Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

 India’s merchandise exports saw a robust increase in November 2025, with outbound shipments to China adding over $1 billion year-on-year and reaching $2.20 billion, a growth of more than 90 percent. Exports to the United States also rose over 22 percent to $6.98 billion during the same period, despite high reciprocal tariffs. Overall, India’s total merchandise exports surged nearly 20 percent year-on-year to $38.13 billion in November, recovering sharply from a 12 percent decline in October. Strong export performance helped reduce the trade deficit to a five-month low of $24.5 billion. Earlier, US tariffs exceeding 50 percent had caused exports…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Maitri Parv celebrates the deep friendship, shared history and a prosperous future between India and Oman, while hailing the Indian diaspora as a living example of coexistence and cooperation. Addressing members of the Indian community at the Maitri Parv event in Muscat, PM Modi highlighted India’s cultural diversity and its global recognition, noting that Diwali has now been included by UNESCO in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Calling the gathering a “mini India,” the Prime Minister said Indians carry respect for diversity wherever they go and adapt seamlessly to local cultures.…

US President Donald Trump has described India as a crucial strategic partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the country’s rising global influence and historical depth. According to a statement shared by the US Embassy in India, Trump praised India as an exceptional nation shaped by one of the world’s oldest civilizations and highlighted his strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a message posted on X, the embassy quoted Trump as calling India an “amazing country” that plays a central role in America’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He underscored that India’s partnership is essential to maintaining…

The champions of India’s Got Talent Season 10 are set to take their talents global, as the Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy from Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, received an official invitation to participate in America’s Got Talent 2026 in Los Angeles. The academy, known for its exceptional gymnasts, will send seven members, including one female performer, to represent India on the international stage. Mallakhamb, an ancient Indian sport combining aerial yoga and acrobatics on a traditional vertical pole, will be showcased by the young performers, highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage and athletic skill. Recently, two academy members performed in Romania, earning widespread acclaim for…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India and Jordan have the potential to transform geography into opportunity and opportunity into long-term growth by reviving historic trade routes and strengthening economic cooperation. Speaking at the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman, the Prime Minister highlighted Jordan’s strategic importance as a regional connector under the leadership of King Abdullah II. He said that deeper economic engagement between the two countries could unlock new avenues for trade and investment. Prime Minister Modi said he held detailed discussions with King Abdullah II on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Emphasising the strength of existing…

 Balbir Singh, an Indian American, received a grand red-carpet welcome to celebrate 40 years of unwavering service at McDonald’s in Saugus, near Boston. Arriving in a limousine and greeted with cheers and pom-poms, Singh was honored with a $40K cheque and a special dinner, marking a milestone that reflects dedication, commitment, and hard work rather than corporate status. His journey resonates as a true embodiment of the American Dream for immigrants. Singh’s story stands out amid news of layoffs in the US tech sector. Arriving in America in the early 1980s, well before H1B visas and nonstop Air India flights…

 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…