Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $1.03 billion to $687.26 billion for the week ending December 5, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India. The increase was led by a sharp jump in gold reserves, which climbed by $1.188 billion to $106.984 billion. Special Drawing Rights also increased by $95 million to $18.721 billion. The central bank continues to actively monitor currency market movements and intervenes when required to maintain orderly trading conditions. India has witnessed a surge in foreign direct investment commitments this year, with total FDI inflows during the first half of FY 2025–26 reaching…

Indian Americans were celebrated as one of the most powerful forces connecting the United States and India during a high-profile Congressional hearing, even as lawmakers issued sharp criticisms of the Trump administration’s tightening immigration rules and visa policies. The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia convened on Wednesday to assess the state of the US–India strategic partnership, and throughout the session, the diaspora’s economic and social contributions took center stage. Committee Chairman Bill Huizenga opened the hearing by stressing that more than 5 million Indian Americans serve as a backbone for the U.S. economy. He highlighted their…

India and Brunei advanced their growing security relationship with the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation, held on December 9, 2025. The session, hosted in the Indian capital, marked an important step forward in carrying out the India-Brunei Defence Partnership established in February 2023. Designed as a structured platform for continuous engagement, the JWG aims to deepen collaboration across a broad spectrum of defense and strategic initiatives. The discussions during the meeting focused on expanding direct military cooperation between the two nations. Both sides emphasized strengthening professional exchanges, developing new joint training programs, and enhancing…

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi met Brazilian Navy Commander Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen to advance the growing maritime partnership between the two nations. The discussions focused on strengthening operational engagements, expanding training exchanges, boosting hydrographic cooperation, improving information sharing, and enhancing maritime domain awareness across the South Atlantic region. Both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored new avenues in defence technology, innovation, and naval capacity building. The meeting underscored the shared commitment of India and Brazil to deepen strategic convergence and contribute to a secure and stable maritime environment, particularly in the broader Global South. Admiral Tripathi is…

 Sathi Roy, a first-generation entrepreneur and the founder of Our Highest Mantra (OHM), made a striking entry onto the global stage at the prestigious SCOPE Art Show in Miami Beach—one of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibitions. Her participation was part of the OHM × Orbital Temple showcase, which explored how art, advanced technology, longevity research, and spiritual evolution are increasingly converging in the global cultural landscape. The moment marked a significant milestone for Roy, who has spent the last three years building OHM’s purpose around emotional clarity, aligned living, and human performance. At the festival, Roy introduced attendees to…

India and the United States risk halting more than two decades of strategic progress unless they swiftly address mounting political tensions over tariffs and Washington’s renewed engagement with Pakistan, policy expert Dhruva Jaishankar has warned in a written submission to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, told lawmakers that the partnership—built consistently across administrations in both countries—is now facing “a political standstill” driven by disagreements on trade policy and unease in New Delhi over high-level US outreach to Pakistan’s military leadership. He noted that the India–US relationship has strengthened significantly since…

India is on track to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2035, powered by its young talent pool, abundant data resources, and a rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem, experts said on Monday at the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025. The four-day event, which began on December 6, has emerged as one of the year’s most influential science and innovation platforms, inspiring students, researchers, and start-ups while contributing to the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, according to officials. Speaking at the festival, IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja said India’s strengths place it firmly on the path to becoming…

United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in India, with her visit aimed at driving President Donald Trump’s priorities to reinforce the growing partnership between Washington, DC and New Delhi. The US Embassy in India announced her arrival, noting that the trip aligns with broader efforts to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. In a message posted on X, the Embassy stated that the mission was pleased to welcome Hooker, emphasizing that her visit comes at a crucial moment as the two nations push ahead on matters tied closely to economic stability and national…

Photo Courtesy instagram.com A renewed push in the United States Senate is seeking to address one of the most persistent failures of the American immigration system — the lack of a permanent, lawful path for young immigrants who grew up in the country but face the threat of losing their status. The Dream Act of 2025, reintroduced by Senators Dick Durbin and Lisa Murkowski on December 4, expands earlier versions by formally including “Documented Dreamers,” children who entered legally on dependent visas but age out at 21. This expansion is especially significant for Indian families navigating long green card waits.…

Indian American scholar Dr. Udit Gupta, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Cornell Tech, has been selected as one of the first recipients of Cornell’s AI and Climate Fast Grant. His project focuses on developing new approaches to cut the rapidly increasing energy demand associated with artificial intelligence while exploring ways AI can support environmental research. Gupta is one of eight Cornell researchers awarded between $10 thousand and $25 thousand in funding under The 2030 Project: A Cornell Climate Initiative. The program supports groundbreaking work that lies at the intersection of climate science and artificial intelligence, recognizing…