Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

 Eminent Indian American physician and community leader, Dr Bharat Barai, has cautioned that India–US relations could remain tense unless Washington revises recent tariff measures. He argued that India has been unfairly targeted amid wider global trade and energy dynamics. According to Dr Barai, progress in bilateral ties built over several administrations has been undermined by the return of President Donald Trump, whose trade policies, he believes, are driven more by politics than economics. While acknowledging the US trade deficit with India, Dr Barai emphasized that a measured economic approach should have guided any corrective actions. “A calculated tariff to address…

Artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool in diagnostics, drug discovery and modern healthcare delivery, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said at the CII Pharma & Lifesciences Summit 2025 in New Delhi. He emphasised that the technology’s effectiveness depends on its judicious and balanced use. Speaking at the event, the Minister highlighted the government’s growing collaboration with the private sector in areas such as biotechnology, gene therapy and advanced healthcare technologies. He said that under the current leadership, India has adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach that accelerates innovation and supports cutting-edge research. Dr.…

India and the United States have taken another significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership, holding wide-ranging talks in New Delhi aimed at accelerating cooperation across defense, technology, energy and trade. US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker met with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri as part of her five-day visit focused on expanding strategic and economic ties. According to the US embassy, Hooker underscored Washington’s commitment to advancing collaboration in areas including defense modernization, clean energy, advanced technology, outer-space programs and the building of resilient supply chains. The embassy said the meeting provided an opportunity to transform…

Jay Vaingankar, a former official with the U.S. Department of Energy under the Biden administration, has officially entered the race for the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey. At just 27 years old, he has the potential to become both the first Gen Z member and the first South Asian American to represent the state in Congress. Vaingankar is seeking to fill the seat in New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Princeton and Trenton. The seat is opening up after longtime Democratic Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman announced last month that she will retire at the end of her…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to Oman next week, a visit that carries strategic weight beyond routine diplomacy. For more than seventy years, Oman has remained one of India’s most reliable partners in West Asia, consistently offering support during sensitive global debates, particularly those involving terrorism. Its steady backing has helped cement its reputation as one of India’s closest and most trusted Muslim-majority allies. The upcoming trip is also drawing attention in Pakistan. Analysts note that Oman’s growing proximity to New Delhi—across defense, commerce, and energy—has always been monitored closely in Islamabad. The India-Oman relationship is considered…

The United States is pressing ahead with trade negotiations with India, with senior US officials signaling rare optimism about the latest proposals coming from New Delhi. The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers that India has presented “the strongest offers we’ve ever received as a country,” particularly in talks centered on giving American farmers wider access to the Indian market. Key areas of discussion include expanding entry for crops such as soy and grain sorghum. This progress comes even as President Donald Trump escalated tensions on Tuesday by threatening new duties on Indian rice, accusing India of flooding the…

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly felicitated on Tuesday during a gathering of all MPs from the National Democratic Alliance, following the coalition’s emphatic victory in the recent Bihar assembly elections. The meeting, held inside the Parliament House complex, brought together senior leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP national president JP Nadda, reflecting the significance of the win for the ruling alliance. At the ceremony, Modi was presented with a large garland by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, both members of the Rajya Sabha. Their gesture symbolized the…

 Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Rick Switzer is scheduled to visit India on December 10-11, according to a spokesperson from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The visit comes at a time when New Delhi is seeking relief from punitive tariffs imposed by Washington in response to India’s purchases of Russian oil. Officials from both countries emphasized that the visit is part of ongoing efforts to achieve a fair and balanced trade relationship. The spokesperson noted that both governments remain committed to concluding a multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement that benefits both sides. During a weekly press briefing, the spokesperson stated that…

India and Russia have opened a new chapter in their long-standing relationship by signing a series of agreements designed to broaden their economic engagement beyond the familiar domains of oil and defense. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit marked his first official trip to India since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. During the summit, both nations committed to significantly expanding trade, setting an ambitious target of reaching $100 billion in bilateral commerce by the end of the decade. Leaders from both countries stressed the need to make bilateral…

With decades of scientific research, academic leadership, and international engagement behind him, Dr. Shibu Jose, an Indian American agroforestry specialist, has joined the Global Council of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF)—an influential body that helps shape the future of global farming. Based in the Netherlands, WAF is known for driving worldwide discussions on agricultural sustainability, technological innovation, and long-term food system resilience. Dr. Jose arrives at the Forum with a distinguished portfolio. At the University of Missouri, he currently holds two major roles: associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and director of the…