that he and PM Modi discussed. They explored the opportunities available to India, strategies for the country, and the importance of global regulations to mitigate potential negative consequences. Altman described the conversation as excellent and…

President Joe Biden has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi for a State visit to the United States, highlighting the growing significance of bilateral and geopolitical relations between the two countries. This invitation also includes the opportunity for the Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress, further solidifying the importance of the relationship. These recent developments indicate a few key points. First, the United States recognizes India’s increased value as a partner in its geopolitical strategy, particularly in light of the challenges posed by China. Despite the US strengthening its alliances in the western…

After a 27-year absence, India is preparing to host the 71st Miss World beauty pageant in 2023, marking a huge comeback. The news was made at a press conference in New Delhi, where Julia Morley, the chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization, and the current Miss World, Karolina Bielawska, were present. Karolina Bielawska, Miss World 2022, expressed her delight about India hosting the event and said it would be a chance to display the nation’s grace, beauty, and forward-thinking mentality. She extended an invitation to everyone to join her on this amazing journey and celebrate the ability of…

Tata Motors has announced its plan to allocate a sum of US$ 2 billion over the next four years for the development of new products and platforms. The Mumbai-based automaker shared during an investor meeting that it intends to introduce six to seven new passenger vehicle (PV) models by 2027, featuring various powertrain options, including battery-powered ones. To ensure a consistent supply of crucial materials, Tata Motors plans to construct a cathode active material facility adjacent to its electric vehicle (EV) battery gigafactory in Gujarat. Cathode active materials (CAM), which are high-purity chemicals, play a vital role in the performance…

Rahul Gandhi recently embarked on a 10-day tour of three cities in the United States. During his visit to New York, the final leg of his tour, he delivered a speech to the Indian diaspora that included several peculiar statements. Continuing a pattern seen in his overseas visits, Gandhi criticized India and its government, while also making factually inaccurate claims about the country’s history, democracy, and leaders. In his speech, Gandhi began by asserting that the Congress party upholds the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, whereas the RSS and BJP (used as a general reference to Hindus who do not support…