Author: Nupur Rohila

Quad Foreign Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to ‘Free and Open’ Indo-Pacific The foreign ministers of the Quad nations—India, the United States,Australia, and Japan—have reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the need for peace, maritime security, and respect for international law. In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Washington on Tuesday (US time), the ministers firmly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion, calling for adherence to the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. “As four leading maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific, we are united…

 India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections have soared to a historic high of $257 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), reflecting a year-on-year increase of 9.4%, as per the government’s official data released on June 30. This surge in tax revenue marks a significant milestone in India’s tax reform journey and indicates a robust and growing formal economy. The average monthly GST revenue during the year stood at an impressive $21.44 billion. What’s more remarkable is the doubling of GST collections in just five years—from $132.5 billion in FY21, when monthly collections averaged around $11.07 billion. As of…

India’s space story reached a historic milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS). In a live interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 39-year-old astronaut reflected on the enormity of the moment and shared that India looks “bigger and grander from space than on the map.” Shukla, the mission pilot of Axiom-4, is only the second Indian to enter space after Rakesh Sharma’s mission in1984. Launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the team completed a 28-hour journey before successfully docking with the ISS. Alongside Shukla…

At the NATO Summit 2025 in The Hague, US President Donald Trump asserted that his most significant diplomatic accomplishment was preventing a potential nuclear clash between India and Pakistan—not through military force, but by applying trade pressure. Speaking at a press briefing, Trump claimed that the US had stepped in during what he described as a “very nasty” situation and used economic leverage to de-escalate rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. “I think the deal I’m most proud of is stopping a potential nuclear war between India and Pakistan—through trade, not bullets,” Trump said, adding that both countries were…

India’s Strategic Partnership with G7 to Boost World Trade: Study India’s deepening strategic partnership with the G7 countries is set to significantly enhance global trade and economic growth, according to a study released by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The collaboration spans clean and renewable energy, climate finance, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), supply chain resilience, and the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The study emphasizes the strategic importance of maritime and Indo-Pacific security in strengthening India’s relationship with G7 economies. India’s merchandise trade with G7 nations grew by 61%, rising from $154 billion in FY 2020–21 to $248 billion…

A preliminary report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has revealed that the June 21 airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have caused only a short-term disruption to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Contrary to what President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have publicly claimed, the strikes have not obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Sources close to the intelligence findings told Reuters the delay may be limited to just a couple of months, with Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium remaining largely untouched. The assessment comes after the US executed Operation Midnight Hammer, a large-scale military mission involving…

Dr. Sai Yendamuri, a prominent name in surgical oncology, has been elected to the American Surgical Association (ASA) — the oldest and most respected body of its kind in the United States. This honor marks a major milestone in Dr. Yendamuri’s distinguished career and reflects his commitment to pushing the boundaries of modern surgical care. Currently serving as the Chief Strategy Officer and Chair of Thoracic Surgery at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Yendamuri also directs the Thoracic Surgery Laboratory. He holds a faculty position as Professor of Surgery at the Jacobs School of Medicine…

Following the American airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran launched a measured retaliatory attack on June 23, targeting the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar—home to the US Central Command. Despite the retaliation, Iran took deliberate steps to limit the damage, reportedly providing prior notice to both Qatari and US officials, allowing for early evacuation and zero casualties. President Donald Trump confirmed the incident on Truth Social, labeling the Iranian response as “weak and expected,” and expressing hope that this marked the end of the conflict. He thanked Iran for the warning and suggested that the…

On the morning of June 21, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from the sunlit shores of RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Addressing the assembled crowd, Modi declared that yoga has become a global force for unity and peace. “Yoga means to unite — and it is heartwarming to see how it has truly united the world,” he said. PM Modi noted that the celebration has grown exponentially since 2015, and this year, over 3.5 million coordinated events took place across India alone. The global theme for this year — “Yoga for…

India’s Engineering Exports Up 60% Since 2014, Reflecting ‘Make in India’ Success: Piyush Goyal India’s engineering goods exports have risen by 60% since 2014, a milestone highlighted by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday as a direct outcome of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. “India on the rise! Since 2014, under the Narendra Modi government, engineering goods’ exports have surged by 60 per cent, reflecting robust ‘Make in India’ success,” Goyal posted on social media platform X. This growth mirrors India’s broader industrial recovery and export performance. As per recent data from the Ministry of Statistics,…