Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused a crucial security cabinet meeting to take a call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as discussions were underway on a ceasefire and hostage release agreement negotiated under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, according to The Times of Israel. During their conversation, Prime Minister Modi extended his congratulations to Netanyahu on the progress achieved through the peace initiative and the breakthrough agreement to free all hostages. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Modi applauded the diplomatic strides made under Trump’s mediation efforts. Following the conversation, PM Modi shared an update on X (formerly…

 As the Trump administration continues efforts to reduce US dependence on foreign pharmaceutical production, it has decided, at least temporarily, not to impose tariffs on generic drugs, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This move follows months of internal debate and pressure from within Trump’s team, amid broader discussions about national security and the integrity of pharmaceutical supply chains. The decision comes as a major relief to Indian pharmaceutical firms, which provide nearly half of all generic prescriptions in the United States. Earlier proposals had threatened tariffs on a wide range of imported medications, including brand-name and generic drugs.…

The US Senate officially confirmed S Paul Kapur, an Indian-American academic, as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, taking over from Donald Lu. His approval came on October 7, even amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. The White House verified the appointment, noting Kapur, based in California, will now oversee America’s diplomatic relations with countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Kapur was one of 107 nominees confirmed in the Senate vote and will play a pivotal role in shaping US policy in the region. Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and American mother,…

On October 7, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend birthday wishes on his 73rd birthday. During the conversation, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes for the Russian leader’s health and success, while the two also reviewed the agenda for their upcoming 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” that has historically defined relations between the two nations. PM Modi expressed his anticipation in welcoming President Putin to India for the summit. Earlier, on October 2, President Putin had encouraged his government to address trade…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to welcome his British counterpart, Sir Keir Starmer, on October 8–9, 2025, during the UK leader’s first official visit to India. The two-day visit signifies a major step in advancing the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both leaders scheduled to participate in landmark events in Mumbai, including infrastructure inaugurations and the 6th Global Fintech Fest (GFF) at the Jio World Centre. PM Modi will begin his engagements in Navi Mumbai around 3 p.m., where he will tour and inaugurate the much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). Built under a Public-Private Partnership model at an…

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has praised India as a global leader in innovation at a time when the country’s pioneering solutions hold the promise of saving and improving millions of lives across the Global South, according to a new report. The report, published in India Narrative, highlighted that these solutions are not only transformative but also scalable and cost-effective, especially in the fields of technology and healthcare, making them capable of reaching vast populations in need. Speaking at an event in Seattle, United States, Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, underscored India’s achievements in driving innovation and noted that the country’s solutions…

Sridhar Vembu, the visionary founder of Zoho Corporation and the Indian messaging app Arattai, has created a global technology empire from rural Tamil Nadu, all while embracing a modest lifestyle. With an estimated net worth of $5.85 billion as of 2025, Vembu embodies a unique model of Indian entrepreneurship rooted in simplicity and innovation. Born in 1968 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Vembu completed his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras in 1989 before earning a PhD from Princeton University in 1994. While initially working as an engineer at Qualcomm in the United States, he chose to return to India,…

The 22nd edition of the Air Staff Talks between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) took place in New Delhi from September 29 to October 1, 2025. The high-level discussions aimed to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, focusing on joint training, combined exercises, professional military education, exchange of best practices, and operational coordination. The event was co-chaired by Air Vice Marshal SK Taliyan of the IAF and Brigadier General Nicolas Chambaz of the FASF, highlighting the mutual commitment to strengthening strategic ties between the two air forces. According to the Indian Air Force, these…

Mansi Manoj Kasliwal’s journey from Indore to the forefront of astrophysics began at age 15, when she moved to the United States to attend boarding school. Encouraged by a mentor to explore science, she quickly found herself involved with NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope during her undergraduate studies at Cornell University. Witnessing the telescope’s first data arrive sparked a lifelong passion for studying the cosmos. This early inspiration has now led Kasliwal to a historic appointment: she has been named the director of Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, becoming the first woman to lead the facility in its 75-year history. Known for her…

The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), a US-based organization, has announced a new phase of astronaut selection for an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard flight, confirming that India will be one of five nations guaranteed a seat on board. Alongside India, citizens from Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand will also secure a spot, while a sixth seat remains open to applicants worldwide, excluding individuals from sanctioned countries. This mission marks a breakthrough in democratizing access to human spaceflight, with the selection process being conducted through a Telegram mini-app called Mission Control, powered by the TON blockchain. The platform allows…