Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India is confidently progressing toward becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027, despite the turbulence of global economic conditions. This assurance was delivered by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a recent virtual address hosted by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Goyal credited the country’s decade-long reform agenda, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for laying the groundwork for this transformation. Far from being mere incremental changes, he described these reforms as bold and foundational for what he called “Viksit Bharat” — a fully developed India by 2047. The Minister highlighted that India, once grouped among…

In a major leap towards strengthening indigenous defense capabilities, the Indian Army has signed a deal with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) for the acquisition of approximately 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions, the company confirmed in an official statement. Valued at an estimated $54 million, the deal marks a substantial investment in locally developed precision-strike unmanned systems. The Nagastra-1R is engineered as a cost-efficient and combat-effective solution, featuring full launcher system reusability. Equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera, the drone also offers the integration of thermal imaging for enhanced night-time operations. It is supported by secure, proprietary encryption protocols for…

In a landmark development for India’s space industry, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially transferred its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in a deal worth approximately $59 million. The announcement, made on June 23, 2025, marks the first time ISRO has handed over a full-fledged launch vehicle technology to a private-sector-led consortium. The Rs. 511 crore ($59.7 million) contract was awarded through a competitive bidding process, where HAL was chosen from among three bidding consortia after passing a stringent technical evaluation. This agreement will allow HAL to independently manufacture, manage, and commercially…

As the countdown to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) begins, the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. brought energy and enthusiasm to the iconic Lincoln Memorial with a spirited yoga session on Thursday. Locals, yoga enthusiasts, and members of the Indian diaspora came together in large numbers to celebrate yoga’s global impact and India’s rich civilizational heritage. India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, welcomed attendees with heartfelt gratitude, describing the event as “a joyful tribute to India’s timeless gift to the world.” He commended the diverse gathering, which included both U.S. citizens and Indian-American families, for…

India has successfully repatriated 517 of its citizens from Iran through Operation Sindhu, a government-led evacuation initiative responding to the deteriorating security conditions caused by the Iran-Israel conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that a special flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, touched down in New Delhi in the early hours of June 21, marking the latest successful return under the operation. Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With…

India has climbed to the third position globally in terms of power generation capacity expansion over the past five years, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The only countries ahead are China and the United States, underscoring India’s rapid strides in meeting its growing electricity needs. This remarkable growth has been primarily driven by rising energy demand, which stems from rapid urban development, increased household appliance usage—particularly air conditioners—and escalating industrial activity. To match this demand, India has diversified its energy portfolio, scaling up capacity across both conventional and renewable sources. One of the standout features of India’s energy…

Senator Ghazala Hashmi has secured the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Virginia, making history as both the first Muslim and the first Indian-American to be nominated for a statewide position in the Commonwealth. She narrowly defeated Levar Stoney and four other contenders in a primary race that was decided by less than one percent of the vote. Stoney offered his congratulations shortly after conceding. Hashmi is set to face off against Republican John Reid in the general election this November. Reid, a conservative radio personality, is also breaking ground as the first openly gay man endorsed by a major…

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 51st G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada, where he joined leaders from the world’s major economies and key international institutions. One of the highlights of the summit was the traditional group photograph, featuring PM Modi alongside other heads of state and government from both G7 nations and invited outreach partners. The group photo included notable figures such as Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,…

Indian Air Force pilot Shubhanshu Shukla is on track to become the second Indian ever to venture into space as Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) now aims for a launch no earlier than June 22, 2025. The revised date follows recent maintenance activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS), particularly in the aft section of the Russian Zvezda service module, prompting NASA to continue safety evaluations before proceeding with launch preparations. Initially set for May 29, the mission has seen multiple postponements, moving through potential dates in early and mid-June. Delays were attributed to technical issues — including a fuel leak…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Calgary, Canada, to participate in the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, scheduled for June 16–17. This marks his first trip to Canada in ten years, symbolizing a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. His arrival from Cyprus on Monday evening local time makes this the third stop in his ongoing three-nation tour. The 2025 summit will be Modi’s sixth straight G7 appearance. The invitation for Modi’s attendance came from Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is presiding over this year’s G7 as Canada holds the group’s rotating presidency. With the world watching closely, key…