India is at the forefront of the global digital revolution, as financial technology propels the rapid expansion of digital payments, according to Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He highlighted that the digital economy already constitutes 10% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is projected to reach 20% by 2026, based on decade-long growth trends. Patra attributed this progress to India’s robust digital public infrastructure, flourishing IT industry, and youthful population, which boasts one of the largest pools of artificial intelligence (AI) talent globally. These factors collectively create immense opportunities for future…
Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee
Shradhanjali Mukherjee
Salina Shah
India remains a crucial ally for the United States in promoting Indo-Pacific and global regional stability, according to the US State Department. Under outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration, ties between the two nations have significantly deepened, particularly in trade and security. During a press briefing, Vedant Patel, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, emphasized the importance of this partnership. He noted that President Biden and outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken view India as an essential partner. Over the past four years, the administration has made tangible progress in enhancing collaboration in key areas, including economic and defense partnerships. Patel stated,…
Canada appears to be revising its approach toward India following Donald Trump’s U.S. election win on November 5, 2024. This diplomatic shift signals a potentially new chapter in Canada-India relations, influenced by the White House power shift. Previously, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government was vocal in its support of Khalistani separatists operating within Canada, ignoring India’s calls to curb these groups’ activities, which openly challenged India’s sovereignty. With Trump poised to return to the Oval Office, Canada’s stance on India is now noticeably softer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his positive relationship with Trump, stands in sharp contrast to…
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a new initiative focused on enhancing government efficiency, titled the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump announced this decision on Tuesday, emphasizing the mission to reduce bureaucracy, cut excess regulations, and streamline federal agencies. Trump noted that DOGE would partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to implement entrepreneurial strategies for structural reform. Trump stated that this department would be “the Manhattan Project of our time,” aiming to make the U.S. government more accountable and efficient, with…
Dr. Akshay Khandelwal has been named to the Gerald E. McGinnis Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at Allegheny Health Network (AHN), backed by a $2 million endowment from the McGinnis family to support his goal of advancing cardiac treatments and easing the burden of heart disease across diverse patient populations. An interventional cardiologist, Dr. Khandelwal specializes in catheter-based treatments for heart disease, with a focus on complex coronary procedures like angioplasty, stenting, and diagnostic cardiology. Expressing gratitude to the McGinnis family, Dr. Khandelwal remarked, “The McGinnis family’s incredible generosity allows us to push the boundaries in cardiovascular medicine—a fitting tribute…
On Friday, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, projected that India’s economy would increase from US$ 3.5 trillion to US$ 35 trillion over the next 25 years. Speaking at the Amazing Goa Global Business Summit 2024, Goyal stated that India is poised to become the third-largest economy globally within the next three years, attributing this growth to the country’s strong economic fundamentals. These include low inflation, solid foreign exchange reserves, and a welcoming investment climate that has seen foreign direct investment (FDI) double in the last decade. Reflecting on India’s remarkable progress, Goyal highlighted how the nation transitioned…
Indian Americans have strengthened their representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, increasing their numbers from five to possibly seven members. Indian-American lawyer and Virginia State Senator Suhas Subramanyam made history by winning a congressional seat from Virginia’s 10th District, marking the first time an Indian American from the East Coast has been elected to Congress. Subramanyam, a former advisor to President Obama, joins the “Samosa Caucus”—a group of Indian American members currently serving in Congress, including Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar, all of whom were re-elected. Shri Thanedar secured his second term in…
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a self-reliant India by 2047, the Gujarat government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has unveiled the country’s first-ever ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027’. This policy aims to establish Gujarat as the leader in India’s semiconductor manufacturing sector and reduce dependence on foreign imports. To ensure successful implementation, the state has set up the ‘Gujarat State Electronics Mission’, a dedicated body to oversee the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem. A significant milestone in this mission was the laying of the foundation stone for Micron’s advanced semiconductor ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking,…
Continuing a cultural tradition spanning generations, hundreds of Indian-American community members gathered in Virginia, USA, to celebrate the Hindu festival of Chhath Puja, honoring the Sun God. This four-day festival, which began on November 6, includes devotees fasting and congregating by rivers or ponds to offer prayers, embracing rituals they have cherished for generations. In Virginia, participants observed the Kharna ritual on Wednesday, a vital aspect of Chhath Puja. During the Kharna ritual, devotees fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from even drinking water, as a practice of physical and spiritual cleansing. The community came together by a river, with…
India’s smartphone market achieved a significant milestone in the third quarter of 2024, becoming the world’s second-largest by unit volume, as reported by Counterpoint Research. India accounted for 15.5% of global smartphone shipments during this period, trailing only China, which held a 22% share. Meanwhile, the United States followed with a 12% share. In terms of market value, India placed third, holding 12.3% of the global share, a slight increase from the 12.1% recorded during the same quarter last year. China led the value segment with 31%, while the US maintained a 19% share. Neil Shah, co-founder of Counterpoint Research,…
