Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

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…

Ayodhya experienced an extraordinary influx of visitors on the first day of the New Year, as the newly built Ram Mandir attracted millions of pilgrims. The temple, which was consecrated on January 22 the previous year, became the focal point for devotees eager to offer their prayers. Local authorities estimated that over 2 million pilgrims had already arrived by New Year’s Eve, with an additional 3 million people pouring into the city on New Year’s Day to see the idol of Ram Lalla, which was unveiled at sunrise. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, linked the record…

India’s digital revolution has become a cornerstone for entrepreneurship, income generation, and socio-economic growth, especially for small vendors and underdeveloped areas, as highlighted in the World Bank’s latest report. By leveraging advancements in internet connectivity, mobile technology, and social platforms, digital tools have reshaped India’s economic landscape. The report emphasizes the role of digital technologies in fostering inclusion and opportunity. Underprivileged students now access educational resources, enabling skill development and social progress. The creation of digital records, including transaction and payment histories, allows financial institutions to assess creditworthiness, providing underserved communities with access to credit and financial services. Aadhaar, introduced…

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), representing over 35,000 Indian American physicians, has launched an initiative to increase bone marrow and stem cell registrations across the United States. Partnering with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the campaign aims to expand the Indian donor pool, especially for patients suffering from leukemia and lymphoma, who face difficulty finding matching donors, particularly from Indian and South Asian ethnicities. Dr. Satheesh Kathula, an oncologist based in Dayton, Ohio, and the president of AAPI for the 2024-2025 term, explained that the initiative involves AAPI chapter leaders, members, and volunteers nationwide. The…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted permission for prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) to conduct UPI transactions through third-party apps. This marks a significant change from the previous rule, where UPI payments could only be made from bank accounts via the bank’s own UPI app or approved third-party applications. Payments involving PPIs, however, could only be processed through the issuer’s app. In its regulatory announcement on April 5, 2024, the RBI clarified that this new policy applies exclusively to full-KYC PPIs, which can now perform transactions via third-party apps. This change enables PPI holders to send or receive funds…