Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India and the United States risk halting more than two decades of strategic progress unless they swiftly address mounting political tensions over tariffs and Washington’s renewed engagement with Pakistan, policy expert Dhruva Jaishankar has warned in a written submission to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. Jaishankar, Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America, told lawmakers that the partnership—built consistently across administrations in both countries—is now facing “a political standstill” driven by disagreements on trade policy and unease in New Delhi over high-level US outreach to Pakistan’s military leadership. He noted that the India–US relationship has strengthened significantly since…

India is on track to become a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2035, powered by its young talent pool, abundant data resources, and a rapidly expanding semiconductor ecosystem, experts said on Monday at the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025. The four-day event, which began on December 6, has emerged as one of the year’s most influential science and innovation platforms, inspiring students, researchers, and start-ups while contributing to the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, according to officials. Speaking at the festival, IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja said India’s strengths place it firmly on the path to becoming…

United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in India, with her visit aimed at driving President Donald Trump’s priorities to reinforce the growing partnership between Washington, DC and New Delhi. The US Embassy in India announced her arrival, noting that the trip aligns with broader efforts to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. In a message posted on X, the Embassy stated that the mission was pleased to welcome Hooker, emphasizing that her visit comes at a crucial moment as the two nations push ahead on matters tied closely to economic stability and national…

Photo Courtesy instagram.com A renewed push in the United States Senate is seeking to address one of the most persistent failures of the American immigration system — the lack of a permanent, lawful path for young immigrants who grew up in the country but face the threat of losing their status. The Dream Act of 2025, reintroduced by Senators Dick Durbin and Lisa Murkowski on December 4, expands earlier versions by formally including “Documented Dreamers,” children who entered legally on dependent visas but age out at 21. This expansion is especially significant for Indian families navigating long green card waits.…

Indian American scholar Dr. Udit Gupta, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Cornell Tech, has been selected as one of the first recipients of Cornell’s AI and Climate Fast Grant. His project focuses on developing new approaches to cut the rapidly increasing energy demand associated with artificial intelligence while exploring ways AI can support environmental research. Gupta is one of eight Cornell researchers awarded between $10 thousand and $25 thousand in funding under The 2030 Project: A Cornell Climate Initiative. The program supports groundbreaking work that lies at the intersection of climate science and artificial intelligence, recognizing…

Tanishq, the luxury jewelry label under the Tata Group, has expanded its retail footprint in the United States by opening a spacious new showroom in Tysons, Virginia. The launch marks the brand’s debut in the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area and represents its largest outlet in the country to date. The store spans nearly 5,000 square feet, offering an extensive assortment of more than 5,000 jewelry designs, including everyday pieces, bridal collections, and high-impact statement creations. The Tysons location has seen strong footfall and encouraging early sales, driven largely by the region’s rapidly growing Indian community. Tanishq aims to use…

India and the Netherlands held the 13th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, reviewing the progress of their multifaceted partnership and charting a course for deeper cooperation across critical sectors. The discussions focused on elevating collaboration in cutting-edge technologies, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as well as strengthening ties in science and technology, green hydrogen, shipping, defence, security and the long-standing Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH) agenda. Both sides reiterated their commitment to adding a strategic dimension to the relationship, backed by the increasing frequency of high-level interactions. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these engagements have contributed to…

The International Monetary Fund’s recent Article IV assessment praised India’s robust economic performance, noting that growth remains resilient despite global uncertainty and that macroeconomic policies and structural reforms have fortified the country’s economic outlook. Yet the assessment assigned a C grade to India’s national accounts statistics, even as the overall statistical system received a B grade across all data categories. The IMF’s concerns centre on methodological aspects of India’s statistical framework rather than the authenticity of the underlying data. It cited discrepancies between GDP estimates derived from the production and expenditure approaches, suggesting that household consumption and parts of the…

Ten-year-old Joel Regis, a 5th grader at Tom Kitayama Elementary School, has achieved an extraordinary feat by earning two All American honors at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships held in Savannah, Georgia. Representing Mission Valley Track and Field, Regis demonstrated remarkable skill and versatility at the national level. In the javelin competition, Regis threw an impressive 32.33 meters, securing fourth place and marking his best performance in three consecutive years of competing at Nationals. His consistency and dedication to the event have made him a notable contender among young athletes across the country. In addition to his javelin success,…

India and the United States are holding virtual trade discussions on a frequent and consistent basis, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal said on Friday, expressing confidence that New Delhi may be able to finalize the long-awaited trade agreement with Washington before the end of the year. Agarwal noted that most key concerns have already been addressed and only a few issues remain open. Speaking at FICCI’s 98th Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, the Commerce Secretary highlighted that the global trade environment has shifted significantly since negotiations for the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) first began. He added that any remaining points…