Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that he is eagerly preparing to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to India next month. His statement came during a meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, the Russian President’s Aide and the Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation, who held talks with him in New Delhi. The conversation between PM Modi and Patrushev centered on strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector—an area both countries have been prioritizing as part of their broader strategic partnership. The leaders reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored new avenues in areas such as maritime connectivity, advanced shipbuilding, specialized…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture in New Delhi, using the platform to reflect on India’s democratic evolution, economic resilience, and its renewed push toward becoming a fully developed nation. He paid tribute to Ramnath Goenka, calling him a visionary who transformed the Indian Express Group into an institution rooted in public interest, national duty, and fearless journalism. Modi emphasized that Goenka’s commitment to truth and nation-building continues to inspire India’s journey in the 21st century. He highlighted Goenka’s unwaveringdherence to duty, noting how he supported various political movements based solely on national interest rather than…

A new US State Department–funded report has revealed that the majority of American colleges are witnessing a significant decline in Indian student enrollment for the 2024–25 academic year. According to the “Open Doors” report by the Institute of International Education, US universities reported a 10% drop in graduate enrollment from India and a 17% fall in overall international student enrollment for the fall of 2025. The findings, based on data from 825 institutions, show that over 61% of US colleges recorded lower Indian student enrollment for the fall 2025 semester. More than 96% of institutions blamed visa application challenges as…

At the 30th CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India’s accelerating rise as a reliable global economic partner. He emphasized that the country’s growing strength comes from its stability in policymaking, expanding innovation ecosystem, semiconductor progress, and rapid clean-energy transition. According to him, these pillars have placed India on a firm path toward achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Mr. Goyal applauded Andhra Pradesh for playing a decisive role in this journey, noting the state’s expanding footprint in advanced manufacturing, green energy, coastal logistics, and defense technologies. One of the…

The United States has announced a sweeping removal of reciprocal tariffs on a broad list of agricultural and processed-food products, offering a significant boost to Indian exporters who had been hit hard by steep duties earlier this year. The revised exemption list, released by the White House and effective from November 13, covers 254 items—including 229 agricultural products—representing nearly $1 billion of India’s annual shipments to the US market. The move is part of an effort by the US administration to cool domestic inflation and ease pressure on American consumers. President Donald Trump signed the executive order that eliminates tariffs…

Indian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter Raja Kumari has secured her second Grammy nomination, this time as a featured artist on Siddhant Bhatia’s Sounds of Kumbha. The album has been named a contender for Best Global Music Album at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026—an honor that highlights its unique fusion of spirituality, tradition, and contemporary sound design. Sounds of Kumbha, released in November 2025, draws its inspiration from the Mahakumbha, one of India’s oldest and most revered spiritual gatherings. Conceived and composed by Siddhant Bhatia, the project aims to capture the emotional and cultural magnitude of the festival through…

India and the United States have begun a focused bilateral air exercise designed to deepen operational synergy between the two air forces. The exercise, held from November 10 to 13, brings together advanced capabilities from both sides and underscores the growing defence engagement between New Delhi and Washington. According to the Indian Air Force, the drill is centred on boosting interoperability, sharing best practices, and improving understanding of each other’s tactical strengths. The highlight of the US participation is the deployment of the B-1B Lancer, a long-range strategic bomber known for its speed, endurance, and advanced strike capabilities. The IAF…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held an in-depth meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, where the two leaders discussed the shifting global landscape and the future of multilateral cooperation. The conversation took place at the UN headquarters on Thursday, during what was a brief but purposeful stopover by the Indian minister. After the meeting, Jaishankar shared on X that he valued Guterres’ candid assessment of the evolving international order and its effects on global governance. He also noted that he appreciated the Secretary-General’s insights on numerous conflict zones that continue to shape diplomatic priorities worldwide. Calling…

India has approved a $5.1 billion relief package to support exporters reeling from the impact of steep US tariffs, according to Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The cabinet cleared the plan, which includes $2.8 billion in funding over six years for export promotion initiatives and $2.3 billion in credit guarantees to back collateral-free loans until March 2026. The program aims to help small and medium exporters access affordable trade finance, strengthen logistics, and explore new global markets. The move comes as India and the United States edge closer to finalizing a trade agreement that could ease some of the recent tariff…

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is preparing to revolutionize India’s digital landscape by delivering affordable, high-speed internet access to even the most remote corners of the country. The tech visionary shared his ambitious plan during an exclusive meeting with members of the India Global Forum (IGF) delegation at Starlink’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. In a post shared by the India Global Forum on social media, Musk emphasized his mission to “connect every corner of the world – including India’s remotest regions – through affordable, high-speed satellite internet.” The initiative underscores Starlink’s broader goal of enabling digital inclusion by bridging…