Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

On January 27, millions of fans across generations were taken by surprise when Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing. While he did not provide a detailed explanation, the singer cited boredom as a primary reason and hinted at a growing interest in film direction. Over recent years, Singh has already experimented with filmmaking, suggesting that his career pivot may be motivated by a desire to explore storytelling behind the camera. Arijit Singh has directed two films to date. In 2015, he helmed the Bengali feature Bhalobashar Roznamcha (Diary of Love in Hindi), which combined seven short films into…

The United States recently hosted the first-ever meeting of the US India Drug Policy Executive Working Group in Washington, marking a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation against the global drug problem. The meeting reflected the shared resolve of both nations to tackle drug trafficking, prevent the misuse of precursor chemicals, and promote safer communities. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions highlighted the long-term commitment of both governments to address drug-related threats that increasingly cross international borders. The two-day meeting, held from January 20 to January 21, was formally opened by Sara Carter, Director of the Office…

 India made a remarkable impact at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade event, taking the spotlight as the Country Partner with the most extensive global representation. With over 600 Indian exhibitors and the largest exhibition space of any country, India highlighted its leadership in the agri-food and processed food sector. Key offerings included Basmati rice, more than a dozen GI-tagged rice varieties, millets, tea, spices, turmeric, processed foods, organic products, and fresh produce, reflecting the diversity and quality of Indian agriculture. The Indian Pavilion at Dubai Expo City was inaugurated by senior officials, underscoring the country’s…

India’s economy is expected to maintain steady momentum over the next two years, with GDP growth projected at 6.5 per cent in 2026 and 6.4 per cent in 2027, keeping the country among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, according to a report released on Tuesday. The report by DBS Bank said inflation is likely to follow a gradual normalisation path, with consumer price inflation projected to rise from 2.2 per cent in 2025 to 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 4.5 per cent in 2027. Against this backdrop, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to maintain a stable monetary…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has positioned India as a cornerstone of Europe’s trade strategy, emphasizing the need to finalize the decades-long India-EU free trade agreement (FTA). Her visit to New Delhi, coinciding with her role as Chief Guest for India’s Republic Day, is aimed at energizing bilateral ties and closing remaining gaps in what she describes as “the mother of all deals.” The agreement promises to significantly enhance economic relations between India and Europe, reflecting India’s growing strategic confidence on the global stage. The deal could reshape global trade patterns, offering European nations an opportunity to strengthen…

Five American states—Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, and South Dakota—have officially proclaimed January 26, 2026, as the “Republic Day of India,” marking the 77th anniversary of the adoption of India’s Constitution. The proclamations also recognized the significant contributions of Indian and Indian American communities to their respective states. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy highlighted the day as a celebration of India’s status as the world’s largest democracy. He emphasized the Indian community’s role in enhancing Alaska’s cultural diversity, educational excellence, and economic vitality. The proclamation also referenced growing partnerships between Alaska and India in trade, technology, agriculture, and cultural exchange, underlining the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on January 23 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for a series of major development initiatives. During his visit, the Prime Minister will also address a public gathering, highlighting the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, technological progress, and improved citizen services. A key focus of the visit is enhancing rail connectivity in the region. PM Modi will flag off four new train services, including three Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Nagercoil-Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram, and Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli, alongside a passenger service between Thrissur and Guruvayur. These routes are expected to improve connectivity with…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Wednesday to discuss enhancing bilateral ties across trade, investment, defence, technology, and education, along with strengthening people-to-people connections. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Spain’s support in deepening India-EU relations and welcomed Spain’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. In a statement on X, EAM Jaishankar highlighted that discussions covered “wide-ranging topics, including trade, investments, defence, technology, education, and people-to-people ties” while reaffirming the “strong political dialogue” between the two countries. He also noted Spain’s backing for broader India-EU cooperation across multiple sectors. Jaishankar underscored the importance of…

Governor Gavin Newsom has named Manjusha P. Kulkarni to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, according to an official announcement on January 16. The position is honorary, carrying no compensation and not requiring Senate confirmation. Kulkarni, a prominent civil rights advocate, currently serves as Executive Director of the AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition representing over 1.6 million Asian American and Pacific Islander residents in Los Angeles County. She is also a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, established in 2020, which has grown into the nation’s leading reporting center for anti-AAPI discrimination and incidents. Her advocacy has…

The European Union’s top leadership will visit India as chief guests for the 77th Republic Day, coinciding with the much-anticipated India-EU summit. The visit comes as both Delhi and Brussels confirm that negotiations on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are nearing completion, with most chapters finalized and only a few remaining areas of discussion. Originally launched in 2007 and relaunched in 2022, EU-India trade talks were accelerated in February 2025 during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit. The planned agreement aims to strengthen trade while also elevating the long-standing strategic partnership first formalized in 2004. The summit will…