Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India’s growing role as a stabilising force in a rapidly polarising global order is gaining renewed strategic importance, with its leadership of BRICS placing New Delhi at the centre of emerging geopolitical realignments. As shifting power dynamics reshape global alliances, India’s presidency of BRICS has positioned it as a moderating influence within the bloc, preventing it from evolving into an overtly ideological or confrontational platform. New Delhi’s emphasis on economic cooperation, infrastructure development and inclusive growth reflects a deliberate effort to preserve BRICS as a development-oriented forum rather than a geopolitical instrument. India’s leadership comes at a time of unprecedented…

India’s foreign exchange reserves saw a substantial rise of $14.167 billion in the week ended January 16, pushing the total above the $700-billion mark to $701.36 billion, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The rise in reserves follows a smaller increase of $392 million in the previous week. The largest component of the reserves, Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), expanded by $9.65 billion, reaching $560.51 billion. FCA includes major global currencies such as the U.S. dollar, euro, yen and pound, valued in dollar terms. Gold reserves also contributed significantly, increasing by $4.6 billion to…

Seattle University’s Roundglass India Center has introduced a new video podcast series that examines political, social, and civic topics within the Indian-American community. Titled The Hyphen: Indian-American Dialogues, the series builds on the Center’s previous podcast, Desi Roots & Routes, while focusing on contemporary debates surrounding diaspora politics, U.S.-India relations, and transnational civic life. The inaugural episode, Should Indian Americans Lobby the U.S. Government on Behalf of India?, delves into a discussion sparked by Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, who criticized Indian Americans for not lobbying the U.S. government more actively in support of India. In this episode, host Sital Kalantry,…

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after an illustrious 27-year career marked by multiple records and groundbreaking missions in human spaceflight. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025, capping a career that included three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and contributions that paved the way for future lunar and Martian exploration. Williams, 60, recently visited India, where she shared her experiences during an interactive session at the American Center titled “Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground.” She reflected on challenging missions, including one extended stay aboard the ISS that lasted over nine months due…

India has delivered 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, reinforcing its continued humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan and addressing the urgent medical needs of cancer patients in the country. The medical consignment forms part of India’s broader commitment to providing essential healthcare assistance to Afghanistan, particularly in critical areas such as cancer treatment. Indian authorities reiterated that the support reflects New Delhi’s enduring solidarity with the Afghan people and its focus on humanitarian cooperation. Healthcare collaboration between the two countries has gained renewed momentum through recent high-level engagements. Discussions have focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in…

Indian American attorney, educator, and mother of four, Rakhi Israni, announced her candidacy for California’s 14th Congressional District on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for reform-minded leadership amid rising costs and political polarization. Her campaign launch featured a video on social media outlining her personal and professional background and her commitment to public service. “This moment calls on each of us to serve a purpose greater than ourselves and to stand firmly on the side of truth,” Israni said. She added that the values she shares with her husband and children inspire her campaign, which aims to tackle challenges facing families…

 AONMeetings, a video conferencing and webinar platform based in Des Moines, announced plans to expand into India, aiming to provide enterprise-grade communication tools to small businesses, families, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and legal professionals at highly competitive prices. Founded in 2020, the platform has built a strong reputation in the U.S. for reliable, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing solutions, serving over 1,000 businesses and holding a 4.9-star rating on G2. Dwight Reed, CEO and Founder of AONMeetings, highlighted India’s potential as one of the world’s most digitally advanced and fast-growing markets. He emphasized the country’s widespread use of digital tools across healthcare,…

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has recently taken to social media to celebrate Rani Mukerji’s impressive 30-year career in Indian cinema. Expressing her excitement, Alia highlighted the veteran actress’s return as the fearless police officer ACP Shivani Shivaji Roy in the highly anticipated film Mardaani 3. The trailer of the movie has been generating widespread attention online, earning significant appreciation from audiences. Sharing her admiration, Alia wrote, “30 years of unforgettable performances and now one more! Cannot wait to watch Mardaani 3!” Her post also served as a reminder that the Bollywood industry is commemorating Rani Mukerji’s three decades of cinematic…

The World Bank has approved a $286 million loan to strengthen healthcare access for more than 90 million people in West Bengal, marking a significant boost to the state’s public health infrastructure and service delivery systems. The funding will support the West Bengal Health System Reform Programme Operation, aimed at improving personalised and patient-centric healthcare services across the state. A key focus of the programme is the early detection and management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes through digital tracking and outcome-based monitoring. The initiative also seeks to enhance the resilience of healthcare facilities against extreme weather events,…

The National Turmeric Board has completed its first year of operations, playing a key role in supporting turmeric farmers and expanding India’s presence in the global turmeric market, according to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal. Established to strengthen the entire turmeric value chain, the Board focuses on areas ranging from cultivation and scientific research to processing and international trade. Its initiatives have contributed to increased cultivation levels and created new opportunities for traders and exporters across the country. India continues to be the world’s leading producer and exporter of turmeric, with more than 30 native varieties gaining…