India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is breathing new life into the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). By aligning multiple national strategies such as Neighbourhood First, Act East, MAHASAGAR, and its Indo-Pacific vision, India is reinforcing the foundation and direction of BIMSTEC’s regional development. India’s commitment to institutional growth is evident through the appointment of Indra Mani Pandey, an experienced diplomat, as the Secretary General. Moreover, the group adopted its formal charter in May 2024, giving it global recognition and a structured framework. India’s $1 million grant to the BIMSTEC Secretariat…
Author: Nupur Rohila
Nupur Rohila
Love, nature, women's empowerment, and social issues make up the bulk of Nupur's writing topics. She earned a Master of Arts in Ancient History and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Delhi University before she began writing. It just so happens that Nupur also aced the Junior Research Fellowship exam for history. At present, Neha is working as a freelance content writer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian diaspora in Thailand for their warm and enthusiastic welcome. He also described witnessing a performance of Ramakien, the Thai adaptation of the Ramayana, as an “enriching experience.” Upon his arrival in Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi attended a performance of Ramakien, a cultural spectacle that underscores the deep historical and civilizational ties between India and Thailand. This traditional Thai retelling of the Ramayana has played a significant role in shaping Thailand’s cultural identity and its connection with India. As he reached his hotel, he was…
The film A Nice Indian Boy delivers all the charm of a classic romantic comedy while exploring love, culture, and family dynamics in an Indian American setting. Directed by Roshan Sethi, the film stars Karan Soni (Deadpool) as Naveen, a cautious doctor, and Jonathan Groff (Glee, Hamilton) as Jay, a charismatic photographer. Based on Madhuri Shekar’s play and written by Eric Randall, the film follows Naveen as he meets Jay in a temple’s prayer room and again during a photo shoot. Though drawn to each other, Naveen hesitates to embrace his feelings, largely due to his protective nature and the…
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font at Hyderabad House, as confirmed by Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal. The leaders are set to hold extensive talks to enhance and expand the strong bilateral ties between India and Chile. Font, earlier in the day, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, signing the visitors’ book in tribute to the iconic leader. He shared on X, “Along with our delegation, we paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. His legacy teaches us that India and Chile not…
In 2024, Indian Americans offered a mixed assessment of the U.S.-India relationship, following the re-election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. A Carnegie Endowment survey found that while a significant portion of Indian Americans approved of the Biden administration’s management of U.S.-India ties, their opinions on Trump’s potential impact on future relations were more divided. Indian Americans are concerned about the prospect of bilateral relations deteriorating under Trump, especially when compared to the Biden administration’s positive stance. Despite this, many approve of Modi’s performance and view India’s trajectory more favorably than in 2020. In particular,…
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently engaged in a high-level discussion, focusing on key bilateral issues. The two officials explored ways to minimize trade restrictions, enhance defense and technology cooperation, and address illegal immigration to the United States, according to a statement from the US Department of State, spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed. During the discussion, Deputy Secretary Landau expressed appreciation for India’s assistance in tackling illegal immigration and requested continued support on this issue. The dialogue also covered broader concerns, including economic security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. The talks come…
Could Google CEO Sundar Pichai be considering owning a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL)? While nothing is confirmed, his growing interest in the league suggests it could be a possibility in the future. A passionate cricket fan, Pichai has already invested in the sport. He, along with a group of US-based Indian tech leaders—including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, and others—secured a 49% stake in London Spirit, a franchise in The Hundred. The remaining 51% is controlled by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) under its business model. Pichai’s enthusiasm for the IPL became…
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has appointed Shohini Sinha as the assistant director of the Victim Services Division. Prior to this role, Ms. Sinha served as the special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City Field Office. Ms. Sinha’s career with the FBI began in 2001 as a special agent in the Milwaukee Field Office, where she worked on counterterrorism investigations. Over the years, she took on several temporary assignments, including roles at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, the FBI Legal Attaché Office in London, and the Baghdad Operations Center. Her leadership trajectory continued in 2009 when she…
Indian immigrants in the United States, including Green Card holders, are facing heightened scrutiny at airports, with many reporting prolonged questioning under security checks. Some individuals have been detained for hours, particularly those returning after extended stays abroad. Concerns have escalated following a statement by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who emphasized that holding a Green Card does not guarantee permanent residency. Reports suggest that under the Trump administration, immigration officials have intensified efforts to identify individuals residing unlawfully, leading to stricter inspections. Legal experts have advised Green Card holders to renew their cards before expiration and to carry official…
A special screening of the Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava is set to take place at Parliament’s Balayogi Auditorium this Thursday. The event is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, several Union Ministers, and Members of Parliament. Lead actor Vicky Kaushal, who plays Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, will also be present, alongside producer Dinesh Vijan, director Laxman Utekar, and other key members of the cast and crew. Directed by Laxman Utekar, Chhaava has emerged as a box office phenomenon, raking in over $60 million and marking the highest-grossing film of Vicky Kaushal’s career. The period drama,…