Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India and Ukraine have renewed discussions on peace initiatives, regional security, and bilateral cooperation as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to affect global stability and international trade. The discussions took place during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Sybiha revealed on September 21 that the two ministers had exchanged views on peace efforts, bilateral relations, and international developments. Jaishankar separately confirmed that their conversation examined developments from the past several weeks, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Kyiv. The…

Hindu Women Recognized as Pillars of Yadnya in Bali Denpasar, Bali, September 15, 2026: Hindu women play a central role in the preparation and conduct of yadnya ceremonies in Bali, from creating ritual offerings to helping ensure the smooth execution of religious observances. Yadnya refers to sincere and selfless offerings made as an expression of reverence toward God, fellow human beings, ancestors and nature. According to Ni Wayan Sumetri, a Hindu religious counselor at the Gianyar Regency Ministry of Religious Affairs Agency, women’s participation is deeply connected to the religious and cultural life of Hindu families and communities. Sumetri said…

Arshdeep Kaur has been named the 2026 National American Miss Jr. Teen New York, securing a place at the organization’s national competition in Orlando, Florida. She is set to compete for the National American Miss title during Thanksgiving week, taking her state-level achievement to the national stage. The National American Miss program organizes pageants for participants across the United States, with an emphasis on developing young women through confidence, character, leadership and personal growth. Its stated philosophy centers on encouraging girls to pursue their ambitions while building a clear sense of purpose and vision for their futures. Kaur earned the…

The World Bank is putting nuclear energy back into its development strategy, with President Ajay Banga making financing for the sector a key priority, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The move represents a major change for an institution that has largely stayed away from nuclear power for several decades. Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee, Bessent said the US Treasury had emphasized the importance of nuclear energy to Banga and that the World Bank chief had subsequently adopted the issue as a priority. He argued that nuclear power could help developing nations strengthen their economies by providing…

India’s expanding global footprint requires a diplomatic approach that can evolve with changing international realities, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Tuesday. Speaking at the opening session marking the 25th anniversary of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in New Delhi, he stressed that India’s growing interests and widening network of partners demand continuous reassessment of its foreign policy choices. Jaishankar pointed to the ongoing conflicts in the Gulf and Ukraine as examples of the challenges facing Indian diplomacy. With New Delhi maintaining relationships with multiple sides in both situations, he said there is no simple formula for responding…

PwC US and PwC India are joining forces through a new joint venture designed to expand and accelerate consulting and advisory services for clients in India, the United States and other international markets. The arrangement will combine PwC India’s consulting operations with the India-based advisory capabilities of PwC US. Rather than maintaining these resources across separate platforms, the firms plan to bring them together under one integrated structure, creating a larger pool of expertise to serve businesses operating across borders. The move comes as India continues to become increasingly important to multinational companies. Beyond its expanding consumer and business market,…

India and Thailand are looking to give their economic partnership fresh momentum, with senior officials discussing expanded trade, investment and closer connections between businesses in the two countries. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun in New Delhi to explore opportunities for deeper commercial cooperation. The discussions at Vanijya Bhawan centered on creating new avenues for businesses while promoting more balanced and sustainable economic growth. Both sides considered measures that could help increase bilateral trade and investment, including greater cooperation between private-sector companies. The ministers also stressed the importance of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first International Space Summit in Paris, France, through video conference on Thursday, thanking French President Emmanuel Macron for organizing the gathering and inviting India to participate. Speaking about the growing importance of space, Modi said developments beyond Earth are increasingly connected to life on the planet, influencing areas such as climate monitoring, agriculture, oceans and communities. He called for greater international cooperation as space becomes increasingly crowded with more satellites, advanced technologies and a growing number of space actors. Modi emphasized that countries should prioritize cooperation over confrontation, long-term sustainability over short-term interests, and…

The United States has stepped up its humanitarian response in Nepal after catastrophic flash floods devastated several areas, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving thousands unaccounted for. The disaster also affected dozens of American citizens, prompting Washington to expand its support for emergency relief and search-and-rescue operations. US military personnel are assisting with the delivery of critical supplies and equipment to communities affected by the floods. The disaster struck multiple districts near Nepal’s border with China on August 26, affecting at least 65,000 people and severely damaging roads, bridges, homes and other essential infrastructure. The US response comes as…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Friday, September 11, as New Delhi prepares to host the 2026 BRICS Summit. The discussions are likely to focus on key areas of India-Russia cooperation, including defense, trade, and economic relations, with the possible sale of Russia’s Su-57 fighter aircraft expected to be among the subjects under discussion. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the two leaders are scheduled to meet during Putin’s visit. According to Peskov, Modi and Putin will first review the broader bilateral relationship before discussing specific areas of cooperation.…