Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

In early August 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy by calling India a “dead economy” in a Truth Social post. This remark came alongside his claim that “we do very little business with India” and the announcement of steep tariffs—first 25%, then raised to 50%—targeting Indian imports in retaliation for New Delhi’s ongoing trade in Russian oil and defense equipment. These comments, however, do not align with reality. U.S.-India trade hit record highs in recent years, with two-way goods and services trade exceeding $200 billion annually. India remains one of America’s fastest-growing trade partners, while the Indian economy itself…

New York City has officially recognized the contributions of the Rajasthani-American community by proclaiming August 6, 2025, as “Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) Day.” The historic announcement came during RANA’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at New York City Hall, where Mayor Eric Adams personally joined the ceremony to honor 25 years of cultural service, charitable work, and diaspora unity. Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, who facilitated the proclamation, praised RANA’s role in strengthening ties between New York and the global Rajasthani diaspora. “For 25 years, RANA has championed culture, service, and community,” he said, extending congratulations on behalf of the city’s…

Just days after a catastrophic flash flood tore through Uttarakhand’s Dharali and Harsil villages, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released striking high-resolution satellite images that lay bare the scale of the disaster. Triggered by intense rainfall and a sudden cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, the deluge swept away homes, hotels, bridges, and roads in Uttarkashi district, claiming at least five lives while more than 100 remain missing. Captured by the Cartosat-2S satellite, the images—shared on ISRO’s official X account—are now serving as a crucial guide for ground-based rescue and relief teams. Comparative analysis shows a significant change in the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan on Wednesday, marking the launch of the first of ten planned buildings under the Common Central Secretariat project. The building, designed to house multiple ministries, is part of the broader Central Vista redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing and consolidating India’s administrative infrastructure. Located in the heart of Delhi, Kartavya Bhavan will serve as the new home for crucial government ministries including Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). Additionally, it will accommodate the offices of the Principal Scientific Adviser and the Department of…

Indian-American billionaire and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has issued a bold forecast about the future of work. During a podcast interview with Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath, Khosla predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) could replace up to 80% of current jobs within the next three to five years. While the number may sound alarming, he highlighted the massive opportunities AI will also create for those who are quick to adapt and constantly learning. Khosla emphasized that success in tomorrow’s world will hinge less on deep expertise in one area and more on the ability to learn quickly and apply first principles thinking.…

India’s manufacturing industry witnessed a strong rebound in July 2025, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbing to 59.1, marking a 16-month peak, according to S&P Global data. This increase from June’s 58.4 reading highlights a surge in new factory orders—the quickest in nearly five years—alongside a notable boost in output, particularly in the intermediate goods segment. Despite this solid growth, business sentiment dipped to a three-year low, signaling caution among manufacturers. This decline in confidence stemmed from rising competition and persistent concerns about inflation, which continue to shadow the otherwise optimistic outlook. Although hiring remained muted,…

In response to recent comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that India had ceased oil imports from Russia, Indian government sources clarified that the country continues to purchase Russian crude. These imports, they emphasized, are determined by market-driven factors such as pricing, oil grade, logistics, inventories, and economic viability—not political pressure. President Trump had claimed he had “heard” that India would stop buying oil from Russia and called it “a good step.” However, Indian officials quickly countered this by stating that oil refiners still source crude from Russian suppliers, making decisions aligned with international norms and national energy security…

In a significant move to strengthen ties with its overseas community, India has launched eight new Indian Consular Application Centers across the United States. The announcement came from India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, in a video message posted by the Embassy of India in Washington on social media platform X. The newly opened centers are located in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Addison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose. An additional center is also planned for Los Angeles in the near future. Ambassador Kwatra emphasized that this expansion, effective from August 1, will greatly improve the accessibility and efficiency of…

India is set to host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, marking a major step in its efforts to democratize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and apply it to real-world issues across vital sectors. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of using AI as a transformative force for public good, with a focus on domains like healthcare, agriculture, climate action, education, and governance. The summit will spotlight the IndiaAI Mission, a unique blend of regulatory frameworks and technological innovations designed to uphold fairness, safety, and human rights in AI deployment. One major goal is to support homegrown language…

 India and the United Kingdom have signed a groundbreaking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that promises a significant boost to India’s medical device exports. One of the standout provisions is a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), allowing the UK to accept certifications from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED). This means that Indian medical products will now be able to enter the British market more easily, without needing duplicate approvals. Adding to this momentum, Indian medical instruments will enjoy zero tariffs when entering the UK. This marks a big shift from the earlier…