Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

On January 20, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump, marking the start of his tenure as the 47th President of the United States. Jaishankar’s attendance follows an invitation from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, as confirmed by a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release. During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet with representatives of the incoming administration, as well as other dignitaries attending the event. The official event will occur two weeks after Trump’s electoral victory was formally certified by the US Congress on January 6. On…

Tulsi Gabbard, former congresswoman from Hawaii, has been nominated by Donald Trump as the Director of National Intelligence, a move that has triggered considerable backlash. The role entails oversight of 18 spy agencies, delivering intelligence briefings to the president, and advising the White House. Mouaz Moustafa, who leads the Syrian Emergency Task Force, has expressed deep concern over her connections with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and her controversial views on U.S. foreign policy. Moustafa recounted various interactions with Gabbard since 2014, describing her as “misinformed” and skeptical of Assad’s involvement in atrocities. He pointed to her 2017 trip to…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, emphasizing the vital role of the Indian diaspora in the nation’s progress and global presence. He highlighted India’s significant accomplishments, including lifting 250 million people out of poverty within a decade, achieving the status of the world’s fifth-largest economy, advancements in digital technology, and milestones like the Chandrayaan mission and indigenous fighter jet production. PM Modi praised the diaspora’s contributions to India’s development and urged them to strengthen the country’s global influence by promoting Indian products, heritage, and true historical narratives in their host countries. He…

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praised the Indian diaspora in the UK for their invaluable contributions, attributing the increasing global trust in India to their dedication, work ethic, and excellence in various fields. He emphasized that Indians’ commitment to service and hard work has significantly shaped India’s international reputation, independent of political influence. While addressing the Indian community at India House, Birla wished them a prosperous new year and remarked on India’s cultural diversity, with festivals like Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Lohri being celebrated globally. Despite being far from home, Birla acknowledged that the heart and culture of…

In a pivotal meeting in New Delhi, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval discussed crucial issues aimed at deepening US-India ties, particularly in the realms of nuclear cooperation, defense, and advanced technologies. One of the key outcomes of the talks was Sullivan’s announcement that efforts would be made to delist Indian nuclear entities from US sanctions, paving the way for stronger civil nuclear collaboration between the two nations. Sullivan emphasized that this move would enhance India’s energy security while also contributing to clean energy efforts. Sullivan also revealed updates to US missile export…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s potential to become the global health and wellness capital, envisioning a future where ‘Heal in India’ joins the ‘Make in India’ mantra. Modi shared these aspirations while virtually inaugurating the foundation of a new Central Ayurveda Research Institute building in Rohini, describing it as a monumental step for Ayurveda’s future. The new facility, covering 2.92 acres and backed by an investment of $22.6 million (Rs 187 crore), will feature a 100-bed hospital aimed at advancing Ayurvedic research and offering healthcare services to the public. The prime minister emphasized the government’s dedication to making healthcare…

In 2024, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India achieved the highest number of IPOs in Asia, with a total of 268 listings spanning both its mainboard and SME sectors. The mainboard hosted 90 IPOs, while 178 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) debuted on the NSE’s Emerge platform. Together, these IPOs raised a total of US$ 19.53 billion (Rs. 1.67 trillion) during the year. This robust activity was partly fueled by Hyundai Motor India’s initial public offering, which raised US$ 3.3 billion, marking it as the largest IPO in India and the second-largest globally. Globally, there were 1,145 IPOs in…

India firmly refuted two recent reports by The Washington Post on Friday, dismissing allegations of involvement in a failed plan to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and claims about covert Indian operations targeting individuals in Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, criticized the newspaper and the reporter for displaying what he termed “compulsive hostility” towards India. Jaiswal commented, “Their activities reveal a clear pattern, and from our perspective, they lack any credibility.” In its Maldives report, The Washington Post alleged that opposition politicians discussed bribing 40 MPs, including members of Muizzu’s party, under a so-called “Democratic…

Former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Ajit Pai has voiced his support for a federal law that could lead to a ban on TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests. The Indian American, who headed the FCC during Donald Trump’s first term, has a history of opposing Chinese tech firms like Huawei. However, this time, Pai finds himself aligned with Congress and against Trump, who has shifted his stance on TikTok. On December 28, Pai, alongside former Treasury Department official Thomas Feddo, filed a Supreme Court brief advocating for the law. The brief argued that there is legal precedent supporting…

The year 2025 is poised to witness a significant rise in electric vehicle (EV) launches in India, with electric SUVs taking the spotlight across various price segments. Prominent automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Mercedes, Audi, and BYD are gearing up for major EV rollouts. Reports also suggest that Tesla may explore the Indian market, potentially introducing imported models. This surge follows the government’s strong push towards clean mobility, aiming to tackle pollution and reduce fuel import costs. Stricter emission regulations and potential penalties are further driving the shift toward EV adoption. While petrol, diesel, hybrid, and CNG…