Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India is preparing to introduce hydrogen fueling infrastructure along national highways in a landmark move toward cleaner transport. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced a pilot program valued at $68.64 million, spanning 10 strategic highway stretches. This initiative will test the viability of green hydrogen for commercial transport, with a focus on establishing safe and standardized fueling and storage systems. The trials will take place in varied regions to evaluate technical performance, supply-chain efficiency, geographic adaptability, and logistical practicality. Findings from these tests will guide a potential nationwide rollout. The project is part of MoRTH’s long-term…

India is set to intensify its diplomatic engagements with Russia, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar scheduled to visit Moscow on August 21. The discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will cover key bilateral issues and frameworks for international cooperation. This meeting follows earlier conversations at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 15 and underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Russia across diplomacy, defence, and multilateral platforms. According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agenda will include critical aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussions on key international frameworks. The visit builds…

India’s economy continues to display robust growth momentum, driven by resilient high-frequency indicators, according to Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, he emphasised that while trade-related challenges matter, they should not overshadow pressing priorities such as energy transition, AI development, and semiconductor manufacturing. Nageswaran noted that last year’s consumption slowdown was primarily due to tight credit and liquidity conditions, prompting the government to introduce substantial middle-class tax cuts in the Union Budget. The Reserve Bank of India also cut policy rates by 100 basis points and ensured a liquidity surplus to stimulate growth. On…

Indian-American golfer Megha Ganne etched her name into the record books by claiming the 2025 US Women’s Amateur title at Bandon Dunes, defeating Brooke Biermann 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final. The victory not only shocked the golfing world but also secured her place among the sport’s rising stars. Ganne, a 21-year-old rising senior, triumphed over Biermann, a recent Michigan State graduate, in what was her seventh appearance in the prestigious championship. The Holmdel, New Jersey native is the daughter of first-generation Indian immigrants—her mother, Dr. Sudha Ganne, an endocrinologist, and her father, Hari Ganne, an IT entrepreneur. Megha…

At the 43rd Annual Convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Cincinnati, Indian American physician and community leader Dr. Bharat Barai was honored with the inaugural Dr. Sampat Shivangi Legacy Award. The recognition, presented by U.S. Congressman Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, celebrated Dr. Barai’s leadership, public service, and long association with the late Dr. Shivangi. The award also served as a tribute to Dr. Shivangi — a renowned physician, philanthropist, and prominent advocate for U.S.-India relations — who passed away on February 10, 2025. Nearly 1,000 physicians and community members attended the ceremony. Dr. Barai,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to US President Donald Trump’s recent remark calling India a “dead economy,” firmly stating that India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Speaking at the International Institute of Information Technology Auditorium in Bengaluru after inaugurating the Metro Phase-3 project, Modi credited this growth to a strategy of “reform, perform, and transform,” backed by integrity and dedication. Highlighting India’s economic ascent, Modi noted that in the past 11 years the country has advanced from the 10th to the 5th largest economy, with ambitions to claim the 3rd spot soon. He underlined the nation’s…

India’s foreign policy could be entering a period of recalibration as multiple developments point toward a shift in its global strategic posture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing for his first visit to China in six years, while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is engaging with Russian leaders to finalize key defense agreements. These moves, analysts suggest, could signal a deliberate effort by New Delhi to rebalance its international relations in the wake of rising friction with Washington. A recent report by M Financial Institutional Securities warns investors to closely monitor these changes, particularly after the Trump administration’s latest actions…

The revered Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the sacred Himalayan cave shrine in South Kashmir, has been temporarily halted due to essential repairs caused by recent torrential rainfall. Authorities have taken this step to ensure the safety of the thousands of pilgrims traveling to the shrine each year. According to V. K. Bhiduri, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, the pilgrimage—originally set to conclude on August 9—has been paused on both the Sonamarg-Baltal and Pahalgam-Chandanwari routes. Maintenance teams are already deployed along the Pahalgam trail, working diligently to restore the path’s condition after severe weather left it compromised. Bhiduri further added…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Tianjin, China, later this month to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, taking place from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This marks PM Modi’s first official visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley incident in 2020, which significantly strained relations between the two countries. Modi’s last trip to China occurred in 2019, and he briefly engaged with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. His upcoming presence at the SCO summit signals a cautious step toward stabilizing diplomatic ties. The…

India’s economic prospects for the fiscal year 2025–26 remain upbeat, with Deloitte India projecting GDP growth between 6.4% and 6.7%, an improvement buoyed by resilient consumer demand, favorable policy direction, and an expanding presence in global trade. This comes after the country registered 6.5% GDP growth in FY 2024–25, maintaining its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. The consultancy firm noted that India’s steady capital markets, growing consumption, and a globally relevant workforce form the backbone of its current momentum. Deloitte economist Rumki Majumdar emphasized that this “virtuous trifecta” supports India’s ability to weather global headwinds while pushing ahead…