Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

 India has inaugurated a new Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) in Los Angeles, operated by VFS Global, to improve access to essential services such as passports, visas, and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) for the local Indian diaspora. This facility, which became operational on December 15, 2025, increases the total number of VFS-operated Indian centres in the US to 17. The Los Angeles centre provides a wide range of consular services including passport and visa applications, renunciation of Indian citizenship, police clearance certificates, Global Entry Programme services, and document attestations. According to Amit Kumar Sharma, Head – Americas, VFS Global,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in January 2026, marking a major step in Assam’s effort to balance ecological preservation with infrastructure expansion. The project represents a long-term solution to protect wildlife while addressing increasing traffic movement through one of India’s most environmentally sensitive regions. State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora confirmed that the initiative gained strong momentum after the Prime Minister’s visit to Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, last year. During that visit, the region’s biodiversity reportedly left a strong impression, helping elevate the project’s priority at the national…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed two-time Olympic medallist and javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, along with his wife, Himani Mor, at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday. Sharing highlights of the meeting on social media, PM Modi mentioned that they discussed various topics, including sports, and described the interaction as “great.” Neeraj Chopra, a trailblazer in Indian athletics, became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field during the Tokyo 2020 Games. He maintained his top form by claiming gold at the World Athletics Championships in 2023 and a silver medal at the…

The STEAM National Honor Society (STEAM NHS), a U.S.-based nonprofit promoting student achievement in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, has announced a strategic partnership with Intelligent Science Group Inc., also known as Science Bank, to publish the 2026 edition of the Future Scholars Journal (FSJ). The journal is a free, peer-reviewed, international platform dedicated to high school and undergraduate research. The collaboration merges STEAM NHS’s mission-driven student research ecosystem with Science Bank’s global publishing capabilities. Together, they aim to improve editorial quality, peer-review rigor, and international exposure for student-authored research. The Future Scholars Journal functions as an official scholarly…

The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a significant milestone in India’s trade diplomacy, delivering tangible and wide-ranging benefits across the economy, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. The agreement enhances market access for Indian goods, expands opportunities in services and mobility, and strengthens cooperation in agriculture, investment and emerging sectors. It eliminates duties on 100 per cent of Indian exports and includes a long-term investment commitment of US$20 billion over 15 years. Under the Agricultural Productivity Partnership, the FTA supports Indian farmers by boosting productivity and integrating them into global value chains. The agreement also provides…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka on Tuesday as the Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold discussions with the island nation’s top leadership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. The visit underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place amid New Delhi’s ongoing humanitarian outreach under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as the first responder, providing urgent humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Sri Lanka in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.…

 India’s merchandise exports saw a robust increase in November 2025, with outbound shipments to China adding over $1 billion year-on-year and reaching $2.20 billion, a growth of more than 90 percent. Exports to the United States also rose over 22 percent to $6.98 billion during the same period, despite high reciprocal tariffs. Overall, India’s total merchandise exports surged nearly 20 percent year-on-year to $38.13 billion in November, recovering sharply from a 12 percent decline in October. Strong export performance helped reduce the trade deficit to a five-month low of $24.5 billion. Earlier, US tariffs exceeding 50 percent had caused exports…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Maitri Parv celebrates the deep friendship, shared history and a prosperous future between India and Oman, while hailing the Indian diaspora as a living example of coexistence and cooperation. Addressing members of the Indian community at the Maitri Parv event in Muscat, PM Modi highlighted India’s cultural diversity and its global recognition, noting that Diwali has now been included by UNESCO in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Calling the gathering a “mini India,” the Prime Minister said Indians carry respect for diversity wherever they go and adapt seamlessly to local cultures.…

US President Donald Trump has described India as a crucial strategic partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the country’s rising global influence and historical depth. According to a statement shared by the US Embassy in India, Trump praised India as an exceptional nation shaped by one of the world’s oldest civilizations and highlighted his strong personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a message posted on X, the embassy quoted Trump as calling India an “amazing country” that plays a central role in America’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He underscored that India’s partnership is essential to maintaining…

The champions of India’s Got Talent Season 10 are set to take their talents global, as the Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy from Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, received an official invitation to participate in America’s Got Talent 2026 in Los Angeles. The academy, known for its exceptional gymnasts, will send seven members, including one female performer, to represent India on the international stage. Mallakhamb, an ancient Indian sport combining aerial yoga and acrobatics on a traditional vertical pole, will be showcased by the young performers, highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage and athletic skill. Recently, two academy members performed in Romania, earning widespread acclaim for…