Author: Nupur Rohila

Indian-Americans are making significant strides in U.S. politics this year, highlighted by Pranita Venkatesh’s historic election as mayor of San Carlos, California. Her election follows Zohran Mamdani’s milestone as New York City’s mayor, marking Venkatesh as the second mayor in the country of Indian-origin heritage. On December 8, 2025, Venkatesh was officially sworn in as the mayor of San Carlos, a city of 28,000 residents located in San Mateo County, near Silicon Valley. Known as the “City of the Gold Life,” San Carlos now celebrates one of its youngest mayors, who also represents South Asian heritage in civic leadership. Venkatesh…

US President Donald Trump has signed the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for the Financial Year 2026 into law, reinforcing deeper US engagement with India and other Quad nations to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific while addressing challenges posed by China. Trump stated that the legislation will allow the Department of War to advance his “Peace through Strength” agenda, safeguard the homeland from domestic and international threats, and fortify the defence industrial base. The NDAA 2026 emphasises strengthening US defence alliances in the Indo-Pacific, including expanded cooperation with India through the Quad. It outlines initiatives for joint military exercises,…

US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed that import tariffs will remain a cornerstone of America’s economic policy, signaling a long-term commitment that may put additional pressure on global trade partners, including India. In his year-end national address on Wednesday night, Trump described tariffs not merely as temporary negotiation tools but as a fundamental mechanism to stimulate investment, revitalize manufacturing, and safeguard American jobs. “Much of this progress is due to tariffs,” Trump asserted, calling them his “favorite word,” while highlighting that companies are returning to US soil in record numbers because domestically produced goods are shielded from import duties. He…

India continues to solidify its reputation as a prime destination for global corporations seeking high-value business operations. In a landmark development, American banking giant JP Morgan has announced plans to establish Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai, further positioning India as a key player in global finance and technology services. JP Morgan has been steadily expanding its footprint in India over the past several years. Within the last two years alone, the bank has leased nearly 1 million square feet of office space, reflecting its growing commitment to the country. India has emerged as a preferred location for…

Cricket in the United States received a major boost with the official announcement of LaGrange Cricket Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility being developed by LaGrange Cricket Holdings near Atlanta, Georgia. The launch event, held in Mumbai, highlighted the stadium’s vision to become a permanent hub for cricket in the US, with operations slated to begin in 2027. Spanning 45 acres, the stadium will feature 10,000 permanent seats, expandable to 25,000 for large-scale concerts and other entertainment events. Designed to meet international cricketing standards, it will host national and global matches while serving as a multi-sport, community-focused destination. The venue aims to…

The Indian Space Research Organisation has charted an intensive launch calendar, with seven missions scheduled to lift off by March next year. These missions reflect a mix of strategic goals, advanced technology demonstrations, and growing commercial collaborations. The first launch from this series is expected as early as next week, setting the pace for a crucial phase in India’s space program. A major highlight of the lineup is the human-rated LVM3 rocket, the country’s most powerful launch vehicle. Under a commercial agreement facilitated by New Space India Limited, the LVM3 will place the Bluebird-6 communication satellite into orbit for US-based…

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan announced on Thursday that the next two major lunar missions—Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5—have officially received approval and are scheduled for launch by 2028. Addressing reporters, Narayanan stated that both missions fall under the agency’s approved timeline, confirming that ISRO is moving steadily toward its next phase of lunar exploration. When asked to share further details about the design or objectives of the two missions, he declined, noting that no additional information could be disclosed at this stage. Beyond lunar exploration, Narayanan emphasized that ISRO continues to heavily invest its energy and resources into…

Microsoft has unveiled its largest-ever investment in Asia, committing $17.5 billion to expand India’s cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next four years. The announcement was made by CEO Satya Nadella on X shortly after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, marking a major push to deepen Microsoft’s long-term presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets. Nadella said the investment aims to help India build the essential “infrastructure, skills and sovereign capabilities” required to power its AI-focused future. His statement comes at a time when global tech giants are rapidly stepping up their presence…

India’s economy posted stronger-than-expected performance in the second quarter of FY26, supported by a sharp rise in private consumption and steady investment activity. According to a report by CareEdge Ratings, income tax cuts, GST rationalisation, easing inflation and an early festive season pushed private final consumption expenditure to 7.9 per cent in Q2, marking one of the strongest drivers of growth. Gross fixed capital formation expanded by 7.3 per cent during the quarter, aided by continued public capital expenditure. Though investment momentum moderated slightly, the report noted that capital formation remained at a healthy level and continues to support the…

Indian American geospatial professional Siddharth “Sid” Pandey has been selected to serve on the board of directors for the Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) at Penn State University’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. His three-year appointment places him among a 16-member leadership group that includes 15 board members and the immediate past president. Together, the board plays a central role in guiding the GEMS Alumni Society, shaping opportunities, and fostering engagement across Penn State’s expansive alumni network. Pandey joins the board alongside fellow new appointee Quentin Lawson-Parchment, an office engineer at Promatech Inc., according to the university…