Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

On July 23, 2025, India and China held talks in New Delhi to evaluate the current conditions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. This meeting, part of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), served to prepare for the upcoming Special Representatives (SR) dialogue regarding the longstanding border issue. During the discussions, both nations expressed satisfaction with the relatively peaceful conditions across the LAC, which have gradually helped stabilize overall bilateral relations. India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, will lead the next round of SR talks, which are expected…

Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will leave her post in August 2025, the IMF announced this week. She will return to academia to take on a newly established professorship at Harvard University. Gopinath is set to become the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics at Harvard, where she previously held a prominent role before joining the IMF. Her departure will mark the end of an influential seven-year tenure at the Fund, during which she helped navigate the global economy through some of its most turbulent times. Kristalina Georgieva, IMF’s Managing…

Sawan Shivratri, also called Masik Shivratri or Masa Shivratri, is one of the most spiritually significant occasions for Lord Shiva devotees. In 2025, the festival will be celebrated on July 23, falling on the Chaturdashi tithi during Krishna Paksha. This day holds immense importance, especially during the month of Sawan, which is considered highly auspicious in the Hindu calendar. Worshippers across India mark the day with fasting and special prayers dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many visit temples to perform Gangajal Abhishekam, pouring sacred water over Shiva Lingams, and seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity. The observance of Sawan Shivratri…

India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar officially stepped down from his position on Monday, citing health concerns as the reason for his early departure. Dhankhar, 74, had been holding the office since August 2022 and decided to resign before completing his five-year term. In his resignation letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote, “To focus on my health and follow medical guidance, I hereby tender my resignation as the Vice President of India, effective immediately.” His statement was shared publicly through his official account on the social media platform X. As the Vice President of India, Dhankhar held the second-highest…

The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) following the deadly militant attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region on April 22. The attack claimed the lives of 26 men and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. Announcing the decision, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that TRF initially claimed responsibility for the assault but later retracted its statement. TRF, also referred to as Kashmir Resistance, has now been listed both as an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity by Washington. The designations…

India is set to nearly double its investments in the thermal power sector, targeting an impressive $26.71 billion by fiscal year 2027–28. This surge reflects an urgent need to meet rising electricity demands while ensuring stable base load generation. According to Crisil Ratings, the thermal power sector is witnessing a strategic revival, with investment volumes in the next three years expected to far outpace those seen in the past. A key highlight of this investment push is the increasing role of private players. While private entities contributed only 7–8% of recent thermal investments, their share is projected to rise to…

At just 19 years old, Arjun Nimmala has carved out a groundbreaking place in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He has become the first first-generation Indian American athlete to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft, an achievement that is sparking excitement among fans and shifting the spotlight toward a new generation of baseball talent. Currently regarded as the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospect, Nimmala’s rapid ascent in professional baseball is inspiring many, particularly within the Indian American community. His milestone is not just a personal victory—it also represents a broader cultural moment. Nimmala’s success symbolizes…

On July 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large public gathering in Motihari, Bihar, ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. During his speech, Modi strongly criticized the previous administrations led by Congress and the RJD, claiming that under their rule, it was nearly impossible for the poor to own permanent homes. Highlighting the achievements of his government, Modi pointed to the success of the PM Awas Yojna. He stated that his administration had built more homes in Bihar than the combined populations of Norway, New Zealand, and Singapore—an ambitious feat symbolizing the government’s commitment to housing for all.…

A recent study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlights a growing trend among Indian-Americans: a stronger embrace of their Indian heritage alongside their American identity. The 2024 Indian-American Attitude Survey, conducted by polling firm YouGov, surveyed 1,206 Indian-American adults, including US citizens and non-citizens. The findings indicate a significant shift since 2020. According to the report, 86% of US-born Indian-Americans now say that being Indian is an important part of their upbringing, a notable rise from 70% in 2020. Interestingly, the number of respondents identifying themselves as “Indian American” has decreased, while more are now choosing to describe…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, currently visiting China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. The meeting, held alongside other SCO Foreign Ministers, focused on the evolving state of India-China relations. Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Xi. Following the discussion, Jaishankar shared a post on X, expressing gratitude for the meeting. He mentioned that he had briefed Xi on the recent advancements in bilateral ties and emphasized the value of leadership guidance in steering diplomatic relations between the two countries.…