Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership at the recently concluded G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg drew overwhelming appreciation from South Africans, who publicly expressed gratitude for India’s consistent support during South Africa’s G20 presidency. Many took to X to acknowledge Modi’s contributions, celebrating him as one of the standout figures of the gathering. The visit marked Modi’s 12th appearance at a G20 Summit since taking office in 2014, and his presence was widely felt across the event. Several users on X described him as the “MVP of the Summit,” highlighting how India’s backing helped strengthen South Africa’s role as host. One…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Johannesburg on Friday to take part in the G20 Summit, marking a significant moment as the gathering unfolds in Africa for the first time. Before leaving New Delhi, PM Modi described the event as a “special summit,” emphasizing the symbolic importance of the continent hosting the world’s most influential economic forum. In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm about participating in the high-level meeting. He noted that a wide range of pressing global challenges will be discussed during the summit and highlighted his intention to engage with several world…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 19, 2025, that the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has crossed a major milestone, with deposits now exceeding US$36.72 billion. Launched a decade ago to secure the future of girls through targeted savings, the program has already opened more than four crore accounts nationwide. Modi shared these achievements while speaking at the birth centenary celebration of Sri Satya Sai Baba, emphasizing that the scheme continues to provide one of the most attractive interest rates—8.2 percent—among savings plans focused on the education and welfare of daughters. Highlighting the enormous response to the initiative, the Prime Minister…

In a meaningful spiritual gathering on November 10, 2025, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Sannyasin Yoginathaswami of Kauai Aadhenam traveled from Hawaii to San Ramon, located near San Francisco, to participate in the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the formal consecration ceremony of the Sri Karpaga Ganapathi Temple. Their presence added a significant spiritual dimension to the event, which marked a new chapter for the temple and its surrounding community. The consecration ceremony followed four days of preparatory rituals, including traditional pujas, homas, and prayers meant to sanctify the temple grounds and invoke divine blessings. These days of worship brought together devotees, priests, and…

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to land in India on Wednesday for the 16th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, marking another major diplomatic engagement in the steadily strengthening partnership between the two countries. Her visit adds further momentum to a relationship that has rapidly expanded under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Wong’s arrival underscores how closely New Delhi and Canberra are coordinating on regional security, technological advancement, and economic resilience—areas that have become central to their cooperation amid a shifting Indo-Pacific landscape. The Australian Embassy noted that this meeting will be her 26th interaction with India’s External Affairs Minister,…

The first tranche of the proposed India–US bilateral trade agreement is approaching a breakthrough, with both nations working to resolve the steep tariffs currently imposed on Indian goods while also expanding opportunities for American exporters in the Indian market, according to media reports. The United States had earlier imposed two rounds of 25% punitive tariffs—totaling a 50% duty—largely tied to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Negotiators on both sides are now attempting to reshape these levies under a mutually acceptable schedule. An Indian official familiar with the discussions explained that the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) consists of two distinct…

India has taken another major step toward strengthening its electronics manufacturing capabilities with the approval of 17 new component production projects valued at about $809.48 million. Cleared under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, the projects span six product categories and are distributed across nine states. Collectively, they are expected to generate an estimated $7.35 billion in total output, marking a significant push toward building a deeper and more competitive domestic electronics ecosystem. Announcing the second round of project approvals, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative aligns with India’s long-term vision of becoming a major…

Facing rising discontent within the Republican Party, US President Donald Trump has abruptly reversed his opposition to releasing files related to convicted billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. After days of attacking GOP lawmakers who supported the move — even branding one a “traitor” — Trump announced on Sunday that “we have nothing to hide,” urging Republicans in Congress to vote for the release ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled vote. This dramatic shift marks Trump’s second major retreat in just a week. On Friday, he rolled back tariffs on several food products such as Indian tea, cashews, and mango items after a surge…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed profound grief following a devastating bus crash in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of Indian Umrah pilgrims. The incident took place early Monday near Madinah and resulted in the deaths of at least forty-two Indian nationals, many of whom were from Telangana. The accident has sent shockwaves across India, prompting swift action from the Indian government and diplomatic missions in the region. In a message posted on X, PM Modi expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He stated that both the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah are…

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Southern California recently hosted Sangam, a large interfaith and multicultural Diwali celebration designed to strengthen unity and cultural understanding across diverse communities. The gathering brought together an impressive mix of diplomats, scholars, religious leaders, and community organizations from across the region, reflecting Diwali’s expanding global resonance. At the heart of Sangam was a shared appreciation of Diwali’s timeless message—the triumph of light over darkness and harmony over division. These values shaped the tone of the evening and were echoed by various leaders throughout the event. The celebration drew strong diplomatic participation. Dr. K. J.…