Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

A parliamentary delegation from India, led by BJP Member of Parliament Daggubati Purandeswari, held an interactive session with around 120 Indian-American community leaders in New York. The event aimed to reinforce the growing partnership between India and the United States, highlighting the diaspora’s key contribution to India’s global progress. Hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York, the meeting emphasized the importance of the Indian-American community in advancing India’s vision for a Developed India 2047. The delegation praised the diaspora for their active role in strengthening bilateral ties and representing India’s achievements in technology, economy, and innovation. Anil…

Reuters: Online marketplace Etsy Inc. (ETSY.N) has appointed long-time insider Kruti Patel Goyal as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Josh Silverman, who led the company for over eight years. Etsy’s shares, which had risen nearly 40% this year, dropped about 7% in early trading after the company projected muted gross merchandise sales (GMS) for the fourth quarter. Patel Goyal, currently Etsy’s President and Chief Growth Officer, will officially take charge on January 1, 2026. She previously led Depop, the fashion resale platform Etsy acquired for $1.63 billion in 2021. Silverman will transition to Executive Chair, replacing Fred Wilson, and…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a key step in reinforcing India-Cyprus relations. The leaders reviewed the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029, which outlines the roadmap for collaboration in defense, trade, innovation, and technology. The framework was first agreed upon during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June 2025. During the meeting, Jaishankar shared that discussions extended beyond bilateral cooperation to include global geopolitical developments and regional affairs. He expressed confidence that as Cyprus assumes the European Union Presidency in 2026, India-EU relations will gain greater momentum.…

India and China held the 23rd Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Chushul-Moldo border point, reaffirming that peace and stability have largely prevailed along the Indo-China frontier. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the discussions were conducted in a cordial and constructive manner, reflecting both nations’ commitment to maintaining calm in the border regions. This session marked the first high-level interaction in the western sector since the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks held in August 2025. Officials from both sides reviewed developments since the 22nd Corps Commander meeting in October 2024 and agreed to continue leveraging established…

Acclaimed Indian author Kiran Desai has made a triumphant return to the literary world after nearly two decades with her new novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, which has been shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. Desai, who won the 2006 Man Booker Prize for The Inheritance of Loss, re-emerges with a deeply layered love story exploring identity, belonging, and the Indian diaspora’s emotional complexities. Her latest novel follows Sonia and Sunny, two Indian-Americans navigating love, alienation, and heritage across continents. The story unfolds through complex relationships, generational legacies, and themes of displacement and self-discovery. Desai’s debut novel, The…

When Money Singh, an Indian American entrepreneur, moved from Punjab to San Francisco at 19, he faced isolation and uncertainty. Far from home, he battled depression and financial hardship, unaware that his determination would later turn him into a self-made millionaire in the United States. Singh’s first few years were challenging — he dropped out of college after discovering his credits from India wouldn’t transfer and took up small jobs to survive. Eventually, he joined his uncle’s cab business, starting out as a dispatcher earning $6 per hour. Over the next 12 years, he built his own five-car taxi fleet,…

In an unexpected move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a series of fee reductions for the EB-5 investor visa program, marking one of the few instances where immigration-related costs are being lowered instead of raised. The EB-5 program offers foreign investors a path to U.S. permanent residency by investing in American job-creating enterprises. If the new rule is finalized, the primary EB-5 petition fee (Form I-526/I-526E) would decrease from $11,160 to $9,625 — a 14% reduction. Similarly, the fee for removing conditions on permanent residency (Form I-829) would fall from $9,525 to $7,860, a 17% cut. Even…

Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Ottawa, reaffirming the shared cultural and spiritual connections between India and Canada. In his address, Patnaik said the upcoming temple would serve as a symbol of peace, service, and unity, reflecting the inclusive values that bind both nations. He was joined by his wife at the event, which brought together members of the Indo-Canadian community, BAPS volunteers, and local dignitaries. The envoy praised the BAPS organisation and its volunteers for their dedication to humanitarian and community initiatives that…

During his visit to Seychelles, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasized India’s strong commitment to deepening its historic partnership with the island nation. In a meeting with Seychelles’ newly elected President, Patrick Herminie, at the State House in Victoria, Radhakrishnan reiterated India’s readiness to collaborate closely in areas crucial to Seychelles’ development—including healthcare, education, renewable energy, transportation, and maritime security. The Vice President extended warm greetings from the Government and people of India to President Herminie and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation for him to visit India at a mutually convenient time. This meeting marked a significant moment in…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday for a high-level discussion centered on strengthening India-US bilateral relations, addressing regional developments, and exploring global challenges. Taking to X, Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the meeting, stating that he appreciated the meaningful conversation on enhancing ties and tackling global concerns. The dialogue came at a crucial juncture, as both nations continued discussions over a potential Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), signaling progress in one of the most significant economic dialogues between New Delhi and Washington. The talks followed a recent statement from India’s Commerce…