Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Former US Marine intelligence officer Grant Newsham has highlighted the significant role played by Sergio Gor, the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, in bolstering bilateral relations. Speaking a day after India and the US finalised a trade agreement, Newsham emphasised that Gor’s influence with former President Trump and his choice to serve in India underscores the strategic importance Washington places on the partnership. Newsham noted that very few ambassadors have the ability to directly communicate with the US President, and Gor’s selection reflects both his personal preference for India and his high standing within the administration. This appointment, according…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told Parliament that the recently concluded India–United States trade agreement has been structured in a way that fully safeguards the interests of Indian farmers. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he stressed that agriculture and dairy products have been deliberately kept outside the scope of the pact, ensuring that sensitive rural sectors remain unaffected by external competition. Goyal emphasised that while the government has been careful about protecting farming and food-related concerns, it has also used the agreement to unlock broader economic benefits. According to him, the deal is expected to create fresh prospects for…

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman publicly welcomed the newly concluded trade agreement between India and the United States, describing it as a major positive development for citizens of both nations. In a statement posted on social media, she highlighted that Indian-made goods would now benefit from a significantly reduced tariff rate of 18 per cent when entering the US market. Sitharaman credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for their leadership in finalising the deal, stressing that the partnership between the world’s two largest democracies would create meaningful economic gains for their people. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw…

Indian and Russian business leaders, along with government officials, convened in Moscow last week to strengthen economic ties amid global geopolitical uncertainty and economic disruptions. This dialogue follows the December summit in Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which laid the groundwork for enhanced bilateral business cooperation. According to South Africa’s Independent Online, India has become a critical economic partner for Russia, particularly through crude oil purchases, providing a financial lifeline to a nation facing international sanctions and isolation aimed at weakening its economy. The meeting centered on boosting investments, developing new financial instruments, and…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit the United States next week, sources confirmed on Wednesday, to participate in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial. Scheduled for February 4 and hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the ministerial will bring together global partners to strengthen collaboration on critical mineral supply chains, which are vital for economic security, technological leadership, and the energy transition. The US Department of State highlighted that the ministerial will focus on enhancing international partnerships to ensure reliable and resilient critical mineral supply chains, essential for the US’s economic and national security as well…

Apple Inc. delivered a record-breaking performance in the October-December 2025 quarter, with CEO Tim Cook highlighting significant growth in India. Globally, the company reported $143.7 billion in revenue, marking its strongest quarter ever, with net profits reaching $42.09 billion and earnings per share soaring to $2.84, surpassing analyst expectations of $138.4 billion revenue and $2.68 EPS. iPhone sales formed the backbone of this historic quarter, generating $85.27 billion in revenue. The Mac and iPad segments contributed $8.39 billion and $8.50 billion respectively, while wearables and accessories brought in $11.49 billion. Apple’s Services division, including Apple Music, iCloud, TV+, the App…

India is set to host the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on January 31, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. The high-level gathering will include foreign ministers from other Arab League member states, alongside the Arab League Secretary General, to discuss enhanced cooperation and regional engagement. Foreign ministers attending the meeting include Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim of Sudan, Varsen Aghabekian of Palestine, and Mohamed Mbaé Chanfiou of Comoros, all of whom have arrived in India ahead of the event. Their visit reflects a shared commitment to deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between India and the Arab world.…

During the opening of the Budget Session, President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament, urging lawmakers to unite on key national priorities such as Viksit Bharat, national security, and the Swadeshi campaign. She emphasized that these issues transcend political differences, calling on all MPs to place the nation above partisan interests and actively contribute to India’s development. Murmu highlighted the government’s continued push for economic and social reforms under the “reform express,” aimed at making India a developed nation by 2047. She praised the Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor, noting that any acts of terror would be…

After facing years of setbacks and missed deadlines, the Halwara Airport in Ludhiana is finally set to be inaugurated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the airport through a virtual ceremony on February 1, bringing closure to a prolonged development process that has tested both officials and stakeholders in Punjab. According to senior government sources, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has scheduled a high-level meeting in Chandigarh to assess preparations for the inauguration. The meeting aims to ensure that logistical and administrative arrangements for the virtual event proceed smoothly. A senior official confirmed that the Chief Minister called the…

Three Indian Americans have been included among the 131 recipients of India’s Padma Awards for 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs ahead of Republic Day. The awards, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, span a wide range of fields and honor individuals whose work has made a lasting impact in India and abroad. The list includes recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, with formal award ceremonies scheduled to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year. Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj leads the Indian American honorees, having been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest…