Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

 India and Sweden have taken a significant step to strengthen their bilateral collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies by signing a Statement of Intent (SoI) during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The agreement, inked between the IndiaAI Mission and Business Sweden, aims to advance cooperation in the development, deployment, and application of AI solutions across industrial and societal domains. According to India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the SoI provides a structured framework to promote innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development through the responsible and inclusive use of AI. This initiative underscores the growing importance of…

Asha Sharma, a 37-year-old Indian-American executive, has assumed the role of CEO at Microsoft Gaming, taking charge of the company’s $180 billion gaming division, which includes Xbox, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard. Her appointment, announced on February 20, 2026, by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, surprised the gaming community, as Sharma has no prior experience running a gaming company. Sharma, who grew up in Wisconsin and studied business at the University of Minnesota, previously led Microsoft’s AI platforms and held leadership roles at Meta, Instacart, and Porch Group. Nadella praised her strategic insight and leadership skills, expressing confidence in her ability to…

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…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day official visit to Israel from February 25-26, reinforcing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two nations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Invited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this will be Modi’s second visit to Israel since 2017, which previously expanded collaboration in defence, agriculture, and water management. During the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu to evaluate the progress of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and explore new avenues of cooperation in science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.…

A new civic data initiative, the Indian American Voter Atlas, has been launched to map the political engagement and influence of Indian Americans in the United States ahead of this year’s midterm elections. The platform is being described as the first open, nonpartisan resource dedicated solely to this rapidly growing community, aiming to provide structured, publicly accessible information about their role in American politics. Announcing the launch, community leader Anang Mittal highlighted that the initiative is designed specifically “for and about the Indian American community,” emphasizing that it is intended as a civic data resource rather than a political advocacy…

India is exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in agriculture, with projections suggesting that smart AI adoption could contribute approximately US$ 7.71 billion to the economy. At the AI4 Agri 2026 conference held in Mumbai, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, highlighted that AI-driven solutions can increase farm productivity, lower operational costs, and mitigate risks for farmers. The minister emphasized that nearly 600 million people in the Global South depend on agriculture and face challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and health risks. AI applications, including real-time weather updates, disaster preparedness, crop forecasting, and…

India and the United States will convene a three-day meeting in the US starting February 23 to finalise the legal text for an interim trade agreement, PTI reported, citing an official. Earlier this month, both countries released a joint statement outlining the framework for the interim trade deal. The framework focuses on lowering tariffs, strengthening energy ties, and boosting economic cooperation. While the framework sets the roadmap, additional negotiations are required to translate it into a legally binding agreement, expected to be signed in March. The Indian delegation will be led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain, a joint secretary in…

The outlook for the Indian textile industry is turning increasingly favourable, buoyed by key Free Trade Agreements and a textile-focused Union Budget, senior government officials have said. After navigating a year of global economic headwinds, the sector now stands at the cusp of renewed growth driven by improved market access and policy support. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles), highlighted that recently concluded FTAs are unlocking substantial opportunities for Indian exporters. By improving tariff competitiveness and integrating India more deeply into global value chains, these agreements are expected to significantly strengthen the country’s export potential. She noted that the alignment between…

Jay Bhattacharya, a distinguished physician and economist, has been named acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while continuing his leadership role at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya confirmed the dual appointment in an interview with NBC News, following multiple prior reports. The CDC has experienced significant leadership instability in recent months under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Susan Monarez, who briefly served as CDC director, was dismissed in August after internal disagreements with Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism. Deputy Health Secretary Jim O’Neill temporarily led the agency until Bhattacharya’s appointment.…

onPhase, a Tampa-based provider of AI-driven financial automation and payment solutions, has appointed Sudarshan Ranganath as its new Chief Product Officer. The leadership move signals the company’s continued focus on expanding its unified automation platform and accelerating product innovation in the finance technology space. In his new role, Ranganath will oversee product vision, long-term strategy, and execution. He is expected to enhance customer impact, broaden adoption of the company’s integrated financial automation platform, and further strengthen its AI capabilities. With more than 20 years of experience in product leadership, he brings expertise across business spend management, revenue optimization, financial workflow…