Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The United States has stepped up its humanitarian response in Nepal after catastrophic flash floods devastated several areas, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving thousands unaccounted for. The disaster also affected dozens of American citizens, prompting Washington to expand its support for emergency relief and search-and-rescue operations. US military personnel are assisting with the delivery of critical supplies and equipment to communities affected by the floods. The disaster struck multiple districts near Nepal’s border with China on August 26, affecting at least 65,000 people and severely damaging roads, bridges, homes and other essential infrastructure. The US response comes as…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Friday, September 11, as New Delhi prepares to host the 2026 BRICS Summit. The discussions are likely to focus on key areas of India-Russia cooperation, including defense, trade, and economic relations, with the possible sale of Russia’s Su-57 fighter aircraft expected to be among the subjects under discussion. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the two leaders are scheduled to meet during Putin’s visit. According to Peskov, Modi and Putin will first review the broader bilateral relationship before discussing specific areas of cooperation.…

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has highlighted the growing cooperation between the United States and India in space exploration after meeting Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station. Sharing details of the meeting on social media, Gor praised Shukla’s professional journey, describing it as a strong example of the expanding partnership between the two nations in the space sector. Shukla’s path has included training with NASA and serving as the pilot of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, demonstrating the increasing opportunities for collaboration between Indian and American space organizations. Gor said Shukla’s achievements…

Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra marked the growing economic relationship between India and the US by ringing the opening bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange, one of America’s most prominent financial markets. The ceremonial event highlighted the expanding partnership between the world’s two largest democracies, particularly in areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and business. Kwatra said the occasion represented the increasing strength and future potential of economic cooperation between India and the United States. In a message shared after the event, the Indian ambassador pointed to India’s ongoing economic and technological transformation. He said the country’s…

The value of securities held by US investors in India reached $390,000 million at the end of 2025, according to preliminary figures from the US Department of the Treasury. The data keep India among the leading overseas markets for American portfolio investors. The figures were published on August 31 in the Treasury Department’s preliminary annual report covering US holdings of foreign securities at the end of 2025. The survey was carried out in coordination with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. India ranked 12th among countries and jurisdictions receiving…

The US House of Representatives has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation co-led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi that aims to strengthen the federal government’s ability to investigate and prosecute international trade crimes. The measure, known as the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act, or PAIL Act, now moves to the Senate for consideration. The legislation would create a dedicated structure within the Justice Department’s Criminal Division focused on trade-related offenses. Its supporters say the initiative would give federal authorities greater resources, specialized expertise, and stronger coordination capabilities to address violations that can harm American businesses and workers.…

India’s telecommunications sector continued its upward trajectory in July 2026, with the country’s total telephone subscriber base climbing beyond 1.35 billion, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The number of total telephone subscribers increased from 1.348 billion at the end of June to approximately 1.354 billion by the end of July. This represented monthly growth of 0.46%. Overall tele-density also edged higher during the month, moving from 94.31% to 94.68%. Mobile connectivity remained the dominant part of India’s telecom ecosystem. Active wireless subscribers stood at about 1.204 billion based on the peak Visitor Location…

India’s air cargo industry is experiencing strong expansion, with cargo volumes rising by nearly 40% in recent years, according to Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu. The government is now working to build modern cargo infrastructure capable of supporting the country’s growing trade and logistics requirements. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Naidu said the development of world-class air cargo hubs and specialized facilities remains an important priority. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader focus on improving India’s logistics network and creating more efficient connections for the movement of goods. The rapid growth in cargo traffic…

India is stepping up efforts to expand its network of free trade agreements, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal saying negotiations are underway with 8-9 additional groups of countries and individual nations. The combined economies involved represent roughly $15 trillion in GDP, underscoring New Delhi’s push to widen access to major international markets. Speaking in Tokyo while leading a business delegation of more than 200 representatives, Goyal said India’s expanding trade agreement network is designed to strengthen the country’s role in global commerce. The long-term objective is to establish trade agreements covering about 75% of global trade, giving Indian…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has marked 10 years of the Unified Payments Interface, reflecting on the platform’s rapid growth and its role in transforming how millions of people conduct financial transactions across India. In a post on X, Modi described the introduction of UPI a decade ago as a significant milestone in the country’s shift toward digital payments. He highlighted the platform’s extensive reach and encouraged people to share their personal experiences of using the payment system and explain how it has changed their everyday lives. Since its introduction, UPI has become a central part of India’s digital financial ecosystem.…