Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The United States is intensifying efforts to increase exports of Kentucky bourbon to India as part of a broader strategy to secure improved market access for American agricultural and manufactured goods. The proposal surfaced during a joint congressional hearing focused on commercial diplomacy and international trade cooperation between the State Department and the Commerce Department. During the hearing, Republican Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky encouraged the Commerce Department to support greater sales of American bourbon in India, one of the world’s largest consumers of whiskey. Barr noted that he had recently discussed the issue with US Ambassador to India Sergio…

Representatives from leading Hindu American organizations took part in a dialogue organized by the White House Faith Office, joining religious leaders from across the United States to discuss issues affecting faith communities and strengthen interfaith engagement. The meeting brought together delegates from multiple religious backgrounds to exchange views on topics such as religious freedom, community partnerships, and the role of faith organizations in public life. Hindu Americans were represented by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS USA) and BAPS Public Affairs, both of which described the gathering as an important opportunity to contribute to national discussions. In a statement following the event,…

India and Australia have taken a significant step toward protecting traditional knowledge by signing a new agreement that enhances cooperation in intellectual property rights and strengthens the patent examination process. The partnership is designed to help safeguard India’s centuries-old knowledge systems from being incorrectly patented while encouraging greater transparency in global innovation. As part of the agreement, Australia’s patent office will gain access to India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a comprehensive digital repository that documents the country’s rich heritage of traditional practices. The database contains verified information on systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, Unani, and several other indigenous…

As the United States marked 250 years of independence on July 4, 2026, one Indian American has dedicated his life to preserving a crucial chapter of the nation’s history. Rishi Sharma, an Indian-origin resident of the US, has spent more than a decade recording the personal experiences of World War II combat veterans to ensure their stories are remembered for generations. At just 18 years old, shortly after graduating from high school, Sharma began his mission by interviewing veterans in his Southern California neighborhood. Over the years, his project expanded into a nationwide effort, taking him across all 50 US…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has added another prestigious international recognition to his list of achievements after Indonesia awarded him the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia. The award acknowledges his efforts in strengthening the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between India and Indonesia. With this latest recognition, Prime Minister Modi’s total number of international honours has reached 35, making it the highest tally received by any Indian Prime Minister. These awards have come from nations across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, highlighting his diplomatic engagement and global outreach efforts since 2016. The Bintang…

The Indian Diaspora Center at the Dr. Thomas Abraham Library organized its 2026 Annual Symposium on June 28 at the Kerala Center in Elmont, New York. The event was presented in collaboration with the Manhattan chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center. This year’s theme, “Indian Television – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” explored the remarkable transformation of Indian broadcasting while bringing together renowned television professionals, journalists, and members of the Indian American community. The discussion featured former Doordarshan news anchors Sheila Chaman and Ramu Damodaran, former Indian…

Japanese media outlets have praised the outcome of the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit, emphasizing the growing strategic partnership between the two countries. Reports across leading publications described the meeting in New Delhi as a significant step toward expanding cooperation in security, economic resilience, defense technology, and regional stability across the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held extensive discussions covering a broad range of bilateral issues. Their talks focused on strengthening collaboration in key sectors, including supply chain resilience, critical minerals, maritime security, clean energy, and advanced defense capabilities. The summit reflected both countries’ commitment…

IBM has announced plans to commission one of India’s first quantum computers in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, by September 2026, marking a significant step forward in the country’s pursuit of advanced computing technologies. The project is expected to accelerate quantum research and strengthen India’s position in the rapidly evolving global deep-tech sector. The IBM Quantum System will provide cutting-edge computing capabilities to researchers, startups, universities, and businesses, allowing them to develop and test quantum-powered solutions across a wide range of industries. Potential applications include pharmaceuticals, materials science, financial services, logistics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, where quantum computing is expected to solve…

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continued its strong upward momentum in June 2026, registering a sharp rise in both transaction volume and value, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The platform processed more than 22 billion transactions during the month, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 23% and highlighting the continued acceleration of digital payments across the country. In terms of value, UPI transactions climbed 20% compared to the previous year, crossing $296.92 billion. This growth underscores the increasing reliance of both consumers and businesses on instant, cashless payment systems. On an average day in…