Author: Nupur Rohila

India has secured a strategic “Southern Anchor” through its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, sending a message of pragmatism and long-term partnership amid ongoing global trade uncertainty, according to a report. The report noted that the deal lays the groundwork for a comprehensive bilateral economic partnership that aligns with India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific trade strategies, and strengthens cooperation between the world’s fastest-growing major economy and New Zealand. The new FTA, concluded last month after negotiations that began in March 2025, is viewed as a key component of economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, complementing India’s…

India is making some of the most forward-looking investments in the global healthcare sector by strengthening the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and rolling out the Future Health Districts programme, according to experts speaking at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has emerged as the cornerstone of India’s efforts to build a unified national digital health ecosystem. Since its launch, the initiative has enabled hundreds of millions of citizens to access digital health services through unique health identities, while integrating hospitals, clinics, laboratories, insurers, and healthcare professionals onto a common interoperable platform. Complementing this effort, the…

Kochi, Jan 17 – Indian American community leader Andrew Pappachen was honored with the 2025 Good Samaritan Award by the Global Malayalee Christian Forum at a ceremony held at the Kochi Ramada Inn. The award recognized over three decades of dedicated service to the Indian diaspora, celebrating his leadership and commitment to community development. In a separate event, Pappachen was felicitated by his former classmates and professors from CMS College, Kottayam. The gathering highlighted his impact on the global Malayalee community, with mentors and friends presenting him with a ceremonial shawl as a mark of respect and admiration. Renowned personalities,…

India and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on shared strategic goals amid an increasingly uncertain global environment, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi co-chaired the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The talks covered a broad spectrum of cooperation, including economic engagement, maritime security, supply chains, critical minerals, technology collaboration, people-to-people exchanges, and multilateral coordination. Both sides underlined the growing importance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in shaping regional stability and contributing to global economic resilience. EAM Jaishankar noted that the partnership is on a steady upward…

Sergio Gor officially began his term as the United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia after presenting his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu on January 14. The ceremony marked the formal start of his diplomatic assignment in New Delhi. Speaking to guests at the U.S. Embassy following his oath-taking, Gor emphasized that relations between India and the United States are firmly rooted at the highest levels of leadership. He noted that cooperation between the two countries remains strong despite differences, adding that genuine partners are able to resolve disagreements through dialogue. Gor said he…

Arjun Mody was officially sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of the US Social Security Administration (SSA), assuming the role of chief operating officer at one of the federal government’s largest and most critical agencies. Confirmed by the US Senate on December 18, 2025, Mody’s term will continue through January 19, 2031, during which he will help administer Social Security’s core programs serving tens of millions of Americans. Expressing gratitude for his appointment, Mody thanked President Donald J. Trump, emphasizing his commitment to making Social Security effective and reliable for every eligible American. In his new capacity, Mody will oversee policy…

India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its environmental governance and renewable energy ecosystem with the inauguration of two world-class national facilities at the CSIR–National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The newly launched National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the Solar Energy Complex are expected to enhance the country’s capacity for accurate environmental monitoring and global-standard solar energy calibration. The National Environmental Standard Laboratory, one of only a handful globally, is designed to provide India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems. The facility addresses a long-standing gap in reliable, traceable environmental data by ensuring that monitoring instruments are tested under…

A national employment initiative titled Hundred Million Jobs has been launched in India with the ambitious goal of creating 10 crore jobs over the next decade, as the country seeks to align rapid economic growth with large-scale employment generation. The mission brings together leading voices from India’s technology, entrepreneurship, and public policy ecosystems to address what has emerged as one of the country’s most pressing challenges — ensuring that economic expansion translates into dignified and sustainable livelihoods. With India adding nearly 12 million people to its working-age population every year, the need to generate 8–9 million jobs annually has become…

 When voters in Edison, New Jersey cast their ballots on November 4, 2025, the outcome left little room for doubt. Mayor Sam Joshi secured a second four-year term with an overwhelming mandate, capturing nearly 71.5 percent of the vote against independent challenger Dave Tingle. The decisive result carried particular significance in a township widely regarded as a center of Indian American life in the United States, elevating the victory beyond local politics. Joshi’s success extended well beyond his own race. His entire Democratic ticket swept the council elections, with Kelli Dima, Robert Kentos, and Biral Patel winning their seats. The…

Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-origin American politician, officially assumed office as the mayor of New York City early Thursday, marking the beginning of his four-year tenure. The 34-year-old Democrat took the oath just after midnight at the long-shuttered City Hall subway station beneath Manhattan, a site known for its historic charm and architectural elegance. The ceremony carried strong symbolic weight, as Mamdani became the first Muslim to hold the city’s top executive position. Placing his hand on the Quran, he described the moment as the greatest honor of his life. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James,…