Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Russian President Vladimir Putin begins his two-day visit to India on Thursday, marking his first trip to the country since the invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host him for a private dinner shortly after he arrives in New Delhi, a gesture reflecting the personal rapport between the two leaders. The 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for Friday, comes at a pivotal moment for bilateral relations, especially as New Delhi faces newly imposed US sanctions. The summit will place strong emphasis on enhancing defence cooperation, expanding trade, and deepening energy partnerships—areas that have long anchored the…

A new study from IIT Bombay has uncovered how the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis survive antibiotic treatment by altering the composition and structure of their outer membrane. The findings shed light on one of the most persistent challenges in global public health: the ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to endure even the most effective drug regimens. Despite vaccination efforts and established treatment protocols, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people developed the illness and 1.23 million died from it, with India accounting for more than 2.71 million cases. The persistence of the bacteria during…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday highlighted how global dynamics have shifted, arguing that political considerations increasingly outweigh economic logic in today’s world. Speaking at IIM-Calcutta after receiving an Honorary Doctorate, he said the growing unpredictability in international affairs makes it essential for India to diversify its supply sources to secure national needs. Jaishankar noted that the United States, which once played a central stabilizing role in the global order, has changed its approach by dealing with countries individually rather than through broad multilateral frameworks. India and the US currently have two ongoing trade discussions — a framework deal…

India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, on Monday reaffirmed the nation’s strong and enduring ties with Thailand, describing the country as a “long-time friend” and a “very important” maritime neighbour. He emphasized that India’s Act East policy aligns closely with Thailand’s Look West policy, providing a framework for deepened bilateral engagement. Jaishankar made the remarks during a meeting with Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, in New Delhi. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit in April 2025, which elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership and resulted in multiple agreements. These included collaborations…

Indian diplomatic missions across the globe observed International Gita Mahotsav with a series of cultural events that emphasized the timeless guidance of the Bhagavad Gita and its lasting influence in today’s world. The celebrations reaffirmed how the ancient scripture continues to offer clarity, balance, and moral direction even in modern, fast-paced societies. In Kenya, the Indian High Commission in Nairobi collaborated with the Hindu Council of Kenya to host a special gathering marking the 10th edition of the festival. The event featured a recorded message from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who reflected on the spiritual and philosophical depth of…

Bollywood star Shraddha Kapoor, who voices the determined rabbit cop Judy Hopps in the Hindi version of Zootopia 2, says the animated sequel carries a universal, heartwarming message that will resonate with audiences “of all ages.” Sharing her personal connection to the story, Shraddha remarked that the bond between Judy Hopps and the sly fox Nick Wilde mirrors relationships in real life. “Everybody needs a Nick in their life who supports them till the end. For me, my mother, father, and brother are like Nick,” she said. The actress highlighted that the film is “full of heart” and encouraged families…

The United States Embassy in India has commended the Central Bureau of Investigation for its successful operation against an illegal call centre involved in targeting American citizens through fraudulent schemes. The coordinated action led to the arrest of a key operative linked to a wider transnational cybercrime network operating across multiple locations. The Embassy acknowledged the joint efforts of Indian and American agencies in disrupting international scam operations, highlighting their shared commitment to safeguarding citizens and preventing future cyber threats. The operation was described as a significant step in strengthening cross-border cooperation against organised digital crime. The CBI arrested Vikas…

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, continued his series of high-level engagements in Washington by meeting Jacob Helberg, the recently appointed Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs. The discussion touched on several major pillars shaping the future of the India-US partnership, especially trade, technology, and strategic economic cooperation. Kwatra congratulated Helberg on stepping into his new leadership role and emphasized the opportunity to strengthen ongoing economic dialogue between the two nations. In a post shared on X, the Ambassador noted that their exchange covered topics such as plans for a mutually beneficial trade agreement, progress under…

Akshaya Patra’s story is one of vision, innovation, and service — a journey that began in Hubli, Karnataka, and has since evolved into a globally respected model for school-feeding programs. Founded in 2000 with the mission that no child should miss school because of hunger, the Foundation started by serving 1,500 children in five Bengaluru schools. Its major turning point came in 2004 with the launch of its Hubli mega kitchen, an ISO 22000–certified facility that soon became the center of many of Akshaya Patra’s technological innovations. The Hubli kitchen is known not only for scale but also for sustainability.…

India is gearing up for another major milestone in its commercial space journey as ISRO prepares to launch BlueBird-6, the largest US commercial communication satellite destined for low-earth orbit. The launch is scheduled for December 15 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, marking a significant collaboration between India’s space program and the American satellite communication industry. The mission centers around BlueBird-6, developed by AST SpaceMobile Inc, a Texas-based company expanding its global satellite-powered cellular broadband network. Announcing the launch plans, the company highlighted that the satellite is the first in its next-generation series, equipped with transformative communication technology.…