Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India and New Zealand are moving toward a broader and more strategically significant partnership, with trade and maritime security emerging as two major areas of cooperation. The relationship gained fresh momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand in July 2026, when the two nations upgraded their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. The economic relationship received another boost following the ratification of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement by New Zealand’s Parliament. The agreement is expected to open new avenues for trade and investment and reduce the restrictions that have historically limited commercial exchanges between the two…

India and the United States are continuing negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal saying the discussions are progressing quickly and in a positive direction. Speaking on Tuesday, September 22, Goyal indicated that both sides remain engaged but did not provide specific details about the issues currently being negotiated. The talks are taking place against the backdrop of new US measures targeting Russia and its major energy customers. US President Donald Trump has signed legislation giving his administration the authority to impose tariffs of as much as 100% on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and…

India has emerged as the leading market for business climate among 41 economies evaluated in the Global Business Climate Survey 2026, released by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in India. The findings highlight the country’s growing appeal to international businesses and underline opportunities for stronger commercial engagement between India and Sweden. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared the survey results, drawing attention to India’s business environment amid ongoing challenges affecting the global economy. The annual assessment examines economic conditions, business expectations and operating environments across markets where Swedish companies conduct or consider expanding their activities. The 2026…

The Association of Indo Americans (AIA) organized an interactive community session in Milpitas, California, bringing together students and India’s Consul General in San Francisco, Satish Kumar Sivan. The gathering provided middle school, high school and college students with an opportunity to discuss culture, identity, community involvement and opportunities available to young Indian Americans. The conversation focused on the experiences of young people growing up with connections to both India and the United States. Students explored how they can maintain an appreciation for Indian traditions while also embracing the diverse cultural environment and values of American society. During the discussion, Consul…

The Indo-American Association Houston (IAA) will present acclaimed Odissi dancer and choreographer Guru Sanchita Bhattacharya’s The Draupadi Phenomenon on September 20, bringing a contemporary interpretation of one of the Mahabharata’s most powerful female figures to the Houston stage. The 90-minute production will take place at MATCH in Houston as part of IAA’s programming in the Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District. Bhattacharya has conceived, written, choreographed and performed the title role in the production. Rather than simply retelling the ancient epic, The Draupadi Phenomenon examines Draupadi’s experiences through a contemporary lens. Born from fire and publicly humiliated in a…

Indian American scientist and technology leader Sethuraman Panchanathan has been selected to receive the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award from the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), becoming the first Indian American to receive the honor in its more than four-decade history. Panchanathan is a University Professor of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University (ASU) and previously served as director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF). The Bueche Award recognizes engineers whose work advances science and technology policy, technological development and collaboration among industry, government and academia. The National Academies cited Panchanathan’s leadership in advancing fundamental science, technology and…

India and the United Arab Emirates are looking to significantly expand their economic relationship, with bilateral trade projected to reach $200 billion by 2032. The target reflects growing commercial ties, stronger investment flows and new opportunities expected through the BRICS grouping. Mohammad Haseeb, Strategic Country Manager at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, said there remains considerable scope for businesses in both countries to deepen their engagement. India-UAE trade currently stands at about $101 billion, up from roughly $73 billion before the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The trade pact has helped improve market access and encouraged greater…

India is hosting the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from major emerging and developing economies for discussions on economic cooperation, global challenges and shared growth. Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the participating leaders on Friday, highlighting the importance of the gathering at a time when global economic and geopolitical dynamics are undergoing significant changes. Sharing a video of Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the two-day summit, Shah said the stage was set for BRICS 2026. He described India as the world’s largest democracy and said the country was pleased to welcome leaders from across the…

Vice President J.D. Vance brought a personal touch to his political message in Dallas, speaking about his wife, Usha Vance, and their six-week-old son as he rallied Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections. Addressing a Republican gathering, Vance explained why Usha was not present to introduce him. The couple welcomed their fourth child, a son named Alec, in July. According to Vance, event organizers had invited Usha when their baby was just two weeks old, but she chose to remain home to care for their newborn and their three other children. Vance used the family anecdote to frame a…

Indian space-tech company GalaxEye has reached a significant milestone after obtaining a United States patent for the technology powering its proprietary OptoSAR imaging system. The achievement strengthens the startup’s intellectual property portfolio and marks an important step in its plans to take its satellite-imaging capabilities to international markets. The newly secured patent protects the underlying architecture that allows optical and microwave sensors to operate together in a coordinated manner. The technology builds on an invention that GalaxEye has also patented in India, giving the company additional protection as it works to commercialize its Earth-observation platform beyond the domestic market. GalaxEye…