Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for a comprehensive and human-centric approach to human rights, urging the global community to prioritise development, capacity-building and tangible improvements in the lives of vulnerable populations over politicisation and selective criticism. Addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council through a video message, Jaishankar said India seeks to expand common ground in an international environment increasingly marked by conflict, polarisation and uncertainty. He emphasised dialogue over confrontation, consensus over division and development over narrow political interests. Stressing the need for moral clarity, Jaishankar underlined that terrorism represents one of the gravest violations of human…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pleasure after meeting Israel’s President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, highlighting the wide-ranging discussions on strengthening India-Israel relations. The two leaders planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, symbolising environmental commitment and shared values. PM Modi also extended a formal invitation to President Herzog to visit India soon. Sharing his reflections on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “It was a delight to meet President Herzog and explore diverse facets of India-Israel friendship. There is immense potential in futuristic sectors such as technology, innovation, and…

Relations between India and Greece are gaining strategic significance, particularly in the defence sector, as regional geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve. Analysts highlight that the growing bilateral partnership reflects not only shared interests but also a broader strategic convergence aimed at maintaining stability across the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific. Reports indicate that shifting alliances, regional rivalries, and emerging influence axes have made select bilateral ties essential for maintaining peace. Within this context, India and Greece are enhancing their strategic dialogue, with military collaboration entering a new phase. The visit of Vice Admiral Eleftherios-Dimitrios Katara, Chief of the Hellenic Navy General…

India and Africa are entering a transformative phase in their bilateral relationship, enhancing collaboration across trade, technology, and climate initiatives amid a shifting global landscape. A high-level meeting in New Delhi underscored Africa’s growing geopolitical and economic importance, with delegates emphasizing stronger South-South cooperation, resilient supply chains, and partnerships for energy transition. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as a pivotal instrument for regional integration, promising standardized trade policies, expanded industrial development, and stronger value chains. Analysts noted that the partnership has moved beyond traditional solidarity, evolving into a proactive alliance aimed at fostering a more multipolar…

Alia Bhatt made a striking debut as a presenter at the BAFTA Awards 2026, opening with a warm greeting in Hindi and immediately drawing attention for her impeccable style. Over the past few years, Bhatt has transformed from a promising actor into a confident fashion ambassador, carrying Indian aesthetics onto international stages including Paris, New York, and Cannes. Her first major global fashion moment was at Paris Fashion Week 2024, where she walked the runway for L’Oréal Paris’s “Walk Your Worth” show. She wore a metallic silver sculptural corset with black flared pants by Gaurav Gupta, merging futuristic design with…

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel this week, a move that promises to significantly advance bilateral relations, according to Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar. Speaking on X, Azar highlighted that the visit represents more than diplomatic meetings—it symbolizes a partnership built on trust, innovation, and a shared understanding of modern global challenges. The visit is expected to accelerate key agreements, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while strengthening defence ties through updated security arrangements. “India and Israel have maintained close cooperation in security and defence for years. With evolving threats, updating our agreements will enable…

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s “exceptional support” during Cyclone Ditwah and for the invitation to the landmark AI Impact Summit. The leaders met on the sidelines of the summit, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the historic partnership between the two neighbours. In his remarks, the Sri Lankan President thanked India for its swift assistance in the aftermath of the cyclone, which caused widespread damage across the island nation. He emphasized that India’s timely intervention reflected the depth of bilateral ties and the spirit of regional solidarity. Prime Minister Modi described…

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted India’s historic contributions to computing and praised the India AI Impact Summit 2026 during his visit to New Delhi. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, Lula emphasized that the digital era has returned to its origins, noting that Indian mathematicians invented the binary system over 2,000 years ago, which laid the foundation for modern computing. The Brazilian leader remarked that the summit comes at a critical juncture for global societies. “We are navigating a crossroads,” he stated, pointing out that the rapid rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution coincides…

Julie Patel Liss, associate professor at California State University, Los Angeles, has been appointed to the advisory board for a new $20 million statewide initiative supporting local journalism and civic engagement in California. The Civic Media Program, convened by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, is a public-private partnership funded equally by the state and Google. Its mission is to strengthen local news outlets and expand community access to reliable information. “Local journalism amplifies the voices of communities and engages citizens on issues that matter,” said Patel Liss, originally from India and now based in Long Beach,…

India is intensifying its engagement with global partners, signaling a proactive approach in economic diplomacy, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on February 18, 2026. Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation conference, he emphasized that the country is approaching international relations from a position of strength, with trade deals reflecting a strategic effort to secure market access and boost economic resilience. Jaishankar noted that the world is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, marked by geopolitical shifts, tighter export controls, and the use of production and finance as strategic tools. In this context, India’s expanding trade relations are designed to…