Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

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…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day visit to Bhutan, highlighting a new era of cooperation between the two nations in energy, healthcare, and connectivity. He stated that these developments would inject fresh momentum into the India–Bhutan partnership. Expressing gratitude to the Bhutanese leadership, PM Modi thanked King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for personally seeing him off at the airport in Thimphu as he departed for New Delhi. The visit coincided with Bhutan’s celebration of several important milestones—the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the Global Peace Prayer Festival, and the exhibition of Lord Buddha’s relics from…

President Donald Trump hinted at a major trade breakthrough with India on Monday, revealing that Washington and New Delhi are close to finalizing a fair and balanced trade agreement. Speaking at the Oval Office during the swearing-in of Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India, Trump confirmed that the US would soon reduce tariffs on Indian goods as part of the ongoing negotiations. “We’re making a deal with India—something very different from before,” Trump said. “Right now, they don’t love me, but they will love us again. We’re closing in on a fair deal that benefits everyone.” The…

India and Saudi Arabia have officially signed the bilateral Haj Agreement for 2026, confirming that 175,025 Indian pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the annual Islamic pilgrimage. The agreement was finalized during Union Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju’s visit to Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 9, underscoring both nations’ commitment to improving the overall Haj experience. The accord was signed after a bilateral meeting between Rijiju and Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, held in Jeddah. The two leaders reviewed progress on logistical and administrative arrangements for the upcoming…